NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 4279, 13 November 1876, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

The Wellington correspondent of the 'N. 0. Times' telegraphs that " Sir Donald! M'Lean is more ill than the outside public imagine. Maoris consider, as wired by me, ' that it is highly improbable he will again recover strength. In consequence of his having been unable to attend to Native affairs, they have all gone wrong. Troubles in Maoridom are thickening fast; arms are i being imported in all free harbors from! Sydney and other places. Mokau, Kawhia, Aotea, and Moffat are employed in manufacturing gunpowder north of Tokanui and west of laupo. The Ngatika - Hungunu will call a general meeting in December or January, to determine upon the future course of Native action. The Ngatiporou, Arawa, and Waiwere are more pouri than ever.' They say they will never draw the sword in the white man's defence again. The Ngatimaniopoto will not allow any " Tangata Hau " to settle at Mokau. All these complications depend on the health of Sir Donald M'Lean. Should Mr Orinond take Sir Donald M 'Lean's place, the verdict of Maoridom will be 'VHea te uiiia te pakeha he a te mohia ihia ?"—What power has he ? What does he know ? Malcontents (Pakeha-Maoris) are sowing j discontent and sedition broadcast through the whole of the tribes, and designedly. All hangs at the present time on the health ! of Sir Donald M'Lean. Should he unfortunately die, it is more than possible that evary settler west of t'ie Waikato river will have to seek fresh quarters. At a glance ib will be seen what cost to the SoHth Island this ■! means. For yean past Tawbiao haebeea,

concentrating the discontented anU abiomen: of many JiapOß. It is not>too rtmph to *ay that the peace of the Colony depends on ithe health of bir Donald M'Jkeau,", .\f£v " | A Tanranga telegram, dated'the Bth inst., j-says:—The meeting yesterday between Com-. missioner Brabant and the Sgaetirangi and Pirirakiau obstructionists, re the opening of the Kaimai, resulted in a failure. The obstructionists strongly opposed, declaring that they do not recognise .the <jjk>veniment: they are subjects of King Tawhiao, -and will only obey his orders. The Ngaeterangi chiefs are favorable to opening the Kaimai; their men are, however, nearly all assessors, and consequently under the complete control of the Native office. The Hauhaus, when discussiag the question, *went folly into* their old grievances; and, and, from the way in. which the Government had acted towards them in the past, said it was absurd' to imagine that ..they; could, have any confidence in Government promises. They stated -that any delay in the opening of Kaimai would not rot the .gold, and the Europeans would eventually obtain it. This was an insignificant question in comparison to the great question "of the day—viz., the settlement M the Waikato difficulties between M'Lean and Tawhaie, and they had heard of no good results from M'Lean's recent meeting with the King." The 'Bay of Plenty Times'' special reporter states that the Government representatives wereitreated with the utmost contempt by the Hauhaus. Brabant interviews them again to-day, r and an attempt will be made on his part, rnconS notion with the Ngaetirangi, to induaethe auhaus to give way, but it is thought they will remain firm. The whole KaimaFquestion appears to Y e in the same position as it was a month ago.