TEE NATIVE DISPUTE AT HIKUTAIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5635, 8 December 1879, Page 5

TEE NATIVE DISPUTE AT HIKUTAIA.

Dususg the past week Mr. Komick, Tt.M., accompanied by Mr. Sub-Inspector Kenny and Mr. P. Puckey (interpreter), visited Hikataia for the purpose of endeavouring to amicably settle the dispute between the Hikutaia natives and Mr. Alley, re the Kakaramea block oE land. On reaching Mr. Alley's station a message was seut to the natives, informing them o£ Mr. Kennck'a arrival, and requesting their attendance. To tbU they replied that the Magistrate must go to them. A seconl message was then sent, telling them if they did not appear in half an hour, the dispute would have to be settled in tho Court at Grahamstown. The natives then, headed by Tamati Paetae, their chief, assembled at Mr. Alley's farm. Tliey were accompanied by Tukukino and a number of the Ngatikoe natives. Mr. Kenrick at once informed them of the nature of his visit, andstatedihat, failing anamicable arrangement being come to, ho would have to compel lioth parties to give substantial security that the quarrel would,in the future, bo continedto the courts, and the peace preserved. A long discussion on the matters in du-pute then fr.ok pUce, la&ting over three hours. Finally, the following arrangement was agreed to : —"Fur the next three months Mr. Alley to prosecute his survey, clearing, fencing, an 1 build'ug, without interference from the natives ; during the sam-j periol the natives to be allowed t> occupy their present cultivations, and to run their cattle, as heretofore, on Mr. Alley's Und, he consenting."—Mr. Kenrick undertook that a definite and fi.ial oiler should be made by the Govermeut to the natives, within that period, of the amount the Government were prepared to pay, tho amount already offered by the Government (£200) having boen refused by the natives ; that, in the event of the natives refusing the amount finally offered, Mr. Alley should eject them from the laud by the o-djim-y legal process. The natives were given cluirly to understand that the land was legally Mr. Alley's, he having a Crown grant for it, and that my claim they might hav.-, was a purely equitable one acainst the Government fur alleged, wrongs suffered by them wlten the land passed through the court, ami that in pressing this claim they would have to respect Mr. Alley's rights." Oα concluding this ag cement Mr. Alley and Tamati Haetae, at the r, quest of Mr. Kenriot, shook hands to show that all past quarrels would bo for-otttn. It is siucerely to be hoped that tlvs dispute is really settled. Both parties have showu a considerable degree of warmth over the matter lately, and the wonder is that nothing serious -has occurred. Th; natives have shown much more furbe.ir&uee thau is usual with them, or affairs might bavo taken a most serious turn. That they are in the wrong is quite evident, for the land h:is been O>own granted several years now, and they have no title to it whatever, Mr. Alli-y is naturally incensed at being prevented fr..m cultivating it, aud is also greatly annoyed at tho puerile attompts of the Government to settle the dispute. Mr. Kenrick is destrving of cominen.Ution for the o'liiunoinenae view he has taken of tho whole mat:er.—[Humes Correspondent.]