NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2364, 31 October 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Tblbgbaph.T [peom oub oobbbspondbnt.] WELLINGTON, October 30. There was a rumor afloat yesterday that Te Whiti and his followers had evacuated Parihaka, and retired on some strong defences in the bush skirting Mount Egmont. There is no foundation for this report. It is deemed certain that Te Whiti will calmly await the visit of Mr Bryce and his “few friends” on Saturday next. It is not at all improbable that the European visitors will be received with very embarrassing hospitality; nor is it improbable that a certain tost may be applied by Mr Bryce as a touchstone of their loyalty and submission, but of course it would be indiscreet to hazard any conjecture on this point, as the precise plan of operations will naturally be kept as secret as possible. Prom what I can gather the force available for active service next week will be over 2000 men. The present strength of constabulary on the West Coast is 823 ; to this must be added over 800 volunteers from other parts of the colony who have gone to the front. Thirdly, there are the local volanteers, who are said to be strong in number, and assiduous in drill. Their numbers are variously estimated at from 600 to 900. Some little difficulty has been experienced in providing tent accommodation for so large a force, but the Government are using the utmost efforts to have ample provision on the ground for housing the largest number likely to be there. The Wellington navals had a rough night at Opnnako, where a southerly gale blew down half the tents, causing considerable discomfort and inconvenience to the men, but it was borne very well and without grumbling. Large additional offers of volunteers’ services have been received by the Government, and some accepted, but it is not at present intended to accept any that cannot bo on the ground by Friday next, so as to be ready for all emergencies. It has transpired that when Mr Bryce’s last note was taken to Farihakaby Mr Butler and Mr Carrington, Te Whiti spoke with great bitterness to the envoys in response to their efforts to persuade him to agree to an amicable settlement, accusing them of being on both sides. He also freely denounced Mr Parris and the Europeans generally. He seemed to be growing irritable and peevish, and the haggard, anxious, careworn expression of countenance which had been observed on a previous interview was this time particularly perceivable. Borne anxiety has been expressed lest the Maori King, Tawhaio, should render any assistance to Te Whiti, or allow bis followers to Volunteer in the service of the prophet. All such doubts may bo set at rest by an official report received from Major Mair, who states that Tawhaio is most anxious it should be distinctly understood that he has no sympathy whatever with To Whiti or his alleged grievance, and will not under any circumstances himself or permit his people to be drawn into any of Te Whiti’s quarrel with the Government. Tawhaio is pushing on his cultivations on a Very extensive scale, and still shows much interest in railway extension. Apropos of Tawhaio’s refusal to let any of his people take part in Te Whiti’s quarrel, it should be generally known that most of the men who have been troublesome lately are not, properly speaking, of To Whiti’s tribe at all, but mere visitors from the Whangarei and other tribes, who have not the ghost of an interest in the land in dispute, and who would not suffer in the slightest degree if every inch was forfeited. As it is deemed unfair that these intruders should be allowed to complicate matters, and as they were the offenders in erecting the last illegal fencing and destroying Fleming’s property, one of the first steps to be taken after the expiration of the period of grace will be to order them all to return to their homos, if they won’t go, they may experience unpleasant consequences. Natives who are now arrested in flat rebellion will be much less tenderly treated than those who formerly were merely guilty of technical illegality, and who confined themselves to a harmless form of practical protest against the occupation of their land. In future prisoners will not have Constabulary to wait upon them and black their boots, but will he made to work for their living.