NOT KEEPING FAITH WITH THE NATIVES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 894, 8 October 1881, Page 2

NOT KEEPING FAITH WITH THE NATIVES.

A correspondent Bends us the followJß ( j ing:—Some eighteen months ajjo, fflienVthe s.B, Hannah Mokau was aground' the north spit of the Mokau river, Mr Holmes, of Auckland, having then an interest in the vessel, arrived at Mokau with the view of floating her. He entered into arrangement! with the natives to work at the vessel, clearing away the sand, &c. TJie natives worked with a good will, at all hours and at all tides. They provided timber, bullocks, sleighs, canooa, &c, and even supplied the vessel with potatoes, kumarns, and pork. Upon completion of the work—the vessel being fioatsd—the natives tendered their accounts to Mr Holmes, the correctness of which he admitted and certißed to, the amount being something over £7O. He promised them the money should be sent to them immediately on his return to Auckland. The natives waited patiently for some months, when they were informed by Mr Hormes that ho could not get the money from tho Insurance Company—the South British, The natives than wrote to the Secretary of the Insurance Company to ascertain tho truth of the statement, but no reply could be obtained, and as far as Mr Holmes or the Insurance Company have concerned themselves, the natives have had to whistle for their money. They might lawfully have detained the vessel at Mokau until they lad been paid, but they relied on tho hojwty of the pakeha and allowed the vessel to depart, The -f matter has been laiil before the Government through the influence of one uf the local Members of Parliament, and doubtless steps will be taken to see'that the natives are paid thsir just dues. It should bo added that but fur the natives the steamer would have become a wreck at Mokau,