NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1887, 11 March 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Tblegbaph.] fJEOir OTTB OWN COBBEBPONDBNTS.] NEW PLYMOUTH, March 10. The Royal Commission had a busy sitting today, examining a number of witnesses now and formerly connected with the Native Department. Among those who will still have to give evidence, though a good deal has been already taken, are Major Brown, Messrs Harris, Humphreys, Whitley, and others. NotbiDg of very much interest to the general public transpired. All that was elicited referred to the reserves made for the Natives in past years. Another large mob of Maoris left here this morning for Parihaka with a dray loaded with flour and other things for Te Whiti's annual meeting, to be held next Wednesday. It is a well known fact that a great many of the more ardent of Te Whiti's admirers actually deny themselves of necessaries as well as of their accustomed luxuries, in order to contribute liberally towards the maintenance of Te Whiti's gathering, but they are a believing few who have to support the majority who go unprovided, and are mainly attracted by the feasting and eioitement afforded. If all who are accustomed to attend the meetings of the prophet had to provide for their own subsistence, the Parihaka gathering would be very limited.

Fifty-one ol the Wellington " unemployed" are landed from the Hinemoa, and will be despatched to-morrow to Stratford, to be employed picking and metalling the roads between that place and Ingle wood. A pwty drove out to visit the camp at Stonty River, and interviewed Te Motu, another would-be prophet and feeble imitator of Te Whiti's, but his ravings were quite unintelligible, even to those who have a good knowledge of Maori. The only thing that could be cloavly understood from him was that he considers himself subordinate to Te Whiti, though he did at one time seriously endeavor to assert his equality. The Maoris, however, thougat that one high priest was enough, and took little notice of him, and pay no attention to him at all now. WELLINGTON, March 10. Private letters received from Taranaki today continue to express a conviction that the oad making through the land claimed by the Taranaki tribe on this side of the Stoney river, Waimate plains, will be allowed to proceed peaceably without any interruption on the part of the Natives. All trustworthy reports concur iu representing that anything in the shape of hostilities is in the highest degree improbable. It is thought that Te Whiti will probably proclaim to the next Parihaka meeting that the road now being made across the Waimate plains is in preparation for the predicted visit of his Excellency the Governor to Parihaka, when Te Whiti and Sir Hercules Robinson are to settle everything satisfactorily for the interests of the Maoris, who will have their confiscated lands virtually restored, either directly or by receiving full value for them. This is anticipated as Te Whiti's next prophetic move by one of the knowing ones in Native matters. [per fbbbb association. J WANGANUI, Maroh 10. Major Kemp has written a long letter to Mr Ballance, in which he defends his action in reference to the Murimotu disturbance.