The Wairarapa Lakes.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2071, 23 May 1887, Page 2

The Wairarapa Lakes.

There is now some valid prospect of the much vexed and long-continued question of the native claims to the proprietorship of these lakes being finally settled. Mr John Jury has arrived in Qreytown from Gisborne, and it is bis expressed intention to stay here until all the details in the matter have been conclusively settled and the native grievances and differences fully adjusted. In this mat ter be will be assisted by bis brother, Mr Charles J. Jury. These two gentlemen have now in hand the difficult and important task of collecting the hitherto disintegrated and varied opinions and ideas of the natives either directly or indirectly interested iu the ownership of both the laud under the water and the land skirting the edges of the lakes iu all directions. In this matter the the labour cut out for Messrs Jury amounts to more than a sinecure, and if they can bring about a solution to the. what nas hitheito been considered almost insurmountable pro. bletu, that is, getting the natives to sink all minor pretensions whether real or unfounded, they will once and for all time do a good and lusting benefit to the Maoiis and relieve the settlers iu the booth Fealherston and Kabautara districts of the cause of much annoyance, and from considerable and heavy losses. The final settlement of these squabbles with the natives about this fishing ground will also at once relieve the natives of the annoyance of being very shortly called upon by the rates collector to contribute something substantial towards the local Government of the district in the shape of rates, which will of necessity require to be levied more speedily and heavily, because of the persistence of the Wairarapa Natives iu not at once having accepted the inevitable, and made terms with the Government of the colony. It is because of the obstiuacy of a lew of these natives that roads and protective works will probably have to be executed upon a much mote extensive scale than if they had given way sooner and allowed the settlers to have taken the proper steps years ago to permanently improve their lands, which they have bad no warrant in doing under the very insecure and threatening circumstances iu wbieh they were placed. This land could not possibly be securely fenced and properly sown down in grasses until the owners could have some tenable assurance that the fruits of their labours would not be swept away indiscriminately by the very next fresh. Considering all these aspects of the present position it would be wise for the natives to close the controversy at once,as they must know that the returns they at any time get from their interests in these lakes would not be adequate to re. coup them their liabilities towards the local bodies interested ; but if a rate were once levied they would be continually harassed for taxes which to them would mean paying heavily lor a luxury that uuder any circumstances they could secure, even were the Government to become the purchasers. Of course in disposing of their interests in these lakes the natives are aware that the Government have offered to oenvey to them the unmolested rights to fish there in suitable seasons ; the only reason why the Government wish to secure the sole control of the waters is so that a valuable tract of land in the Wairarapa may be preserved and that the necessary security may be vouchsafed to the European settlers that are now endeavoring to improve their lauds aud get a retnrn for their enterprise. The late Mauihera the Papawai chief, and Itaniheia Te Iho, who a few years ago were instrumental iu selling certain lands diverging from Fanui Lagoon to the Government, were always under the impression that the Government iu surveying these lands considerably encroached upon laud which the Natives had not, and at that time did net intend to dispose of, and this encroachment was not confined alone to the Western side, but they contend that, the Government purloined also toward the eastward aud the northward, notably about 1800 to 2000 acres, Mamaramau West aud near the Tauherenikau river where it emerges into the Maugatete. There is also a block betweeo Allsup's Bay and the Buamahunga that is greatly in dispute. Then again at Pigeon Bush, extending up to the Otauira River. In this Jiiection there are JBOO acres more or less which the Natives say are their own property. If all the lands now claimed by the Natives are restituted to the reputed owners there will be a matter of 7000 or 8000 acres to be conceded by the Government, and this is all splendid arable land. As to whether the Government will fully recognise the claims oi the disputants to these patches of land is a question in the meantime, but if these claims are based ou good grounds it will behove the Executive of the colony to acknowledge what may possibly be the mistakes of surveyors, and not iu any way by their connivance or knowledge, the proposal of Mr Jury, which is evidently finding favor with the Natives, is to the effect that the Government bulk together the whole of ihe Lake area with these disputed acres, pay a lump sum for the whole and relieve both sides from all further concern iu the matter, always providing that so long as suitable fishing ground is to be found on the Lakes the Natives may be allowed to fish there without let or hindrance. This should practically settle the whole question to the mutual advantage of every one concerned, and then the settlers can move about ou their lands with I ourity and the Natives will be propitiated. It is to be hoped that the powers that be will endeavor to strain a point to meet these vu w< of the Natives. Mr Bunny has told th.Maoris that the Government will dial liberaii> and the Natives of course are prepared to accept liberal lenns.

Mr .iului Tui y is mciintii Id believe that nrc <■£ uu avail xn-i :h.-ii busiut-s ■•mi be Unlit a ltd iu a mud; better maimer tailing tin .Natives individually instead o( in solemn conclave o{ committees or public interview*,