NATIVE AND DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1653, 7 June 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AND DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE.

[Press Special "Wire.] NEW PLYMOUTH, June 6. Fifty of the armed constabulary with arms and baggage were landed from the Stella at 3.30 p.m. THE FEELING AT PATEA. PATE A, June 6. There is a good deal of dissatisfaction here consequent upon so many armed constabulary being sent to New Plymouth and none here, where thinly populated districts are so close to the disaffected Natives. A public meeting will be held to-morrow to consider Native matters. THE PEELING AT WAITABA. WELLINGTON, June 6. The " Post" publishes the following extract from a private letter from a resident at the Waitara : —" Things are in a pretty state up here now through Sir G-oorge Grey. Every hour of the day we expect to hear of some of the old Maori atrocities. The people are in a great state of excitement, and are forming volunteer parties all over the district. Our company musters over seventy members, and we are all to be sworn in to-morrow and supplied with arms and 1500 rounds of ammunition, for the defence of the district between Waitara and Menai. The settlers are sending their wives and children into the township. All d«y long people are going to the telelgraph office for latest news, and one or two are determined not to leave their homes, and are erecting stockades round their homesteads. We do not care for ourselves. We would rather enjoy a brush with the Maoris, but it is those in the back country who will suffer should war be proclaimed. A party is organised to go out and protect the retreat of settlers who wish to come in. One thing is certain, no matter what people say, if there is not to be fighting at once, there will be within the next twelve months, as only one thing can possibly stay it, and that is to give back to the Natives th« whole of the confiscated lands, which means turning thousands of settlers from their homes, and the ruin of the colony financially. In the time I have been here I have learned the Maori character pretty well, and I am rather a favorite with them. A week or two ago I was up at the celebrated Manukorihi pa, and the old chief, Te Patu, asked me for my dog. I laughed at him, and told him I did not want to part with him. He replied in Maori, " Wait two moons; I will have the dog in two moons. Babylon will be destroyed, and if you do not give it to me now, I will take it then. At first you will see a little smoke, and then fire will break out." I laughed at him, and after filling his pipe came away. I saw him again today, and he said, "The smoke is arising." So from that you can see that it is not mere party interest but studied plans for a Native rising. They are led by old Te Whiti, whom they think a god, and he has only to hold up his hand and bloodshed will commence. Later. News from Waitara states that the settlers are all armed, and expect something serious to occur daily. The Natives say that a great many bellicose Natives have long made up their minds to rise. NATIVE LAWLESSNESS IN WELLINGTON. According to the Wairarapa " Guardian," the Maoris, on Tuesday last, took possession of some land ten miles from Greytown, which was leased by them to Mr Harrison. The latter at once consulted Mr Wardell, R.M., who advised Mr Harrison not to interfere with the Natives at present. The lease has still some months to run. BEFOBTED AGGBESBION AT TAITBANGA. TAUBANGA, Jnne 6. Great uneasiness is felt here at tho action of some Hauhau chiefs in tho Te Puna district. They have stopped the public works at Te Puna, and threatened the contractors. They have also threatened Mr Esdaile, a settler of Te Puna, saying that his property belongs to (hem, and that they intend driving him off. They have already driven off his cattle. Thoir attitude is very threatening. AUCKLAND, June 6. The Native affair at Tauranga is understood to bo a dieputo about tho title to a

piece of land, and to have no political significance. Rotorua telegrams state that the European are interfering with the survey. The Native* do not sympathise with Robert Graham, as he occupied Te Koutou block against the advice of the Native committee. The Nat it e» express dissatisfaction at the delay in settling Arawa titles.