A MAORI EJECTMENT CASE

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1811, 14 February 1884, Page 2

A MAORI EJECTMENT CASE

MAJOK GKE':\ Al' PUKKKUIU. YiS'sTKBOVY limning, Major Green, Sheriff of the Supreme Court, Auckland, accompanied by the bailiff, Timothy Howard, proceeded to the Pukekura and Puahoa Blocks, ieg«u cling tli3 possession and ownerslap of whicli so much has boon heard within the past twelve months, for the purpose of handing over possession of thebo blocks, consisting m all about IftOOO acres to the lessee, Mi E. B. Walker (who holds power of attorney fioin Messrs Gnco and Benn, the actual lessee), and eject to the natives at piesent remaining in possession in face of the judgment lately delivered against them by .luilge Gillie* ;\t Auckland, and conlired, on an appu il baing made to Wellington, by the authorities there. The paity, including M>jor Green, Mr A. B. Stubbing, surveyor (who went to point out the boundaries), Mr Walker, Mr Gorrans, mtei preter, and a representative of this jomndl, accompanied by two mounted constablary men, left Cambridge shortly after eight o'clock yestei day morning, and proceeded to Mr Waikei s house on the land, whoie a number of other gentlemen, including Messis Guce, Parker, Storey and Moon, together with a few of Mr Walker's station-hands, had ahe.idy assembled. It was quit:* evident, on aruvmg at the settlement, that the intelligence as to giving piactical effect to the law of possession in this case, as laid down by his Honour Judge Gillies, had not preceded the expedition, for the natives, though apparently veiy few in the neighbourhood had not yet begun to get about. Major Green was armed with a wiit of the Supioni" Couit, which authorised him to ssi/e all real or psr^onal property on the ebtit', belonging to tho,e about to be ejected, in consideration of the damages— abouc £300— which had been assessed by that tribunal The lessses had set dowm their damages at £1500, but the court re' dueed it to the former amount. It will be lememb^ied that about fouitcen months ago Mr E. B. Walker, bsing assured of the validity of his title to the land, took in hand to foicibly eject the natives, including the giantees Ani Waala, Weie Wakatutu, and Hori Puao, who c mtinued to squat on the land, by pulling do-vn their whaies and do^troying the v " cultivations. Though tiicio was no ddibt as to tho validity of Mr SVdlkei's title ti the land, the entiy was held to bj an illegxl one, and on the case (in which tluro wdrj -ib nit 30 defendants) being bi ought befoie the Supreme Court, the leosee. had decidedly the worst of it. Proceedings of a civil character were then instituted by Mr Walker and patty, and resulted in the demonstration of yestei day. Up till lately there were about forty natives residing on the block, and the entire party, we understand, have systematically retarded pi ogress on the land, t'> the great loss and inconvenience of the le^spes. Seeing, however, that the tide of matters of late w* turning against them, and that tlu end was not likely to result favourably to them, a nn nbci of the natives took their departure for fresh fields and pastures new, leaving only about twenty of their people behind, including women and chilchen. A shoi t time since they were given to understand that if they did not abandon their illegal tenancy they would be forcibly ejected, but taking into consideration how past experiences had re-ulted in their favour and against their European opponents they looked with extreme indifference upon any asseition of this kind. On learning that this election was likely to take place, we aie informed that Mr W. M. Hay, who had b.vn acting in a legal capacity for the natives, gave Majoi Gieen, the shenff. to understand he would not find the ta'-k so easy a one as he anticipated, that in fact he might experience some obstruction in the dischaige of the duty. It has also bjen stated that Mr Hay had expressed his intention of concentrating a force of strange natives on the block, allowing the other occupants or obstructionists to temporarily depart, and by this ins ins oppose the eviction process. Fortunately, however, nothing in the way of obstruction of the character indicated was experienced. Immediately after hi 3 <u rival on the land, the Sheriff at once proceeded to the boundary of the Puahoe block, and, "-canning over the land, handed over possession to the lessees in the usual way by presenting them (through his agent, Mr Walker), in the name of her Majesty the Queen, a handful of the soil. A number of hands were nnrneniately despatched to gatl.er in all the native horsps on the block, and a collection of seventy-seven average-looking animals were secured and | immediately removed to Cambridge. One of the settlements was next visited, and possession taken in the usual form. About this time a native nanied Wiremu Toolate rode up to the evicting party to ascertain what was the matter, and his astonishment may be better imagined than described when he was ordered to dismount and hand over his horse, saddle and bridle to the bailiff. He immediately complied, and joining another native named Hori Puao, both looked amazed after the all-grab-bing pakeha. The main settlement, consisting of about five buildings, where the majority of the people reside, was next visited, and the contents of the writ explained to the inmates by the interpreter. It was duly explained to all present that he (Major Green), in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, handed over the land, with all the personal and real property thereon belonging to the natives, to Mr Walker, and that that gentleman could at any tune pull down their whares and take possession of their property without any further notice ; also, that they would have to clear off the land, or else he would be obliged to come back and remove them forcibly. One woman remarked that they had got no notice 'of their intentions in the matter, whilst another chimed in with the suggestion that they should talk the matter over at some length. The announcement by its very positiveness, and< the business-like manner m which it warf. being carried out, seenlted to astonish thw natives very much, but no opposition what-1 ever was offered. It was observe^ that the door of the principal whare was well fastened, evidently by way of preventing the invaders .from visiting the interior. The settlement on the hill was next visited, and a like announcement made- to "tho natives residing there. > A number ;bf; harrows and ploughs were also taken possession pi, In-the,evening, without taking any further steps, the party returned to (Cambridge.. „ , " , , ; ' -TJhey 'will - return again ' tb-d»y and 'pom*' iplete the process* 1 /., w©i wdqretand all thn wharea and buildings will.be levelled $q thq