NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2358, 24 October 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[PBBSS ASSOCIATION TBLKQEAM ] PATE A, Ootober 22. The Chairman of the County Council has telegraphed to Major Atkinson that tho action taken by the Government re Native affairs en the Coast meets with the unanimous approval of the settlers, who trust that the Government will be firm, and bring the matter to a speedy and successful issue. Mr Bryoe wr.s heartily cheered on passing through hero to-day.

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WELLINGTON, Ootober 22. The Government received a telegram today stating that some Faribaka Natives have commenced fencing on some land in tho new township of Bahotu, whioh was voluntarily exchanged by the former Native owners for another section, and was set apart as a school reserve. The fencers have not the remotest claim to the ownership of the land, or any interest it, but are evidently acting in sheer bravado. Inquiries are being made into the oiroumstances, but it is not probable that the Government will take any particular action in the matter until tho fourteen days' graoe specified in the proclamation have expired. Mr Bryoe goes on to Pungarehu to-day, and his private secretary, Mr Butler,' who went up in the Hinemoa last evening, will personally distribute copies of the proclamation at Parihaka, taking especial oare to serve one each on Te Whiti and Tohu if possible. The last time, however, that such a course was attempted Tohu ranged his Natives in a line in front of Te Whiti's house and made them throw back the documents at the Government officers who had delivered them.

Nothing further has been heard about the affair near Cape Egmont, whioh ocourred on Wednesday, when the Natives entered on the land of a European settler named Fleming and foroibly stopped work, destroying the fenoing, <ko., and threatening tho men. It is supposed that Fleming was alarmed at the menaces of the Natives, and has not attempted to resume work.

Mr Bolleston was to have started yesterday to join Mr Bryeo and co-operate with him, but owing to certain occurrences in Wellington, he was compelled to postpone his departure, as was also Major Atkinson, who intended to leave at the sane time to address his Egmonfc constituents. However, both hope to get away early next week. As imaginary and exaggerated reports are sure to get about regarding dissensions which are understood to exist between the Governor and the Ministry, I may as well say plainly that nobody has officially raised the question as to Sir A. Gordon's status on resuming the Governorship. He has done so, an ■< has been allowed to do it unquestioned. Sir James Prendorgast has retired from office, and that point does not enter at all as a factor into the present situation. Some stress has been laid upon the absence of any proclamation announcing the resumption of authority, but precedents have been sought for, and it is ascertained that the issue of such proclamation is entirely optional on the part of the Governor. It has been done occasionally, but just as often dispensed with. It is rumoured that Sir Arthur Gordon has challenged the validity of the proclamation on the ground that at the time it was issued he was within a league of the coast, consequently was in New Zealand waters, and therefore in full exercise of gubernatorial authority, so that Sir James Prendergast's aot was ultra vires, but that this _ view is stoutly disputed by the Ministry. Of course official reticenoe precludes any authoritative information on the subject being available, but I am convinced that this issue has been raised, and that the Ministry will carry their point in the matter. I believe then that should Te Whiti and the Natives refuse to give in their submission within fourteen days, as it is almost certain they will not, orders will be given to the constabulary to remove the fencing and to occupy Paribaka, that a road will be made to that place, that any Natives resisting or interfering either with the constabulary or settlers will be summarilly arrested, and that should they offer violence they will be treated with prompt severity. Every care, however, will be taken to avoid precipitating any resort to force, but should this become necessary it will not be shrunk from. The Ministry are quite resolute, and are satisfied that the whole colony is with them in their Native policy. It is understood that copious memoranda are still proceeding between the Governor and his advisers, but those who are best informed on the matter fully believe that the difficulty will blow over ia a few days. If so, however, it will not be through any faltering on the part of the Government, who are convinced that they are in the right, and will remain firm in carrying out their plans. A telegram was received this afternoon that the Hinemoa was successful in landing at Opunake to-day the sixty Armed Constabulary she took up yesterday just before a southerly gale set in, which would have rendered the landing impracticable, and operations were somewhat impeded by a heavy and continuous rain and rising sea. Another batch wiil be sent up in a few days. The strength of the constabulary on the coast is now muoh the same as it was before the reduction took place, and the force is said to be in thoroughly efficient order.