NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1904, 1 April 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By TbiiE&eaph.] WELLINGTON, March 31

Telegrams received by the Government to-day state that the Armed Constabulary camp was shifted from Otakei to Oeo on Monday. The Constabulary, numbering about 400, made a start early in the morning, under the command of Major Goring and Captains Marshall, Tajlor, and Fortesque, headed by the band. The site of the new camp has been selected among the high flax, near the northern bank of the Oeo stream, and everything wag in fair order by nightfall. The Nativeg brought large presents of provisions, including beef, poultry, and vegetables, which they formally presented to the Constabularly. Colonel Roberts arrived in tho camp yesterday morning, accompanied by Colonel Whitmore, who had gone to Stoney river to visit him. They report everything quiet at the northern end of the Waimate Plains, and no probability of any change, at any rate until Te Whiti's boundary is reached, when gome gort of peaceful and harmless formal protest may possibly be made. Road making goes on apace, not only from both ends of the Plains, but also from Opunake to Stratford, which road is also being constructed from both ends. Some anxiety has been expressed as to the consequences of crossing a particular spot near Awaroa, where hitherto the Maoris have refused to allow either a telegraph lino or road to be carried through, but the most reliable authorities entertain no apprehension of any trouble. A more contral point is that near Faribaka, but in neither case will any notice be taken by the constabulary of past difficulties or opposition. They will simply go straight on with the road, avoiding any display either of hesitation or defiance. Many of the old Maori chiefs have intimated to the Government their peaceful attitude. They consistently maintain that there is no danger of any resistance, and that bad this course been adopted a year ago there would have been no difficulties at all.