NATIVE TROUBLE IN THE NORTH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1244, 13 April 1880, Page 2

NATIVE TROUBLE IN THE NORTH.

Na£ib»,- April 12. The Herald's Taupo correspondent tele-: graphs that the Murimotu difficulty has assumed, a new phrase, which makes it probable that Kemp and Topia will ultimately come to blows unless t}ip Gj-oyprn-fifent iriter|erp Jn time and pouf pit on the troubled waters. wis preparing to withdraw from his pah in tlje bush, in complianoe with an urgent solicitation from his friend 3 on the Wanganui river, when a letter was received from Topia Turoa (who is still at Tapuahararu, the Taupo Lake) which completely changes the complexion of this afl'air. The letter, which was addressed to the Ngatiwhiti Jfgatftafija, contained «U}cty figup^tiye language, and concluded witlj. a'p assur r ance that He would "cjome over to Muri : mptu if the flood rose high enough). The NgaMwhitj and injarid Jfgatitaßia interpret I this esprfis§iori to mpan thp old chief would filily eoine over .if the difficulty assumed a more serious oharaoter, Major Kemp, however, to whom the oontents of the letter were conveyed by another clergyman (the Rev. Henare Herakir), construed the language otherwise. The

rev. gentleman, who had come up ostensibly as a peacemaker, agreed with Kemp jhat what the writes meant by the " rising of the floods" was the assembling of the inland tribes, and that intended to come over with an " ope" at his back. The practical outcome of this was that Kemp" resolved to stay and despatched

emissaries to the : Wanganui river ! to were-wera" (or challenge according to Maori custom), the various ' friendly settlements. From nearly every village there were a few volunteers, and a contingent of 65 armed men came out to join the Ngatirangi. Major Kemp now expresses his determination to hold the country till the Land Court sits to adjudicate on the title to the great Rangapo block. This will probably be in July orAugust. It is very doubtful, however, whether Topia will tolerate the continued presence of an armed force in the very heart of his country, and the position of parties is becoming more critical every day. Topia has leftTaupo for Murimotu. This complication, however, will not affect the Europeans who have leased the land in dispute. Major Kemp promised Dr. Buller some time since that he would, not prevent the passage of wool from the* stations of Messrs. Moorhouse and others,, and his promise has been faithfully observed. The quarrel is one entirely confined to the natives, and though: doubtless it is unpleasant to Europeans; there, neither they nor their property are> in danger.