NATIVE AFFAIRS

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2363, 29 October 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS

[PSOir THE OWN CORRESPONDENT THE OP “PEBSS.”J HA WE F?A. October 28. Tarawiti, one of the Maoris who were recently ploughing on Mr Hunter’s land at Otaketo, has knocked some fencing down because an old road of his, which ran across the section, was stopped by the fencing. Information has been laid against him. The Native Minister at present refuses the request of tho Okateho and Okiawa settlers for an Armed Constabulary force. WELLINGTON, October 28. The Native news to-day is meagre, with ono important exception. The Government received a telegram from Mr Bryce reporting that he had sent a formal letter of notice to To Whiti, that he (Mr Bryce) wonld visit Pai ihaka on Saturday, sth November, to receive in person Te Wbiti’a reply to the proclamation. This was despatched by Mr Butler, the private secretary to tho Native Minister, who was accompanied by Mr Carrington, interpreter. Te Whiti received the visitors with an air of studied indifference. Ho flatly refused to take, read, touch, or even look at the letter, saying emphatically, “ I have Pad enough of letters, I will not read any more letters.” The purport of the letter was then notified to him by the interpreter. On being informed that Mr Bryce would come to Parihaka on Saturday, To Whiti coolly and disdainfully replied, “ Let him come ; tho way is open. He will find no defences or fortifications here.” Or, in other words, as it was understood by his hearers, no impediment will bo placed in the way of Mr Bryce’s entrance into Parihaka. He will bo allowed to como and go as ha chooses, without obstruction on tho part of Te Whiti or the Natives. It may be well to explain that Saturday week will be the fifteenth day from the distribution of the proclamation at Parihaka and its delivery to Te Whiti, consequently a clear fourteen days will have expired, and if the Natives do not come in before that date and tender their submission, as it is almost morally certain they will not, then they will have finally rejected the Government’s ultimatum, and will ha left to tho nncovenanted mercies of the powers that be. It may, therefore, be taken fer granted that Mr Bryce’s “visit” to Parihaka on the sth will be one of no small importance and significance. From reliab’e private information I have reason to donht the likelihood of any regular conflict. It is much more probable that the utter non-resistance of the Natives will be found tho chief sonree of embarrassment, but I fancy Mr Bryce is quite prepared for this eventuality, as well as for the more sensational contingency. All the most trustworthy accounts agree that tho Maoris are wholly unprepared for fighting, have very scanty stocks of arms and ammunition, and still more i canty of provisions for a campaign.

The Stella left this evening for Lyttelton, to bring np the Canterbury contingent of Volunteers. The Temuka men will be brought up by special train, and, with the Christchurr h men, conveyed to Lyttelton on board the steamer, which will proceed at once to Opunako. The Stella returns to Lyttelton on Sunday or Monday with his Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon, who goes to attend the consecration of Christchurch Cathedral. Possibly this religious event may form the occasion of restoring peace on earth and goodwill toward men so far as the ruling powers are concerned. I understand that ttere is improved cordiality, and the fact that the Premier dines with the Governor to-night goes to show that there is, at any rate, no pe s sonal unfriendliness, whatever difference of opinion may exist on questions of public policy.