NATIVE TROUBLES IN THE NORTH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1202, 23 February 1880, Page 2

NATIVE TROUBLES IN THE NORTH.

«, Wanganui, February 21. Native matters at Murimotu are unsettled. Major Kemp openly boasts that he has done with the Government, and threatens to burn Mr. Moorhouse's homestead and turn off the sheep. He prevents wool being packed to Napier. Kemp's influence between Wanganuiand Taupo is now paramount, solely on account of his hostility to the whites. All the settle-, ments on the lower river are deserted ;by the males, who have goone either to. Parihaka or Murimotu. Kemp has sent his gun to Tawhiao as a present, His attitude is most bounceable, and he is rousing up a foiling nf hostility against the whites;: The dispute re boundary is now saii3,:ou good authority, to be a blind. Public feeling'is very*'strong here" that Kemip's pay as Government, officer should at once •cease,, and that -he should be, called upon to answer for his seditious conduct,/ Old residents, on .the. river- sfiy .tfeejr do liot life# to notice tHe ' wide'breach n"6w between the natives and; pakehas,- . : The, Jatest .particulars, from state that 'a"disturbance "hais arisen: in consequence; ofthe .Nga Te /Whiti Tuho. taking money 'find permitting sheep to .which,Kemp: alleges they have - no. title. Th'e Nga.Te Whiti have 150 "meii" 4 af; Waipura, "headed [by Karatiana and-Hapatarfi.. JSomp has 80 men. . . . \ " i ■

The "story that 'Kfemji' sent his gun to Tawhiao.is jiot- true.,.;nThis is how it cime about—Hbhepaj Keiohgiiig to a section of the Arawa, hearing that a disturbance was imminent, .parjie co ~ Wgipuna find paid .there" musY Le no aiid! gave, up his gun. ' r; ''" ' -' :: •' '• .'R* ; : ;>,.v ; The Herald.goes intp theimatter at great length:, showiug.jthat the .whole,affair; lias, arisen from speculators occupying the land for which they have no title. Kemp's action is Explained, and it is ascertained that he is only, maintaining the rights, of his, in" question is still" under proclamation and that a arisgp from/ffre Government encouraging private specuV lators—Sfcudholme, Morrin, and Co.—to negotiate direct with the natives. Napier, February 23.,

Mr. Mills arrived in town on Saturday, and reported to the police that the Wan-: ganui natives had shot a number of sheep at Murimotu belonging to Mr. Moorhouse, and had threatened to burn down the homestead, He slated that the whole of the hands had left the station owing to the threats made by the natives, and that, he was the last to leave. Murimotu is.in the Wanganui Police District, and. 110 action can therefore be taken by Inspector; Scully in the matter. Topea, the ; head chief' of the Taupo Maoris, liyeg at present in Napier. Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the natives, Mr. Neville Walker is just about to drive 4000 sheep on to the land immediately adjoining that of Mr. Moorhouse. The Tahorite natives have given Mr. M'jVlaßtev notice to* leayehis run, which he leases from them, within a week, under threats of violence if he refuses to comply with their demands. Mr. M'Master is now in town, and has reported the matter to the proper authorities. Even the rifle butts seem to be an offence in the eyes of the Maoris. They have removed some of the sand bags and other accessories, and doubtless they will next carry off the targets for private rifle practice by themselves. Major Boutledge lias reported the matter to the Government, and awaits instructions before taking any action in the matter. j