NATIVE AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 753, 6 August 1886, Page 13

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

THE WEST COAST NATIVES. |

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.! New Plymouth, July 28. The Brenni correspondent of the Herald writes as follow :— •* Word arrived on Thursday that Ahatu had arrived at Waitara from Parihaka, and wanted to see Rangi (Lloyd) and the Urenui Natives. The chief, with ten men, went to see him, and returned last evening. It has been decided that, a meeting is to be held at Parihaka next week, when it is supposed a line of action will be decided upon. Rangi gave himself up to the police, aad wanted to be arrested ‘all the same as Te Whiti,* he said ; but there being no charge against him, his wishes were not complied with.

MORE MAORI TROUBLE.

Auckland, July 30.

The Maoris yesterday commenced ploughing on Andrew Anderson’s land at Pukaki, near Mangere. Mr Anderson found three Natives with a single-furrow plough at work, and as they refused to desist he fetched Constable Walker from Otahuhu, who removed the horses and plough to the public road. The Maoris were sullen, but unresisting. They said they must get potatoes and oats sown, and would start ploughing again. The constables said they would be taken to Manakan. They replied they would rather go to Wellington, to be near Te Whiti. Pukaki was formerly occupied by Maoris, but was confiscated during the war. A part now belongs to Mr Anderson and part is a mission reserve which he leases. It is said these Natives recently arrived from Parihaka, and are acting under the direct instructions from Te Whiti. It is feared that other Natives may start similar proceedings in_ more remote districts, where police protection is not available. _ Later.

Sergeant Pratt and six constables have gone out to-day to the scene of the Maori ploughing at Mangere, about twelve miles from the city. The arrest of the Natives is expected. Superintendent Thompson, who accompanied the police expedition to Mangere, found Natives on the Pukaki land, and on being ordered off, the leader, Praiha, said, “ We are the sheep of Te Whiti, and you are tho dogs come to devour us.” When asked if Te Whiti ordered the ploughing he -declined to answer, and would give no reason for going on Mr Anderson’s land. Auckland, July 31.

The Natives at Mangere have not recommenced ploughing to-day, so far as the police know. The following are further particulars as to the position of the land upon which ploughing has been commenced. The Pukaki block was originally a Native reserve, that is, it was excepted from sale when the adjoining lands were acquired by the Crown, or by Europeans. The reserve was made in favor of Ihaka, Takanini, and other Natives of the Te Akitai tribe, who were owners of the district. The reserve consisted of 160 acres on the ridge of land running out into the Mannkau Harbor. It had been the site of an ancient Maori settlement. Previous to the war the Natives allowed a church to be built on the precise spot where ploughing has now taken place, and service was conducted there for the Natives. Then came the war in the Waikato. The Natives living at Pukaki, and other settlements adjacent notoriously sympathised with their countrymen, and attention was called to the position of the settlers. A proclamation was issued by the Government, Sir F. D. Bell being then Native Minister, calling upon them either to take the oath of allegiance or to clear off their settlements. In most cases they chose the latter alternative. Ihaka was suspected to be about to flee to Waikato when he was arrested by Colonel Murray and a party of soldiers a 3 a rebel. The New Zealand Settlements Act was passed, and a proclamation was issued confiscating the Maori lands at Pukaki, Mangere, Pukekohe and Te Wairoa. Then a struggle took place in the Compensation Court, and it was found that it could not be proved that Ihaka and his friends had been in rebellion. The Native reserve at Pukaki was therefore handed back to them. But here the authorities of the Anglican Church stepped in and made a claim for the piece of land upon which the church Btood. The Government therefore made a grant to Bishop Selwyn o 5 acres 3 roods and 25 perches on the poin where the church stood. The graDt is dated J une 25,1869, and it appears to have been mad for “ Religious, charitable, and educational purposes.’’ Tfce church we may mention had been burned down, it is said by t some Europeans. The Diocesan Synod, or whoever are the authorities, have ceased to occupy the land for any “ religious, charitable, or educational purpose,” but have leased the land to Me A. Anderson as a yearly tenant. Mr Anderson owns a piece of land adjoining, which belonged to the original reserve, and which he purchased from Te Keene Tangaroa. The reserve was apportioned to the different Natives interested in 1866,