THE NATIVE CRISIS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 311, 16 November 1881, Page 2

THE NATIVE CRISIS.

PUNGAREHU. November 15. (Association Special.) The number of women assembled at the cemetery was eighty-five, and between two and three hundred children. The chief Utiku identified most of those arrested. Mr. Bryce says that nearly the whole of tire Wanganui women have been taken, and that he is making arrangements for these to be sent to Wanganui. The Hinemoa is at his disposal, hut Mr. Bryce is afraid that the natives could not he landed from here. If there is bad weather at Wanganui, the natives will be sent to Opunake, and the steamer Ilauraki will be there to-morrow if possible, but they may be delayed until the day after. Drays are now over at the spot where the wharcs were destroyed yesterday, loading up with goods, etc. The removed natives refuse to go over to identify their goods. Mr Bryce fears that be will have to destroy a large portion of the native crops, principally potatoes, as there is sufficient for 3 times as many natives as belong to Parihaka. By this he hopes to prevent alien tribes from assembling at Parihaka. It is expected Mr Bryce will go to Opunake this evening to make arrangements for the embarkment of Wanganui prisoners. On arrival at Putiki wharf the Wanganui natives will be dispersed from there. Arrests will continue until all alien tribes have been dispersed. Nothing will be done this afternoon.

SPECIAL. Tuesday Nov. 15. The Court resumed at 10.30 a.in. to-day. Te Whiti was informed that lie could address the Court. To Whiti said “It is very little I have to say. The land it was finished some time with the King and the Governor. It was said the whole of the land belonged to the Government, and we (the natives) have been straying on the land of the Government. We have been straying on the land, ever since the war was oyer, we have been cultivating the land. We have not put food in to cause a quarrel. We have put iu food for subsistence up to the present time, aim it is not my wish that evil should come to either of the tribe* (or the races). My wish is for the whole of us to live happy on the land. I have never wished to do evil or kill anyone. Up to the present time, my wish is for the whole of us to live happy on the land—that is my wish. This is the way I addressed the Maori people—that is all I have to say. The statement taken down in Maori was read over to Te Whiti, and he stated it was correct.

Mr Standish declined to address the Court. His Worship then addressed Tc Whiti in the following terms : —You are committed to the common gaol of New Plymouth, and there to be safely kept until you shall be thence delivered by due course of law. To VVliiti made no reply. The Court then proceeded te hear Tolm’s case. W. Carrington said : I have known Tohu for a good many years, but more particularly since Te Whiti lias commenced to hold his meetings at Parihaka. Tohu has resided at Parihaka for several years, and he belongs to several hapus of the Taranaki tribes. I believe that Tohu has almost as much influence with the natives as To Whiti. I was present at the meeting at Parihaka on the ICth hist. Tohu spoke at the meeting, saying there is nothing strange to talk of to-day ; death (or distress) alone for botli races ; listen to me, the survivor of the prisoners’ quarrel; alone in the talk to-day. Be strong, all of you, be brave, do uot be swallowed up. The wish of the Pakehas is to swallow us up, because wc are few. We shall not bo swallowed ; you are not striving fora small piece of land, but you are striving for all the land. Those who wish to fight come, Hear all I have to say. Quarrel, strike (or kill.) [The witness also repeated a number of expressions previously stated by Mr Hurstliouse.] Tohu declined to ask witness any questions, saying his case was the same as l’e Whiti’*, and the statement made by Te Whiti would also apply to him. Chas. Messenger deposed : I have known the prisoner Tohu for the last 8 or 9 years, and he has resided at Parihaka during that time. About SO or 100 Natives resided at Parihaka 8 or 9 year* ago, and in September last there were 2000 Natives residing there. This increase was not due to the natural increase of the population, but to members of other tribes coming to live at Parihaka. [The witness then gave evidence corroborative of that given by the previous witnesses, relative to'the expressions used by Tohu in his speech at Parihaka on the 17th September.] Tohu asked the witness—“ Were yon at the meeting in the evening of the 17th September ?” Witness —“No,” Tohu—“Do you perfectly understand what land I alluded to in my speech Witness—“ I understood it was the confiscated laud.”

This closed the case for the prosecution. The prisoner did not make any *tat«' ment.

The prisoners on being asked to sign their names to the statements mad# by them replied that they could not write. They were then told to touch the pen while tl’.e cross was being made. Te Whiti did so without any hesitation, but Tohu required some argument before be could be persuaded to comply with the request. Tohu was committed to gaol in the same manner as Te Whiti. This concluded the business. WELLINGTON. This Day. The Hinemoa with the Wellington Navals, City Rifles, Guards, Engineers, Makara and Wairarapa Rifles arrived shortly after eight last night. A great concourse of people met them, and they received hearty cheering on landing. The men were inarched to tile barracks, where they wore dismissed after a few words of congratulation from Liet.-Colonel Pearce. The Hinemoa left again at nine for Opunake, to take the Thames Volunteers back to Onehunga. HA WE BA. This Day. The Waimate Mounted Rifles are now doing a week’s drill under Sergt. Major Thompson, of Invercargill. PUNGAREHU. This Day. An additional quantity of ammunition was discovered among the goods removed from the wharcs yesterday, and was taken into the Camp. Mr. Bryce expects to visit Wanganui shortly, and will be present on the nomination day for the general election to address the electors. A rifle match wa* fired at Pungarehu between the Timaru Artillery and the Marlborough Rifles. The latter won easily, defeating their opponents by IGO points. The prisoners were sent away from Parihaka camp early this morning for Opunake. They passed the Rahotu camp at seven. 2 p. in. The arresting party entered the pah this morning and draughted out men, women, and children belonging to the Ngahawa tribe. No difficulty was experienced in identifying them, as Captain Messenger, Mr Hursthouse and several members of the Mounted Rifles knew the tribe. About 220 men, and SO women and children have been taken up to noon. The men were sent to whares, but the women are squatting in frent of the village. They will, if possible, be sent to their hapu to-morrow. An attempt will be made this afternoon to get possession of their goods, but if unsuccessful the prisoners will be sent on without them. The Alexandra Cavalry, numbering 57, arrived from Opunake this morning, and arc expected to return tonight. Ever)thing is quiet at Parihaka. A telegraph line will be run up to Parihaka as soon as possible.