THE UREWERA TROUBLE.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 125, 5 June 1895, Page 2

THE UREWERA TROUBLE.

On Saturday last Ngapuhi Il'ihci, a chief of the Urewora, arrived in Rotorua in order to reccivo telegrams which were expected from Hone Hoke. M.H.1!., and to despatch messages to him. On the way down the party met the Hon. .Tames Carroll, who Wiis on his way to To Whaiti from Vv'hakaiane. Ngapuhi gives a very succinct account of what had occurred in tho first instance in the way of interference with the survey under i\li' Phillips. It would appear that a native of Wairoa named Puru Kamu, (Blue Gum), belonging to the Ngati Pahauwora tribe, but whose wife is of To Whaiti, agreed to guide Mr Phillips' survov party from To Whaiti, by Ruatahuna; to Wiiiroa. As Puru Kamu did not belong to To Whaiti objection was made to his doing so, and Ngapuhi s wife and family stopped him. when' crossing the Whirinaki river, by seizing the bridle of his horse and throwing its rider into the stream. The horse, which was Puru Kamu s own property, 'was taken by Ngapuhi's daughters to the pit, its owner returning to the survey camp. On a. second attempt being made by Puru Kamu to cross the river the women captured him and took him to tho pa. Having talked the matter over Puru Kamu was induced to give up his project and remains in the pa, having got back his agreement with Mr Phillips. This is a true account of tho circumstances regarding the stopping of the survey according to Ngapuhi, and he further states that they will not assist the progress of tho survey or the construction of roads from To Whaiti to Ruatahuna and onwards. They think that if roads are constructed with the consent or under the authority of tho natives that they will be taxed anil that the land will be ultimately acquired by the Government. At a meeting of natives held at To Whaiti on the 23th of May some Wore opposed to and some in favor of the survey, but no definite decision was arrived at. Ngapuhi expected to he back in time to attend another mooting which was set down for Tuesday (yesterday), at which it was expected that Mr Carroll and perhaps Hone Hoke would be present. It will he seen lhau lucre is a. some discrepancy between tho statement made by Ngapuhi and the account derived from another source of the outcome of the same meeting at Tc Whaiti. According to letters which are alleged to have been brought by Fitzgerald on his return from serving notices on the TJroweras the natives say that no obstruction will be offered to the survey if no Maories accompany the party but that if any such arc with the survey party or artillery in proceeding to Ruatahuna they will be stopped and roadmaking prevented in the Urowora country. The communication despatched by Ngapuhi to Hone Hoke has since been made known by tho latter. It is on the lines indicated by Ngapuhi. It is signed by To Whatanui, Hamiora, Ngapuhi, Pihopa, Ruharuhi. and all of the Ngiltiwhare, and states that "The road from Galatea to To Whaiti is an old road, therefore that is all riglit; but the construction of a road to Ruatahuna and Waikarcmoana —this is new. Wo are pained and are weary over this. The soldiers have arrived hero. Friend, there is no reason in our opinion for the presence of those soldiers. Well ivc no desire to assault or kill people. The pakehas wont to Ruatahuna to erect stations (trig). Tuhoc caught (overtook) them and brought (accompanied) thorn back to To Whaiti. One of our own people volunteered to go with them as a guide. Thi! women prevented him from going. The Governor's (Government) policemen saw the women stop him from going. The soldiers are going on to Ruatahuna." No information iias yet been rcceivodof what transpired at Monday's meeting but the general impression seems to be that the survey will go on without further obstruction provided that no natives accompany the surveyors. The To Whaiti natives are now ilying the Union Jack in token of amity.

NEW TOWN IMPROVEMENTS. • The carpenters' hammers can he heat ringing merrily in the new township, : : other evidence, in tic way of'clearin sections preparatory to building, demon :trates very plainly that lessees at tli recent 1 tnd side intend observing tli building o million- of their leases in ti; integrity. 'Die Grand Hotel, now fa; a] .proa,riling completion does not of com . come under (his category, but a rep dealing with tho improvements in then.. township would scarcely he; compl'c: w,thout some mention of the most hnpos. ing structure in it. The contractor, il McCalium, has had many difficulties • contend with in the way of getting forward necessary material and so on, but i; spite of all this work has steadily pi-, grossed, and now a very fair idea can " formed of the appearance which tlibuilding will present when it leaves hj hands. The verandah which extend j round tho frontages in Fenton and Hint:j moil streets is a. massive and chaste!-, | ornamented piece of Workmanship. T. | capitals of the pillars and the columns y | the two main doorways are adorned wit] voluted Hcrolls and with the tracery b (ween prcsontn most pleasing appearand Much forethought has evidently b - exercised in making the facade of t.. building as impressive as possible, a fa which will he more- strongly pinphasisc when the structure is completed. Ti; , work will require a more exhaustive u ,- tieo in the course of a week or two. Iu Arawa street the oil Courthouse hi I been safely moored on its new anchora; I refitted throughout, and made into a C ■:. fortublc dwelling-hou-e. Certain a.;. i tions are now being made consisting pi large shop and workroom, suited to i;. I wants of the incoming tenant. This. v.. bring the frontage of the building to (i„ propei-alignment. Mr Lvnds is the con tractor for the additions, and point-,,, that all the timber used has boonobtii.hu locally from' the sawmills of Messrs Steel, Bros., ami Karl Bros, and Williams. T. dressed timber consists of rusticating flooring and lining, all of rimu. By pi ,- curing this class of timber locally a considerable saving is effected. Further down the street Mrs Young of Mokoia View, is utilising one. of !.■ sections by the erection of a shop an dwelling house for which a tenant 1.-,: already been found. Mr T. Chapman i the contractor. Mrs Young also contemplates adding a now wing to Mok;-.' View before the season opens, Clearing operations are also being prooeedod with on Mr E. Robertson's sections in Tutanokai street, and that belonging to Mr F. Goodson in Pukuatua street Mr Brent is also preparing for fresh ;, Iditions. Capacious as his premises are .-:< present they will scarcely meet tin coming season. Mr Corlett is also getting out plans for a. shop and dwellinghouse in Tutanokai street of unique inn: pleasing design, besides other work whii . will be more particularly referred to wliei arrangements are further advanced foi commencing operations.