THE LITTLE BARRIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1896, Page 7

THE LITTLE BARRIER.

TENETAHI GIVES UP POSSESSION

RETURN OF THE PERMANENT

ARTILLERY.

A PEACEFUL EXPEDITION

As our readers will, no doubt, remember, some years ago, Tenetahi, on behalf of himself and other owners of the Little Barrier, offered the island to the Government for £3,000, and signed a sale note agreeing to do so at that price. Subsequently, however, difficulties arose in consequence of Tenetahi wishing the whole of the purchase money paid through him, to which the other owners objected. Finally all the owners except Tenetahi, his wife and children, accepted the purchase money, and concluded the bargain with the Government. As a result of Tenetahi's refusal to carry out his agreement Parliament, passed " The Libtle Barrier Act, 1894," vesting the shaves held by Tenetahi and his family in the Government, and an order for possession was obtained in the Magistrate's Court at Auckland last November to be executed on the 10th December. But the Government took no action under the order until last week, when finding that Tenetahi was still declining to give up possession, they determined to enforce their rights. The Commissioner of Crown Lands instructed Mr. Tole, Crown Solicitor, to enforce the warrant, and make arrangements, and accordingly Mr, McAlister engaged the steamer " Nautilus." The Defence Department, at the request of tbe Minister of Lands, directed Colonel Goring to put an efficient force at the disposal of the Crown Land a Department, and a dozen men were told off for the purpose. The Nautilus left shortly after midnight on Sunday with thirteen Permanent Artil-lery-men, Mr. Menzies, bailiff, and two assistants, Constable Luke McDonnell, and his civil officer and Mr McAlister. The party arrived at the Barrier at five o'clock on Monday morning, just as the gale dropped, and effected a landing ab half-past five. Mr Menzies (bailiff), Mr Thompson (interpreter), Lieutenant Hume and Mr McAlister at once proceeded to Tenetahi's house, where Mr McAlister informed Tenetahi through the interpreter the object of the visit, and endeavoured to induce him to give up possession peaceably. Tenetahi received the party in a friendly manner, and wanted to discuss the whole position, commencing with complaints about Parliament and the Magistrate's Court. Neither, he said, had done him justice. Mr McAlister replied thab they could not go into that now, that he was there to advise him to peaceably submit to the law, and thab if Tenetahi did nob do so, he (Mr McAlister) would stand asic;.; and the law would take its course. Mr McAlister added that the whole of V:H party wero going to breakfast and that he (Tenetahi) could take an hour to think the matter over. About half an hour after orcakfast the same party returned to Tenetahi's house, and Tenetahi was asked would he go quietly. After some hesitation he informed Constable McDonnell that lie would not give any more trouble. He then asked for time to collect his personal effects, and was told to take whatever time was absolutely necessary but not to delay. lie and his wife accordingly collected their immediate personal effects, and after about an hour's delay Tenetahi peaceably gave up possession to the bailiff, who handed it over to Mr. McAlister, on behalf of the Crown Lands Department. Two or three white men living on the island were next met, and informed that all trespassers must leave, that they now had had ten weeks' notice. I hey quietly went to the boat and were rowed oft to the steamer. The party next proceeded to the house of a white man living with a I'ijian wife, about a mile from Tenetahis house, and, as before, explained the position. J. be two asked for time to remove their personal effects and their boat. The boat was launched for them by the party, who also assisted in carrying anything bhe ««*«£« required on board the Nautilus, and subsequently the man and his wife m question went on board also. A Kanaka living in the same locality also was induced to goon board, on being informed how matters 3t By "this time Tenetahi and bis, wife had the Great Barrier at Auck and, or any where between those parts. After con sideration Tenetahi said he preferred to go to Auckland. ... , + i, n By one o'clock all the residents on the island had left, and the Nautilus J en started to return to. Auckland, leaving three Artillery men with arm behmd to act with Mr. Robinson, the caretaker, who had received instructions to allow no per manent settlement on the ] S\*»\*™J Maoris, however, came to clagun PJPgg they were to have every facility give" c™ for removing it, but they w«*f 0 J sLwSto informed that no one would he allowed[to reside on the island except Government agents. On reaching, the sWe,.andl being afked where they wishedl to be landed the residents, except Tenetahi, all ac

cided, with one excepeion on Omaha, inasmuch as the hapu had property there. One white man, Mr Alexander, requested to be taken to Auckland. The steamer landed the others ab Omaha on the way back, and Tenetahi, his wife and Mr Alexander ab Devonport. On the way back Tenetahi asked aboub his cattle, and was informed that on giving notice to'the Commissioner of Crown Lands what day he intended going for them, he could safely arrange for removing them and any other property which he had left behind. He expressed himself satisfied. It is noteworthy that during the whole time the party were on the island, and the trip back, perfect good humour prevailed, and that more than one of the persons removed said they had nothing to complain of in regard to the way in which the removal had been effected.