WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 280, 24 November 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[From ear own Correspondent.] (By Telegraph.)

Mr Rollestcia left by the Penguif this evening for the South to visit his Avon constituents. Mr Johnston goes away in a day ? l r^°u f V ßimilar^ Urpoae - Itis rumored that the Premier will not return to Wellington till after tho election. Mr Oliver, therefore, will, be in sole charge of all the departments of Government. The well known chief Wi Parata who was so very prominent lately in Parihaka affairs, came into town today to seek a personal interview with His Excellency the Governor and lay the case of the aatives before him and ask his advice. He was to have been accompanied, I understand, by Mr Stout aa legal adviser, but tho latter was engaged in the Court of Appeal in the Brogden case. Wi Parata, however, went to Government House this afternoon and was admitted to a personal interview with Sir Arthur Gordon who received him with tfee utmost courtesy and consideration

Wi Parata pleaded the case of the natives with great earnestness and zeal, urging their peaceful behaviour and intention, and contending that the Government had acted arbitrarily and illegally towards them. He farther besought the Governor to advise him wbat he and the rest of the natives ought to d.o under the circumstances. Sir A. Gordon listened with marked attention, and expressed deep regret at the difficulties which had arisen, hut pointed out his own inability to act in the matter excepting by the advice of his Ministers. Sir A. Gordon further explained that it would not be proper for him to offer any advice to the natives under the present circumstances, but that it was his duty to refer, them to his responsible advisers. Wi Parata accordingly withdrew. Such is the account given to me of this interesting incident in the present native crisis on authority which I have every reason to believe unexceptionable. I hear further that Wi Parata is very anxious to secure Mr Stout as counsel for Te Whiti on hia trial, but that, owing to the persistent rejection by the latter of all legal assistance, Mr Stout does not see his Way to act* as it would be rather awkward for the leading counsel for the defence to be repudiated by his own client. I hear that many of the natives lielonging to the district lying south of Manawatu who were among those expellod by Mr tiryce from Parihaka have expressed their entire satisfaction at the coarse the Government have taken, because they were very glad to have Te Whiti suppreiaed, as, though th«y dared not disobey him, they found him aid hii " fads," and the moathly Parihaka meeting a sad nuisance, not to say a very expensive one. There la ev»ry reason to anticipate that a very short time will see T« Whiti disowned ani comparatively forgotten by his erstwhile deluded followers. "'■ •