THE PILOT STATION DIFFICULTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 55, 11 March 1881, Page 3

THE PILOT STATION DIFFICULTY.

Mr Ward, R.M., held a meeting with the Eangitikei natives yesterday, at the Foxton Courthouse, regarding the claim made by them to the site of the pilot station. He informed them that careful enquiry had been made as to the claim, and read replies from Messrs Booth and Searancke to questions put them by the Native Office. They both unhesitatingly affirmed that Te Wharangi was included in the sale of Awahou No. 2, and that the sale included the land originally leased to the Government as a pilot station site, also, that the natives understood at the time that the land now claimed was sold to the Government. Mr Ward also informed the natives that he had since made enquiries of the surve3 r ors and others, and not a single reason had been shown for believing the land was not included in the sale, while every reason had been shown for believing it was included. The deed having been read out, also the signature Nepia Taratoa denied that ha signed it, and alleged that the signatures was a false one. Maraku, another native, thereupon declared that he saw Nepia sign it ; whilst Mr A. Gray, who was one of the witnesses, said that he was certain if Nepia's name was on the deed he signed it, as the natives were called up one by one to affix their signatures. Eventually, the natives expressed their intention to apply to the Government for the whole question to be decided by the Native Lands Court.