NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2340, 3 October 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[FEOSI THE OWN OOEEEBPONDENT OP THE “ PBESB.”J WELLINGTON, October 1. The latest news from the West Coast is that the Natives are still actively cultivating, and making not the slightest preparation for war. The story about them selling their horses at a sacrifice to raise money is, to a large extent, a fiction founded on fact. It is true that some of the Natives are soiling their horses, but this is simply because they have not pasture for them now that the sale and settlement of the Wuimate Plains has blocked them out from some of their old depasturing ground. The sale of horses, therefore, is absolutely meaningless as regards any bearing on the chances of war or peace. It is a mere ordinary commercial transaction. The Maoris have not feed for their stock, and so they sell cattle to those who have The story about Titokowaru going with a large number of armed mou to Parihaka is purely imaginary. Titokowaru was at the last meeting on the 17tb, but he returned to his home directly afterwards, and has remained at home ever since. He has not been at or near Parihaka since the meeting, and so the story about his warlike march thither, with his armed followers, is utter rubbish. The Government still hope to be able to avert war, but deem it right to make full preparations for all contingencies. The 160 A.O. recruits brought to-day by the Hinemoa from Lyttelton will undergo a fortnight’s drill in barracks before proceeding to Taranaki. Large supplies of arms and ammunition and stores are being sent up for the nse of local volunteers, who will he drilled into due efficiency.