NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1865, 14 February 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Telegraph.]

[PROM OUH OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

WELLINGTON, February 13,

The reports about the Native dispute at Murimutu having resulted in bloodshed are generally disbelieved. Latest advices are that the story is regarded as very improbable. Major Kemp (not “ Kenney,” as incorrectly transmitted) is head of one party, and’although a hot headed impulsive man, is not thought likely to resort to such extremes, being in the Government service.

To-day’s telegrams from Hawera report that an attempt was made to interrupt telegraphic communication on the plains by cutting a telegraph wire, but it was soon dievered, as Mr Chaney, telegraphist, and a lineman, were at the camp at the time and found it. It is thought that some fanatical Maori did it.

Sir F. Dillon Bell has gone over the Plains to-day with Mr Parris, in order to see the pegs of the survey. ■ The constabulary have not yet shifted camp. The Commissioner visits Oeo to-morrow.

Takamoku, To Whiti’s brother, was in town to-day, and, in the course of conversation, said he "came in to see the Commission, as ho is head of the Tekete portion of Takaute tribe, and found no provision had been made for his hapu. It is thought that the Commissioners will do more good sitting in one place than in running after the Maoris for their claims.

It is stated that the Natives are puzzling their brains to discover a portent in the comet. They say that a comet appeared when Potatau was made king, but differently. This one, they think, foreshadows the coming man spoken of by Te Whiti, who is to appear. They are also anxious to discover something typical in the fact that the sua rose blood red many degrees above the horizon before his beams showed. The manner in which the Government have carried out their arrangements is approved on the spot. Mr Bryce has won golden opinions by not pandering to the Maoris. This has made more impression upon the Maori mind than all the wasting of public money by Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan. There has been too much of the sugar-and-blanket policy, and the Maoris soon saw that if they held out they would get possession of the lands and be fed besides.