NATIVE AFFAIRS IN TARANAKI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 980, 10 June 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS IN TARANAKI.

Hawera, June 9. A large meeting of settlers was held on Saturday. Major Noake said lie would issue rifles -> any settlers joining the Defence Force. ■"iierday morning, upwards of 100 horser en were armed, and a company formed <,2 horse. There are now upwards of 200 armed and determined men at Hawera. Many others are still joining. The Government seem equal'to any emergency. The settlers are- determined to abandon the district in the event of .disturbances. Vigorous patrols will scour the country. Greater confidence now prevails. The Maoris are still going to Parihaka at all hours, taking flour and other provisions. Yesterday Katene rode through the main street, and inspected our men when receiving arms. He seemed scared at seeing so many. He rode on withoutstopping. Every effort should be made to" ol>:ain Sniders, seeing the present danger of the district. The Southern Volunteers, as Englishmen, should not want asking to give up theirs, when their countrymen are in absolute want of them. We know the natives are armed with hundreds of Sniders. Normanby has also a substantial defence force, who are also armed. New Plymouth, June 9. The Government are losing no time in sending a defence for Taranaki. Another detachment: of Armed • Constabulary arrived yesterday, and several more are to arrive. A small detachment of ten men were advanced to Tafcaramaka on Sunday morning,- and about seventy were'sent to Takura this morning. Opunake will be reinforced in a day or two. Nearly all the Volunteers have been supplied with arms, and are now being drilled. There are, between Normanby, and- Hawera, ISO infantry and 90 cavalry. In a night over 100 were enrolled.