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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 58, 18 March 1879, Page 2

The following very suggestive telegram appears under the head of the Press Agency : — " Hawera, Wednesday. — Vague reports are current, that some few natives of no rank or position are intending to commit outrages here, in consequence of the contemplated sale of the Waimate Plains, but none of the native chiefs will take any part in it." We have no doubt that the natives will not allow this valuable block of land to slip out of their hands without giving the Government some trouble ; and possibly there may occur some outrages from isolated natives ; but from what, has come to our knowledge, we do not think any serious trouble will arise. However, in view of the coming sale, it would be well for the Government to be well prepared for any contingency that may arise ; as nothing would do more to retard the settlement of these grand plans than for a "native difficulty" in the shape of a murder to occur in the locality. If the natives in the district are given to understand that any hostile act will be visited with the most condign punishment, it may have the effect of preventing anything of the kind occurring ; and we would probably hear of no more rumors of the above class. We saw it stated the other day that the natives had realised some £5000 from the sale of grass seed alone taken off this land.