NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 971, 30 May 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

llaweih, May 29. Everything is quiet in Maori matters here. The natives seem somewhat strange in their manner, and very few are about. They aru still congregating at Parihaka, from various northern settlements. The settlers hope matters may yet bo peaceably arranged, although the prospect is darker. They almost unanimously desire to be armed by the Government. They are adverse to creating any undue excitement. The Waiki redoubt is now utterly useless as a means of protection, the settlers bein" about a mile oil the main road, and alVords no protection to either Ila-.vera or Normanby. There are feusettlers around it, and it should at once be removed to a move suitable place, as it is j erfect madness sending men there to defend the district. The present position should immediately be abandoned, and two small redoubts erected, one on the main road between liawera and Waingongoi'o bridge, the other between Normanby and the plains. Welhsgton, May 29.

The Post to-night says that an Agency telcgr.un which it published recently, to the efiuct that Mr. M'Millan has left Mokau with his family, and given up all dca of settling there, is calculated to give an incorrect impression, there being no hostility whatever in the attitude of the natives in the Mokau district. Messrs. •Jones and M'Millan havo for some years past been endeavoring, with the approval of Government, to open Mokau to Eux-o-neans, and Mr. M'Millan has been living there with his family. The reasoj.-.for his now leaving is that his partner, Mr. J ones, has purchased his interest for a considerable sum of money, and not that he despairs of success in the objoct of their efforts. New Plymouth, May 29. The Maori trespassers still continue their plouging operations on Mr. Courtney's farm at Tapuai. They commence at 3 o'clock of a morning, and take the ploughs away with them every evening when tliGy leave. A family recently residing at Omata were so dissatisfied with (he aspect of affairs, that they have quietly left the district, and left for Canterbury by steamer this morning. The natives have no ill-feeling towards settlers, but it is the Government they wish to have an understanding with. They have no desire to light, but having thrown down the gauntlet, it is for the (government to settle the matter.

The Herald tliis evening says no portion of New Zealand received more checks to its progress than Tai'anaki, and we suppose we may expect this drawback to continue so long as a native race antagonistic to us continue amongst U3. The little episode of the native" kopua during the past war has caused the "business of the town to become almost stagnant, besides being the ostensible cause of several intending settlers leaving the place. What district can expect to progress under such disadvantages ; but there is a limit to everything and if the natives have made up their minds for another brush with us, and from their sullen looks and bounceable attitude, they appear to be doing their best to make the settlers break the peace, then let the riuestion be settled at once and for ever, for it is no good trying to push the district ahead while a few natives can at any time, by their lawlessness, throw it years back again in its progress. If the natives are likely to continue to annoy and disturb our peaceful mode of living, then we feel sure that there is not a jnan in the place who would not rise to the occasion, and once more" fry the question with the natives as to which is the stronger. If it should come to that—and we sincerely hope that the Maoris will not drive us to it—but if it should come to fighting, then we have very little hesitation in saying that the struggle will be a short one, and after, this district will never mare receive a check to its progress from the same cause. There are a number of pakeha Maoris who are telling the Maoris things that will tend to make them fight. The whole district is in a thoroughly unsettled state. Mr. Paras has returned from Parihaka. Nothing further has transpired in native affoirs. The Maoris are still

ploughing away at Mr. Courtney's paddock. The Volunteers turned out and were on guard during the night. May 30. Mr. Parris has returned from Parihaka, where he has seen Te Wniti. The chief does not deny that he has sanctioned what has been done, but says <it is not against the settlers, but the Government, that action has been taken, as they want to try the question. He has issued the orders so as to bring the Government to book. They haye-made a claim for the confiscated 'land, and intend to stand by it.