Wellington Independent, Tuesday, 3rd June.

"South of the Manawatu river, and stretching towards Paikakariki extends a large tract of land, estimated at about 350,000 acres, and presenting every variety of soil, from the rich upland of the interior to the barren sand-hills of the coast. Inhabited and surrounded by various tribes, some more powerful than others, each of whom had its tale to tell of past conquest and occupation, it was impossible but that the actual ownership of this valuable piece of country should form a subject of dispute. Accordingly we find that for some time past claims and counter-claims have been put forward and denied, angry feelings have been excited, and irritated claimants have gone so far as to threaten violence and, in one case, to actually carry it out by forcibly taking possession of a piece of disputed ground. This happened at Horowhenua, a smaller block of some 50,000 acres, comprised within the area of the larger one mentioned above. There is no doubt that at the time of this occurence very strong passions were aroused, and that each party, confident in its own rights, was thoroughly preparing to assert them by force of arms; pas were constructed, and the aspect of things for a time looked serious. However, the Government interfered—not in a threatening manner, which would most probably have widened the breach between the contending parties and brought matters to an undesirable climax, but in a conciliatory spirit which assuaged the heat of the disputants and induced them eventually to forego all notions of taking the law into their page cl hands, and to refer the question to the Native Lands Court. The case stood shortly thus : The Ngatiraukawa claimed the entire block, founding their claim on original conquest, and on occupation from a period anterior to the Treaty of Waitangi. Opposed to them were five tribes, Muaupoko, Rangitane, Ngatiapa, Wanganui, and Ngatikahungunu, who asserted their rights from inheritance. In the case of the smaller and included Horowhenua block, the Ngatiraukawa right to which was chiefly based on the residence at the spot of one of their leading chiefs, Te Whatanui, the Muaupoko tribe put in a counter claim. It was in 1871 that a mutual agreement was arrived at to let the Horowhenua case be settled by arbitration, a decision which was afterwards annulled in favor of a reference to the Native Lands Court. Several sittings have taken place, adjournments having been requested by both parties; and at the last, held at Foxton, a final judgment was given in both cases, Ngatiraukawa being found to be the owners, by occupation, and consent of the original inhabitants, of the whole block with the exception of two portions, one of which, Horowhenua, was decided to be the property of the Muaupoko. It need scarcely be said that the investigation of the title in this case, involving the consideration of an immense mass of native history and tradition, was attended with no small degree of labor. It was a difficult case, not only on account of the quantity of conflicting evidence adduced, but also because it formed the pacific outcome of what threatened at one time to be a serious disturbance. Every credit is due to the presiding judge Mr. Rogan, who with Mr. T. Smith and Hemi Tautari 'sat on the case,' for the patience and tact displayed during the whole proceedings; he has at all events the gratification of knowing that the decision of his court has generally given satisfaction to opposed tribes who were ready two years ago to fight for what they believed to be their rights.

We cannot conclude these brief remarks on the South Manawatu claims, without making reference to the attitude taken in this matter by the Natives concerned. It is well known that land questions were wont to be at the bottom of most inter-tribal wars; thus, in at first assuming a threatening attitude, the Natives interested were only carrying out ancestral notions. But the spirit of European institutions had made itself felt; and that, which in former days would have led to a fierce conflict, has now been peacefully referred to the decision of a Court of law. The behaviour of the chief Te Kepa Rangiweweki, of the Ngatiraukawa,^* and indeed of all the interested tribes, is deserving of high commendation.