THE NATIVES AND THE THAMES, RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2138, 23 March 1886, Page 2

THE NATIVES A ND THE THAMES, RAILWAY.

Mn G. T. Wilkinson, Government X.itive Agent for Auckland and Waikato, returned to Alexandra yesterday, having been absent for some days in the' Thames Valley in connection with the obstruction offered by the natives to the oncers engaged in completing the survey of the Te-Arona-Thames railway. The opposition arose from two causes, and . from two hapus of natives. The Ngatikoi, whose settlement is situated about three miles south of Paeroa, objected to the line being taken through an old burial ground, and Mr Wilkinson at once arranged for a slight diversion of the line, which satisfied the objectors. The opposition offered bv the Ngatihako is on more general ground*. Acting under , the influence of T<ij.vhi.io and the anti-pr >gre»-. party they object altogether and on principle to the making of roads and railways. Tawhiao has recently bemi in that district and has evidently poisoned the minds of the people residing there. With these, as may be supposed, Mr Wilkinson had a somewh.it difficult task. He met the natives on Fiiday at the Ngatikoi settlement, and a great deal <>f talk ensued. At the request of the Ngatityko an adjournment was then made $> the kamga of the latter, Okalmkura, where the talk continued on Snturd iy. Amongst those wlm took an activ* part in the tiwetihg were onr old friends Piknr* ami Epiha, who it will be remembered were cleverly captured by Sergt-Mjijor McGov^rn some years ago, in connection with an outrage committed <>n surveyois iti.tl?Oi^mft locality. The natives fenced to realise the fact that thuir "pp.i-ui mi would n<»t prevent the line being made, but at the same time they evinced a dctciimuatiou not tn gt\e up their land volunUnly. Tty^y wera most courteous in their recop--i t»on of Mr Wilkinson, an<l wereca-eful ti assure him that no violence would be offered t'» any of the Government serv.ujt-. They evidently did not wUh their present action to be remembered against them to their prejudice. The obstruction is, indeed, purely! • matter ol form. The Nsratibako are actuated by sentiment, as they l>i\e nothing to gain. A little firmness on the part of the Government is all that is goaded,