NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1975, 23 June 1880, Page 3

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

[By Telkgbaph.] fpEOST OTTR OWN COEBESPONDENT.J WELLINGTON, June 22. Tho Government received two telegrams today from Mr Bryce, giving a very favorable account of affairs at tho front. Mr Bryce arrived at the camp soon after noon yesterday, and immediately proceoded to investigate the conduct of the Maoris iu persisting in erecting the fence across tho road opposite Parihaka. It appears that the fence is an old one, and in bad repair, there being numerous gaps where it has given way. Through one of these gaps tho new road was taken, so as to avoid any chance of trespassing upon the Natives' cultivations. However, when the Maoris became aware of this they repaired thit gap and bo stopped the road. The constabulary calmly removed the fence, and went on again, but directly afterwards the Natives as calmly re-erected _ it. This was thrice repeated, and on its being decided that Mr Bryce should go up, work was suspended until he arrived lest it should prove this was part of an organised plan for resisting the road making, in which case it might be necessary to take more vigorous measares. On investigation of the matter, however, Mr Bryce discovered that the Maoris have some cultivations and potatoe patches some little distance away from the road, and they say that they were afraid the opening of the road through the fence would induce horses and cattle to find their way through and get at their crop 3. Some little doubts seem to attach to this statement, but no difficulty will be found in taking suitable steps to prevent any real damage being sustained by the Natives if their story is true. If they nevertheless persist in attempting obstruction they will simply be prevented by the employment of quiet but resolute force. The two camps to-day made their last shift, and are now only two miles apart. The northern camp has been moved a mile and a half southward at a place called Pungarahu, and the southern camp a similar distance northward to Waitara. Mr Bryce has ridden two or three times backwards and forwards between the two camps, but found no sign of the imaginary swamp, so called by the invention of certain ingenious "specials." Nobody ever really believed in the existence of this great swamp, but this is so conclusively disproved by the best practical evidence that I fear Mr Hamlin's absurd journey, if nally undertaken for the purpose of viewing the swamp, will prove_ a fiasco. There are, however, several other theories as to the real object of his visit. The Natives continue to display a friendly and conciliatory spirit. The road-making progresses well, and if fine weather is experienced tho road will be formed right through within the next three weeks. [PBB PBBSS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIBB.J NBW PLYMOUTH:, June 22. From Natives returning from Parihaka, the following additional particulars relative to the late meeting bave been gathered. It appears that the origin of the fencing on the road at Ngakumikumi arose from tho fact that To Whiti ordered some followers to plough the land for the purpose of sowing wheat. While the Natives were employed in the work they found that the Constabulary road would coma right through the land they were ploughing. They at onoe carried the news to Te Whiti that the Constabulary were advancing and would destroy their work. Te Whiti said, " Never mind ; go on with the work, and when they get up to you with the road you must contend against them for ten days; after that the road is to be opened and no more opposition is to be shown to the constabulary." Te Whiti now states that he said this merely to teßt the faith of bis followers, and that he did not mean to urge them to obstruct the conttabular?. On Thursday last, Te Whiti alluded to the matter, and paid " Seven days of fencing have_ now passed, and there are still three remaining, after which the road is to be opened. Trust my words, and no harm will befall you. In about eight months hence there will be a great meeting held here, and at that meeting the dead will rise, and great rejoicings will be made. The dead will then be here uiader the Saviour of the world, who will come to restore peace and happiness to the inhabitants of this land. There will be sweet and uninterrupted intercourse, and all shall be rich in the fullness of the blessings which will he received from the Saviour. Some Europeans say that I am going to bring about war ; that is not true. lam the herald of peace and happiness. My parting words to you are, Let there be no war or disturbance of any kind with Europeans. If there is any disturbance, all the good that has been done will be undone. When the prisoners return neither they nor their relatives are to seek to avenge themselves for being kept in prison. They have suffered all for my Bake. We must not think of vengeanco: peace mußt prevail." At the conclusion of the speech the Natives manifested in an unmistakable manner that they wero well pleased with what they had heard. They stated that come what will they will abide by the words of To Whiti. Tohu also addressed the meeting, but his words were of little importance. The Natives were staying longer at Parihaka than usual for them, having left for their homes yesterday. Mr Bryce is still at the front,_and tha Hinemoa is lying iu the roadstead waiting fo: him. .