The State Farm Trouble.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4634, 29 January 1894, Page 3

The State Farm Trouble.

• Peaceful Counsels Prevail. The anticipations which were entertaiood of a peaceable solution of the Native trouble at Horowbonna, have been justified by the results. It was decided not to impart nny sensational aspect to the afftir by making any armed display, and tbo course of events has aitnted tbe wisdom of this course, Inspeotor Pender left Wellington by Saturday morning's train in charge of -Sergeant Shirley and several constables accompanied by Mr T. Pnutawera (of tbo Native Offioe) :«8 interpreter, On arrival at Levin three constables were left at tbe railnay station, and the rest of tbe party mounted the vehicle ffbich was waiting for them Bnddroveoff to tbe State farm, wbiob they reaobed about au '"'konrlator, Tbeufiund Mr James Maokay at a clearings tbe busb, quietly directing the operations of bis four or five labourers, who were busily engaged in clearing the scrub. The time, was about balf-pant ten, and there was no appearance of tbe Nativos, Mr Maokay explained that he bad arrived that morning from Falmeriton and started his men to work. After tbe arrival of the police a uießßage was sent to the Natives that operations had been resumed, Jn tbe expectation that they would soon appear, the inspector bided bis time until two o'clock, and as at that hour tbey were still not in evidence be resolved to go in jueet of them. He had not gone far, however, before they arrived, and be therefore retraced his steps. There were about thirty Natives, some eight or nine of them being women. Tbe inspeotor addressed the Natives through the interpreter, telling them that if they had any grievance connected with the land thoy must seek rcarejfikby peaceful and. legitimate me&4pin Court, and that under no oirenmstanoes oould they be permitted to molest or interfere with the men whom Mr Mackay hid brought op to prepare the land for occupation. He reminded tbe Natives that the object of the law was to ensure perfect jußtioe md fair dealing between man and man, and that the British law being founded upon fair play in its administration, ne distinctions of race, colour or position were recog--1 nised. But all disputes must be, settled in the Court set up for the purpose. No man or body of men could be allowed to take the law into Mb or their hands, The' presence there of the police that day was merely to prevent anything of that kind taking place, Several of the Natives addressed thr % ;jOctor in reply. They said the'land which had been sold to the (hMpnt by Warema Eunit was theirWmmon' property, and that he hid no authority to sell. They thought it rather hard that they should be done out of tbeir heritage and means of support, ae the only land now left to them was atony, shingly soil not fitted for cultivation, If they were deprived of the land which Hunia bad sold, they would be without means of subsistence. Mr Maokay made answer to these representations, lie said that both Inspector Fender and himself were there simply to oarry out the instruotions tbey had received. It was not tbeir province to argue with the Nativss, or to investigate their alleged grievances, He had work to do wbiob must be oarried out at all hazards, If he interfered with, the police would have to arrest any of tbe Natives who sought to molest his men, If the Natives considered themselves t<Vbe aggrieved their best course was to depute some of tbeir number to go to Wellington and interview the Government, The Natives ailed ii Mr Maokay would agree to suspend operations until they had sent to Wellington and jnlerviewfidJhe Ministers. " HVMfJIPry said he could make no arrangement of the sort, Bis work must be proceeded with. A good deal more talk took place, about a. dozen Natives in allamong them some women-taking 'the opportunity to express their opinions, There was some disposition amongst the younger Natives to prevent the occupation of tbo land but the older Natives opposed their authority to such a course, and ' eventually tbey decided 'to send four Of their number to' Wollington to-day (Monday) in order to' represent their case to the Government, They also eaid that in , the meantime tbey would do nothing, In the course of a general conversation, tbe'younger Natives; explained tbs : theybad only contemplated a pipsive resistance just to assert their frights ot ownership. They did not djfead arrest', as'they knejrtbaf they j'rould be treated as political prisoners and 'would have a trip to some Other part of the Colony, The parley lasted rather more than an hour, and after the Natives left, Mr Mackay decided to come on to Wellington, and Inspector Pender resolved to send back the greater part of bis force, regaining himself, with r couple_o£ constables, until Monday, .. , Accordingly,..Mr , Maokay and Hergfapi ■ j pbitjpy-. and Donßtabjes Bisbfjp, button,. Murdoch, Jjorrigan, ■'■. and Foley!came, baok to town, on /Ba'tard^/:- evening,■ : and Inspector Murphy and Jo ; arrive rill return to .the io-day or to-morrow.