AFFAIRS AT PARIHAKA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 39, 21 March 1883, Page 2

AFFAIRS AT PARIHAKA.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) New Plymouth, March. 20. It was expected that the natives would again endeavour to assemble at Parihaka for the purpose of holding a meeting on tha return of Te Whiti, and on Saturday last, the day on which the great native meetings have been held at Parihaka. for years past, the Constabulary were on the alert to prevent the arrival of fresh natives to the pah. Additional sentries were posted at Parihaka on Friday night, m order to stop any attempt on the part of strange natives to enter the settlement. It was known that some natives were on their way from Wanganui and Waitotara to see Te Whiti, but these natives did not come farther than the Titokowarn settlement, no doubt being 1 stopped m proceeding farther by messengers which Te Whiti had sent, warning the natives not to visit Parihaka just now, or there would be trouble. The natives m the pah did not hold a meeting on Saturday, and there was no demonstration of any kind emong them; nor was any desire shown to revive the semi-political meetings of the past 1 , The Taranaki Herald says it has it from reliable authority that Te Whiti told his people not to hold a meeting, as they were still m the hands of tb.B Government. All they wereto do was to wriit patiently until the fulness of the time had arrived , when his predictions would be fulfilled. The natives are thus quietly waiting for they know hot what. They can give no idea of what they expect to occur, only they say Te Whiti has told them to wait. It is quite clear that all ideas of resisting the Europeans have vanished, and the natives are quite content to accept the course of events. I The natives say Te Whiti has been spoiled since he went to Nelson . The food at Parihaka does not suit him, and he insists upon having butter with hi 3 bread, a luxury which he never dreamt of before. Another luxury which he now indulges m is a scent-bottle, and be inhales the perfume for the purpose ot curing headache. The natives consider he has changed very much, and become " all the same as the Pakeha." Since Te Whiti s return, the Maoris have been clearing away all the rubbish which has been allowed to accumulate iv the settlement, and the aspect of the place lias been greatly changed for the better. They are very- kind to visitors, and Te Whiti and Tohu show particular attention to Europeans. Te Whiti states that he has no reason to complain of the treatment which he received when m the South Island, but on the contrary, he was pery hospitably entertained. He certainly does not look upon his forced residence m Nelson as an imprisonment or even as a banishment.