NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2228, 19 April 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Telegraph.] [from our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, April 18. The Government have received telegrams from the interpreter reporting tho monthly meeting held ot Parihaka yesterday. To Whiti made a somewhat brief speech, in which ho dwelt much on the prevalence of evil in tho land, but remarked that this always had been the case, and always would be. He said that the Maoris were not to bo discouraged or disheartened because some of the prisoners had died, as these men were ill when arrested ; but no evil would now happen to them or to the Maoris either, if the latter followed his counsel. He observed, “Though some of us may bo struck by the hand of misfortune, the evil among us is not of to-day.” He seemed somewhat depressed and desponding, one of his remarks being, “ The times are dark, and I cannot throw any light on what is going on now.” This is generally regarded as an admission of importance on his part, and as calculated to have a good effect on tho Natives, of whom over 1800 were present. The weather was very unfavorable, and a heavy downpour of rain compelled Te Whiti to close his address prematurely and adjourn the meeting. There is not the slightest truth in the report circulated by the Press Association telegram on Saturday that the Maoris had recommenced ploughing near Parapara, on the West Coast. Mr Rollrston passed by the spot, and there was not the remotest sigi of anything of the kind, and, indeed, be found the Natives in all directions particularly friendly and pacific in their demeanour, and from what Te Whiti says there seems not the slightest probability of his ordering any resumption of ploughing or fencing. It has been decided to release another batch of Maori prisoners in a few days. They will be selected mainly from those confined in Lyttelton Gaol, to the number of about 100, and will be forwarded by the Hinemoa to New Plymouth.