HAMILTON. RUMOURED DISTURBANCE IN PIAKO. (By Our Travelling Reporter.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 372, 1 October 1874, Page 2

HAMILTON. RUMOURED DISTURBANCE IN PIAKO. (By Our Travelling Reporter.)

Hamilton was startled on Sunday last by a rumor that the men working on the Piako swamp under the contractor Mr Walnutt, had been ordered off the ground by 25 armed natives. A large party of men came in on Saturday evening, and stated that whilst working, these natives appeared, and refused to allow another spade to be put into the ground, at the same time warning the workmen that'if they were found on the spot at 10 o'clock on Monday morning bloodshed would take place. Tho matter, on the face of it, appeared alarming ; but subsequent investigation has, fortunately, entirely dispelled all cause of alarm. It seems that tho men weremon newly arrived, immigrants, and foreigners, of course, utterly ignorant of Maori manners and customs, and therefore exaggerated tho matter to an inordinate degree. The natives, themselves arrived on Monday and denounced the whole statement as a " Hori Hori. " They said they had seen but two Europeans — (the cook to tho party and another) — to whom they had said that the land was theirs, and had warned them not to trespass on it. As to any threats of violence they had used none, and they, -were fyieonites, only desired an equitable adjustment of their rights in dispute. They stated that Mr McLean had frequently promised one of their number — Tv Whenua — to jive him back a portion of his land confiscated during the "Waikato war and situate within the swamp, now being brought under cultivation by Captain Steele and others. Further, that they were afraid that if any improvements were made tho Government would shrink from incurring the cost of giving them back the laud 'or compensation therefore. And that they had consequently had ordered the men to desist in the same manner as one European would warn another Hot to commit a trespass. Upon Captain Steele representing to them that the Government were the responsible parties in the matter, and that compensation would no doubt bo made them if it was found that there was reasonable ground. ' They agreed to submit their claims to the proper quarter, and to permit the men to resume work. The native who appeared to be tho principal in the affair was one Tv Whenua, woll-known to Cambridge settlors. The whole of the workmen, accompanied by Mr Walnutt, proceeded this morning to the swamp with their fears entirely allayed. The moral to bo deduced from tho whole affair is this—That it is impossible to define the liability the colony has been placed under with respect to lands* supposed to bo confiscated. If Mr Maclean really made such a promiso, and the Government havo to compensate these men, what security have we that similar promises havo not been made to natives all ovei' the island 1 Who can estimate the coat of settling these verbal engagements ? Tho matter, in my opinion, should bo thoroughly investigated, and the Vress as tho guardian of public interest, hlioiilcl demand a strict enquiry at the next sitting of tho House into the number and nature of these " i romises."

in ,m wJ- ipPI -". r ? Rll<( "" > ° n ll »' I '- l P«t«iorrom En«lniif\ Irfl. Ll.OUw with Count JJiuimow fi>i> dialribution au.ouL'tli al.aiibicd ot Loiidou. lli 8 Ksccllp. i-y h», hun.lotl £500 of tluiMim tu >tho Buhop of London aiftl tho rcniainin<* half to the Lord Major, in order that i,u Mujwly'a Lo»«°o]wi» intent wni inqy be cftrriod ouL.