Chapter I: Government Policy and Maori Reaction, 1880-1890

Government.131 Kerei Kaihau, 'one of Tawhiao's people,' was reported to have pulled down the station at Waitakaruru, taking the trig. pipe to the post office at Miranda. The Government acted with alarm. Percy Smith noted that it was a 'very flagrant case ... setting the Government at defiance. It should be taken up or I fear the consequences'. Lewis concurred, suggesting that the King party were anxious to re-establish themselves in the district, that the Government had given every attention to every just complaint and that it was time now to take proceedings. The Chief Surveyor was instructed accordingly.132 Kaihau refused his summons, however, stating that he recognised only Tawhaio's law which lay with the Treaty. The three constables sent to arrest Kaihau, withdrew when confronted by a large gathering. A second force, comprising some zo police and over 3o militia was then sent to Tawhiao's settlement at Pukekawa, where Kaihau was residing, and he was arrested. Kaihau was discharged by the Supreme Court on the condition that he pay the costs of prosecution. At Waiuku he subsequently resumed his protest at Government survey of lands claimed within the King's mana. This development was interpreted as proof that 'leniency [was] only thrown away upon men of his class' who were politically-motivated, and that the law would have to be 'sharply ... administered to effect a cure.'133 In 1892 Kaihau was rearrested and sentenced to one year's imprisonment by the court.

(e) Summary discussion

Officials blamed the delay in finalising the dealings in Piako on the inter-tribal disputes about the position of boundaries, and a natural mendacity on the part of Maori seeking to repudiate past agreements. Discussions and subsequent efforts to survey the initial subdivisions revealed, however, a number of ongoing problems deriving from a breakdown in the relationship of Maori with the Government: lack of clarity in past understandings, the terms of which had been obscured by the passage of time, and concern lest the Government failed to observe past promises regarding reserves and the position of the confiscation boundary. Most of Ngati Paoa and its leadership were anxious to reach an accommodation so that they could meet their liabilities to the Government, and, on the lifting of the proclamation against alienation to private purchasers, pay off survey liens and other debts. The consent of communities living at Kerepehi, Waitakaruru, Te Hoe-oTainui, and Pukorokoro was, however, only reluctantly given and complicated by their connection with Waikato and the King Movement. The grievance arising out of confiscation, and suspicion of Government and the land court continued to colour the actions of these people during the course of negotiations characterised by insistent pressure and a measure of Government bullying. The eventual complete breakdown of that opposition as tribal rivalry forced the various right-holders of the delta lands comprising 'Piako' into the Native Land Court will be discussed more fully in the context of the impact of court and survey costs in that region.

131 See Lewis to Native Minister, 31.10.90; extract NZH, 15 November 189o, NO 9o/356. In ibid. Doc. 4, pp. 91-92.

132 Percy Smith to Under Secretary Native Department, 8.10.90; Under Secretary to Native Minister, 13.10.90, cover sheet NO 90/347 in ibid.

133 Reports from Officers in Native Districts, AJHR, 1892, G-3, p. 4

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