NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2374, 11 November 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[rBBBS ASSOCIATION “ SPECIAL ”] PHNQARBHU. November 10.

Owing to the return of Mr Bryce, the “ specials ” were on the alert from daylight, but the first visit to Parihaka was fruitless. Mr Bryce left for Parihaka at 6.30 this morning. After breakfast I returned to the pah, and on arrival found that a company of armed constabulary, accompanied by Mr Bryce, proceeded into the pah, and after a search Titokowaru and five other influential chiefs were arrested. These were then brought into the guard tent. A thorough search was made for other chiefs, but none could be identified, and the men wore marched back to camp. When Mr Bryce was in the pah I met him, and he informed me that sixty stand of arms and a quantity of powder and cartridges had been captured at Manaia. He also stated that a search had been made at the pah for several other chiefs, but, there being no possibility of of their being pointed out, the men were withdrawn. The prisoners captured this morning were then marched under escort to a whare on the hill in front of the camp, and were placed under a strong guard. After the Constabulary returned from the pah they were dismissed until after lunch, when an order was given for the men to fall in. As had been previously expected, a party of 160 man were told off for road making, and at two o’clock a company under Colonel Roberts proceeded through the bush to the rear of Parihaka, and were engaged in marking out the line far the road, Mr Hursthouse acting as surveyor. It was now raining heavily, and before my return to the camp I was wet to the skin. After a oonple of hours of rather steady rain it cleared up, but all operations had been put a stop to for the day. There being no chance of any further information, a move was made for the various camps, and the volunteers appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. The press have been given permission to erect their tents inside the camp at Parihaka, and probably they will make a shift there to-morrow. Te Whiti, Tohu, and Hiroki are still here, but under close supervision. It is expected that nothing beyond road making will take place to-morrow. I managed to get into Parihaka to-day, and found the Natives in the same mood as formerly telegraphed, there being no chance of their giving in. The greatest difficulty is experienced in gaining admission to the pah, but these who are fortunate enough to escape the sentries on Port Rolleston can with stealth get around the village. The Natives will not disperse. The chiefs arrested are Titokowaru, Rangipuatioako, Patutiapai, Hatario, Horiaino hi Makuki, and RTekepekepikeke. These prisoners along with the others taken, on Saturday, will, Mr Bryce informs me, probably be sent to New Plymouth. The reason why the prisoners have not yet been sent is that Mr Bryce fears that all the Natives at Parihaka would proceed there and squat in the streets.

jjPBBBS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.j NEW PLYMODTH, November 10.

The Mokau chiefs—Te Wetere, Te Kauru, Bphaia and Heta—waited upon Mr Kelly, M.H.R., with reference to the sitting of a Native Lands Court for the Mokau country. Bphaia said that the Natives had unanimously made application under the Native Lands Act, 1880, to Chief Judge Benton some months ago for a sitting of the Land Court, but had received no reply to their request; neither could they obtain an answer to the telegrams on the subject. They now requested Mr Kelly to move for (hem, and obtain a sitting of the Court without delay. To Wetere said he wrote to the Government asking for the Court to sit at White Cliffs, and a reply had been received from Mr Kolleston approving of the request. He had seen Mr Bolleston in New Plymouth, and the Minister stated that thematter was in the hands of the Chief Judge, and that the Government would consider the matter, but there was so much delay that the Natives were getting tired of waiting. Mr Kelly asked if the Native owners were all unanimous,and if the Natives inland were likely to raise any objections. Te Wetere replied that he had settled those things before asking for the Court. There would be no trouble. Mr Kelly asked what position did Rewi Maniopoto take in the matter. Te Karau replied that Manga had handed over all the business of Mokau to him and Te Wetere, and produced a letter under Rewi’s seal, stating that Te Wetere and Te Kauru were to manage all the affairs of Mokau with the -Europeans. Mr Kelly asked to be supplied with a copy of the letter, which was done. Mr Kelly asked if there would be any contested ownerships in the lands requested to be put through the Court, Te Wetere replied :—“Yes, there may be other claimants for a piece at Raipango, but let the judge decide the ownership. 1 told these words to Mr Bolleston, Ido not wish you to listen to what you hear from other people about Mokau. It is my land. I do not know why the Government will not listen to me.” Mr Kelly—“l would do all in my power to help you to get a railway to Mokau if the time has arrived." Te Wetere—“ That is well.” Bpihia —“ There is a good way for the railway to go to Mokau, ” Mr Kelly replied that he was very glad the Natives had waited on him, because it enabled him to form his own opinion of the Native mind between Taranaki and Waikato. He need not say that he would do all in his power to forward their wishes. The request of the Natives was one that he felt justified in urging upon the notice of the Government, and he would at once communicate with the Native Minister on the subject. The Natives thanked Mr Kelly for his consideration and retired. The “ Herald ” publishes a romantic story which has reached New Plymouth with reference to the death of a daughter of Hone Fihama, the well-known Native chief. She desired to go to Parihaka in order to be near her lover, but Hone Pihama resolutely forbade her going there, and adopted measures to prevent her doing so. She appeared to be very low spirited, and on Friday last she was missed from the settlement at Oeo. On search being made her dead body was found lying at the foot of a cliff. The unfortunate girl ended her grief by ending her existence. HAWBBA, November 10. A long Cabinet meeting of Messrs Bryce, Bolleston, and Atkinson was held at Manait on Tuesday evening and yesterday morning The country around was subsequently searohe, and 150 guns taken from the Native wha‘* this morning. Titokowaru’s place as searched, and his arms secured. Wi Parata has passed through here o ais way home.

