IMPORTANT NATIVE NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 991, 23 June 1879, Page 2

IMPORTANT NATIVE NEWS.

Haweea. June 21. Two teams with ploughs are on Mr. Livingstone's land, guarded by fifteen Maoris, and are ploughing up the lawn in front of the house. The Maoris who have returned from Parihata seem more infatuated with the supernatural assumption of Te Whiti. They intend to push on ploughing operations in this district. The settlers may expect to hear of Maori ploughmen in their paddocks at any moment. They are not to be at 311 alarmed, if the}' do so. They intend to use no force, and no white man will be harmed. All the Maoris who do not acknowledge the divine right of Te Whiti to rule are outlawed. The settlers are pot alarmed, bu£ they wpuld like to see the movements stopped. I hear from good authority that' the Maoris haye,

bullocks and ploughs at Kaupokonui, ready for work, to proceed from Parihaka. Tito Kowaru and other leading men have remained at Parihaka to attend the Cabinet Council, which is usually held, and which is attended only by chiefs of note. As a rule the common Maoris do not know what' is done in the Council. Te "Whiti talks parables at the meeting, and then consults his leading men afterwards. He does not act merely on his own judgment, but is guided in a great measure by some of the cleverest brains amongst the New Zealand Maoris. He has got hold of the Supreme Court idea of Sir G. Grey, confusing him with the Governor. He says the Governor says the most we can do with them for ploughing up the land is to sue them for trespass, and that the land is theirs, while we are interlopers. The settlers intend taking prompt action to-morrow. At 12 o'clock they will move the Maoris gently but firmly from Mr. Livingstone's lawn. Much impudence will not be brooked. If the Government cannot break Te "VVhiti's mana the settlers will do so. I have just returned from inspecting the ploughing operations of the natives. They are very civil and jocular. They have finished operations for to-day on Mr. Livingstone's land. Additional ploughs will be set at work to-morrow, probably at M'Lean's, and also at Mokaia between this and Carlyle. Te Monu, the outlaw, is amongst the ploughmen. They are cool, and bring a lot of fellows, and say they will plough in Hawcra soon, and then take our house from us. They have left their drays and ploughs on Mr. Livingstone's lawn, which is now in a dreadful mess. Many settlers are for taking the law into their own hands. June 23.

The Government having failed to answer the telegram of last night affirming their ultimatum, or of the settlers taking action, this morning they, in a small body which soon inreased, commenced the work of breaking Te Whiti's mana. The ploughing was stopped by our fellows. The bullocks were yoked in the drays and the ploughs placed in the carts, during which time the Maoris tried in vain to obstruct the work by simply pushing and wrestling. We, too, pushed and generally wrestled until the ploughs and bullocks were secured. Then, when driving the teams, the Maoris again obstructed them, and the wrestling and gentle treatment were repeated on our part. When once underweigh the Maoris proceeded along quietly. Every settler there was in favor of action, although some would have liked to give the Government a day longer to think over their blunt offer. Others have no faith in Government promises. The opinion of those acquainted with Maori character is that this was the only chance of staying hostilities. The fanatics had formerly made up their minds to go on from step to step until they turned us out of house and home, and so things were drifting. These beautiful districts would have been a deserted wilderness. To coolly look upon a set of fanatics hacking a settler's barn was more than the blood of Hawera could stand. The settlers are exasperated, and well they may be, and are determined to make any sacrifice and assert their nationality, and stay the fanatics. We will hold our own on this side of the river. The Maoris say they will come back again. If they do they will again be removed. Everything was done in good humor by the settlers. No arms were taken out or shown, although, if it comes to fighting, surely the Southerners will send us their Suiders. If the Government are short of arms and ammunition, they should send to Melbourne for plenty of Martini-Henrys, which could be brought over in a few days.

Wellington, Juno 22. We have been favored by the Government with the following telegrams : —The Premier, Wellington.—The settlers are very much excited, and talk of turning the Maoris off to-morrow morning. The settlers meet here at 10 a.m. Please have wire kept open for Committee. Signed, Thomas Middlemas, Chairman of Committee. Hawera, June 21. The Premier, Wellington.—Have been asked to attend a public meeting of settlers. They are very excited, and are determined to take sovne 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 15 men and two ploughs at work on Mr. Livingstone's land to-day. Some of the natives there have warrants out against them for theft and other offences. I recommend these w- ants to be executed, There are repoi.s that the natives threaten to' plough nearer Hawera ard Makoia.—C. Brown. Wellington, June 22. " Major Brown, Hawera.—Thank Mr. Middlemas for his telegram to me. lam sorry to hear the settlers are excited. This is unnecessary, 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 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 strengthatHaweraandother circumstances render itprudentto execute these warrants, and whether it is most advisable to do that or simply to prevent the natives from going on the land, or to warn them off it. If they do not go, 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 you have of all the circumstances, point out what is the best course for you to take; but you should let settlers understand that the great thing is to bring on no unnecessary disturbances j that measures will be taken to secure the permanent peace of the country ; and that if this can be done without bloodshed and the evils which follow from an unnecessary war, all we can desire will be gained, Some of the natives represent that what they are doing is only to call attention to the 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 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 there are no negotiations whatever going on with Te Whiti; that we are quite firm to take any course we think necessary; that they may rely that everything possible will be done to secure their safety ; and that I feel sure they will act with calmness, and with a view to their own welfare, and to the good of the Colony generally. The wires will be kept open all day, so that the settlers may keep me advised as to matters. —G. Grey. " Hawera, June 22f, 10.30 a.m.

The Premier, Wellington.—The settlers hg,ve removed the native ploughmen, teams, and carts, from Mr-, Livingstone's to the other side of the Waingongoro, with

only a slight tussle with one of the natives. The natives say they will return. C. Brown, C.C. Hawera, June 22, 2.15 p.m. The Premier, Wellington.—-The report is incorrect. The natives were ploughing at Normanby. The ploughmen, carts, and teams that were moved across the Waingongoro were increased in number to about 50, and then dispersed. The settlers use no more force than is necessary for their removal. The warrants, I think, had better not be executed yet against the ploughmen guilty of theft, &c. C. Brown, C.C.