THE MANAWATU PURCHASE.

West Coast Times, Issue 383, 14 December 1866, Page 2

THE MANAWATU PURCHASE.

ARRIVAL OF DR. FEATHERSTON AT

PAREWANUL

ABSENCE OF THE NGATIEAUKAWAS.

ARMED NATIVES PERMITTED TO ATTEND THE MEETING-.

(PEOM THE CORRESPONDENT lf£W ZEALAND

ADVERTISER.) Rangitikei, December 6, 1866. I yesterday went down to Pdrewanui, the settlement of the Ngatiapa tribe, situate in the Lower Rangitikei, where the meeting of the natives was to take place, and where the purchase-money was, in accordance with the Superintendent's Circular Lt-tter tojhe natives concerned, to be paid. On arrival on the grouud about one o'clock, I found a ' large collection of natives, consisting of members of the .Ngatiapa and Wanganui tribes, and also some of the Rangitane. The number was not so great as I expected, not, I should imagine, exceeding a thousand all told. DriYatherston had arrived about an hour before, and with, him were Mr Buller, Mr Kennard, and several other gentlemen. The assemblage of pakehas from Rangitikei, Wanganui, and a few from Wellington! almost rivalled that of the Maoris. Several war dances took place, and a little talking, but no real business was transacted. The principal, if not the only real, owners of the land, the Ngatiraukawa tribe were conspicuous by their absence. A few members were there, and they consisted of several of the principal chiefs, but they took no share ii? the proceedings. The absentees, in point of fact the whole body of the tribe, included many names who have been stated to have signed the deed of cession. If they have done so, it is remarkable that they should he absent at the time when they are to receive money, such a course being in no way in accordance with Maori custom. The Ngatiraukawa have for some time back stated their intention of carefully abstaining from appearing at the meeting* and so determined are they to carry out this policy that the majority have removed to Otaki dining the* meeting, lest they should be tempted to accept any portion of the purchase-money, and thus injure their cause.

Amongst <the most noticeable of the absentees are Matene, of Otaki, and young Nepia. The former may, and probably does, intend to come up in a day or two. The latter has not removed and probably should there be a certainty of payment, would come across the river, and be most prominent in a scramble for the money. A portion of the tribe might be tempted up, but the main body are very unlikely to be talked over, and however much Mr Buller may attempt to ignore their claim, it is very unlikely that Dr Featherston — so well aware as he must be of its validity — will attempt to pay over so large a suni of money until some more satisfactory arrangement is kvrived at. A cause of complaint amongst the few Ngatiraukawa, there was that the Ngatiapa and Wanganui were allowed to bring with them Government arms, and to appear fully armed on the ground. Had there really been a chance of a row, this was most unwise. Meanwhile, Wi Hapi, who arrived at the Oroua during the early part of last week, accompanied by some ' 200 men, consisting of bis own people and a few of the Wairarapa natives, has at the instigation of Matene retired to Otaki i Probably, when the history of the Manai watu land purchase is written, it will be admitted that never has a Government so systematically countenanced an injustice as this attempt at forcible purchase, and never have a body of men, supposed to be on the eve of rebellion, shown more patience iv peacefully asserting their own rights than the Ngatiraukawa tribe. It may, too, appear some day that the peaceful attitude which they have maintained, has been owing in no small degree to that church influence which is not always exercised for such beneficial purposes. This, at least, is my view, and one formed with very considerable means of knowing tho true state of the case. While not at all inclined to abuse the other side for their desire to obtain the land for the most useful of all purposes, the settlement of a European population^ and fully admitting the energy and patience exercised by l)i* Featherston and Mr Buller, I assert that from ignorance of the case and the natives, they have themselves prevented what was wished, simply for the sake of bolstering up by means of a land fund the crumbling edifice of provincial institutions. All the houses here are so crowded that I have been unable to get a private room, to write in, and have had to scribble this jn great haste, amidst noise and confusion.