NATIVE OBSTRUCTION AT MAUNGATAUTARI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 185, 14 December 1881, Page 5 (Supplement)

NATIVE OBSTRUCTION AT MAUNGATAUTARI.

The history of the Maungatautari is like like that of the Pukekura and Pauho blocks, inasmuch as though it has been paid for, the owners have not up to the pregent been able to occupy and improve it, owing to the resistance offered by the natives living in the vicinity. The Maungatautari property, which comprises about 8000 acres, and includes the native settlement at the foot of the mountains, was originally purchased from the natives by Messrs. Maclean and Co some eight or nine years ago, but that firm never made more than one attempt to occupy it. Captain Owen endeavoured to drive a mob of cattle on it, but he was opposed, and was obliged to return. Five or six years ago, Maclean and Co.'s interest was purchased by Sir James and Mr. Ferguson, the owners of Gorton, on the other side of the Waikato river, and although the new proprietors have paid over all the purchase money, and have secured the good offices of Tawhiao and Rewi and. the principal chiefs, they have,

like Messrs. Grice and Walker, been compelled to resort to force to take possession of their own lands. Mr. Ferguson accordingly, with the assistance of Messrs. Kallendar and N. I. Hunt, organised a party of twentyfive men, and left Cambridge for Maungatautari shortly before midnight on Sunday, arriving at their destination at 2 o'clock on Monday morning, when they pitched camp. Mr. Ferguson took with him waggons, ploughs, &c, and at an early hour work was commenced. Later on a party of natives camped down, but no resistance was attempted. Mr. W. H. Grace, native agent, accompanied the party, and acting on his advice, Mr. Ferguson has taken steps to increase the number of men with him. It is confidently anticipated that the difficulty will be over this week. — Waikato Times.