NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2360, 26 October 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[PEESS ASSOCIATION lELEBKAMS.I NEW PLYMOUTH, October 25. At a meeting held by Te Whiti yesterday, it was reported that he told bis followers that he was aware of the proclamation going to be sent, for it was sent by God, and after fourteen days the land would belong neither to pakeha nor Maori, but would belong to the world. Till the fourteen days had elapsed they were not to heed anyone, as the pakehas would then leave the place. As it was uncertain what Te Whiti meant, and as the Natives appeared unfriendly to visitors the men in camp were not surprised to receive orders to he in reidiness for au alarm, and many of them slept in their belts and clothes. At 8 o’clock this mornicg Mr Bryce, his secretary. Colonel Koberts, and Mr Hurst house, with a small escort, left the camp to visit the place where the Natives have been fencing. As usual they were followed by a number of Maoris on horseback. Just after starting two young Natives, between eighteen and twenty years of age, were heard te nee some disgusting remarks towards Mr Bryce, who immediately ordered them to be arrested. The constables seized them, and one of the men was so frightened that he fell off his horse. The two prisoners were marched to camp, and Mr Bryce and party went on, but found no Natives at the fencing place, so they returned to Pnngarehu. This morning a dray going from Pungarehn to Bahotu was near Parapura, when about 100 Natives who live there came out of their whares and stopped it. The owner returned to Pnngarehn and reported the fact. Some men were ordered under arms and went to the place, but on seeing them coming the Maoris went into their whares and the women ran towards Parihaka. The Natives were very excited, but did not attempt to interfere further with the dray, which went on with an escort. Cobb’s coach was also accompanied by an escort through the disaffected district.

Captain Davidson and his mounted rifle corps have volunteered for service, and they leave here for Pungarehu to-morrow morning. WELLINGTON, October 25.

The Naval Brigade mustered this morning, when sixty.two men handed in their names as willing to go to the front. It is expected this number will bo supplemented by the Petnne contingent of the Brigade. It is intended to call out for active service all Volunteers in the districts where any corps have tendered their services. This step, it is said, is done simply to place officers in their proper positions. The Wellington men leave for Opunako to morrow afternoon. The Masterton Volunteers have tendered their services to go to the front.

[PEOM THE OWN OOSHESPONDENT THE OP WELLINGTON, October 25. Native matters have been very quiet during the day, but to night the Government received a telegram from Mr Bryce that the Natives had again made forcible entry on Fleming’s land near Capa Egmont, and pulled down and destroyed the fencing. Mr Bryce at once started for the scene of action with a strong body of constabulary, but on arriving at the spot the Maoris bad all disappeared. Some Natives had been seen hanging about when Mr Bryce started, and had evidently warned the trespassers of his approach. It was clear at any rate that the Natives did not want to fight or be arrested if they oonld help it. Their work of destruction was found to have been very thoroughly done ; posts split and hacked to pieces, and wires cut and broken. Two Natives, who were seen hanging about in a suspicious manner, and following the Constabulary in spite of warning, were arrested and detained in custody nntil inquiries had been made about them. Another party of Natives stopped two drays belonging to the A.C., hut released them and fled on the approach of a strong force. A large bady of Natives have collected opposite Parihaka, and are behaving in a very excited manner.

The Government have been in consultation today relative to the shape which the proclamation calling out the volunteers should take. It has been decided to recommend the Governor to issue a proclamation calling out aT volunteers, but with the understanding that only those who distinctly volunteered for active service should be definitely summoned to the front. At the time I write his Excellency’s assent has not been received, but it is presumed that ho will assent, and that the proclamation will be duly issued late to-night in a Gazette extraordinary. The Stella probably takes up the Wellington men to-morraw to Opunake, and the Hincmoa most likely will be sent up to Manukau to bring down the Auckland Volunteers. It is not yet settled which steamer conveys over the Nelson an. Nothing fresh has transpired in [reference to the relations between the Governor and Ministers, but it is certain that the entente cordiale will soon be re-established, although memos are still being exchanged, and Mr Eolleston and Major Atkinson are still unable to leave for Taranaki. It is not improbable that to-morrow may see matters satisfactorily arranged so far as Wellington affairs are concerned. On one point there is no doubt at all. Ministers feeling satisfied that they are right, and that they are supported by the country, will continue absolutely firm In their Native policy, whatever the consequences.