HAWKE'S BAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 28

HAWKE'S BAY.

Mahuta, Henare Kaihau, and a number of other chiefs accompanied the Premier on the 31st from Huntly to Mercer. As a result of their final discussion a definite course of action with regard to Native legislation was agreed upon, and the Premier promised to submit his proposals to Parliament. The chiefs are now engaged ascertaining the number of landless Natives belonging to the Waikatos, discriminating between those whose lands were confiscated and those who voluntarily became landless. The Premier has promised to introduce legislation dealing with tftis matter on the same lines as that "which provides for landless Natives in the South Island.

A case revealing extraordinary credulity amongst Natives and continued belief in the superstitions of their tohungas was heard at Gisborne S.M. Court on Thursday. One woman named Morete sued an elderly dame named Harete for the recovery of a horse and £1 cash, which she had paid defendant upon the latter promising she should be delivered of a male child. Plaintiff said the defendant put her hand on her shoulder and performed an incantation, saying " A male child, a male child ; hold to it, hold to it." Plaintiff waited J. 2 months, and there being no result, she sued for the recovery of the horse and the money. The . magistrate held these had- been obtained on -farrse representation, and gave judgment for plaintiff, remarking that this superstition among Maoris seemed to be growing worse.