NATIVE AFFAIRS IN TARANAKI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 974, 3 June 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS IN TARANAKI.

New Plymouth, June 2.

The tribe to which Kereopa belongs have held a meeting concerning liis late threatening conduct to Europeans. The excuse Kereopa made ivas that he was incited by Parihaka influence. The natives condemn his conduct. Colonel Whitinore, accompanied by Dr. O'Carroll, visited Okato yesterday, and interviewed the settlers there. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Syme went with the party over the block house, and afterwards had a long conference with Colonel Whitmore, who told them that the Government would do its utmost to protect the settlers in case of an outbreak, A Volunteer corps is being formed at Waitara, The Okato settlers will hold u meeting to-morrow evening, for the purpose of considering their position with regard to the natives, and to make arrangements for forming a Volunteer oorps. Major Atkinson has been requested to be present.

A large public meeting was convened by the Mayor .at the Oddfellows' Hall this morning, to discuss Saturday's interview with the Premier and Colonel Whitmore. The Mayor, presiding, expressed the general feeling of dissatipfftctioji with Ministers, who had not made promises likely to lead to a settlement of the difficulty, and there was an impression that it was desirable to go to the Governor direct, He said that Volunteer corps ware being formed in the principal out-settloments, and he urged the formation of one more. Major Atkinson confessed he was not satisfied with the promises of the Ministers. He asked tho peoplo to put aside political feeling for once, and act as colonists in the emergency. Let them wait a few daj's longer ; then, if necessary, they could meet and express their views more decidedly. Mr. H. Richmond, without wishing to cause undue fear or create a panic, said the situation was so critical that- atrocities at any niomgnt might be committed which would plunge the country iijifco war. I 7 ' ll n. motion \jrOV6rilTO.6nt tp put tlig district in a complete state of defence, and the natives to be given to understand that their settlements would at once be destroyed if they attempt ar y violence ; by which he meant that natives could be brought from other parts to fight them.

Mr. Standish, in seconding the motion, said that while hoping that war might be averted, he urged being prepared for any emergen ey. Col. Trimble believed that trouble was inevitable, but should Jet the responsibility rest with the Ojovernment. ' The place greatly required tp be strengthened with arms and men. The Government had recognised the gravity of the position. Matters were f,q be combated in a practical and political spirit, Many influential residents of the put districts spoke in of imminent hostilities, and mentioned the anxiety of the gountry people, who were in fear of being murdered in their beds, The resolution agreed to was presented to the Premier by the deputation in the afternoon. He promised to send extra force, and to consider affairs without delay. He also refered to threatening telegrams which had been sent him. A large number of those in the room, headed by the Mayor, enrolled themselves as Volunreers.