A NATIVE QUAURREL AT HOKIANGA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1124, 6 September 1879, Page 2

A NATIVE QUAURREL AT HOKIANGA.

[iJT TELEGRAM.] Hokianga, Wednesday. A kbport was received here on Monday that the natives were fighting at Matarawa, and that several were killed. Mr Bishop, the Clerk of the Court, immediately despatched a native constable to the locality to make inquiries, and he has brought back the following particulars : — Some natives of the Ngaitu tribe, living at Otaua, had agreed to sell a certain block of land to Mr John Lundon, and had received a deposit on account. Surveyors arrived "a few .days ago to survey the piece, with a view to its being passed through the Court. The same land is claimed by the Ngaitewake tribe, living at Matarawa and Kaikohe. ' The Ngaitu went with the surveyors to point out the boundaries on Saturday, last. They were working, when a messenger arrived from Ngaitewake to tell the Ngaitu to leave the ground and return home. The latter replied with an invitation to come and joia m the survey. On i Monday, sixteen of the Ngaitu were cuttinsr the lines. Thirteen of them arrived with guns, when the Ngaitewake arrived, and, without much parley, the new arrivals fired two volleys, without effect. One of the Hgaitu theu seized his gun, and killed a Ngaitewake man, upon which the fight became general. The attacking party numbered about 40, all armed. After some time they separated, and the fighting ceased. The casualties were two killed belonging to the Ngaitewake, named respectively Ku and Kiri — the f ormer a leading chief ; two of the Ngaitu were killed outright (Paraha and Te Akahihi) and two wounded (Hone Tuoro, and Ngawaka). The former' is shot through the jaw, and cannot live. T*he slain and wounded have been conveyed to their respected Jcaingas, and will be buried to-day.

The Ngaitu say that to-morrow they will resume cutting the lines, and will go m force, jand well armed and if interfered with, will retaliate severely. Efforts are being made to pacify the contending parties, and to bring about a truce ; but now that blood has been spilt, and an old enmity revived, it is hard to say where the matter will end.

There is great excitement throughout the district. If other hapus hold aloof, or only join with pacific intentions, the evil may be soon arrested. It is not the first time that the system of tamana on native lands, which is, unfortunately allowed by law, has led to terrible results, and the sooner it is put a stop to the better for the natives and the colony generally.