NATIVE QUARREL IN THE KAIPARA DISTRICT.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4786, 28 December 1872, Page 3

NATIVE QUARREL IN THE KAIPARA DISTRICT.

We understand that a short time ago a misunderstanding occurred between a settler named Mr. James, residing on what is called the Chalmerston Block, on the Hotea river, and aonie natives living on the opposite side of that river, at a native settlement called Puatahi, of which Te Hemara is chief. This misunderstanding was of such a character and led to such events as might have produced disagreeable consequences, had it not been for the tact, patience, and energydisplayed by the Native Department. So far as we can learn, an unfriendly feeling existed between Mr. James and hia native neighbours. This feeling has been growing for a considerable time, and charges and counter charges were made on each side, the Maoris accusing Air. James of destroying their pigs, &c., and Mr. James accusing them of sending their horses, pigs, and cattle across the river for the purpose of annoying him. Until lately Mr. James has been almost the only settler reaid« ing in the Chalmerston settlement, and the Maoris appear to have considered that they had as good right to graze their cattle upon the land of the absentees as Mr. James had, and hence the quarrelling. This is one of the results of our present unsatisfactory fencing laws . Two of the Maoris were wandering lately in the bush in search of some piga which had been lost. There they were met by Mr. James, who shortly afterwards discharged his gun, they alleging that the fowling-piece was discharged at them, and he, of course, denying the imputation. However, the Maoris got frightened and hastened to the settlement and informed their chief and people of what had taken place. The dog they had with them when they met Mr. James did not return, to their settlement, and his loss was also laid upon the shoulders of Mr. James. In native council assembled they resolved that, for their personal safety, Mr. James must be disarmed. Accordingly next day some nine returned to Mr. James's house, and on the way thither requested Mr. Newcombe, a European settler, to accompany them, so that he might be a witness that they did nothing that was wrong. On reaching Mr. James's house he was absent at tb^e time, and finding the gun loaded they removed the" cap from the nipple. On Mr. James's return, an altercation and a scrim mage ensued, which ended in Mr. James getting hia beard pulled, and the gun carried off to the Maori settlement. Mr. James of course duly reported the outrage, and Te Keene, of Mairetahi, a native assessor, in the absence of Mr. Rogan, ' held an inquiry into the allegation, at which inquiry Mr. James was desired to attend, but refused. We understand that Te Hemara and his tribe acknowledged their error in committing an assault upon the person of Mr. Jamea and pulling his beard, and offered a money recompense for the assault. They held that it was necessary for their own safety that Mr. James should be disarmed at that time, and as there was no constituted authority in the immediate district to which they could appeal and obtain protection, they therefore took possession of his gun, of which they are taking good care, and are willing to hand it over to the Go vernmenfc, or to whomsoever theGovernment may name to receive it. The natives allege that they are extensive losers through Mr. James's conduct, and claim compensation to the extent of several hundreds of pounds, for losses of horses, pigs, &c. We understand that the matter is under the investigation of the Government at the present time. On whose side the first offence was committed we have not any definite information, but the above, the result of many inquiries at various quarters, gives, we believe, r an epitome of the dispute at present existing between Mr. James and his Maori neighI bours. . It is "to' be ( Sloped that it may end satisfactorily to theparties,'aM that in future I a better understanding will exist between the ; Maori and the European, •

REED & BRETT'S ALMANAC. We have received a copy of " Reed and Brett's Auckland Almanac, Household Guide, and Stranger's Vade Mecum," for 1873. It is a volume containing 110 pages of very closely printed matter, and giving a considerable amount of valuable information to strangers, and others who are not well acquainted with the resources of the province. The publishers, in announcing the aim they have kept in view in producing the work, state : — "It was not our intention to give merely an almanac in the proper sense of the term, but, combined with this, we purpose from year to year to convey as • much information respecting the province as can be condensed within reasonable limits." To do this they had therefore to provide information not only for persons living within the province of Auckland, but also for those who are not here, or those who may have just arrived amongst us without having had time to learn much of the country. The almanac before us will supply this want to a large extent, and will form a very convenient vehicle for conveying information respecting the province of Auckland to distant places, thus letting persona beyond the colony know something of our capabilities and resources. The mechanical portion of the book deserves the highest commendation. It ia clearly and carefully printed in brevier type. The following are some of the principal features in the work: — " Flora of the Province of Auckland," in which are described some of the principal vegetable products in the province. The following facts, extracted from this notice, contain information not generally known : — " Oils from the seeds of the kohi (Passiflora tetrandra) and the titoki are highly valued for the purposes of the armourer, watchmaker, Ac. Many species furnish drugs, which might be made serviceable articles of export. The supplejack gives a good substitute for sarsaparilla ; the gum of phormium is invaluable for severe burns, scalds, and wounds ; the gum of the ponga (Cyatahea medullaris) is a vermifuge ; the kopata (pelargonium clandestinum), and Geranium microphyllum, both of which are common in the province, afford goo,d substitutes for arnica ; the inner dark of the pohutukawa and rata, and the root bark of the bramble (Rubus Australia), are of great value in diarrhoea and dysentery." The tariff, as in existence in 1872, is given, together with a long schedule of interpretations and decisions, compiled from the decisions already given throughout New Zealand as to the interpretation of the tariff. This schedule must be of great service to many mercantile firms. Thejusual informationfoundin almanacs respecting the Post-office, societies and companies, postage-rates, offices of Provincial and General Governments, &o., is given in a compact and readable form. There is a very interesting and graphic description of the city of Auokland, in which a few little inaccuracies occur, but which conveys an admirable picture of Auckland as it is to readers beyond our borders. Kangitoto is described as a volcano, now extinct, but which derives its name, " Bloody heavens," from the time when the lurid flames burst from its triple peaks. That this was the origin of the name " Hangitoto" is a general impression, but we believe one without foundation in fact. The Maori tradition respecting Kangitoto, as it has been related to us by the chief Paul, is that when the Maoris came to > New Zealand they found this mountain as harmless as it is to-day, but upon the upper portion of the mountain there ware large quantities of a red soft stone, resembling clotted blood, which the Maoris, in their simplicity, imagined to have proceeded from the heavens : hence the name "Bloody heavens." The same tradition gives the name to a large range of mountains in the Upper Waikato district, also of volcanic origin. Dr. Hochstetter, when here in 1859, estimated from the general characteristics of Kaiigitoto that its fires had been extinguished for at least 1,000 years, and the Maoris claim to have been but some three or four hundred years in New Zealand, and the probabilities are therefore against the commonly accepted origin of the name Eangitoto. The descrip* tions of the leading settlements, principal rivers and harbours in the province, together with the article upon "Information for intending Settlers," convey a large amount of really valuable information. There is also a section devoted to statistical information relating to the province, wh ch has been oompiled from this year's Parliamentary and Counoil papers, and is of the utmost value not only to residents beyond the province, but to local readers.