NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3485, 12 June 1879, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[Br Tbl-Gbaph.]

[SPECIAL.]

AUCKLAND, June 11.

The following telegram is from a most worthy source : — As the result of inquiries I have been making into the position of the land which tbe Natives are now ploughing, I find that there are complications which separate it from the case of confiscated land. The Natives havo some additional claims which must be considered before we take any further steps, or at all events before we shoot them. The Oakum land was given to military settlers, being cut up into forty-acre sections, which have gradually been aggregated into large faring. The land wus within ono of the confiscated blocks, but ifc belonged fco friendly Natives as well as rebels. In order to avoid giving the Natives patches here and there it was arranged that those Natives having claims, and who had nofc been in rebellion, should recoive as compensation for land of which fchey have been deprived in Okura, 1250 aores within fche blook and 3600 acres on the Kaitoke and Patuaka ranges. The Natives who had nofc been in rebellion signed a document, consenting to this arrangement. This was done in July, 1866. However, no title has yet been given to any portion of this land, and the Natives seem to

be under the impression that after agreeing to give up Oakura they are not to receive anything at all either within tho block or without. The principal men are Hikurangi, Hingona, and Wi Kamohoma. ' Two of theso men are concerned in the ploughing operations. Those who were in rebellion, and who owned land within the Oakura block, are now

living at Parihaka. There are 150 of them. Some of them are concerned in the ploughing, including Tukikino. The land now being ploughed was nofc really confiscated land, but was acquired by us from friendly Natives to oomploto a confiscated block under a promise of compensation. Something of the same circumstances exist with regard to land no*w being ploughed afc Opunake. Of theso facts I understand fchafc the Government has just been mado aware in pursuance of ininquiries directed by Ministers fco bo made.