TARANAKI.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 24, 15 December 1858, Page 1

TARANAKI.

It is satisfactory to hear that all continues quiet at Taranaki, and that the Natives are once more busily engaged in cultivation. A desire is evinced by some of them to adopt the Summary of Laws lately published by the Government in the Maori language, and circulated throughout the country for the special information and good of the Native population. One meeting has already been held at the Waiwakaiho Pa by Hone Ropiba Te Kekeu, the Assessor } upwards of 200 Natives were present, and the speakers were in favour of adopting these laws. This is a step in the right direction, and it is encouraging to bear that a similar meeting will shortly be convened at the Hua, by Rauiera Ngaere and Tahana Papa Waka, likewise Assessors. No one however, can be blind to the fact that there are some leading men keeping aloof from this movement* They cling*to their old customs with the same tenacity as they cling to the land, regardless of the benefits it would bring to them and their children, if it were turned to profit, instead of being covered with useless fern or

■ imber; with the exception of a few cultivation! dotted here and there, the land held by the Taranaki Natives, Is the same waste it was 48 years ago. They made no use of the Mangaraka and Ikamoana after the Pakebas returned to Huatoki, and after the land bad remained unproductive for years, angry discussions took place about the ownership of it, one.claimed it from one ancestor* another from another, words led to blows, and instead of those lands being a blessing, they occasioned confusion and strife. I "The above remarks entirely accord with roe opinions of the intelligent Natives of Taranaki (and fortunately there are many I such ever ready to give good advice) all of whom declare it to be their belief that no permanent benefit will attend the Natives until the land is soli- Do not however imagine that the Government wish to buy the land without the consent of the owners; when they are willing to sell, the Government will be prepared to buy, and so put it out of the power of the Natives to quarrel, as in the case of the Hua district, which was dose to the scene of the late disturbance in Taranaki, yet never occasioned the Natives or the Government the slightest trouble. It was with the view of bringing the Taranaki Natives acquainted with the advantages of holding land as the English do, that the owners of the Hua district were allowed to select an ample quantity of land for which each owner is to receive a separate crown grant signed by the Governor. Tc«T;^ ere ? n k?. ao . con fasum amongst the Natives about this land, they can sell r let, or keep it, just as they please, without any interference from other Natives, either livinc near them or at a distance. The Governor would gladly see all Natives in the same ofthe Hua UOn * S as those r^ fcw t,? ttarler * acre actions in the Town of New Plymouth have been from time to time purchased by the Natives, seme at Government Auctions, others from private inwooden houses have since been built upon some of them. Rates for the repair of the roads are paid for these

sections and it is buC right that the Natives whose carts cut up the roads in conveying produce and firewood to market, should contribute, towards their repair. Roads are for the use of all, but they would soon become impassable without timely repair. Considering the long unsettled state of the Taranaki Natives, and the recent feuds in which they have been engaged the following approximate list of land under cultivation, and properly held by them cannot be otherwise than a "source of congratulation ta their English friends.. Land in cultivation, stock and agricultural implements, the property of the Natives residing between the Waitara and Moturoa districts.

Nga Kainga. (Settlements.) Whenua kua oti (e ngaki. land cultivated. NgaHoiho. Horses. cj J5 ** 3>z fc e B 1, a 8* J 3 ** i a* s Nga Kaala. Carts. i • &£ 5 s At e a- ** ' • i» P s s a 5? I aV I ili § 2.1 if « gp e* §* & .S <• *5 #|*i '& • " Si "S,» ll sr-. Waitotara Huirangi <• Ngalimara ' ffgi Eka (Acres) 894 ! 82 » 380 i . 30 690 i j 36 i ! j 30 « i I 1 ' ■ i i i ! 3 Waiongana \ Mangoraka 1 - (Melelkamoananw j Kaipakopako} / 405 49 114 ' 248 ■ - - 27 32 13 — j ii * • . Msngali ) TeHua V - Waiwhakaiho J 608 r 53 ■ 144 : ■ 258 28 26 12 3 . — ' Pukelolara 1 Pokenui J 45 17 41 14 5 5 2 , . i Ararepi ) RaUpihipihi > - Moluroa J 409 17 16 i 1 — 46 14 9 i | 4 — — — |l«i katoa (Total.) 206 J ! 1 213 — • 1 J 692; 50 1226 no 102' 5 2 5