THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 49, 11 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Matters are asstymingavery grave aspect on the West Co;ist. We Wm from the Wangaiiui Herald that the Natives *wumed ploughing operation* on -Mr, Courtney's farm on Mohdav,.and also seized the hay .on the ;f arm ; alsV, s'that two settlers having land m the 'Otoia-Opaka Bfock, some ten miles up the Patea River, had; been warded not>b proceed to their land. > The Natives Kid Vprevionsly been very cordial./. but/ on Saturday became vepellant, and warnedthe settlers not to proceed. '"' From/the, same tQuroe "Jv Itaictt tMi" "*a Qii Maori t^Qk

much used m the past war, runs through the Otoia-Opaka {Block, and it is supposed the Natives ars.erecting a pah there." Tins has a very ugly look, and we confess that we do not agree with those who profess to believe that the only fighting wili be that of the tongue. The Herald's *' Own," writing from Hawera, complains that the settlers who have been enrolled as Volunteers for looW defence, had been supplied with only Enfield rifles, significantly adds, " We know that the Natives aye armed with hundreds of Suidors" — a far superior weapon. Putting tliis and that together, tlie situation is anything but an agreeable subject for contemplation. The volunteering among the settlers is going on apace, and atllawera the Defence Force now numbers, including the Light Horse, upwards of 200 men. Public meetings have been held at Hawera and Carlyle. The greatest enthusiasm prevails among the settlers, who are determined not to abandon the district m the event of hostilities bemg commenced. Indications are not wanting that Nafciva disaffeelion is not confined io the West Coast. It has developed itself m the Wa.'iarapa, at Tauranga and Hawkes Bay. We may indeed come very much nearer home and say t ; iat the leaven has made itself felt m the Manawatu. Large numbers of Natives are congregating about Foxton. These are extremely bounceabla and make no secret of large pivties of them having gone up the Coast to fight the While Man. In the immediate vicinity of Palmerston a surveyor m the employ of the Government was on Monday ordered off some land on the pther side of the river, and proceeded to Foxton last night for instructions. The absence of Natives from the township during the last few days, has been the subject of general comment. In a few days, however, the Native difficulty will probably assume another phase. Te Whiti has predicted a grand upraising on the 13th June, and should the prophecy not be fulfilled the faith of his fanatical followers will be rudely shaken, and they will doubtless decline to fight under his banner.