NATIVE CRISIS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 303, 28 October 1881, Page 2

NATIVE CRISIS.

WELLINGTON. This Day. Mr Bryce has gone to Opunake to meet Major Atkinson, who arrived there yesterday morning, It ha* been reported to Government that Te Whiti disapproves of the recent action of the natives in destroying fences, and stopping drays. The Engineers last night unanimously resolved to offer their services for the front as a Rifle corps. Thirty-five names were handed in exclusive of several strangers who wished to enlist. Mr Bryce has to-day sent to Te Whiti a letter saying that on Saturday, the 7th November, he will go to Parihaka for his (Te Whiti’s) answer to the proclamation. OPUNAKE. This Day. The constabulary marched from here to Pungarchu this morning. The Navals in the meantime garrison Opunake. Messrs Bryce, Roberts, and Atkinson, have proceeded to Pungarchu. In the absence of natives here the Opunake Rifles are about building fortifications. The Wellington navals arrived yestermorning, and march for Pungarehu to-day. No fresh Native new*. DUNEDIN. This Day. At a meeting of the Company last night, 25 of the Naval Brigade volunteered for active service in tiie field. Colonel Stavely first addressed the men, and told them that they must not expect child’s play. It is expected that the contingent will be augmented by 30 men from Port Chalmcra. NAPIER. This Day. The natives laugh at the action of Govvernment and the Governor’s proclamation. They say that the Europeans are afraid of Te Whiti, and dare not touch him. AUCKLAND. This Day. Major Morrow called a meeting of the Volunteers last night to ascertain what number were willing to volunteer in a corps under his command for active service, and about 100 volunteered. Major Derroin has called a meeting for to-day of all the corps, including Engineers and Artillery, to express their views as to the desirability or otherwise of volunteering in a body under their respective officers. NELSON. This Day. At a parade of the Volunteers last night, about 130 town men were present, including the Naval Brigade men, who were examined by Dr. Boor, 17 being rejected. It is expected that with the country corps atleast 150 men will leave for Opunake to-night by the Hinemoa. WANGANUI. This Day. The Alexandra Cavalry, 52 strong, under Captain Somerville, left here to-day for the front. The troops are well mounted. The Infantry leave by steamer on Saturday. [from the post.] A special meeting of members of the Now Zealand Engineer Corps of Submarine Miners is to be held this evening at the Drill Shed, “ to take into consideration the position the corps ought to take up in the present state of affairs.” Mr. Bryce has released the two native youths whom lie arrested on suspicion on Tuesday, and lias sent them to Parihaka with a note to Te Whiti, warning him of the conduct of his followers iu pulling down Mr. Fleming’s fences and stopping the Gjvernment drays. It is also rumored that the natives have pulled down some of Mr. Hunter’s fencing near Manaia, but this, too, is uncorroborated, and is generally disbelieved. Some native* have started fencing on another section (No. 52) of Government land, on the seaward aide of the main road. The special correspondent of the New Zealand Tiiite-t at Parihaka says he is “perfectly certain that not a shot will be fired, equally sure that the Natives will continue their obstructive work, confident that nothing but the breaking up of Parihaka will end the difficulty, and positive that this can only be done by the arrest of the whole. Mr Bryce has now a task before him infinitely more difficult than when lie proposed his advance on Parihaka; and the “kudos” he will gain should be proportionately large. He i* undoubtedly the man for the situation, and has the good wishes of all.”