LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1595, 7 November 1881, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY. ARREST OF TE WHITI, TOHU, AND HIROKX Pungarehu, November 5. Until this morning native news has been very quiet here, but Mr Bryce's move to Parihaka with the troops today caused great excitement in the Pungarehu camp, and from early morn the Armed Constabulary were flitting about getting ready for the expected fray. The Maoris had pulled down one cf their fences to allow room for the troops to go into the pah, and had had 500 loaves prepaid so as to provide the men with food. Early in the morning the Chief of Ngauarah addressed the assemblage and cautioned them not to use any violence. Tohu followed in a similar strain, and said that no matter wh.t force was used against them, they wore not to strike, not even with a stick. At 9.35 Major Tuke and Mr Butler, secretary to Mr Bryce, came into the pal), the former gentleman addiessing the natives thus :—" We have come to hear Te Whiti's reply to the proclamation issued." After an interval of five minutes, and there being no reply, Major Tuk« read the Riot Act, calling on all natives to disperse. The Act was translated into the native tongue by Mr Butler, after which both gentlemen retired. The natives did not appear to take any interest in the reading of the Act. At 10 o'clock some excitement was caused in the pah when the constabulary were to be seen retracing their steps to the front of Parihaka. The natives evidently thinking the A.Cs. had come for the purpose of dipersing them, called on their friends and relations who were loitering about the pah to assemble, which was immediately done. From the. whare where the reporters had taken up their position, it was rather difficult to watch the movements of the various corps, but it offered every facility for observing everything that took place between the Hon. Mr Bryce and the natives. Tohn again addressed, his people, saying : "Let the man who has raised the war do his work this day. Let no woman cook or man cook stir. We have partaken of food, let none of us stir, lest any of ua be absent; be patient and steadfast, and even if the bayonet comes to your breast do not resist." The companies who were on the west of Parihaka descended and took up a position in the rear of Parilmka. At this time a complete line around Pari, haka, with the exception of the east side, had been formed. At 20 minuted to 11 Captains Gudgeon and Newail, with the arresting party (with handcuffs) of A.Cs. marched to u position to the left of the marae, where the natives were squatting. Major Tuke cilled on Mr Butler to pniuthim (meaningTohu) out. Colonel Roberts then joined the arresting party, and Captain Gudgeon addressing him, said Grey of No. 6 company would be handy in pointing out Tohu. Hu.-st-house (interpreter), acting on instructions, called upon Tohu and Te Whiti to come and stand in his (Mr Bryce's) presence. Te Whiti replied that tlie Hon. Mr Bryce snd Mr Boileston must come to him. Mr Bryce (through an interpreter) refused to go to Te Whiti, and said he must come to where he (Bryce) stood, near the graveyard. Te Whiti had nothing to do but go to them. Te Whiti replied—" I have nothing but good words in my mouth for him or any one." ,

Mr Bryce said—" From your good wishes I feel inclined to humor your wish to come and see you. Make a good road therefore for the passage of my horse through, your people, and t will c -me to you." Th Whiti—" But some of my children might hurt.' 5 Mr Bryce— 14 No, this is a quiet horse." Te Whiti—«l do not think it good you should come ou horseback among my children. If Mr Bryce wants td talk with me let him come on foot.'* Mr Bryce—"the days for talking are over." Te Whiti—" When did you find that out. Since this morning ? I have nothing more to say." The conversation was carried on through an interpreted (Mr Hursthouse). At 11.30 a.m. order was given for the arrestiug prrty to advance. The natives immediately cleared a passage for the men and the party advancing to where Te Whiti was stationed arrested him without the slightest resistance whatever. When the men reached Te Whiti, Colonel Roberts called to the men—" Let him walk if he will." Te Whiti walked quietly with four A.(k to where Mr Bryce and the officers were stationed. Ria wife walked through the Ale with him. Tohu and Hiroki were taken in a similar manner; The large assemblage of natives looked on calmly, and scarcely a word was spoken.. Te Whiti aud Tohn were riot handcuffed, but Hiroki was. The arresting party retired at 11.35 a, in. Te Whiti when under arrest spoke to his people and asked "them to be lionhearted and patient. He said—" This is not my work but comes from the hearts of Europeans." Tohu followed and said—" This is the doing of war. Be not sorry, turn away the sorrowful heart from you. We go away as fools and mistaken men. We looked for peace and we find war. Be steadfast, keep to peaceful words* Be not dismayed ; have no fear." Te Whiti said—" Let your dwelling be good in this place. Work such as thi3 (moaning soldiers) is frustrated this day." Te Whiti and Tohu, accompanied by their wives, were then conveyed to the redoubt at Pungarehu, under the escort of the New Plymouth Mounted Rifles. Hiroki was sent to the redoubt later in the day. It now being time for mess, nearly all t,lie visitors returned to Puugirehu, leaving the natives still squatting in the marae. After Te Whiti and Tohu had left for the redoubt, Eeno, an aged Chief from Taranaki, addressed the natives. He advised people to continue in the same work as Te Whiti and Tohu had ordered them, even if they were all arrested on the land which was handed down to them by their ancestors; During the afternoon the Hon. Mi 1 Bryce, in the name of the Queenj thanked the Volunteer officers and men for their valuable services. At daylight while troops were marchto Parihaka, several special correspondents were turned back, and in one or two instauoes, were ordered under arrest, and escorted to the rear. It is stated the natives will reoommence fencing across the road to-mor-row. By Mr Bryce's permission, Te Whiti and Tohu before they left, addressed a few words of farewell to the assembled natives amid a dead silence. Mr Bryce did not press the disporsion of the assembled natives immediately after the arrest, as they were uaturully in a state of considerable excitement. When the events of the day had soaked into their minds, means will be taken to cause the strangers at Parihaka to withdraw to their own honiws, which' is now of importance. Mr Bryce speaks in the highest terms of tho conduct of Colonel Uobcrts and the troops. The Volunteers distinguished themselves by their steadiness and the manner in which their positions were taken up, and the lines were contracted round the assembled natives, showed they had beer, drilled and disciplined to good purpose.