NATIVE AFFAIRS

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 234, 15 October 1891, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS

MOBTALITY ON THE EAST ■ COAST. SEIZING A SETTLERS PROPERTY. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] " Wellington October 14. Major Gudgeon, who is holding a fitting of the Native Land Court north of Gisborne has forwarded to the Government a report on the mortality of the East Coast natives m which he gives the names of 72. natives or nearly 10 per cent of the population of the district, who have died since : June. He attributes the deaths m a Urge measure to the barbarous treatment patients receive from the Maori Doctors. Comparatively few deaths have occurred at Waipiro, and this he attributes to the presence of Mr Mascott of the native dispensary. Major Gudgeon believes the residents would guarantee £200 to secure the services of a good doctor. * Mr Scott also furnishes a report stating that the deaths are due to superstitions, laziness, and natural inaptitude m looking after the uick, and because natives refuse to accept European medicines, but stiok to. their Tohungas, Te Kooti Bites, and annointing with, oil according to the Mormons. The Government have telegraphed to Major Gudgeon- that if the residents will guarantee a subsidy of £200 a year for a ■medical man they will supplement the amount by £100 per annum, Gisbornk October 14. The natives of Tologa Bay have taken possession of a six roomed house, large orchard and sixty aores of land occupied by Henry Williams, who also claims to be the owner, m the Wharekaka block. The position the Maoris take up is that some of them never having disposed of their shaies m the block, and their interests never having been defended, they as part owners of the soil have a perfect right to " Squat "where they please. -