STARTING OF THE TE KOPURU SAWMILL: A NATIVE DIFFICULTY SETTLED.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4513, 12 February 1872, Page 3

STARTING OF THE TE KOPURU SAWMILL: A NATIVE DIFFICULTY SETTLED.

Wu understand that Mr. Commissioner Kemp, of the Native Office, has jnst returned from the Kaipara District, after having suocessfally negotiated a land difficulty, which threatened sooner or later to bring the Northern natives into collision with the Europeans. The causa of dispute was of long standing. It related to the ownership of the site of Messrs. Graham and Walton's new sawmill at Te Kopuru, on the Northern Wairoa. The mill is the largest ami most complete one in the colony, having cost from first to last between £30,000 and 1140,000. Indeed, we understand that much of the machinery and appliances at this mill are the largest which had ever been turned out of the shop of the English manufacturer who provided the machinery. It appears that, many years ago, Wyuyard, a head chief of the Eanura tribe, in the ffokianga district, desired to settle in the Wairoa district. Having looked around him, he selected an allotment of which he saw the survey lino nearly at the mouth of the creek upon which the mill is built. It had been reserved by the Provincial Government for the site of a future township, and embraced an area of land on both sides of the creek. Wynyard made application to Mr. Itogan to piocure him this piece of land, who applied to the Government accordingly, and it was at last granted, with the proviso that the creek should form the loundary, and Wynyard could select either side of the creek. This condition, respecting the creek being the boundary instead of the old survey, seems never to have been properly explained to him, and the chief built upon the allotment, embracing 113 acres. In due time the grant was issued, showing the creek as the boundary of the allotment. The chief took the Crown grant ; and when the land on the other side of the oreek was sold for a site to the mill several years ago, Wynyard began to object, and claimed the land as his. He wrote to Major Heaphy requesting him to describe the boundaries of the allotment. The Major was not aware of the condition under which the reserve was sold, and replied that Wynward would in all probability* find still the survey lines on both sides of the creek. Thus armed, an immense ckmour was made, and the whole Harawa tribe, along with others, began to think that Wynyard was cheated by the Europeans. Mr. Itogan was powerless to allay the ferment. Meanwhile the mill was advancing towards completion. A month or two ago, as the water at the mill became scarce, the mill hands decided to exit a race through their own ground and bring down the water of the creek at a point considerably higher up than the mill. Wynyard and his natives filled in the race as fast as it was cut. Mr. Rogan was again appealed to, but in vain. "Billy White" and other Europeans also used their influence with the irate chief, bat he would not be pacified, unless he got £300 as a first instalment of

compensation for the land ho believed he w»s Wronged out of. Thiw the matter stood wheu (ho Hon. Mr. Ormond visited the K»ipara district for tho purpose of taking ffver j the Kaipara railway. Mr. Rogan explained the difficulty to him, when Mr. Ormond considered that it was injudicious for Mr. 1 Rogan to try to be the peacemaker, seeiDg that he was practically the purchaser of the land in dispute. Mr. Ormond desired that some other gentlemen connected with the Native Office should conduct the negotiations. Mr. Commissioner Kemp waa selected, and previous to leaving Auckland he conferred With tho chief Paul, of Orakei, upon the subject. They both left Auckland a week last Wednesday, with all the deeds and papers connected with the transaction. M Helensville they went on board Mr. Rogan's vessel, and in which they proceeded up the river. In doing so they called at a native settlement, where a large number of influential natives had assembled, among them being To Keene, Brown, Pairama, Abraham Taonui, &c. To these chiefs the whole circumstance* were made known. They saw how the misunderstanding had arisen, aad offered to accompany the party to Wynyard's settlement at Te Kopuru. They further resolved that in the event of Wynyard proving obstinate they were to draw a cordon around him, and allow neither him nor hia people to have any transactions with them. On arrival at Te Kopuru the party was kindly received by Wynyard, and after civilities had been exchanged the work began. Long speeches followed eaoh other, and Wynyard appeared as obstinate as ever. Mr. Kemp explained it length to him how the difficulty had arisen, and showed that the acceptance of the Crown grant by him was a tacit acknowledgment of satisfaction. He further informed him that he might go to the law should he feel inclined ; lawyers would take up his case, and take the whole of his land from him at the end. At last Wynyard said he would give up all claim to the land on the opposite side of the creek, believing at the same time that the land was his. Paul's exertions on behalf of peace were great, and to him a good deal of the success is due. At the invitation of Mr. Walker, tho manager of the mill, the party waited to next day (Tuesday, the sth), to see the machinery started. About noon on Tuesday everything was got ready, and steam let on. At the fust movement of the fly-wheel, Mrs. Walker broke a bottle of champagne over it, and the whole party, including Wynyard, drank success to the mill. We are glad this difficulty has terminated so successfully, and that Wynyard was left in a disposition to try and make money out of the mill lands, by growing and selling produce to them.