HAWERA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3200, 30 September 1881, Page 3

HAWERA.

September 30,

The ploughing difficulty near Otakeho has been satisfactorily settled. Mr Adam Hunter, the owner of the land, yesterday interviewed the Native Minister, and asked what he should do. He was informed that, if he desired the natives to be removed or arrested, it should be done; but if he preferred to make an arrangement with them the Government would not interfere. It was entirely in his (Hunter's) hands. Hunter thought, under the circumstance, that he could hardly be expected to bring his wife and family to live on the deferred payment land. The Native Minister declined to mix up the question of residence with that of Maori trespass. If Hunter wanted the Maoris removed he had only to say so, and it would be done. Of course, it was possible that the Maoris might make further trouble. It was pointed out by Captain Wilson that the Maoris were willing to give a share of the crops, and said they had no other ground to cultivate. After a delay Hunter agreed to accept one-third of the crop as the rent of the land. Captain Wilson and Hunter then proceeded to Ohakeho, and saw the Maoris, who had not ploughed since the previous day. Tarina Kena, a returned prisoner, objected, but ultimately gave way, and consented, with the rest of the Maoris (about half a dozen) to pay this rent in kind. Hunter still declines to take his wife and family on to the land, but consented to the arrangement, partly to avoid the responsibility of being the first to bring possible trouble on the Plains, and partly so as not to incur personal odium from the natives.