THE MOTEO QUESTION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3824, 17 January 1877, Page 2

THE MOTEO QUESTION.

Sib, — Having read a paragraph, in the Telegraph of the loth instant, I wish to correct the mis-statements of its informant. The facts are these :— I have leased a block of land known as the Tuhirangi (Moteo). from the native owners, ten claimants being it. I have gofc a majority, having eight, leaving Mr. Maney but two out of the ten. After I had my lease secured, and an agreement for the land, which has not 1 passed through the Court, the sheep were driven ofE over five months since. On Saturday last, Mr. Maney's shepherds attempted to drive sheep on my land, but they were driven ofE by all the native owners. It is incorrect to state that Benata is the recognised chief, as he cannot be, he not being one of the grantees. Paora Kaiwhatu is the recognised chief of Moteo, and he has signed my lease, and stopped Mr. Maney's men from driving sheep on the land I am in possession of. It is also a mis- statement that Renata sent his men to drive sheep on my run for Mr. Maney, as I have it from the best authority, that he, not being interested in the matter, ne would leave it to the Europeans. The natives who went from Omahu to force illegal possession, were paid well for their work. — I am, &c, : L. Higgins. [Our correspondent has adopted the i singular expedient of answering the

Telegraph in our columns and the ] Hebaid in theirs; By Mr. Higgins' own i showing,' Mr; Maney has some shares in f the Tuhirangi Block, and that being so, i it was illegal to drive his sheep off. — Ed. < 5.8.H.1 |