CORRESPONDENCE.

Waka Maori, Volume I, Issue 20, 8 February 1879, Page 291

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Waka Maori. Awanui, East Cape, 13th January, 1879. Friend—Greeting. I fear I shall weary you with the number of letters which I write to you. But who can resist the desire to speak ? On the 11th of this month Mackay, the Pakeha, advanced £lO on account of the piece of land which caused the quarrel between Wiremu Kciha and Hirini Kahe. The money was given here, at the Awanui, into the hands of Hirini Kahe and the Koroneho, the opponents of Wiremu Keiha in respect of that piece of land. I pointed out to Mackay and Henare Potae that there was great contention and trouble about that bit of land, and desired them to refrain from purchasing it, lest the quarrel which was suppressed last month should be renewed. They paid no attention to what I said, and subsequently gave the £lo—therefore I knew they would not be troubled if a disturbance were created. '

Ido not altogether blame Hirini and the Koroneho. They are accustomed to disputes about land, and appear to enjoy such things. Why should they not ask for money for this particular piece of land which is in dispute ? But it was through the action of those who gave the money that they really made up their minds to sell. Do Hirini and the Koroneho imagine that the work of the Native chiefs of Waiapu, who are endeavouring to arrange land disputes in the district of Ngatiporou, is mere pretence ? We all know how the Government returned the Waiapu lands which were taken by Biggs, the officer in command during the fighting against the Ngatiporou ffau-Haus of Waiapu in 1860 ; how Waiapu was deliberately returned by the Native Mininster, Mr McLean, to the Native chiefs of Ngatiporou who had exerted themselves to suppress the Eau-Eau troubles which broke out at Waiapu.

This is what Mr. McLean said: —" The power and authority .in connection with the fighting at Waiapu lies with you, the Maori chiefs of Ngatiporou. The Government will merely assist you in the matter. The whole of Waiapu is returned to you, the c iefs, and it is for you to deal with your relatives who joined the Hau-Haus ; it will be for you to replace them upon the lands of which they are the owners. But they themselves must not have anything to say on the subject; that is, they must not consider t 1 at they ean overrule or set aside your arrangements." And so the Hau-Haus were replaced on their lands by the chiefs, and none of the said land was retained by the chiefs for themselves. All they did was to reserve to themselves the" control of all public, questions affecting Waiapu ; which power they still continue to exercise. My friends, do not despise the chiefs; they are the protectors of the people. Although your land is your own, and you are desirous of selling or leasing it, you must first apply to the chiefs, to whom the direction of these matters was given by the G-overnment, and it is for them to approve or disapprove. ' Pabatene Kgata.