NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2098, 13 November 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Telegraph.] [FROM OTTB OWN CORRESPONDENT, j WELLINGTON, November 12. The Native news from the constabulary camp to-day is somewhat important. The Natives have erected a stout substantial fence across the main road at Parapara, but have left a wide slip-panel of eight rails across the road, affording abundant room for traffic. The Government do not therefore intend to interfere with the fence until after the wheat is harvested, so long as no hindrance of the passage is attempted. As leaving the slippanel implies an express recognition of the roadway by the Nativea, and is the first concession of the kind that they have yet made, notice will be given to them that the fence will bo allowed to remain until a fortnight after the wheat is fully ready for harvesting, when it will be removed permanently. It is supposed that the Natives will now repeat the same experiment at the fence near the camp, in which case a similar course of action will he pursued towards them. The survey of the Parihaka block was commenced > esterday by one party of surveyors, who will be reinforced next week by several more parties, and the work will be carried on with all possible despatch. There are no signs of any opposition on the part of the Natives to the occupation of the Waimate plains by the recent purchasers, which has already begun, and the Natives appear to acquiesce with the utmost cheerfulness, only asking that the settlers will not impound native horses running loose on the plains, but will give them (the Maoris) time to remove their stock to other places. The Natives also ask to be allowed to remove or sell the potatoes they had stored on the sold land, which, of course, they will be permitted to do. All this implies complete recognition of the Government action in the sale of the plain a. The natives above-referred to are Titokowaru and his tribe, so that their concession is very significant for good. Sir William Fox and Mr Parris arrived in Wellington this morning, and have been in close consultation with Sir F. D. Bell all day. The three meet the Ministers in conference to-night regarding West Coast Native affairs, with a view of allocating the Native reserves, defining the boundaries, settling the various Government awards and promises, &o. It is rumored that possibly another Commissioner may be appointed instead of Sir F. D. Bell, to act in association with Sir W. Fox, but I believe nothing is definitely settled yet on this head.