The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1892. Obstructive Natives

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 71, 3 December 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1892. Obstructive Natives

The enterprising Hau Hau prophet who has declared that the Queen's highway on the Wanganui Eiver runs no higher than Fikiriki, is likely to have his hopes of collecting much utu, or of originating a desturbance, disappointed. The Government are not likely to stand any more nonsense of this kind, especially as they are assured of the firm support of so distinguished and influential a native chief as Major Kemp. The latter informed the editor of the Chronicle that Te Kerei told him some time ago that he did not mean to allow white people to go and come as they liked in the upper reaches of the river. The Major says he made it perfectly clear to the "prophet" that he had no right to interfere, and that if he did so* he would probably find himself landed within prison walls for his trouble. However, Te Kerei does not owe allegiance to Major Kemp, whose jurisdiction as chief does not extend beyond Pipiriki— so the former has risked declining the good advice he received, and has acted upon his own authority. The chief to whom Te Kerei is responsible is Topia Turoa, who. we hardly think will approve of his adherent's foolish conduct. It would be a great pity if the movements of tourists over recognised routes should be interfered with in any way by obstructive natives. Everyone who has journeyed over that part of the colony knows to his cost what a golden harvest the Maoris have reaped and will continue to reap, if encouraged, from tourists who venture into the Wonderland of New Zealand, therefore the objection raised of " white people coming and going as they liked " is mere nonsense when it is considered how dearly they have to pay for the supposed privilege. We hope to see Major Kemp'B hint acted on, and Te Kerei " landed within prison walla " with as little delay as possible.