FBOU THE OWN OOBBKSPOKDENT ,v THB

“PRESS.] WELLINGTON,. Novo-Oer 10 - Some important information h' been received by the Government to-d/ as .. attitude of the various impo“ an j| "“J™ tribes respecting present affairr at " ann ”"" An officer who has just had xtensive communioation with the principal Natives of the East Coast reports that the- utterly disdain sympathy with Te Whiti expressing great contempt for him, and hop that the Government will take decisive insures to prevent his doing any more Two of the chiefs of the Wanganuis also stped to-day that L- e ™P had declared his satisfetion at the steps taken by the GovernmeP at Parihaka, and his entire approval jf their action. Ke p had sent two chiefs Parihaka for the purpose of to induce his people to leave that place *>d return to their homes, rr- ;. verv a nerv* ith them for refusing, and says he the Government will arrest them if they stll refuse to go. Theio expressions. taken with King Tawhaio s outspoken sediments, show that the policy of the Government has thoroughly appealed to fVin Nativei’ admiration for power and firmness is no doubt that it has already had'an reliant effect. The well-known Wangauai Topia and Hakarau were in Wanganui JO-day, and corroborate the reports of Kemp's hearty approval of the arrests, and cf his indignation that any of his own people should be among Te Whiti’s deluded followers. Further arrests were made at Barihaia to-day, the principal prisoners being Titokowaru, the famous old fighting chief ot the great Ngatiruanui tribe, and Eangi, the Mamatu who assumed the lead after xe Whiti’s arrest, and has since been very troublesome in haranguing the Natives ana advising resistance. Further stands of arms were taken to-day, and a large quantity of powder. Over 300 stand of arms have now been seized. The reports of other weapons being concealed are believed to be mere canards. Before making the arrests to-day the Natives were called on to submit and leave, but made no response, excepting Wi Parata and Tahana, who have left Parihaka with their followers. Others will probably be got away by degrees. I hoar that a road will be made at once right through Parihaka Village, from Pungarehu camp to Stratford

station. I understand that the value of tbs confiscated land returned to the Natives in various ways is estimated at fully a million sterling. The Hinomoa arrived from Opunake thi» morning, bringing Mr Rollcston. An unfounded report was in circulation that she had gone for Te Whiti and Tohu, and would convey them to Wellngton. So far as I can learn there is no intention to bring the prisoners to Wellington, yet at any rate. They will bo brought before some Taranaki magistrate, and most likely be committed for trial there. It may not be generally known that Te Whiti and Tohu were arrested on a worrant issued by the magistrate in the ordinaryway. Hiroki was arrested under the old warrant issued just after the murder of McLean. All has been done in a strictly regular form.