NATIVE WAR IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9131, 13 August 1888, Page 11

NATIVE WAR IN THE NORTH.

SEVERAL KILLED AND WOUNDED.

A LAND DISPUTE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENTS.]

Whangarki, July 20. Tiik dispute between two sections of the Ngapuhi, about a block of land near Te poroti, about fourteen miles from Wangarei, has culminated in an open battle. The survey was about to be commenced by Mr. Andrew Wilson yesterday, and he sent a party to put up a flag'on a hill, to test the threats one of the parties had made. The flag was pulled down by some of Eru Hiri's people, and hostilities commenced. Up* to the latest news received there had been several natives killed and others wounded. Mr. Olendon (the Resident Magistrate) and two constables have gone out to tho scene of the trouble. " There are about 70 natives on one side and 120 on the other. THE ORIGIN OF THE QUARREL. Wellington, July 20, 0.50 p.m. I interviewed the-Native Minister (the Hon. E. Mitchelson) to-night relative to the hostilities which have broken out between two sections of natives at "Poroti, near Whangarei, headed respectively by Eru Hiri and the chief' Taurau Kukupa, of Whangarei. I may premise that this dispute is one about land. The block is a valuable one, and has been the cause of frequent trouble. Dating the Governorship of Sir Geo. Grey a pa was built on it, and some fighting took place. The Wesleyan missionary in Kaipara went up to mediate between the contending parties, and subsequently a peace was patched up. The more recent trouble has been simmering for three months past, Taurau's section wanting the land passed through the Native Land Court, and Em's faction opposing it. In the,meantime Eru's people have been allowing Europeans to dig gum over the block, a royalty of so much per ton bein'_j given for the privilege. Some C.'iOl) has recently been paid over to Eru's people. Taurau claims a share of the money, but lias not got it, hence the present feud.

The Native Minister hits had the matter in hand, and only within the last two or three days has directed a survey to be made of the land, with a view of the title being investigated by the Native Lands Court. It would have been done sooner, bub the delay has arisen on the natives arranging for the survey charges, ami these are to be defrayed by cession of some land to the Government. Telegrams have been received stating that two men had been shot, but giving no details, Mr. Clendon being absent in another portion of the district. THE FIGHTING ENDED. \Vhanoarjsi, July '21. The report from the scene of the native trouble is that the fighting is over for the present. The Resident Magistrate, Mr. Clendon, and Constable Cordon returned late last night. There are known to be three killed and four wounded. Dr. Clark went out with Mr. Clendon to attend to the wounded men. The opinion among well-informed people is that only Mr. Mitchelson can settle the difficulty. ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. Wkllixutox, July '21. I interviewed the Native Minister to-day regarding the recent native feud near Whangarei. This morning the Minister and the Commissioner of Police, Major Gudgeon, received telegrams. The whole of the natives engaged are well-known to the Native Minister. It seems mat three natives were shot dead, namely : — Hemi I'arapa, shot through the heart. Hoera, shot in the mouth. Nana Kariki, shot through the temple. The wounded are :— Wellington, shot through the arm. Mata Annua, shot through the body. Hairy I'ene, slightly wounded. Heini Parapa used to be native boy at Mr. Walton's, Maungatapere. Naha Kariki was lately in gaol on a charge of horsestealing. It is said that Wereta Pou, whoso right arm is shattered, was one of Taurau's head men, and is a man of influence in the Northern Wairoa. Mata Arama is dangerously, and Hamate severely, wounded.

Mr. Clendon, the R.M., telegraphed to the Native Minister as follows :—" I have informed Taurau that he must desist at once, but I fear that now he is roused he will not abstain. Maniwhera, the prophet, promised me his party would remain at the settlement. Unless Taurau attacks them, I do not think any further collision will occur to-day, as they have to bury their dead ; and having sent for the northern chiefs, I believe the matter will now be settled should they arrive during the next few hours." The Native Minister informs me he has ordered an inquest to be held on the bodies, in order to assert the law. He has also communicated with the chief Taurau, expressing his regret that matters had come to such a pass, and informing him that strife must cease, and all grievances be redressed by law. MR. MITCHELSON TO VISIT POROTI. Wellington, July 24. I interviewed the Native Minister tonight as to any fresh development in this feud. It appears that both parties have agreed to the truce, pending the arrival of the Defence Minister, whom they desire to see as soon as possible. The wounded men are better than they were. Mr. Mitchelsou informs me it will be qui to out of his power to visit the scene of the trouble till after the rising of the House. He believes the disturbances will not be renewed meanwhile. Taurau, in his letter to Mr. Mitchelson, says the trouble did not arise from him. He will be quite contented if the law is asserted, and if the title is investigated. THE FACTS OF THE DISPUTE. The facts connected with this disturbance are stated as follow :—The dispute about this block of land has lasted for a considerable time. Taurau Kukupa is willing that the land should be surveyed, and the title adjudicated upon by the Native Land Court; but Eru Hiri and party are averse. They state that the reason why they are averse is, because the Native Land Court sat on a disputed block some time since. Taurau claimed, although he had no right, and through his influence was admitted, and has received a full share of the proceeds. They dread that, if tills block is adjudicated upon, he Court would award Taurau a large share. Mr. Samuel Rawnsley leased the block now in dispute as a gumtield. Some time since a payment was made of several hundred pounds, and Eru Hiri says that Taurau got much more than he ought, in fact, that he ought to have got nothing at all. On this last payment becoming due 13ru Hiri took the money, and took care that his people should have the lion's share. Hence arose the trouble. On a previous occasion when trouble threatened, Mr. Clendon, Resident Magistrate?, recommended that an appeal should be made to the Court. Taurau was quite willing, and summonses were taken out by him against some of the opposite party. When, however, Constable Gordon went to serve the summonses, the natives threatened to shoot him, and he had to leave them unserved. The whole dispute shows that it is quite a mistake to leave any land with a disputed title. It has frequently been represented to the Government that persons should be made commissioners for different districts, to settle the titles of all the native land in New Zealand, making inalienable such portions as are most suitable for native reserves. If this had been done, such a disturbance as this in the North could not have arisen.

Our Wellington correspondent writes : —The Native Minister has received a full report of .the native disturbance at Poroti from Mr. Clendon, Resident Magistrate, and it was laid on the table of the House of Representatives on the 3rd August. Mr. Clendon says :—" From the aspect of Taurau's actions I feel certain that the Northern chiefs are in accord with him, and sympathise in his movements. The real cause of this dispute has arisen from the ambitious projects and desire for aggrandisement of Eru Hiri, whose mother is acknowledged by the Uriroroi people to have a small claim on all these lands, and whose counsels have had great weight with Manuera, and assist

his own views. All through this matter Manuera and Eru Hiri have exhibited a vacillating and repudiative policy, one day consenting and the next refusing. I may add that Taurau has caused me the greatest anxiety. Since the commencement of the dispute I have endeavoured in every possible way to prevent his exercising force, but his dignity as a chief lias been set at naught, and so much disturbed by the".rebellion of some of his immediate relatives and friends that he has lately become- more obstinate and unmanageable than usual." The Native Minister hag been advised that the native who was the cause of the recent outbreak near Whangarei has been banished to the Hokianga district. An immediate and peaceful solution of the whole difficulty is expected.