MAORI LITIGANTS AND SIR J. VOGEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7863, 4 February 1887, Page 5

MAORI LITIGANTS AND SIR J. VOGEL.

A large number of Maori litigants were present yesterday in the Supreme Court, expecting that the case of J. C. Firth v. Panapa te Pea would be called on. As our roaders are aware, this case is raised because of the persistent occupation of certain lands at Matamsta by natives, which Mr. Firth alleges that he possesses titles for. MrBell, of Wellington, appeared for the natives, and as will be seen from our report of the proceedings, the hearing was adjourned. Immediately thereafter the natives (twenty-eight in number) betook themselves to Sir Julius Vogel, and after expressing their love for him and for ministers generally, requested that he would furnish them with return passages to Matamata by railway. Sir Julius asked how many there were, and on being told, he had a list written out, and gave them an order for tho passages. It is very nice for a paternal Government to do this sort of thing, but benevolence should not be confined to poople of one race. Several Europeans came down to give evidence in the same cause, and they arc left to find their way back as they can. The Maoris, of course, pleaded poverty to Sir Julius, but they have managed to raise £750 in order to carry tho case in which they are engaged to the Privy Council. Hereafter, any person who finds himself "stumped ' for his railway fare will have a precedent in applying to a Minister for ft pass, because we cannot suppose that Sir Julius Vogel designed to express sympathy on the part of the Government for the particular litigation in which Panapa to Pea and his twenty-seven friends are engaged. Touching the coolness of Maoris in asking, we may give another instance which occurred yesterday. Several of the principal men amongst the natives who aro holding possession of the land, waited on Mr. Firth, and one of them said, Now, Mr. Firth, we are fighting now, but we are friends still, are wo not?" "Oh, yes," said Mr. Firth, "wo are still friends, I hope." Then tho Maori spokesman said, " Kanui taku aroha ki a koe ; homai he pauna " —"Great is my love for you ; give me a pound ! "