REPORT WAIRARAPA NATIVE DISTRICT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 11 August 1883, Page 2

REPORT WAIRARAPA NATIVE DISTRICT.

Greytown, June 4,1883. " Sir—ln compliance with your letter of the lltli ultimo, I have the honor - to report on the state of the Maoris in the Wairarapa district. ,

Nothing has transpired to vary tho friendly relations' between the European and Maori population since my last report. The only event which caused some excitement with Maoris was the visit of Tawhiao, the Maori King. They assembled at'Te Ore Ore, near Masterton, to see and hear him. He remained there about a fortnight. His utterances were not of an interesting character: he advocated the maintenance of peace and good-will towards Europeans. Though his visit was looked forward to as no ordinary event, his drunken and immoral conduct iluring his stay caused disgust aud irreverence for him, and dispelled what remained of kingism heie. Lately Maoris have eloctod a Committee of twelve members. Their duty is to enquire into aud decide all questions relating to land titles and matters concerning their social well being. They looked forward to the passing of the Maori Committees Bill, introduced during last session. Being disappointed by the rejection of siicli Bill, they have agreed to abide by the decisions of a Committee constituted without Act of Parliament; and to adopt the European mode, of conducting its deliberations, appointment of officers, and so forth. How long such a system of local government will stand remains to lie seen.

They now support churches and schools. The school at Papawai is fairly attended. The proportion of deaths to previous years has been greater. Nativo lands are being surveyed preparatory to passing through the Nativo Laud Court. The opposition hitherto offered to surveys and the Court Ims ceased. The delay by Government in causing the ownership of reserves to remain unsettled still causes dissatisfaction. The VVairarapa Lake case, one in wMch the Government is concerned, aud one 'of great public importance, still remains incomplete, Much opposition is shown by a faction, who seem to have doubtful claims; at least, their action in not ■ proceeding with tho investigation such claims when before tho Com* makes it appear that the oppositiorAo the acquirement by the Crown of such labs is 011 factious ; and frivolous grounds. The sale of the lakes by. their chiefs was confirmed in favor of the Crown by the Court (so far, as theninterests wero concerned) at its last sitting here. These oppositionists havo had about five year's opportunity extended to them to prove their, claimß, Had the old chief Hiko survived, the opposition now shown would not have been so frivolously and impudently advanced.

_ Taking tho condition of the Maoris in the district into question, on tho whole it is very satisfactory, - I have &c., , I E, S, Maunbhll, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington,

The International Exhibition to lie held in Boston, U.S., in tho coming autumn is to be fo'rmaily opened on Sept. 3, which«the centennial of the treaty of peace, signed at Paris by Franklin, Jay, Adams, and Laurence, and the delegates from England, Spain, ami Prance, "■ Alluding to -tbo burial of Joliu Brown, Queen Victoria's body servant, London Truth sjaysTho ceremony conducted in. the regular Scqtch fashion. The invitations wore issued for noon, .but'it \yas undci-stoorl that the " lifting 11 of the colli ut would not take place till- half-past one, and ~11 this time people kept- dropping in. Thcro wore about 400 persons at the house, and fully that number joined the procession outside. As the iiivild guests arrived they were welcomed by one of the relations of the deceased, who, glass and bottle in hand, in Highland fashion, ; pressed each newcomer to partake of refreshment. ' InRide the usual repast of wine and cake was served, while whisky and huge \ quantities -of-bjacaits and cheeso were Vfiwsry 'distributed outside. On the coffin being Ijftod" it was deposited on'a small table in front of the house, on which was placed the heavy, dark woollen plaid always used by the Queen QU her excursions, and which had-beoivseijt.from Windsor especially for tho occasion, Mr' Campbell, the minister of Crathie, tjicn proceeded with the usual form. of service, after which tho procession started for tho kirkyard, passing,.for the greater part of the route,, through tho Queen's ground.