THE NATIVE ASPECT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2335, 27 September 1881, Page 4

THE NATIVE ASPECT.

[TRES3 ASSOCIATION TELECJRAM.j NEW PLYMOUTH, September 26. Several settlers, who were living near Pungarehu on the newly-acquired land aro coming into town. Iho Nativo Minister, Colonel Boberts, and Mr Parria, with a guard of eight men, wont yesterday morning to inspoct the fencen and to ascertain tho present disposition of the Natives and the number that miy bo expected to resist the Constabulary. If tha attitude of tho Nativos is not so determined as reported, he intends that the Constabulary shall remove the fences. This morning a force wont out, but no news has reached hero as to what has been dene. On tho way to Pungarehu the Native Minister saw Mr Messenger (a good Maori soholar, and who was at Parihaka), and questioned him respecting tho speech published in tho papers by tha Press Association. Mr Messenger said it was a fair translation, and in no way exaggerated. The settlors who have recently commenced the work of making homestoada fer themselves at Ngakumikumi have determined to bring their families to New Plymouth for the present, until Native affairs are more settled. Mr Burgess' family left on Saturday, and Mr Campbell is makiDg preparations lo remove in a few days. On Thursday last a settler named Darnells, who had purchased land at the reoont land sale was clearing a road on his land, when a Native came upon him and told him to desist. He immediately sprang upon tho Native to take an axe from him, and in the struggle that ensued he gave the Maori a blow on tho head, which caused the latter to cry ont. A number of Natives had been hiding in the bush, and they ruohodout on Danislls, but did not succeed in catching him. As he is a young, activajman, and fleet-footed he outstrippid his pursuers, who followed him olose to the camp. On arrival at the camp he informed Colonel Boberts of rhe affair. Daniells has returned to Now Plymouth, as he .'does not consider it safe to settle on his land.

Tho Ni-.tiveß of Mokau are exhibiting some a-ixiety to have tlat locality opened as a gold field. They desire the Native Minister to moot them at a conference at Waitara, when definite arrangements will be inado for giving up the land to the Government for the purpose of having it proolaimed a goldfield. OPUNAKE, September 26. Major Stapp is today enrolling the sottlers at Mania for the Volunteer corps. The Native Minister ia now at Pungarehu. Ho endorses the action of settlers in preparing for contingencies. At present the Nativos are passive, and appear discomfited at the action of tha Europeans. WELLINGTON, Soptember 26. A detachment of the Armed Constabulary left for Opunake in the Stella this evening. A large quantity of ammunition was also sent away by tha eteamer. [FROM OTTR OWN CORRESPONDENT ] There was an abßuxd rumour got up to-day that Major Atkinson was going to New Plymouth to-night in tha Stella to join Mr Bolleaton, and co-operate with him in an active military operation against the Natives. Tharo is, of course, no truth in this report, the Bole substratum of fact being that the Stella does go up to-night, taking some forty or fifty Constabulary and stores. But the Government, while determined to strengthen the Native Minister's hands as far as possible and prepare for any contingency, are as anxious as ever to avoid any collision. Nor does this seem imminent as yet at any rate. Some long telegrams were received to-day from Mr Bolleston, who comments strongly on the total abaome of any warlike preparations on the part of the Natives. He says that neither in Parihaka cor elsewhere is there the slightest indication of any intention to fight. On the contrary, the whole attitude of the Natives is thoroughly pacific and good tempered, while they aro engaged to an unusually largo extent in cultivation and other peaceful employments. They are sowing and planting extensively, and seem quito engrossed in agriculture, excepting the chosen band who fence on the alienated land. Even these carry on their illegal work most quietly and good hurroredly. But there is no doubt that were they molested by the conttabulary they would rosiafc in oome way or another. This, indeod, appears to be tbe chief danger to be apprehended, that when the time comes, as it inevitably must sooner or later, for the Government to remove the fencing tho resistance of the Natives may lead to a collision of some kind. It is not clearly understood what form of retaliation To Wfciti contemplates, and opinions and veraiona differ widely on this point. Ono is that if the constabulary take Native prisoners then ho will tako European prisonors; but others deny that this is his meaning. In short, nobody has the slightest idea what will bo the course of events, and the policy adopted by tho Government is to be thoroughly prepared and armed at all poir.tn, on tho principle that danger is often averted by being fully prepared to meet it, as undoubtedly has been tho case hitherto in regard to the Native difficulty.