LATEST FROM THE FRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 261, 2 November 1881, Page 2

LATEST FROM THE FRONT

I (From our Special Correspondents.) J OrbfrikS, Tuesday 10 10 am. [Received at 5.46 p.m.] A large meeting was held at Paritnka yeaterday at which about 1500 msa and women aitecded. Te Wbiti nndTohu spoke for about thrrs coiirs acd both recommended peace. Te Whiti said the day of attack would ba the salvation of the people. The object of the meeting was to gather the people of Parihaka together at Paribaka so that they might, not bs toolsstf <1 Xc saL-i that Abal was not killed like a, man,- but like » V\g, aud if tbe,y restated they would be killed Vma pigs., AU. the men, women nud children were to assemble on the " marae" when the troops advanced; if any became frightened &nd rushed for their guns t'aey bad better shoot themselves- if any ian into the bush they would be lost; there was notbiug to fear for they could not be arrested. The visitors were treated very civilly and food was prepared for them. \ The Nelson contingent arrived at Kahotu yesterday, having left the six-pounder Armstrong at Puogarehu. The Wellington Navals marohed this morning for Rahotu. They hare improved very much .since they came up. The Constabulary at Pangarehu are beicg knocked into shape and are getting a knowledge of the country. Rahotu, Tuesday 12 30 p.m. [Received at 8 50 p m ] There are 187 Nelson Volunteers in camp, and two detachments left at Pungarehu with the six-pounder gun. All hands are resting to-day, cleaning arms and settling down. Eighty Wellington Navals arrived here tod*y. It is rumored that the Nelson men are to return to Pungarehu at the end of the week, but no orders have been yet received^ They have been at skirmishing drill all the afternoon. Everything is Very ijuifiJi; All the men are in good health and spirits, and their conduct is excellent. - MsjorGoring ia in command. . - t . - • Opukake, Tuesday, 1 45 p fa. [Received Wednesday 12-45 a.m.] The Stella haß arrived, atiii after having landed 50 officers and men from Canterbury, proceeded t0.., Wellington at IJL6p t The b.s! MaDawatu from Wahganui landed 168 of~all ranks from the Waugannf sndj Rangitifcei districts. Captains Watt an.d.JXetihbriu'ge are in cemmand of the latter, Captain Hammersley being in charge of the Canterbury men. Major Noake arrived to night. The arrangements for -forwarding troops' and stores are efficiently carried out by Captain Taylor, A; C;, and Mr 3. C. Andereo'n, Defence storekeeper. Since leaving Parihaka at 4 p m. yesterday, I learn thai; Te Whiti has told the people to return to tfaeir settle .mepts if they choose, and Borne have done bo ! whilst others remain at Parihaka. . Th« Hinemoa is just sighted irom Manukau, baviog put into New Plymouth ttf obtain information regarding the weather here. The lluia is not yet in sight with the balance of tho Canterbury nSeri^ * ; O.ttjnaxe, Wednesday 9 a.m. The Hinemoa landed the Thames Volunteers last night, and the Huia arrived about 6 pm with those from Canterbury, the two steamers landing 333 men. Unfortunately rain began in the- afternoon, and the Canterbury .men looked in for a wetting} but the weather cleared before night. Mr S. C. Anderson secured the large unfinished hotel for the Thames Navals as. the tents from Canterbury by the Huia did hot arrive 1 until late. Altogether, every exertion was made by the' Defence Storekeeper and Captain Taylor A.C, to make the best of the difficulty. In the case of a demand like the present, the staff at fchb port of landing is insufficient, for it is quite one officer's duty to attend to the quartermaster's department. The Thames and Canterbury contingents march to-day for Rahotu. The officers of the Thames and Wanganui Volunteers naturally grumble about the want of equipment on arrival. Some corps '.have been furnished with camp necessaries before leaving, but the Wellington, Nelson, Thames and Wangauui corps have arrived unprovided for. Surely some officer m Wellington could, by looking at the store book, fiud out how many requisite articles were available at Opunake for the number of men sent up. . [From a Correspondent.] Rahotd, Wednesday, bince the fceleon Volunteers landed they have only received one blanket each. The othar clothing promised has not been given. Many of the tents in which we are camped have holes in thtm, and there h a good «eal of dissatisfaction accordingly.