NATIVE AND DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1654, 9 June 1879, Page 3

NATIVE AND DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE

[Press Special Wire. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 7. The Maoris are ploughing at Courtney’s farm at Te Puke, and at Bayley’satOpunake. From smoke seen in tho forest it is thought that a stronghold is being constructed at the back of Parihaka, near to the mountain. The Natives report that a tunnel is being from Parihaka to tho face of a river cliff as a means of retreat. Tho Stella is expected from the Maaukau to-morrow with more constabulary. Our volunteer force is gradually increasing. Complaints are being made by tho Taranaki settlers of the inferior quality of the arms supplied by the Government. It is understood that tho Government sent home, ordering an ample supply of arms, ammunition, tents, clothes, &c. Fraser, the phrenologist, interviewed To Whiti at Parihaka yesterday, and was kindly received. He saw no preparations for defence, and was told Te Whili would not fight. The Maoris to-day, in addition to ploughing Courtney’s land, have seized his hay. PATE A, June 7. Major Noako arrived last night, having arranged preliminaries for the organisation of the volunteers. In other ways also he has taken steps for defensive operations. He left for Hawera this morning with a similar object. There is a quiet determination on tho part of settlers to resist any further encroachments by the Natives. There is to bo a meeting to-night at Carlyle. Tho worst is feared, but the settlers all seem willing to make a stand for their hurafs WELLINGTON, June 7. The Wellington Volunteer Artillery offered to send three detachments of men and guns to tho front in case of need. Over 100 men ■enlisted for the Armed Constabulary are at Mount Cook Barracks. More men are offering than are required. .Tunc 8, The “Post” says the Government have acted with mistaken leniency in passing over offences committed by Natives, and there is a very general belief that had the Government shown a firmer attitude at first and taken steps to punish promptly and unflinchingly tbe first symptoms of lawlessness on the part of tho Maoris, the present “difficulty” would never have arisen.

The “Chronicle ” eoys the Government are thoroughly lii.'ve to tiio necessity of being prepared for any contingencies which may arise in connection with the Natives on tho West Coast f Taranaki Province. Should there ho * Native nil break, which we still hope may b v°id ;d. ’.hen the plan of defensive operations would be this: —The defence of the settlenimid ■ ottbo W angongoro river would bo left r .-iu.ecerc >m parties, specially .organised and dir ■< ted bv Major Noako. The primary »■ <t most Important object is to protect tW* •‘‘•t'-lements. Coat the settlers, organised .... vo-r.a ,ce;s, will bo able to do this websvi; >,«. ,11. On the north •of the W . nyor-ort re r will be located tho main force, coo».->i ing -i .■■med Constabulary, tho Nativ ourdinqauL -J Ngatiporous and other tribe, neph.n : . •■-d by such volunteer companies ;- ■ ■ - ... fc uke field. This force could act- as a ■.-. tub- of separate “flying columns,” 'wb '> doubt give an excellent nc-. ' .-, -V. W •»»•! and his band. In fact, theca would be wo fronts—(l), That of the settle,-.. w - Li; districts, where we should an! b- P or. .kc defensive, making reprisals w e ; t-h v- - nec ssary, and (2) the front, n sax - * here we would be acting on ( c-e r ~o: vlve * defensive, harassing the enemy in .-Ye-cv dirt lion.