NATIVE OBSTRUCTION AT MAUNGATAUTARI. (PER TELEGRAPH.)

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1472, 8 December 1881, Page 2

NATIVE OBSTRUCTION AT MA UNGATA UTARI.

(PER TELEGRAPH.)

The history of the Maunjratautari is like that of the Pukekura and Puahoe blocks, inasmuch aq, though it Has been paid for, the owners have not up to the present been able to occupy and improve it, owing to the resistance offered by the natives living in the vicinity. The Maungatautari property, which comprises about 8,1100 acres, and includes the native settlement at tho foot of the mountains, "was originally purchased from the natives by Messrs. Maclean and Co. some eight or nice yeara ago, but that firm never made more than one attempt to occupy it. Oapt Owen, endeavoured to drive a mob of cattle on to it, but he was opposed, and wasj obliged to return. Fiva or six years ago, Maclean and Go's interest was purchased by Sir James and Mr Fergusson, the owners of Gorton, on the other side of the Waikato river, but although tho new proprietors have paid over all the purchase money, and have secured the good offices of Tawhiao and R^yi and, , the principal chiefs, they have, like Messrs Grice and Walkei, been compelled to resort to force to take possession of their own lands. Mr 'Fergusson accordingly, with the assistance of Messrs Kallender and N. I. Hunt, organised a party of twenty-five men, and left Cambridge for Maungatantari shortly before midnight on Sunday, arriving at their destination at' 2 o'clock on Monday morning, when they pitched camp. Mr Fergusson took -with him waggons, ploughs, &c. , and at an early hour work was commenced. Later on a party of natives came down, but no active resistance was attempted. Mr W. H. Grace, native agent, accompanied the party, and acting on his advice, Mr^ Fergusson has taken step 3 to increase the number of men with him. It is confidently anticipated that the trouble will be, overplus week.

. Onr Cambridge f cqw^spondent wires laat night.: — A large" number of people left here to-day for Maiiigiatalutari, ; in expectation of witnessing ah" Affray '"between the aatives au4 Mt Fergoasoa's

par^who toMpbssGmbri r of their land o4 Monda^YmtfrfcisofclA TbaftflMiVW are wkiting for Tengakau^ who ..will not be back for; two -days, before i( t«*ku*g definite adtion.N' "i skij i i^ ~ "in " i ; ■"■ i fi f 1