NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 998, 1 July 1879, Page 2

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Wellington, June 30. Of the seventeen natives arrested at Oakaura, two were boys, and the Native Minister has ordered their release. Full instructions as to the prosecution of the others have been sent by the law officers here to the Crown Prosecutor at New Plymouth, and they are expected to bd committed for trial to-morrow, and wil! immediately be removed to Wellingron. The application from the gaol authorities at New Plymouth for increased accommodation is to be declined, as the prisoners are not to remain. Major Tuke and Mr. Parris have left with a sufficient force to arrest the natives ploughing north of the "VYaitara, where ten teams are at work. It is expected that the ploughing operations will be resumed on Mr. Livingstone's land, and at Hawera, but every preparation is to be made to board and lodge the plough men at Her Majesty's espouse for some time. A friendly chief has of late been to Oakaura to report on the sta.Co of affairs there.

The Government have received the following telegram. '•* Opunake, June 29. Ten unarmed natives recommenced ploughing to-day on Government land, at Te Minu, near Opunake. They">,eve turned off three times by the Armed Constabulary, under Major Goring, and told that if they came again they would be arrested. They did so, and the Chief ISTgamari was taken into custody, and is now lodged in the guard teufc at Opunake. Hew Plymouth, June 30.

The Herald's Carlyle correspondent telegraphs that it was reported yesterday that sixty Maori ploughmen had passed Opunake on Saturday, for Maivewhiti. They have been commissioned by Te Whiti to continue the ploughing on the south side of the Waingongoro. It is reported in town that the natives between Opunake and Parihaka are very sullen, and are arming themselves. The natives arrested for ploughing on Mr. Courtney's land are to be brought before the 11. M. to-morrow morning, under the Malicious Damage to Properties Act, 1867, and tried. If they are convicted they will be sent to another part of the Colony to serve their sentences.

The men arc divided into two sections in the gaol, and are separated from the other prisoners. The young men do not .seem to mind the punishment, but tho old natives are very sullen. One of the young natives, when asked what he thought of his position, laughingly replied, "Me expected to be taken up tlic iirst me ploughed." An old native said, " We are only the branches ; we are following Te Whiti's orders. Why cjp you not take the trunk of the tree V To this remark of the old native the Government answer that they intern! to lop the branches first, and to take the trunk afterwards. Hawcka, June 30. A number of natives—about 100—arrived at Waingongoro to-day, ostensibly to tangi over a dead chief. It is reported that they intend ploughing at Livings!,mr - "** j and Normanby to-morrow (31onday)> * They have ten pairs of bullocks with them. I The natives who were turned oil' at Opntiake made no resistance to the arrest of Ngamari. This chief has on several occasions ordered the settlers off at Opmmke, and has been in many other respects troublesome. Instructions of the most peremptory character have been issued along the East Coast from White Cliffs to Wanganui, to arrest and imprison all Maoris found ploughing upon European lands. llewi lias telegraphed to the Native Minister contradicting categorically all statements appearing in the papers that he has been sympathising with Te Whiti and his people. Tho action said to have been taken in the case of Mokau by members of tho tribe of Te Wire is unauthorised, and ho has been telegraphed to in a most peremptory manner to stay further proceedings, and to explain why he lias even dared to go so far north. In the telegrams Rewi especially states that he is on the Government side, and will countenance no action which may be taken by any person against law or order. The conclusion of his message to the Hon. the Native Minister is as follows : " Be strong, and prevent the trouble from coming." Mr. Parris wires also that ho had heard from reliable sources that To Whiti was about to withdraw his ploughing parties in a few days. The Government have replied to Mr. Parris that they cannot afford to wait Te Whiti's convenience, and the instructions given re the arrest of trespassers are to be carried into elfect forthwith. Information has also been received by the Government to the effect that Te Whiti disclaims any connection with the ploughing at Livingstone and the Waingongoro. The Government have replied that it is of no consequence from whom come the instructions ; the persons concerned therein are law-breakers, and ■ the orders previously given for the arrest of all persons engaged are directed to be rigorously enforced.