THE WAIMATE PLAINS DIFFICULTY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue XIV, 2 April 1879, Page 2

THE WAIMATE PLAINS DIFFICULTY.

We take the following telegrams from the Ntw Zeatander of Monday i—

New Plymouth, March 29. The Carlyle correspondent to the Herald telegraphs this evening :— News has just been received here that the bulk of the natives have retired from the Plains hinds and gone to the bush, which is looked upon as ominous of their intention to fortify. The well known chief Tairoa, who was forced into fighting last war by Titokowaru, is in trouble at the present state of affairs, and is anxious to come with his people to reside at Carlyle, offering to stand on the defensive with the Europeans if required. He positively refuses to join Te Whiti or to go to Parihaka, saying he has already suffered enough by war. The feeling of the settlers here is that the Government must now tict, or give way to a Ministry who will do so. Fightiog is by no means desired, but the Plains must he held, even at the cost of a collision. The settlers appear ready to do their part, and approve of the firm attitude of the Government. If men are sent, as promised, in fair numbers, such confidence will be felt in the strength of the district tbat, if the settleia and trained men combine, it is believed tbe Maoris will re-consider before striking. The announcement that the Government has determined to organise a force of military settlers to occupy sections on the Plains is hailed with satisfaction, the time for temporising being considered past. What is considered to be strongly desired is that the Mountain-road from New Plymouth to Hawera should be occupied by armed men, to isolate the Plain natives from those inland, and as a protection to the contract parties now forming the road. The settlers are ready to stand on the defensive if furnished with arms, and if redoubts are built at all tbe centres of population and on the Plains. If vigorous measures are not promptly taken the natives .. ill not stop at the Plains, but will demand the wbole of the land down to the confiscated line. It is believed all the inland pahs are well supplied with arms, which the natives bent on fighting want. The settlers desire to be placed en a similar footing. The determination to sell the Plains land as advertised by the Government is highly approved of.

Hawera, March 29. Natives -who can be depended on say that if the surveyors are sent on the Plaius again they will be turned off, and if armed force is sent with them they will be met with armed force by the Maoris. Matters are nGt to be played with, and they had better be prepared before anything harsh is done. The settlers are unprotected, and there is not a spare rifle in the district. There is only a small Volunteer cavalry corps here. The Waihi Constabulary would bave their hands full holding their fort ;if the worst came. A Volunteer corps of stout hearted men could easily be raised, only time must be given.