NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 34

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Wellington, May 26.

The Premier addressed a large gathering of Natives at Papawai this morning the Hon. Mr Carroll interpreting. He dv»elt ohiefly oa the injury done to the race in not providing children with fceoiiiiicsd instruction, and in nob using the reserves given by their forefathers to different churches for the purposes of benefiting Native children. He promises to bring ia & bill next session dealing with church reserves of Native lands. [He said the time had arrived when the Maoris should be more largely represented iv the Legislative Council. This would ba dealt with next Ktsaion. Wi Pern, Henare Tomoana, and Tamahau Mahupukd all agreed that it was a proper thing to do with the church reserves, as they could not be put to the purposes of general eduoation as originally intended. They advocated four Maori members of the Legislative Council, and urged their appointment before next session to support the Native Lauds Bill. Replying to a question, the Premier acknowledged that the proposals to deal with the church reserves of Native lande were firet suggested by Bishop Wallis. The Premier this afternoon went through the clauses of the Native Lands Bill with the j Natives at Grey town North, and left copies j with them in Maori arid English for their consideration. A son of ex-Judge Rogan, of Auckland, Si A3 been drowned afe Pihama, near Wanganuf. Patrick Oosgrove, a young man, was charged before Mr M'Carthy, S M., at Queenstown on Thursday with criminally assaulting Kate Butler at Arrowtown on the 21sfc insfc. Chief Detective O'Brien conducted the prosecution, j and Mr W. Turton defended. After evidence, accused was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Inveroargill, bail being allowed accused in his own recogBfcitape of $IQQ ac 4 (wo Duties of £50 each,