TIIE jiITiIIMOTU DISPUTE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 52, 24 February 1880, Page 2

THE MURIMOTU DISPUTE.

- -■■ ■♦" This affair seems to be rapidly assuming 1 more formidable prupor-. tiuns, and is likely, at the present juncture, to give some anxiety to those in power, lielow we give some later particulars than that publisned by us in last issue. Whether or not the idea given in refereuce to ihe division of the A.C. Force is a correct oue remains to be seen, but we rather think that the suggestion is but one of many rumors likely to fimt about at a time when anything like hostility from the Maoris is expected. The Wanganui Herald of Friday lu^t contained the following :— With characteristic bounce, " Major \ K'-inp has looted the horses of the shepherds employed on Moot house's station, stopped the road, broken a bridge, and prevented ihe wool boing packed to Napier. No actual violence has been used, so far as our informant knows, but the men at the homestead are not to bo envied Kemp's talk is very bounceable, and ho threatens to bum down the homestead and turn off the sheep. Kemp is supported by about 100 natives, all armed with gun.'?, and his iniluenee appears paramount between Taupo and the coast line. He makes no secret of being opposed to the Government, and s:iys openly, "lam done wiih tiio Government." As a further mark of his feelings we may mention that he has forwarded his gun to King Tawhiao. Our informant gathered at Minimotu, the feeling in the native mind is one of hostility to fhe pakehas. This was still further exemplified when coming down the river to Wan- ( ganui. At every settlement the canoe was hailed, and nows from Murimotu anxiously enquired for. Most of the males have left the settlements, many having gone to Parihaka, and others to join Kemp. From another source we learn that Captain Mail and Kemp came into actual collision. Kach seized the other by the throat, ;»nd had a tussle. Finding Kemp was getting the worst of it. Wiuiuta, one of Kemp's men, produced a pistol and threatened to shoit Captain Mair unless he gave up his hold on Kemp. Ir, is held by those who know the native character well, that the difficulty as to the survey lines was but an excuse for rousing up the native feeling, and that this Murimotu affair altogether is but a blind to cause a diversion. Division of the strength of the A.C. is the hope of the native mind, and Kemp's attitude demands prompt investigation. There can be no question but that an unhealthy state of feeling exists among the natives on the river, ami that Te Whitisiu has won its way amongst them. LATEST. Saturday's Chronicle contained some later particulars. It is stated chat a " Government messenger came down from the Murimotu Plains yesterday afternoon, and the intelligence he brings is of considerable impor-

taoce. He states that Kemp's j eople have taken prisoner Captain Mail 1 , Mr Mitchell, the surveyor, and; Jtfr McDonnell, manager for Mr Moorhouse. Jt was reporteil tbah they were iied up. * A return messenger was dispatched from town rivWjhe evening. It is aaiJ that Wiki K«#ap« intends going up to-day, for the .ss(• pose of urging his lather to desist from the^ditngerous line of action he is pursuing towards the Government and Europeans generally."