THE MURIMOTO DIFFICULTY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1914, 13 April 1880, Page 3

THE MURIMOTO DIFFICULTY.

[By Tbmgbaph.] NAPIER, April 12. The “Herald's ” Taupo correspondent telegraphs that the Murimoto difficulty has assumed a new phase, which makes it probable that Kemp and Topia will ultimately come to blows unless the Government interfere in time and pour oil on the troubled waters. Kemp was preparing to withdraw from his pah in the bush in compliance with an urgent solicitation from his friends on the Wanganui river, when a letter was received from Topia Turoa (who is still at Tapuabararu, the Taupo Lake), which completely changes the complexion of this. The letter, which was addressed to the Ngatiwhiti and Ngatitama, contained much figurative language, and concluded with an assurance that he would come over to Murimotu “if the flood rose high enough.” The Ngatiwhiti and inlmd Ngatitama interpret this expression to mean that the old chief would only come over if the difficulty should assume a more serious character. Major Kemp, however, to whom the contents of the letter were conveyed by another clergyman, the Rev. Henare Horekau, construed the longuage otherwise. The rev. gentleman, who had come up ostensibly as a peacemaker, agreed with Kemp that what the writer meant by the “rising of the flood” was the assembling of the inland tribes, and that he intended to coma over with an “ope ” at his back. The practical outcome of this was that Kemp resolved to stay, and despatched emissaries to the Wanganui river to “ Wore Were ” (or challenge according to Maori custom) the various friendly settlements from nearly every village. There were a few volunteers, and a contingent of sixty-five armed men came out to join the Ngatirangi. Major Kemp now expresses his determination to hold the country till the land court sits to adjudicate on the title to the great Rangapo block. This will probably be in July or August. It is very doubtiul, however, whether Major Topia will tolerate the continued presence of an armed force in the very heart of his country, and thepoei ion of parties is becoming more critical every day. Topia has left Taupo for Murimotu. This complication, however, will not affect the Europeans who have leased the land in dispute. Major Kemp promised Dr. Buller some time since that he would not prevent the passage of wool from the stations of Meesrs Moorhouse and others, and this promise has been faithfully observed. The quarrel is one entirely confined to the Natives, and though doubtless it is unpleasant to Europeans there, neither they nor their property are in danger.