THE WAIMATE PLAINS DIFFICULTY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1594, 29 March 1879, Page 3

THE WAIMATE PLAINS DIFFICULTY.

[By Telegraph.] Masterton, March 28. The Wairarapa daily this morning publishes the following as authoritative: —"The Hoa-J. Sheonan when at the Parihaka meeting demanded the surrender of Uiroki. Thi-i was refused. He (Mr Shoehan) then explained to the Natives) the nour.se he wad about to pursue respecting the Waiinato Plains, and was engaged in doing so for about half an hour when To Whiti, in violation of the promise he had made b-fo.e the Native Minister began speaking, interrupted him. and made one of his most violent and fanatical utterances, characterising the action of the Government as a theft, and accusing the Government of being the murderers of McLean, not Hiroki. After the N.-.tive Minister had loft Parihaka but on tho same J ly a meeting was held by the Natives, and Te Whiti decided that the surveyors ahonld he turned off three times peaceably, but on the fourth time they were to do as Hiroki did. Accordingly a party of men went down on Monday an ■ removed the survey camps as already reported. The motive for To Whiti's actioa is perfectly plain. For the last seven or eight years ho has deluded the people by assertions of prophetic and even godlike power. Each

year, at his annual meeting, he stood pledged to do various wGHurOUS miracles. This year lie was to have raised the dead, to have restored all the confiscated land, and to have ascended to Heaven with Sir George Grey. None of these thinirs came to pass, and his Bpeech at the late meeting was one of the worst and most hesitating he has ever been known to deliver. An a consequence the people began to murmur, and numbers left Parihaka in disgust. To save himself he has thrown himself into the hands of a more violent party. So far as the Government are at present advised, Titokowaru ia not a consenting party to any violent, roe saves, and it is behoved that the Government will take the necessary steps to vindicate the authority of the law. Wanoanui, March 28. A meeting of Natives, summoned by a chief named Paora Tutauwhau, was held here yesterday afternoon, to consider Te Whiti's action re the Waimate Plains. The speeches were of a pacific nature, the various speakers urging upon their people not to countenance Te Whih 8 proceedings, but rather to fluietly dispose of their land to the Government, who would pay them for it. It was, however, maintained, with regard to the Waimate Plains, that Sir Donald McLean had promised to givo a certain portion of it back, and pay a certain sum per aero tor all that was taken. Wellington, March 28. Tt is understood that the Government, in selling 10,000 acres in the Waimate plains, will depart somewhat from their original plan. It is now felt that the main object in view is to put settlers on the land. 8000 acres of the block to be offered for sale will therefore be disposed of on deferred payments, and the remainder sold by auction for cash. Telegrams from well-known settlers in the Patea district express the utmost confidence that the Jand will be eagerly bid for and fetch excellent price*. It is stated that the settlers between Patea and the Waingongora express themselves confident of protecting their district, but at the same time request the Government to supply them with arms. It is denied that there is any truth in tho report which has been put about that tho Government intend sending militia and volunteers up to the plains. Mr Sheehan and Major Brown return to Opunaki to-morrow. Haweka, March 28. All the Waimate Plains surveyors have been sent up the Mountain road to survey some confiscated land on. the Chester lme, about which there is no dispute. Natives and Europeans are anxiously awaiting Mr Sheehan's arrival, and much satisfaction is felt at the announcement that he is coming here at once.