MAORI COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF A WIFE. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CAMBRIDGE, 24th march.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 70, 25 March 1881, Page 2

MAORI COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF A WIF E. [U NITE D PRES S AS SO CI ATIO N .] CAMBRIDGE, 24th march.

A lively sensation was created at daylight this morning between two tribes at present located in Cambridge. A member of thd one tribe appropriated last nigh i, a married woman; belonging to a member of the other tribe, and at daybreak this morning the aggrieved tribe, largely supplemented by othor natives, and , armed with spears, axes, &c, marched, through, the town to the oamping ground of the other tribe. The demonstration was ofthe moat threatening character, and amongst the European residents, suddonly ronsed out Of their beds, great consternation prevailed. On both tribes meeting a good deal of hostile demonstration was indulged in ; and a long animated disousaion, conducted in tho nativo tongue, ensued. Evontually, however, a compromise was agreod to, and tho offending tribe rendered a sort of compensation, consisting of money, blankets, greenstone ornaments, pige, horses, dogs, &0., the dead stock being all heaped up in a pile, and the live etock mustered between the two contending parties. The wrath of tho offended tribe gradually became appeased, in proportion as the pile accumulated, ana at length the tender was aooepted in full satisfaction. The money valne of. the oompensaJ . tion iB roughly estimated at £30. This Wati deemed sufficient retribution, and the injured husband retnrned with his tribe, letttiHgift^ woman undisturbed with her new companion. The proceedings oreated a good deal Of tm- . easiness until its effect came to be under; stood.