KOMATA ROAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5756, 29 April 1880, Page 5

KOMATA ROAD.

The following letter has been addressed by one of the Koinata natives to Mr. Brodie :— "Ohinemuri, April 27, ISSO. —To Mr. Brodie, County Council, —Welcome to you. This letter shows Tukukino'a movements regarding the road. On Sunday, the 25th, there was a committee formed at the Komata. The foundation was, news came here to this effect that on Monday, the 26th, you would come to Hikutaia with your workmen to carry tho road through. That was the reason of this committee. Tnknkino is very hard. He said that he would go and stop on the road, and prevent any one from forming it. Should he see any of the men, he will tell them to keep off, and that he will do so to the last. He did not make use of bad language. There wa3 no person able to answer him. Tareranui was Tukukino's opponent in thi3 committee. We trust to dissuade him from being obnoxious, for if he tried on these pranks he would be tried by law ; it would be better to allow the road to go through. But he would pay no attention to us. On Monday, the 2tsth, Tukukino and his followers went to Hikutaia. They were six in number. TVe went with them also to see what they were going to do, and we heard him say that he had power to oppose the road from Hikutaia Bridge to his settlement at the Komata, and not having seen any Europeans at work he returned. The committee are still at the Komata, taking care of Tukukino and his followers. To prerent them from taking the weapon that takes away life, their bodies alone shall go and prevent the road from being formed. I could write you more only it is tedious to relate." It will be seen from the letter that there are really very few natives who are determinedly opposed to the road being made, and that the main body of them would be only too glad to see it pushed through. —[Thames Correspondent.]