THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5688, 23 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.! Hawera, Saturday

ISTo Maoris have yet returned from P.trihTxa, It is rumored that they are on their way to plough laud here. The settlers are determiued to cart them back if they attempt it. It is also rumored that the Coast Road has beeu stopped, and that Titokowaru has been detained by Te Whiti.

The Maoris still persist in saving that there will be no fighting, but at the same time they are willing to give a very large price for powder. A lot of natives have been ploughing here all day iu the most cool and unconcerned manner. They say they will come and plough again to-morrow, and that afterwards they will plough at Paten. The settlers say that they will turn them off. Okato, Saturday. The meeting at Paribaka is now over. It has been the largest hitherto held. Te Whiti and Tohu have instructed their people not to shed blood, but to scatter themselves over the country, and plough all lands found vacant. A messenger is now here from Sir George Grey with letters, the purport of which is unknown. The natives are obstinate and firmer, and believe iu Te Whiti more than ever. Many new houses have been erected, and the settlement is increasing considerably. SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE HAWERA SETTLERS. We are indebted to the Government for a copy of the following telegrams, which have passed between the settlers and Sir George Grey, and also between Major Brown and the Premier ; TELEGRAM FROM THE SETTLERS TO SIR GEORGE GREY. “ Haweka, June 21. “To the Premier, Wellington. “ The settlers are very much excited, and talk of turning the Maoris off to-morrow. The settlers meet here at 10 am. Please have the telegraph wire kept open for committee. “ Thos. Middlemas, “ Chairman of Committee.” TELEGRAM FROM MAJOR BROWN TO THE PREMIER, WELLINGTON. “Haweba, June 21. “ I have been asked to attend a public meeting. The settlers are very excited, and are determined to take some action. I think they will either oppose the natives entering on the lands of the settlers, or cart the ploughmen and their ploughs across the Waingongoro. There were fifteen men and two ploughs at work on Livingstone’s land to-day. Some of the natives there have warrants out against them for theft and ether offences I recommend that these warrants be executed. There are reports that the natives threaten to plough nearer Hawera and Mopokoia. “ C. Brown, “ Civil Commissioner.” TELEGRAM PROM SIR (?EORGE GREY TO MAJOR BROWN. “ Wellington, June 22. “ Thank Mr. Middlemas for telegram to me. Am sorry to hear that the settlers are excited. This is unnece-'sary, for I understand there are men of singular courage and determination amongst them. Anything done under excitement, in times of disturbance, is badly done, and something takes place which always leaves reason for lasting regret. I believe also there is such strength at Hawera that the place can protect itself against any immediate danger without difficulty. Had I been able to travel I would at once have gone up there. From ignorance of any circumstances, I cannot now pretend to give complete directions to those on the spot. Much responsibility must, therefore, rest upon the authorities there ; but the best interpretation shall be put upon all they do. I understand there are warrants out against some of the natives ploughing, for theft and other offences. It must rest with the authorities on the spot to determine whether their strength, at Hawera, and other circumstances, 'render it prudent to execute these warrants, and whether it is most advisable to do that, or simply prevent the natives from going on the land, or to warn them off the land ; and if they do not go, to move them and their ploughs without insult, and quietly, from the land. I have no doubt that your own judgment will, with the full knowledge that you have of all the circumstances, point out what is the best course for you to take. But you should let the settlers understand that the great thing is to bring on no unnecessary disturbances, and that measures will be taken to secure the permanent peace of the country ; and that if this cau bo done without bloodshed, and the evils which follow from an unnecessary war, all wo can desire will be gained. —Some of the natives represent that what they are doing is only to call attention to wrongs which they state they have for years suffered in reference to lands promised them as compensation. Others undoubtedly are doing it under the orders of a fanatic, and there is no telling to what length the fanaticism will proceed. This is no new thing. Nearly similar circumstances took place in the County of Kent in my youth, and resulted in much loss of life. “You should let them understand that there are no negotiations whatever going on with Te Whiti, and that we are quite free to take any course we think necessary ; that they may rely that everything possible shall be done to secure their safety ; and that I feel sure they will ant with calmness, with a view to their own welfare, and to the good of the colony generally. “ The wire will be kept open all day, so that the settlers may keep me advised as to matters.” “ G. Grey.” FROM MAJOR BROWN TO SIR GEORGE GREY. “Hawera, June 22, 10.30 a.m. “To the Premier, Wellington. “ The settlers have removed the ploughmen and their teams and carts from Livingstone's to the other side of the Waingongoro Eiver, with only a slight tussle with one of them. The natives, say that they will come back. “C. Brown, “ Civil Commissioner.”

“ Hawera, June 22, 2.15 p.m. “To the Premier, Wellington. “ The report that the natives were ploughing at Normanby is incorrect. The ploughmen, carts, and teams that were moved across the Waingongoro River were increased in number to about 50, and then the natives dispersed. The settlers used no more force than was necessary for their removal. The warrants, I think, had better not be executed yet against the ploughmen guilty of theft, &c.,

“ 0. Brown, “ Civil Commissioner.”