NATIVE AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 422, 13 March 1880, Page 9

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

(from our own correspondents.) Hawera, March 7

News has reached the camp at Otakeo that unfavorable reports have been circulated rela. tive to the behavior of the unemployed lately formed into a militia contingent, and now stationed at Otakeo. lamin a position to state positively that nothing approaching a case of insubordination has occurred, and that the behavior of the men leaves nothing to be desired. From their previous habits and experience many of the men are necessarily strange to the work they now have to do, but they are rapidly becoming apt and clever, and their personal anxiety to please is cordially assisted by the Constabulary, who lose no opportunity of assisting them by precept and example. Great disgust was felt when the reports were mentioned in camp, and the Constabulary felt annoyed that they should be suspected of displaying anything but kindness towards those whom misfortune had made their neighbor. March 6.

Many natives have already passed through on their way to Parihaka, for the great meeting on the 17th. Those from Patea and Mokoia, and Manutahi have already reached Parihaka, and the natives of the plains are straining every nerve to secure money for the purchase of provisions and clothing to take with them. They are parting with their grass seed for l|d. per lb. Titokowaru is still lying perdu, but is sure to turn up for the great meeting. From native accounts, it appears that owing to the persistent attempts made to interview him, by Government agents, the old chap imagined it was intended to attempt his capture. He cannot be made to believe that there is not still a reward on his head, and he hid himself in the bush to escape his suppo-ed pursuers. Many of his tribe tried to persuade him to go to Parihaka and slop there, but he avetred that he could not rest satisfied away from his old haunts.

Very important matters are expected to be discussed at the ensuing meeting ; meanwhile, the Constabulary, assisted by your surplus labor from Wellington, are very busy with the formation of the road and the portion south of the camp at Otakeo was completed last night. The metalling of the por ion formed between Waingongoro and Waiokura is being vigorously prosecuted, and a new gravel pit has been opened at Kapuni. Colonel Robeits has gone north to superintend the forward movement to be made by the division under Major Tuke, who, it is reported, will cross Stoney River to-day. Many drays were engaged at Opunake to assist the transport yesterday. Mr. Hursthouse is starting in fresh survey for the Mountain-road, commencing at Whangawhero and steering, it is believed, for Opunake and prospecting for the best line of railway for that place. The Commission is expected to return from New Plymouth this week and resume sittings at Hawera.

March 9.

The natives are on their way to Parihaka, and those at Kauponui and Otakeo have despatched dray-loads of pigs, sharks, and flour there. Everything is cpiiet and orderly at the Otakeo camp, and the road-making is proceeding satisfactorily. A culvert is being put in close to the cam, in order to drain the road where it crosses the swamp. In consequence of some of the working party being employed on the northern side of the Otakeo stream, an additional ten men have been placed on picket in that direction. Mr. Cheal is working with his survey party at the ntxt stream north of this, called Taikatu. Colonel Roberts is still up north. Waitara, March 6.

The Royal Commission arrived here from New Plymouth early yesterday morning, and commences proceedings immediately. The business is being almost exclusively confined to complaints of loyal Wenui and Waitara natives, holding scrip since 1866, as compensation for land confiscated for not having yet had land allotted to them. No doubt great injustice has been done by the survey of these lands being so long delayed, but the rebel natives who have returned from the Chatham Islands, and who were told by the Government to occupy land in these districts, have always opposed the survey, and the Government have not persisted in carrying it out. The report of the Commission will, no doubt, hasten the settlement of the question, and so do good, but it should not be overlooked that the country has to pay for work properly belonging to the Native Department, and which should, and could, have been settled by previous Native Ministers. Some of the principal chiefs, and nearly of all of Te Whiti's adherents in this district, are conspicuous by their absence. 1 he Commissioners are likely to be here for a day or two longer.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.; Waitara, March

The fßoyal Commissioners made a good day's work, examining about 20 natives and all sorts of claims besides those the Commission are empowered to inquire into were advanced, and some of them were of such a nature that the Commission promised to lay them before the Government. The general burden of the inquiry made by the natives was, " When are we going to get the land awarded surveyed, and the Crown grants ?" adding, " we have been waiting now 15 years in vain." A younger brother of William King was promised a piece of land to lie upon, which he asked for as it was shown he had none. He promised that he and some of his relatives would live upon it and cultivate it. The natives seemed surprised that the Commission could not inquire into and decide upon the miscellaneous claims brought forward, and evinced disappointment when informed that the only business of the Commission was to take evidence regarding unfulfilled promises of the Government. Over 100 natives were present to-day, and the business is still unfinished. There will .be another sitting on Monday next. Little of general interest transpired in to-day's evidence.

March 5.

The Native Commission has commenced its sitting, about 70 natives being assembled, all Ngatiawas, from Waihi, Tikorangi, Waipapa, Mioa, Wenui, Matarikariko, and other districts south of Mokau. The Commissioners, accompanied by Major Brown and Mr. Parris, were received with salutations, several influential chiefs shaking hands. A number of natives resident at Waitara, and who are blind followers of Te Whiti, left for Parihaka to evade the Commission, but others are coming forward anxious to have their claims individualised. The inquiry is now dealing with the Ngatiawa Block, which extends from White Cliffs to Waiongonga, and consists of seven divisions made by the Compensation Court. After announcement that the Commission would hear any complaints or grievances to be brought before it, Te Akerawa, a name meaning "field of blood," brother to the wellknown William King, spoke. He is associated with the parting of the Waitara Block to the Government, which originated the war, and appeared to urge further consideration for friendly natives. He said that the land reserved for natives who remained loyal during the war had since been sold by the Hauhaus to the Government, who had thus bought land which was formerly reserved for friendlies, and left the latter with only a few quarter-acre sections to live on, Mr. Parris explained that the land in question had not been operated on, and there was a block of land still retained for the friendly natives he had not previously been aware of. Akerawa maintained that the land had been disposed of to Honi Pihama and another. The Commissioner replied that this was not true, as the reservation originally made for natives had never been disturbed. Akerawa said the rebels got compensation for their land which was taken after the war, but the friendlies, whose lands were taken first, did not get com-

