AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 57, 8 March 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

A GRAND OLD WARRIOR. (Special to Turns.) Auckland, last night. Amongst the Native witnesses in attendance at the Supreme Court yesterday iu connection with the Miranda murder trial, in which a Maori man is charged with murdering his wife, was tho old Maori chief Hori Ngakapa to Whanaunga, a deoply tattooed warrior who saw service in tho Waikato campaign, and who is the last surviving chief of rank in tho Ngati Whaunga tribo of Coromandel and Miranda. Hori is a venerable and interesting link with the early history of this city. He, when a young man of 20 or so, was one of tho bravost of tho Ngatipnoa and othor tribes who made tho memorable invasion of Auckland in their canoes in 1853, in consequenco of the arrest of one of their chiefs, and ho took part in the- warliko demonstration on tho beach at Waipawa, now known as Mechanic’s Bay. In 1868, he joined in the Waikato war, and led led an attack with a number of his tribo on a forco of soldiers at “Martin’s Clearing,” on tho road near Drury, where a sharp fight took place. He also fought at Rnngiriri, and with many others, men and women, escaped from the pah by swimming across a crook on tho fall of that stronghold. Hori’s grandfather was the celebrated old centenarian chief To Taniwha (“ Old Hooknoso ”), who was a friend of Sir George Grey’s in the early days, and who as a boy saw Captain Cook’s ship sailing out of tho Hauraki Gulf, on route to Povorty Bay. PREMIER’S EXPLANATION.

There appears to be somo misconception as to the despatch of tho Sixth and Seventh Contingents to South Africa. Tho Premier explains that those Contingents are intonded to relievo tho officors and troops now serving on tho field.

COLONEL ROBIN. The Premier has recoived a letter from Mr Pilcher, dated Fedruary 10th, stating that Colonel Robin, who has been in tho hospital in consequence of his systom having run down, lias now recovered, and a later cable has announced that tho Colonol has resumed his duties. MINERS ON STRIKE.

Tho minors working at tho Karangaliakc railway tunnel aro yet out on strike. Mr Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., interviowod them this morning. They said that tho Government terms would not give them a living wago, and they would not accept them. They had difficulties with water, etc. They would be willing to liavo a fair price fixed by any three competent mine managers, or work at 8s per day for one month, and then fix tho co-opcrativo prico on tho basis of that amount of work.

BOUNDARY DISPUTE. With respect to tho dispute between tho Kingitcs and tho Ngatimaniapoto tribo as to the boundaries of the Waikato Maori Land District under tho Maori Lands Administration Act, tho Government has decided to appoint Mr Grace, of Wellington, to visit the district, and obtain from the native owners their views on the subject. Tho Waikatos desire that thenboundary shall extend to tho White Cliffs, while tho Ngatimaniapotos object to tho boundary being drawn south of Kawhia. The Premier will leave the question to the Maoris themselves, and will act upon their decision.