THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 159, 5 July 1879, Page 4

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

The Wiatara correspondent of the Pott telegraphed at the end of last week: —Native affairs wear a w*orse appearanoe every day and cannot go on like this many dsys longer. The natives, who have hitherto confined their aggression to the sooth of New Plymouth, have at last commenced in this district. Yesterday a party of natives under a man named Katene, commenced to plooghop Mr F; Baytey** Hand fat Fokearoke, within a few miles of the Armed Constabulary station there and about 14 miles from Waitara. They state that it is their intention to plough op land at Ureuui and Tikorangi in a day or two, and they have already driven oft* cattle from a few farmß, and have warned one family off. One settler who has been threatened declares that if the Maoris go upon bis land he will shoot their bullocks, and if they still persist, he will shoot the men. He is one of those who suffered, without receiving any compensation, in the last war, and will not see himself again ruined without striking • blow. ( Last night, when the Waitara Volunteers (who number 60 besides the specials numbering 40) were at drill, Captain Elliott asked who would volunteer to turn natives off Mr Bayley's land in case.lt was fbohcP politic to do ro.an* the whole- company stepped forward and offered their services with great enthusiasm. There is not the lesst doubt that when affairs do come to a crisis, the volunteers in the province will prove themselves good men and true, and will nerform what is required of them willingly aod ably. We number about 1400 volunteers now in the disaffected districts from Urenoi to Wangaool. The men 'appointed by Te Whiti to superintend the ploughing in this district are Katene Pitoma and old Te Patq, The latter is one of Te Whiti's most enthusiastic agents, and is the same chief who was so conspicuous in the tangi at the Waitara meeting last year. His headquarters are Manukorihi Pab, on the north side of the river, and right in the township of Waitara. The pah is on a cliff, from whence, in the event of fighting, the natives can command the whole township. There * are sometimes 60 and 70 men in this pab, who are very sulky. It is hard w say whether they are all armed, although all means have been tried by various people to find out. The people are indignant that the Government will not grant permission to build a block, house between the pah and the edge of the cliff, where there is ample room. The building woold be built by volunteer labor if the Government would grant permission and find tbe timber. As it is, the towns people can feel 1 no security until this is done. There has been a great deal said about the Maoris not wanting to fight. If questioned,- they all say "no fight ;" bat it is strange that they will offer almost any price for powder or arms. Another mistake made by the people Booth, is the idea that the Maoris have no arms or ammunition at Parihaka. It is well-knowti that there is scarcely, a Maori -who visits Parihaka who has" not' arms there. Until recently you coold scarcely enter a whareat Parihaka without seeing one or more guns hanging up, and I have heard it stated by Maoris themselverthat when Hiroki went there first be used to sleep with loaded guns and even revolvers within^ hia'tfaeh. ( Tbere- is » well-founded belief that Te Whiti has a stronghold* or magazine behind Parihaka, surrounded by bush, and that his having sent all his arms, etc. there, .accounts for the absence of any warlike, preparation* at Parihaka. Thus far, the Maoris have been under the impression that the pakehas would be removed' by supernatural power ; bus when they gee ua still here aod confident, they are not the people to acknowledge themeeftes beaten, and they certainly will not* give in without a struggle. ItisratW strange that at first Te Whiti said the pakehas would go without objection, and there would be no bloodshed ; but now, when things look more- serious, be tells them they are to go on in spite of all, and- that " the ballets of the pakeha will go first one side of them, and then the other." The commercial depression in tbe district can scarcely be credited by those in other parts of the colony, but it is a fact that all business is at a> stand-still. Buildings m conrse/.-of erection are left unfinished; intending settlers go farther on, aqif thousands of pounds' worth of 1 orders are countermanded in consequence of the uncertain state of affaire • '