THE PUKEKURA EJECTMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1871, 3 July 1884, Page 2

THE PUKEKURA EJECTMENT.

Another Interesting Scene. It would seem as if the legal troubles in connection with Pukekura and Puahoe Blocks are interminable—the more law the more complication, and with every fiesh attempt to effect a settlement between the conflicting paities, Messrs Giice and Benn (represented by Mr E. B. Walkei) on the one hand, and the Ngatikauwhata grantee aud disputants on the other, a new difficulty, or we might say phase of the'difficulty, arises. We have on several occasions recorded what we believed to be the final denouement of this most puz/ding matter, but e\ cry end seems to have evolved a new beginning. A few weeks ago, it will be remembeied, Major Green, Sheriff of Auckland, went to Pukekura, and formally handed over possession of both properties to Mr Walker, whose men soon proceeded to demolish the native tenements, and thus eject the occupants from their homes. The natives, however, persisted in their claim, notwithstanding the favourable interference of the law on behalf of their opponents, stuck to the land, and instead of seeking shelter and a home elsewhere, T they at once proceeded to erect their tents, and protect them with bieakwinds fiom the fury of the elements ; and the elements, as is well-known, have been somewhat ftmous of late. Mr Walker and paity made another onslaught on the pioperty of the trespassers a few days ago, which seems to have excited then somewhat, and by way of retaliation three men named respectively Hanita, Kawhata, and Mahi pioceeded to cut down aud destioy Mr Walker's bridge over the Mangapiko stieam. This, of course, was deemed criminal, and informations were at ouce fcWorn against the tiansgressois. Warrants were issued and these having received the sanction of the Hon. the Native Minister, Constable Brennan accompanied by Mr J. H. Master, interpreter, proceeded to the settlement at Pukekura yesterday, for the purpose of arresting the offenders. The natives iiumbeiing about twenty had located themselves at intervals throughout the block. The three offenders were lying waiting evidently cognizant of what was going to happen. The constable having read his warrant formally arrested the men and without a mntmer they took their seata in a tip-dray provided by Mr Walker for the occasion and were in this way conveyed to Cambridge where they were placed iv the lock-up for the night. Mr Walkei's men acting on instructions from that gentleman, proceeded to pull down the break-wind which sheltered tho little camping ground, and having piled the inatetial in a heap set it qu fiie. The ocoupants up to this juncture lay for the most part passively on their beds looking on as if nothing had happened, but the fire was too convenient for their situation to be comfortable and they aoon began to exert themselves by saving whatever little personal property they had about. One of the women, Ani Waata, attacked one of Mr Walker's men who wai engaged in the work of demolition, and who in his eagerness fell over one of the Maori gentlemen to the great annoyance of the ladies. Ani insisted that the assault was intended, and ran after the constable with the request that the offender should be taken into custody, and; accpminodated with a seat in the dvay as far as the lock-up, but the constable declined. < The men proceeded to the next camp, but here a native was lying ill, and they satisfied themselves with destroying the enclosure, leaving the tent to shelter, tho unhappy inmate, 1 One pf tfte native women. Mere Wakatutu, now arrived Qn>the acent, aqdi ,with% tr«B maternal devotion threw her arms round Mr ,' Walker^ and seized him fiercely by the* hair the evident .delight of that gcnjjliinan, who,with some difficulty soon tdiBentangie^hira|el|r4m^:alKfr:.Jtold t di8entangie^hira|el|r4m^:alKfr:.Jtold

evidently desirous to turn the misfortune to j>ood account, knowing that while the invalid remained- Mr Walker would not molest his tent. The men took possession of u tent, and this at once gave rise to a tiial of strength between the parties. The natives, including men and women, took one end of the disputed property and the Europeans the other, and a veritable tug 'o-war ensued. To the disinterested spectator the sight was at ouce ludicrous, amusing, and sad. To see a few unfortunate ppople engaged in a determined and bitter struggle, for what a few minutes previous constituted their very castle could not bnt excite sympathy in their favour, and make the most) callous feel for theii misfortune. But oil who aie convers uit with the circumstances of this intermin ible dispute will have no hesitation in acquitting Mr Walker aud party of any injustico or blame in the matter. After the tent struggle" had afforded a few minutes excitement Mr Walker inteifcred on behalf of the natives and directed that they should be allowed to resume possessions. On commencing the dest< uction of the next encampment on the Puahoe property, Mr Thornton Walker was at tacked by one of the women, who belaboured him with a black billy, ha\ nig first given him J the benefit of the contents ; and in the struggle the woman had the misfortune to get her arm hint through falling rather heavily to the ground. The people divining the object of the visitors, had everything in the way of personal property, picked up leaving Jittle but the break-winds and the enclosures to be destroyed. All expressed ■ their intention of re erecting their tents last-night, but it was the niteutiou of Mr j Walker to prevent them doing so. The bridge over the Mangapiko which was destroyed Ms valued at £10. A large number of the nathe pigs are roaming about the block doin_( considerable injury, and Mr Walker complains of having lost about "200 aoies of excellent clover through the native occupation. While tho men were engaged in the work of destruction yesterday the natives threatened them repeatedly with the Supreme Couit. The three men arrested will be brought up at the R.M., Couit, Cambridge, this morning, and remanded. Doubtless they will be admit ted to bail.