Inspector Hickspn asked the natives why they obstructed the Government survey. Several chiefs replied to ( the effect that the Ureweras were aggrieved because the survey, had been com menced'without the Government giving any notice whatever of their intention to do. so. They expected the survey would only be made if the owners made application for the surveyors to do so to the department. They had 'not done so, consequently the natives felt justified in opposing the survey. This, it will be remembered, was exactly the same excuse as was >made on the Opoutia affair. The natives further considered that the surveyors were simply putting in the thin end of the wedge. Inspector Hickson said there was no intention whatever on the part.of the Government to take the.native lands from them. The surveys was simply to define the blocks, so that the natives could bring an application for sub-division into the Land Court.
Numia'said the Surveyor-General did not give notice of the survey, but that they had'better agree to trig stations being erected. The arrival of a surveyor was the first intimation they had of the survey. The natives did not know where the survey' would stop. Mr Foster, surveyor, at Inspector Hickson's request, said the triangula-i tion survey would extend from Ruatoki South to Waitarimoani and Galatea to Motu. The sole object was to facilitate subdivision if the Maoris desired to sell. These cquld remain the boundaries unless the natives desired ttyebjqck cut into sections. '.'.
