THE NATIVE TROUBLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1535, 22 July 1886, Page 1

THE NATIVE TROUBLE.

New Pitmottth, July 19. Thirty natives under To Whetu are at Oakura, and arc ordered by Te Whiti to plough on Mr Morris’ land to morrow. In an interview with a reporter of the Taranaki News Te Whetu stated that the whole agitation was caused by Te Whiti, who hopes to get all the confiscated lands back. The trouble is not through non-, payment of rents by Government. The natives state that they have been instructed by an English lawyer that they must assert their right to the confiscated lands every three years, or they will lose their title to it. Acting under this impression they are, therefore, now formally asserting their ownership of the land. July 20.

Tbe Datives are making; nc show of re- . sistauoe at this side of Parihuka. They say they will plough the lands of Europeans if Te Whiti tells them to. Wellington, July 20. Te Whiti was arrested this morning on a charge of inciting the natives jfco commit a breach of the peace. No resistance was offered to his being taken prisoner; He will be tried at Opunake. The Manaia natives are now releasing their bullocks and horses in small lots. Tuke, an old native who has considerable interest in leased land, says, ‘ f No more plough now Te Whiti and Titokowara are arrested.” The excitement lias quite cooled down.

Ha wee a, July 2G.

Everything ia quiet. The natives concerned in Hastie’s affair gathered at Titokowara’s kainga to talk ov& the matter. Tbe natives for the most part were very “pouri ” and sulky. They said, “ White men have our land, and they may as well keep onr cattle and horses,” The impounding of these animals is with them a very sore point. Some of them go further and say; “As you have arrested so many you may take the rest,” and add “ that they think that another whare building and trespass on land in European occupation will be made bot of this they seem to be doubtful at present. The lands occupied by tenants of the socalled Maori leaseholds are now almost exclusively , managed by the Native Trustee, and tbe Europeans’ rent was some time ago reduced by half for a term of three years, balance of deferred rent to be paid up at the end of three years. This privilege has been extended to many of these tenants, and is one of the Maori grievances. The participation of. certain chiefs in the affair is regarded as a sign that the enforced collection of their rents and the official deductions made for collections have caused these natives to take the steps they did. The damage for trespass of horses and cattle was assessed at Is a head. About teu acres of grass have been destroyed, and perhaps 20s damage done to fences. Tbe settlers have no fear of any serious disturbance.