THE WAIMATE PLAINS AFFAIR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 928, 7 April 1879, Page 2

THE WAIMATE PLAINS AFFAIR.

We have been favoured by the following extract from a private letter, from a resident near the Waimate Plains to his brother in this town. The views therein expressed may be accepted as those of the majority of the settlers in the North Island, who have a particular interest in native matters. After referring to the late Rifle Association matches in Timaru, he says :—" Te Whiti is said to be a man of very great natural talents. Ho is the best orator in the Colony, native or pakeha. He can (and has frequently) spoken for many hours at a time oh native affairs. It is said that he worsted Sheehan on every point raised. He is not the chief of the tribe who reside at Parihaka —Paul is the name of the chief—but Te Whiti has taken the power out of his hands

Tiy his s].'undid oratory. All the natives for miles round look on Te Whiti as their god. At his instigation they have driven the surveyors from the Waimate Plains, and called Mr. Sheehan a liar and a thief to his face. A telegram (private) received in town to-night,: informs us that the Maoris are very much excited, and .have cast off their European apparel, and are now dressing themselves in flax (undressed). That is considered'by those who pretend to know as a very bad sign. Some time ago they openly conversed," and even told Europeans that the fighting would probably begin about the end of March. Many who are acquainted with Maori ways consider it all bounce, but when we consider that Te Whiti has about 800 fighting men under his control, together with the famous Tito Kowaru, all usedto bush work, I think that their threats and hints are not altogether to be disregarded. The Waimate is only twentyseven miles from here, and, should anything come of it, off we go in the Militia —not to the Colonial Prize-firing, but to the Colonial Native-shooting. I hope it may not come to that ; but, believe me, things are looking very " dickie" at present." __^^_