NATIVE INTELLIGENCE

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1645, 29 May 1879, Page 3

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE

[Press Special Wire.] THE TARANAKI NATIVES. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 28. Last night the Natives broke into Bland’s store at Otao and helped themselves. Bland came in on business yesterday and received a telegram this meriting to that effect. Many of the out-settlers have already packed their goods and come in to town. The Natives around Oakura have donned their feathers and mats, and have hoisted flags at their pahs. They seemed highly amazed when told that they would be summoned for trespassing, and wanted to know who would take them into custody. The Natives are still at work ploughing up Courtney's paddock. William Bayley, of Stoney river, who came into town this morning, speaks very hopefully of the stato_ of affairs, and says the Natives who are his neighbors tell him not to fear, and they will protect him and his family. Te Whiti, it seems, ordered the Natives to plough up Bayley’s land, but the chief Motutu sent back word that if he wanted it done ho should send his own men to do it. WELLINGTON, May 28. The “Post” says, regarding the Taranaki difficulties, that Ministers received to-day a telegram from the Inspector of Police at New Plymouth, who stated that ho has received a Communication from one of Te Whiti's principal Chiefs of high standing and respectabil ty, to the effect that the late trespasses upon settlers’ lands were directly contrary to the orders of Te Whiti, who apologised for the conduct of his fellow countrymen, expressly repudiating all responsibility for their misdeeds, and declaring he had given most positive orders that none of the settlers on the confiscated lands should be molested in any way. Mr Parris has been instructed to go at once to sei Te Wluli on the subject. In the meanwhile the settlers who have been intruded on will be directed to take legal proceedings against the Natives for trespass, in which proceedings they v/ill receive the support of Government. - Wo understand that the Government has determined to act with ali necessary vigor to enforce the law, without fear or favor, THE WAII'A Dli-'EICULTY. With regard to the alleged difficulty at Waipa, no reliable information has been received, but the affair is believed to be merely a private misunderstanding, and of no public importance. THE hawke’s bay natives. NAPIER, May 28, The matter about the Natives stopping the Napier-Takapua tram ti,ync out to have higl no political sighifrahc'o whatever, and to 'have originated in a squabble between a Maori chief named Tohuia and a railway guad named Heese Watkins. The guard said . that yesterday Tohuia was in the train, smoking in a carriage that was not one for smoking. Watkins asked him to deal 4 several timet, but ho would not, and then Watkins turned lira out of the carriage on to th > platform, and it is stated that a good deal of violence was used. Tohuia, it appears, owns ho lands through which the lino passes at Takapu audit is said that though there have been negotiations for its purchase by Government, iho money has not been paid. Tohuia seema therefore to nave considered that Was merely exercising his rights as an owner when yesterday afternoon ho obstructed ike passing of the train by

placing not only sleepers across the rails, nut a wire fence right across the line. He assorted, however, that his purpose was not to prevent the running of the train, but merely to make it stop while he searched for Watkins, whom he would have tomahawked if he could have caught him. Those circumstances were not known until this morning after the train had gone, and then a telegram was sent up to stop Watkins from going any further. Tohuia was brought to town and charged with the offence of obstructing t e line Ho was remanded until tomorrow, hut was allowed to go at largo under surveillance of Mr Master, the Native interpreter, and is virtually in custody, though ho docs not know it. THE CAMBRIDGE LAND COURT.

CAMBRIDGE, May 28. The Native Lands Court opened at ten. Tc Ngakau wanted tho Okatau block postponed, which the judge refused. To Ngakau then said bo would not allow the Court to proceed, and threatened the judge. Afterwards tho Court adjourned till 2 p.m. In the meantime, a meeting took place outside the Court. At 2 o’clock the Court opened, and business proceeded. Te Ngakau was in Court, very quiet and orderly.