TE WHITI AND TOHU.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 685, 11 July 1882, Page 2

TE WHITI AND TOHU.

Some interesting information relating to Te Whiti and Tohu is furnished by the special to ihe Press, who states that it having been determined that Te Whiti and Tohu shall reside during the ensuing six months in Nelson, whither they will be conveyed by the Stella on her next trip, a house is being rented there for their use, and Mesdamos Te Whiti and Tohu have been invited to join their husbands at Sleepy Hollow. But these ladies consulted an aged Maori, who is now the chief native authority at Parihaka. They asked him if he thought they had better go. He said he hardly thought it worth while, as their husbands would be sure to return to Parihaka in a week or two at the latest, riding on a cloud and enveloped in a flame of fire. This would bo much grander and more dignified than their joining their husbands in exile. Besides there was no certainty that there would be room on the cloud for them, or a pillion for them to ride on, consequently they might be left out in the cold altogether. Therefore, he advised them to remain at Parihaka, and await the miraculous return of their husbands. Accordingly Mrs Te Whiti and Mrs Tohu replied to the Government’s invitation that they were much obliged, but as they expected their lords and masters to come round shortly in their cloudy and fiery chariot, they preferred to wait for them. I assure you this is not an imaginative or exaggerated account, absurdly as it reads. The native spoke with perfect simplicity and in evident sincerity of the belief in the impending supernatnral deliverance of Te Whiti and Tohu, and all the occurrences of the past year or two cannot drive it out of their heads. I hear that Te Whiti himself is as firmly convinced as ever that he has a great mission to accomplish in the deliverance of his people, but that he is quite willing to “ submit to his rulers,” as he expresses it, until the time of deliverance arrives. He has said that when he is allowed to return to Parihaka he will give no more trouble. He would like to resume the monthly meetings, but he would not sanction any obstruction to settlement or any resistance to the Government. I fancy it is not impossible that he may be sent back to Parihaka under a system of mild and non-irritating surveillance somewhat about next Christmas. But of course this will necessarily depend partly on the events which may occur in the meantime. There is one point in dispute which I believe has not been definitely settled. It has often been boldly asserted by the opponents of the present Minister’s native policy that Te Whiti was prepared and willing to negotiate had the chance been afforded him, and that it was only in the absence of any such opening for pacifi; negociation that he resorted to strong measures. But I hear that Te Whiti has now stated most positively that at no time was he disposed to entertain any proposal whatever, whether made by Minister or Government, as he was firmly resolved to await the expected miraculous deliverance of his people through his instrumentality. It is just as well this should be known, to remove misconception which exists in so many quarters.