MR HURSTHOUSE AND PARTY AGAIN STOPPED BY NATIVES IN THE KING COUNTRY AND TAKEN PRISONERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3648, 22 March 1883, Page 3

MR HURSTHOUSE AND PARTY AGAIN STOPPED BY NATIVES IN THE KING COUNTRY AND TAKEN PRISONERS.

ArcKLAND, Wednesday

News arrived ;tt Alexandra last night by mosomrors sent by Wahanui. informing 3ir 'Wilkinson that Mr C. W. Hursthou-e. engaged to report on tlie railway line b> Taranaki, v.'ith his companion, Mr News]iani. had been again stopjied by natives at the settlement of Te Wira, between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti, and that they are now prisoners there. The natives who molested them are principally Te Whiti's late followers at Parihaka, the leader being a man named Mahuki. Mr Hiirsthouse was being escorted by Te Wetere and '!'> natives. The Tekaumnruas obstructed, and they were far more numerous, having been previously -warned that Te Wetore and Ids men μ-itl- coming. Te "Wetere placed the pakehas in the middle of his men, and Mahiki coming forward, spoke to the eifect that God c uue to help them that day to protect their land, and he then called to Ills party to take the pakehas. A mob immediately rushed on Hnrsthouse and his escort, -which closed round them. For some considerable time they successfully kept the obstruetors, oil. Numbers, however, prevailed, and the Europeans were roughly handled between contending parties. 'Te "Wo tore was fearful of Mr Hurst - house or Mr Newsham being injured. Blond having already been shed, Te Haere. one- ef Weteix-'s mvi. ]i:iviiiy received blows on the lips and eyes. Te Wetere therefore called out, " Let this cease ; ive will submit : wo will accompany you to your settlement to talk over theatfair. The whole then proceeded to Te Wira settlement. Te Wetere at oiu-e despatched a messenger to Wahanui, at Te Kopua, to acquaint that cliief of their being prisoners. Wahanui expressed great concern at the news, exclaiming, "This will be the death of us all. 1 ' Fie ininieiliately sent information to the native agent, Mr "Wilkinson, at Alexandra, and Mr Wilkinson proceeded to To Kopua this morning to interview Wahanui. The stoppage of Mr llursthouse "was. not entirely a surprise—in fact it was expected by those acquainted with native feeling, the natives thinking that Mr Bryee is endeavouring- to force his policy on them iv the absence of Tawliiao. Some think that no apprehension, need be felt its to the perfect safety of Messrs, Hursthon.so and Newsham. Te Wetcro has come down from Kopua. to see Wahanui. The latter has expressed his determination to overcome the obstruction and to see matters through. Wetere te Kerenga. the Mokau chief, why is at Alexandra, gives the following particulars of the stoppage of Mr ] hirst - house :- -He reports that, under the pretence of going on to 31okau, he escajied from the party who stopped them. He says the most" of "his party were stripped of their clothes in defending Messrs Hursthouse and Newsham, whom the hostile natives had surrounded. His men, seeing the determination of the attaking party, broke ofl' their stirrup leathers and irons to defend themselves and the Europeans. Seeinir the danger of bloodshed, Wetere called upon them to desist, when all left for the settlement, each prisoner being guarded. At present the five men are in different houses.

Wahanui is very indignant at the ■whole affair, and lias .sent out messengers in all directions to the natives in the locality to assemble to-morrow' to release the prisoners or accompany them through. Mr JJrycu having put the responsibility on him. At least l-OU natives will .start from Kopua to To L'iri with this object.

Wki-lixuto.v, 'Wednesday

A correspondent at Alexandra wires r<the üb.-t ruction to Hursthouse and survey party : - -Wcterelverenga. whohas just come back, states that the main opposition to the progress of the party was owing to Mr Hursthousc being known to the Parihaka prisoners. They said the Lord had delivered him into their liand.s. W'ahanui .starts at daybreak, having sent for men to I'unui, Maungahoranga, and other places to force the party through. If he cannot get .strength enough he will call on the Government to assist.

The Government have received information from Mr Ervce of the obstruction offered to Mr llursthouse and party, and also that Wahanui has expressed a desire (hat no action be taken by the Government until he (Wahanui) has had an opportunity of inquiring - into the matter.