NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2385, 24 November 1881, Page 4

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[PBBBS ASSOCIATION BPECIAL.j PUNGAREHU, November 23. Affairs at Parihaka were quiet to-day. The destruction of whares was delayed owing to a strong rope not having arrived. Two fatigue parties were out this morning, one preparing ground for the new camp, the other collecting firewood. The New Plymouth Mounted Rifles will, it is expected, be released from service to-morrow and return home. The Natives wero absent from the fences to-day, and several horses strayed on the potato cultivations. Rangi, who was sent to New Plymouth to-day, will be tried under the West Coast Settlement Act, and as he is one of the principal chiefs, will be detained in custody for some time. It has boon raining heavily this afternoon, and all work has been put a stop to. It is still raining. [PBEB3 ASSOCIATION tblbgram] WELLINGTON, November 23. Wi Parata, formerly a Maori member of the Government, had an interview to-day with the Governor in reference to the Parihaka case and tho position of To Whiti and the other prisoners. Mr Alexander Maodonald, Native interpreter, accompanied Wi Parata, who appealed to the Governor as the representative of the Queen to interfere and see justioe done to the Natives. His Excellency pointed out that. he could not take any action except by the advice of hia Ministers, and that it would be improper for him even to express any opinion within the colony. Of course he might be required to report what his opinions were to his superiors at Home. Subsequently Wi Parata saw Mr Robert Stout, with a view of retaining his legal services for Te Whiti and the other prisoner*. Mr Stout expressed his readiness to take their case np if they desired it themselves. There seems a doubt whether Te Whiti or the others will accept any legal assistance. Wi Parata is communicating with them on the subjeot.

[*BOM OTTB COBBHSFONDBNT.] WELLINGTON, November 23. The well-known chief Wi Parata went to Government House this afternoon and was admitted to a personal interview with Sir Arthur Gordon, who received him with the utmost oourtesy and consideration. Wi Parata pleaded the oase of the Natives with great earnestness and zeal, urging their peaceful behavior and intentions, and contending that the Government had acted arbitrarily and illegally toward them. He further besought the Governor to advisa him what he and the rest of the Natives ought to do under these circumstances. Sir A. Gordon listened with marked attention, and expressed deep regret at the difficulties whioh had arisen, but pointed out his own inability to act in the matter, excepting by the advice of his Ministers. Sir A. Gordon further explained that it would not be proper for him ta offer any advioe to the Natives under present circumstances, but that it was his duty to refer them to his responsible advisers. Wi Farata accordingly withdrew.

I hear that many of the Natives belonging to the district lying south of Manawatu, who were among those expelled by Mr Bryoe from Parihako, have expressed their entire satisfaction at the course the Government had taken, because they were very glad to have Te Whiti suppressed, as, although they dared not disobey him, they found him and his fads, and the monthly Parihaka meeting, a sad nuisance, not to say a very expensive one. There is every reason to anticipate that a very short time will see Te Whiti disowned and comparatively forgotten by his orstwhile deluded followers.