NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 6478, 20 December 1883, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

AUCKLAND, December 20. Mr Percy Smith, the Chief Surveyor, met the Natives yesterday in front of Rewi's house at Kihikihi to explain matters relating to the survey of the King Country. Rewi opened the meeting by saying that he had agreed with the Government that a triangulation survey should bo carried out, but he had given that into Mr Bryoe'a. hands, and it would bo paid for by the Government. Mr Smith: " I have already ordered a triangulation survey, which will probably be commenced next week, also other surveys. The boundary survey from Pirongia to Ruapeha is done, but from Ruapeha to the White Cliffs has vet to be surveyed ; also, from Pirongia to Kawhia. I do not think these can be completed in twelve months." The Ngatiraaniapoto, when the meeting had closed, expressed a wish that the survey should go on at once at the price stated, L 1,600, which will be done. Mr Cussen stated that if not interfered with, and with fair weather, the triangulation survey should be done in eighteen months. • Hanauru and other Natives will meet Tawhiao and Major Te Wheoro atWhatiwhatihoe, and a public meeting is to be held there to-day. Despite the opposition offered by a section of the Ngataihanas yesterday, the triangulation survey of the King Country will be gone on with. The opposition of the Ngataihanas is evidently fostered by surveyors and other interested parties, and it is hardly likely that the good advice given by the Native Minister will be attended to. The triangulation survey is of course the first step to be taken, and then the application of the chiefs to have the King Country surveyed in one block can bo proceeded with. This work of itself will be a vast undertaking. The King Country contains 3,700,000 acres, and at say l|d per acre as a fair price, would cost something like L 22,000. Then will follow surveys of

tribal territories. and afterwards those of individual). As M? Bryce to the objecting parties jpterday, neither the first survey nor yet that of the inter-trib»l divisions could pOßßibly prejudice the claims of individual owners.