Tourists Stopped by Natives.

Manawatu Herald, 3 December 1892, Page 2

Tourists Stopped by Natives.

A party of Wanganui photographers, says th-3 Chronicle, who set out for a tour up the Wanganui River on 22nd November, for the purpose of photographing the scenery, returned to town and re* ported that they had been met by a large party of Maoris when about 75 miles from town and obliged to turn back and relinquish their object. At Pipiriki they obtained a carioe in" which to continue the journey, and having engaged two native guides proceeded up the river on Thursday, ihe party were very busy, and were in full hopes of a most successful journey when thpy were overtaken at Mangapurua, 7"> miles from Wanganui, by a large party of natives in 14 big canoes The natives, about 150 in number, were on their way to i aumaranui, and had been passed by the party whilst they were encamped on the bank earlier in the day. fc-'ome conversation took place at the first meeting, when the natives told them they did not wish them to continue. However, little notice was taken of ths matter until they were overtaken by the canoes a few hours later. They were surrounded by the Maoris and warned by Te Kere, a native " prophet," that they must not proceed one step past a line marked by him. A long discussion ensued, but the small Wanganui party were told that if they Went a foot further they would be bound and thrown into the river and their goods would be confiscated. " But the river is the Queen's highway," said Mr Martin. " No," an swered Te Kere, " the Queen's highway ends at Pipiriki," and he would not budge from the position he had taken up. Afterwards- when the natives had landed a short distance further on, the party's two native guides went to make an attempt to persuade the obstructionists to give them no further interruption, but it was in vain, and they were finally obliged to turn round and make their way back to Pipiviki.