THE NATIVE FENCERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 2, 7 September 1880, Page 3

THE NATIVE FENCERS.

Affairs at Parihaka are still in a decidedly unpleasant state. The fencing operations are continued by Te "Whiti's followers with unabated vigour, and as one set of fencers are arrested or turned tack others follow. During last week, the Constabulary, acting under the orders of the Native Minister, refused to arrest them, but in the end* were compelled to. On Wednesday 44 natives started fencing, but were not arrested, though the fence was Jbroken down ; on Thursday, 56 went through the same programme ; on Friday, the farce was carried through by 68 ; and on Saturday 80 " did " the piece. The following description is .given in the Wanganui Herald :— " Today upwards of eighty Natives marched down to the fence, carrying a green bough, stake, or other fencing material, and the fence was erected in less than a minute. Many-of these were mere boys, who were told that the punishment for such as they was a good duelling, which was promised them if they returned, and they were then told to go home. The remainder, 59 in number, were placed in an iron building in camp, and are to be immediately despatched to New Plymouth, there to be tried before a J.P. Some of them are noted characters, among them Kahai, once an assessor, and Nuku, half brother to Tito Kowaru, and others." With reference to these fencing operations, it seems certain Te Whiti does not intend to tight, as he is too wary to allow the best of his men to be sent to gaol, and then begin a war. At the same time the enormous cost of maintaining the present farce should be considered. The Hinemoa is kept running with prisoners to Lyttelton, who are maintained at the expense of the Colony, and having undergone no trial, their labour cau&ot be utilised. They therefore spend their time, according to telegrams received, in trying to unravel the mysteries of " The Fifteen Gem Puzzle !"' A few days ago we read in an exchange that as the West Coast Bill had been assented to the Native Minister intended to " take a new departure." What his new line of policy will be has not ytt been made known, but it is to be hoped the expensive humbuggery that has prevailed at the Waimate Plains will come to an end soon, and means taken fr« show Te Whiti that though he may fool his fellow-countrymen, the colonists are not disposed to be fooled any longer.