FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23575, 8 February 1940, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

MAORI - LAND TROUBLES Troubles with the Maoris over the possession of land were experienced 60 years ago. The following report from the Rotorua correspondent of the Net* Zealand Herald was published on February 8, 1890: "Mr. Piper and son, from Canterbury, accompanied by Mr. John Hall, interpreter, proceeded to Galatea yesterday to take possession of a block of land which lie recently purchased from Mr. Burt, who holds a Crown grant for the land. The natives must hare got scent of his coming, as they mustered in force and prevented him from getting near the block. Tfr6re has been a lot of litigation over this land, and, at a recent hearing in the Resident Magistrate's Court, the natives were cautioned under a penalty not to interfere with anyone who came to take possession. At the same time the occupied by the natives themselves was* given to them as a reserve. Sufficient time was also given to allow their crops to mature. They appeared to be quite delighted at this concession. There must be, however, some hitch-in the matter, as the natives could scarcely be so bold , in acting thus in defiance of the law. Mr. Piper is waiting anxiously a* Galatea, watching for a chance to get possession, but the natives are all oil the alert and have outposts picketed in various parts." N