NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 72, 11 March 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[by teleokapii.] (Times Correspondent.) Otako, March 8. The creek on -which the new camp will he fixed is the Werekino, about two miles south of Stoaey river. The following troops will cross ;—Colonel Roberts commanding district; Major Tuke commanding detatchment; Captains Newell, Gordon, and Grubb and companies 4,5, and 6, numbering 223 men, including 24 of the Arawa natives. These will be joined in a few days 63 of the Public Works Contingent. The field telegraph will be immediately extended to Werekino Camp Last night the weather changed for the worse, and it is now raining in torrents that it is doubtful whether the camp can be shifted tomorrow as intended. It will seriously complicate matters if continued bad weather impedes the operations of tne force, as every day is bringing us nearer to the critical point. 3.20 p.m. This morning at 7 o’clock a detachment of 60 men, under Captain Newell, accompanied by Colonel Roberts and Major Tuke, marched to Werekino, and laid out the lines of the new camp. At 11 a. m., the main column followed under Captains Gordon and Grubb, and while crossing the Stoney River on to the Plains, the men cheered lustily. They are at this moment engaged in pitching their tents. Their camp is a beautiful,, and naturally a very strong one, commanding the country at each end from high mounds. Rumours have been current in New Plymouth for some days that trouble was brewing at Parihaka, but Mr. Carrington, who has just : returned from there, says that Te Whiti gave no sign. If the Maoris do anything it will be some miles from here. Colonel Roberts remains on the spot, evidently considering the time g, critical one. . The Maoris, as usual, took possession of the old camp as soon as it was evacuated. The weather has changed for the better. :