NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1314, 23 June 1880, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Wellington Juno 22. The Government have received a telegram from the Native Minister with reference to the recent obstruction to road parties by natives. It states that tho natives had some cultivation in close proximity to where the fence was erected, and were afraid of the road being takon through the fence, and oattle could then trespass on their crops. The northern constabulary camp had been shifted about two miles southward, and the southern camp a like distance north to Waitara. The two camps are now two miles apart, New Plymouth, June 22. From natives returning from Parihaka the following additional particulars relative to the late meeting have been gathered. It appears that the origin of the fencing on the road arose from the fact that Te Whiti ordered some of his followers to plough land for the purpose of sowing wheat. While tho natives) were employed in the work they found the Constabulary road would ooixvo right through the land they were I ploughing. They at onoe carried news . to Te Whiti that the Constabulary were advancing and would destroy their work. Te Whiti Baid, <( Never mind ; go on with the work, and when they get up to you with the road you must contend against them for ten days. After that the road is to be opened and no moro opposition is to be shown to the Constabulary.'' Te Whiti now states that hj« said this merely to test the faith of hia followers, and that he did not) mean to urge them to obstruct the Constabulary. On Thursday laat Te Whiti, alluding to the matter, said, Six daya of fencing have now passed and there are still three remaining, after which the road is to he opened. Trust my words and no harm will befal you. In about eight months hence there will be a great meeting held here, and at that meeting the dead will rise and great rejjoioiQga will be made. The dead will then bo hero under the Saviour of the' world, who will come to restore peace and happiness to the inhabitants of this land. There will be sweet and uninterrupted intercourse, and all shall be rich in the fulness of tho blessings which will be received from tho Saviour. , Same Europeans say I am going to bring about war. That is not true, J am the herald of peace and ha.pplnesr, My parting words to you are, Iss there bo no war or disturbance of kind with the Europeans. If there all the good that has been done will be undone. When the prisoners return neither they nor- their relatives are to seek <o avenge themselves for being kept in prison, They have suffered all for my sake. We must not think of peace must prevail." At the conclusion of his speech, the natives manifessted in an unmiatakeable manner that they were well pleased with what they had heard. They stated that come what will they will abide by the words of Te Whiti. Tohu also addressed the meeting, but his words were of little importance. The natives are staying longer at Parihaka than usual, leaving for their homes yesterday, Mr. Bryce is still at the front, and tho Hinemoa is lying in the roadstead waiting for him.