STOPPAGE OF SURVEY BY TE HIBA'S ORDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2686, 6 September 1872, Page 3

STOPPAGE OF SURVEY BY TE HIBA'S ORDERS.

Within the last few days the survey of a large block of land at Whangamata has been forcibly stopped by Te Hira's orders ; tho survey party is at present in hiding in the bush ; and the natives who stopped the work hare brought down the theodolite, chain, and arrows, and lodged them in Mr. Puekey's office, as a " material gurantee" that the status quo will not be disturbed. How all this hubbub has arisen may be shortly stated. At the late sitting of tho Native Lauds Court, at Sbortland, the Whangamata block was set down for hearing, tho claimants being the Ngatipu. For this party Mr. Maekay appeared, and it is now understood that tho block is under offer to the Government, and will be sold as soon as it is surveyed ami put through the Court. The claim was opposed by the Ngatikaraua and ATgatiwhanaunga, and Mr. C. O. Davis, on their behalf, asked for an adjournment, and pointed out that there was no 6urvey beforo the Court. Mr. Mackay averred that ho believed the Ugatikaraua did not wish to make a survey at all, and that tho object of adjournment was merely to delay proceedings. This was denied, and the Court at length decided Lo adjourn the case in the meautime, with the understanding that if at the next sitting I lie survey were not completed, tho investigation should be gone on with. We may say that the block is an important one, comprising, probably, not less than 35,000 to 40,000 acres, and extending from the main range au Hikutaia to the Whangamata harbour on tho Fast Coast. Each party, it appears, is anxious to have the advantage of making the survey, but apparently the Ngatikaraua have the sympathy of Te Hira and his party at Ohinemuri. Shortly after the decision of tho Court it was found that, on the part of the Ngatipu, a survey party had started for Hikutaia, under Mr. Buscke. The other side had also, wo are iuforined, engaged surveyors, and had, apparently, determined not to allow tho Ngatipu survey to go on. At Hikutaia, Mr. Buscke was warned by Herewini te Uangii that he would not be allowed to go on with the survey, and that iieithor would the other party be allowed to do anything in that way. A messenger was ssut to Mr. Mackay, informing him of the position of affairs, and ultimately tho surveyors went on to the East Coast, and surveyed from the southern boundary of the block up to the Whangamata Heads. Here they were atopped by Tupeka Titiparu on the 2Sth of August. The natives who interfered said that they did not wish to use force, but Mr. Buscite had to give his word that lie would return to Shortland to see if some arrangement could bo made. In tho meantime Te Hira came down tho river to Hikutaia, and, after the usual tanyi, he spoko to Pokai, as the representative of the Ngatipu, absolutely forbidding the survey. In the meantime, the Ngatipu surveyors had again started to work upon a different portion of tho block, and this having been found out, the natives came down upon them, aud this time did their work effectually by taking away the instruments. This third stoppage took place ou Monday last. The men are now in hiding in the bush, but we understand that Te Hira's orders are that they are to bo packed off dewn to shortland. Whether Te Hir.i would as vehemently oppose a survey made by the Ngatikarauas, we do not know, but his opposition to the Ngatipu is stimulated by his knowledge that they wish at once to sell tho laud to the Government. If Te Hira aud the Mataora and Whangamata natives are determined that tho survey shall not be made, we presume that it cannot bo done. Nothing short of a strong armed party would be sufficient for the purpose, aud tho Government are not at all likely to run the risk of a disturbance, and possibly of bloodshed. But we should hope that the Native Lands Court will be firm, and that it' at its nest sitting no plan is presented, the titlo will be investigated, and the land awarded to those who, in the judgment of the Court, are the proper owners.— Advertiser.