THE WEST COAST NATIVES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6696, 3 October 1882, Page 2

THE WEST COAST NATIVES.

We have received the following communication from the Government:—

'Mr Bryce' reached Wanganui yesterday afternoon; having been up the West Coast aa far as Farihaka. ........ We understand that Native matters are considered to bo in a very satisfactory condU tion there. Almost; daily,.,seed potatoes are being carted to other parts of the district for food. A short time ago it was reported that Natives going to Farihaka for potatoes were stopping to assist in planting. As this might be used as a pretext for the same Natives returning when the crop was ready, Mr Bryce [directed that the,-Farihaka Natives i should be told it-could not be permitted to continue. Old Tunioake, the present chief there, seems to have received this decision with words to theeffeot that “It was'qnite right ; there had been trouble enough already from strangers.” The West Coast Maoris seem to be reverting to the old modes of cultivation that pieceded the Farihaka or Te Whiti craze. They have done a good deal of substantial fencing by means of ditch and .bank, and in other ways ; but there is no evidence of anything like undue planting. Indeed, the Natives now say that, the monthly meetings being stopped, planting as they recently did would be useless. Several fine canoes fop fishing have lately been made. , In all their fencing and cultivations the Maoris have confined themselves to the lands assigned them, and. kept within, the boundaries fixed, except in a single case, and that only to the extent of a few acres. This exception is believed to have resulted from accident, and the matter will no doubt be easily arranged.

Titokowaru seema determined now to live at peace with us, and on all bands the Native Minister is said to have received assurances that the temper of the West Coast Natives has very much changed for the better.