CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 721, 30 January 1877, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

FRACAS BETWEEN TWO NATIVE TRIBES. (by a correspondent.) A fracas between the Ngatihaua and Ngatiraukawa tribes took place on Friday night at Cambridge, which, although, of coarse, possessing not the slightest political significance, might have resulted in a few broken heads. The actual damage done to the opposing parties may be summed up as one head well battered, that of general Te Rei.

ORIGIN OF THE FRAE. The matters in dispute between these tribes are of considerable antiquity. The Ngatihaua side of the question took it into theL* heads 1 some time ago that the gentlemen of the Ngatiraukawa section owned a great deal too much land, and marching on itheir territory, which they ■took possession in the .name of "themselves." Years elapsed, and the ousted owners were brought back by a ferocious and warlike .rangatira —the father of William Thomson aud a portion of their appropriated; territory restored to them. But ©f iate the Ngatihaaas have again been seized by that intense longing for territorial .possession which is said to be one of the leading characteristics of the Maori race, and the disease having been accelerated by the fact that <they had disposed of the greater portion of their own land, the Ngatirattkawas were subjected to a second though more peacable attempt upon their domain, through the medium of the Land Court. Some two or three years ago, this state of things culminated in an attempt at a breach of the peace, which was happily frustrated by the prompt and determined interference of Mr Mackay, at the head of some few constables under arms. At the present Court, the two hostile sections again met for a combat a Xouirauce upon the peaceful battlefield of the Oddfellow's Hall, In the course of a little playful repartee, between a Ngat-i----haua,, who was cross-examining and a Ngatiraukawa who was being cross-examined, the former jocularly observed to the latter that he had had the felicity of breakfasting o(f his grandfather, and had it in his power >to give him an excellent character for flavour. This was probably a fact, and the descendant of the eaten grandfather collapsed. Still, it was'n't pleasant, and the unfortunate allusion rankled -in the breasts of the Ngatiraukawas. The case also went against the latter,, and this hart them still more. THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE.

On Friday evening, some light hearted Ngatihaua children were amusing themselves by dancing upon the verandah of Kirkwood's National Hotel, to the music of three kerosene tins and two large trays ; when Te Rei, a young Ngatiraukawa chief, snatched one of the musieal instruments from the hands of the playful little Ngatihauas, and throwing it upon the ground, performed an impromptu war-dance of defiance upon the same.

THE RESULT was, that a powerful athletic fellow of, the name of Poroi, «md two other Ngatihaua athletes travelled for Te Bei, who, deeming discretion the better part of valour, fled precipitately towards the encampment of the rTgatiraukawa. But Poroi and his friends were too fleet of foot. Te Rei was seized, thrown down, jumped upon, and in all probability would have beeu most severely handled but for the opportune arrival of Mr Bobert Kirk wood of the " National." He shouted out to the infuratecl Ngatihauas that they were murdering the man, and profiting by the temporary cessation of hostilities, took charge of Te Rei, and escorted him to the tents of his people. In the mean time, both sides were gathering for the fray.

As I passed to the Market Square, I met several Ngatiraukawas swearing v.engence against the assailants of their injured chief. One was slinging-a stirrup-iron, another had a heavy whip.handle, whilst a third brandished a portion of a post and rail Fence. ', They were stripped to the waist, and meant fighting. On arriving at'the National, I found the whole ETgatihaua section armed with ti-tree sticks and rails. They also presented the appeararice of having made a very hasty toilet, I and were executing

A SAVAGE AND BONA FIBE WAR-DANOE.

The women were taking part in the proceedings, and urging the men to immediate action. The scene was, at this period, very picturesque! Considerable numbers of Europeans were gathered to watch the proceedings, although, of oourse, utterly powerless 'to stay any warlike action that might be taken. Major Wilson here appeared upon the scene, and harrangued the excited natives, in accents loud and rapid, accompanied by the gesticulations which are a necessary adjunct to successful Maori oratory. He explained that he had just left the Ngatiraukawas, and had disarmed them, and suiting the action to the word, he seized a titree cudgel from the hands of a native of lofty stature, and hurled it over the heads of the crowd. His advice to them was, to postpone further operations until the morning. This seemed to meet tl<e'r views, and swearing daybreak, on their foes, the crowd melted away. At an early hour no Satin-day morning, Mr Searanuke and another well known Maori Linguist started for the Ngatirau kawa encampment, and found them on the alert, in expectation of the anticipated contest at daybreak. He insisted, as the guardian of ithe peace of the district, thit Te Rei, the original aggressor, should leave Cambridge at once, in order to save further and more serious trouble. A. compromise was at length effected. It was arranged by the friends of the chief that he should not leave the " whare " , until matters had become settled, and that his followers should also abstain from frequenting the streets for that day, at least. The terms of the armistice were religiously .carried out, so far as 1. was able to ascertain, and thus the matter rests. I strongly suspect, however, that that grandfather question will have to be settled some day. Send it that I may foe there to see.