THE PIAKO BLOCK DISPUTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2624, 7 May 1889, Page 2

THE PIAKO BLOCK DISPUTE.

Tub long standing dispute between tho natives and the Government concerning the l'ialco Block, has at length been successfully adjusted so far as Ngatipaoa tribe is concerned. This matter has been under negotiation by successive Governments during a period of fifteen years. Hon. Mr Mitchelsou lately visited the Thames ou this subject, and the matter was dually left in the hands of Mr T. NV. Lewis, Under-Secretary of the Native Office, and Messrs G. T. Wilkinson and Jas. Maekay assisted to bring it to a conclusion. The Ngatipaoa were represented by Mr W. A. Graham. The terms of settlement arrived at are as follows :— The natives have consented to hand over to the Crown forty-five thousand acres nf Innd out of tho Piako Block in full settlement of the claims of the Government against them as a tribe. The sum of £4,500, which the natives dispute as having received, has been agreed to be held as against any natives whom the Government can prove to have been paid that amount, in which case it is to be refunded. The boundaries of the laud are to bo pointed out by the natives, but the Government are to defray the cost of the survey, and to remove the proclamation prohibiting any dealing with the lands of the tribe. The imporrnt feature of this matter is tho final reconiliation between the Government and the tribes who havo hitherto been antagonistic to the former. Mihi Tarapipipi, the Ngatipaoa chieftainess, expressed,her desire that there would be no more differences between her people and the Government. The portion of the block banded over to the Crown was finally passed through tho Land Court, presided over by Judge Scannell, yesterday, and the remainder, some 00,000 acres retained by the native.-!, will be put through in a few days. It is very gratifying to find this old grievance healed so satisfactorily,'and it is of particulaar interest to us that the final re suit was achieved by the influence and agency of Mr W. A. Graham who brought the natives to view the matter in a right spirit. Mr P. E. Cheal has been entrusted by the natives with the survey of the land,