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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3155, 8 August 1881, Page 2

The Hon. Captain Fraser, in the Legislative Council the other day, asked the Government whether any steps had been taken to bring about the settlement of .matters in dispute between certain natives and Mr Harding relative to a piece of land at Waipawa. Some years ago, said Captain Fraser, a petition was presented to the Legislature by certain Maoris living at Waipawa, in Hawke's Bay, complaining that a portion of their land had been seized by a powerful European neighbor, and seeking for redress. The Public Petitions Committee of the Council reported on that petition, advising the Government to take certain action * but it appeared now that nothing had been done in the matter, and that tbe Maoris were still subjected to the attacks of that powerful neighbor. About six months ago Mr Harding went down to Napier and hired a large gang of men —bravoes—at a cost of £100, as he had informed him (Captain Fraser), and with tbe aid of these paid bravoes he endeavoured to eject the unfortunate natives from their homes; but, though they were principally women who were attacked, he failed to gain his object. He thought that such a proceeding should not be allowed to occur again ; and he hoped the Attorney-General would be able to tell the Council that some steps had been adopted to put these natives in undisturbed possession of their homes. The Hon. Mr Whitaker, in reply, said the Government bad a great deal of trouble in this matter. Since last sessioD there had been a meeting between tbe Native Minister and these men, and a great d°al of discussiou took place, but no decision was arrived at. Since, that again, communication had taken place between the Government and Mr Preeee, who represented the Government in tbat district with reference to native affairs; and recently a petition bad been presented to the other branch of the Legislature upon tbe question. The Government would give any amount of attention to the matter if they could see their way to getting it settled. It had not been lost sight of, and it would not be lost sight of until a settlement was arrived at.