NATIVE MATTERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4489, 30 January 1886, Page 2

NATIVE MATTERS

THE RESTRICTIONS COMMISSION.

Tauranga, Jan. 28,

The Commissioner (G. E. Barton) appointed to institute full enquiries into all transactions as to purchases of native land, is now carrying out his investigations, and hus been for nearly a fortnight. The inquiry ia assuming a very searching and painstaking character. Numbers of native sellers and European buyers have been examined, and a large amount of evidenoe haß still to be taken. The labors of the Commission will last several weeks, The publio generally are manifesting considerable interest in the turn events are likely to take. The action of Ministers in trying to ascertain the true position of matters is regarded as a small step in the right direction at last. Hopes are being raised that, after many weary years of waiting, there are probabilities that the lands which have been so long foolishly locked up may be opened for bona fide settlement. Mr E. B. Moss, of Tauranga, and Mr Quintal, of Auckland, are acting as counsel, and Messrs 0. M. Creagh and R. J. Duncan as agents of some large buyers.

Te Kooti arrived at the native settlement opposite Tauranga yesterday with about 100 followers, and was suitably received and welcomed by a large number of local chiefs and natives. After a long korero he left to-day for the Waikato via Rotorua. A large portion of his followers return via Katikati and Te Aroha.

A Wellington correspondent says : — Ballance goes South on Monday and will at Waitaki attend a native meeting held to consider certain alleged grievances in consequence of their occupation of some lands being disputed by several settlers in the district. C. O. Davis is now here, and will accompany Mr Ballance. Though one of the best known men in the Colony for 50 years, this is Mr Davis's first visit to Wellington.