pensation. This had reference to land on both sides of the Waitara occupied by Europeans ; if the Government choose to give them back the land, well and good—or if they give them compensation they would be satisfied. The Commissioner replied, with respect to being paid for confiscated land, " if we were to enter into that we would be going into a new transaction with which we have nothing to do. This is what took place —You made your agreement with the Government ; you agreed to the arrangements which had been made, and you have seen that the land which you thought was gone still remains. After this the Government turned to the rebels and made a proposal to them to surrender all their claims. The arrangement was plain to both sides, and therefore the Commission will notreconsider or review any of the arrangements made at that time. On the contrary, what the Commission is to do is to carry out the arrangements then made, and not to make any new ones at all. If you can show that there has been anything wrong done in what was settled, we will correct it, but we have to carry out what was proposed." (The interpreter signified that it was difficult to know whether the witness was in chaff or in earnest in much that he said.) Akerawa concluded by asking the Commission to give food to the natives present. His request being acceded to, Frederick Taukoi, the next witness, applied that scrip for land allotted to his people should be made to the whole tribe. The native who had before held it for them had abused his trust, and sold a portion to Europeans, and pocketed the proceeds. Mr. Parris and Major Brown confirmed this statement, and the Commissioners said there was the right of the tribe and individuals. The Crown Grant would be issued for the tribes in the way in which it was originally reserved, and those who wished to have the lands divided and individualised would be subject to the process of another court.

New Plymouth, March 5

A number of claims of a varied nature were put in. One complained that some other natives disputed his right of title, and the Commission referred him to the Land Court. Mrs. Brown, a half-caste, sent in a claim for 500 acres, which she alleged was due to her grandfather, though no proof of title could be shown. This witness, who was formerly residing with her native relations at TJrenui, stated that when the ploughing commenced last year, she and her family were driven from their home by Te Whiti's people, because they would not join the prophet's cause. Claimants also came forward to ask for land which had been adjudged them by the Compensation Court in 1869, and which they had not been given. It was further alleged that pieces of land had been awarded to rebels which was really property of friendlies. The Commission decided that it could not interfere with the awards of the Compensation Court.

After leaving "Waitara the Commission will go to Tikorangi and Urenni

March 8.

The Commission concluded its sitting a Waitara to-day. A claim was put in for Teherangi Block, a valuable piece of land adjoining Waitara, and now occupied by Europeans. Mr. Parris stated that the land belonged to a friendly who had fought for the Government during the war, and without any justification or recompense, it had been taken away from them and given to military settlers. Sir Dillon Bell stigmatised it as barefaced robbery, and the worst case on the coast. Commissioner Brown also said the natives had been very unfairly dealt with. The Commission said the settlers could not be removed, as was requested by the natives, but they would recommend the Government to make money compensation for the land taken. The Commission also informed the natives that inalienable Crown grants would be issued to them, and the fees which they had hitherto paid for such grants would be refunded. After the natives had stated their grievances, Sir William Fox said it was because the Governor was told there were many things wrong about the confiscated land?, and that promises had been made to the natives which had not been kept, that the Commission had been sent to make inquiries. After they had finished their inquiries they would report to the Governor, and their word would be to carry out promises made; that the same might be done on this side of Waingongoro and all the way down to Waitara, as had been done on the other side ; that they should divide the lands of the Maoris from the lands he had given to white men, soldiers, and others, and that the surveyors should mark all the pieces, and Crown grants be given to each of. the tribes. They should have Crown grants for any pieces they wished to be individualised. This was the work which had been going on slowly ever since the fighting wa* ended, and it was now going on at Waimate, and roads were being made in order that the work might be carried out. Notwithstanding the threat of Te Whiti these roads were being made, and would be made. What had the breath of Te Whiti done for these Maoris? Had it not put them in prison, made their wives widows, and their children orphans, living on anybody who would give them bread ? That was the fruit of the great word of Te Whiti. Let Te Whiti speak the word if he liked, and let those who were foolish follow him, but observe this : the Governor did not ask leave of Te Whiti to put surveyors on the Waimate Plains, nor to make roads through them ; and the Governor would go on doing that work, and separating the land of the white man from the land of the Maoris, and executing surveys, without asking Te Whiti. He spoke this word for encouragement of the Maoris who were friendly to Europeans. The promises made long ago by the Government about dividing land would be kept. The work might be slow, but it would come to an end. The natives could not be in two places at once, and by-and-bye it would come to this : that if they meant to be with Te Whiti they would have to be with Te

Whiti, and, perhaps, then the land, would pass away from them, but if they came to their own land and settled, and disregarded what Te Whiti said, then all would be well with them. The Commission were not going to Te Whiti ; if Te Whiti had any word to say let him come to them, and they would hear his complaiut ; but if he held his tongue then the Commission would tell the Governor 1 hat he had nothing to say. They would go to Wellington and tell the Governor how to act with regard to the complaints which had been

made. The Commission will remain in New Plymouth for a week, and then proceed to Patea, Their importance is recognised by Europeans and natives alike, and giving general satisfaction.