NATIVE FENCING IN THE WAIRARAPA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 23 August 1880, Page 2

NATIVE FENCING IN THE WAIRARAPA.

The Wairarapa Guardian states that during the last few days some little citement has been caused the vicinity of Gladstone by the action taken by the natives. It appears that the Maoris in the district seem to think that Te Whiti's spirit is among them, consequently they deem it a propitious proceeding on their part to blook the road through the Tupurupuru Fiat to the Ruamahunga river, by the erection of a wire fence across the track to within a chain of the bank overlooking the old pah. This proceeding has touched the tempers of the Gladstonians, and the result is that the fence in question is to be annihilated at once, by the aid of the tomahawk and axe. On Saturday last Mr. Anderson (tha local engineer and surveyor} and hi? staff were instructed to lay o.ut the road, and, in the absence of the District Interpreter (Mr. Maunsell), were accompanied by Mr. Standen for the purpose of discussing the matter with the natives, but having met with a very unfavorable reception, had to relinquish the object in view. It is no\Y rumored that the settlers have taken the matter into their own handa s and, unless the Native Minister ca,x\ see some way of dealing with H, will proceed to force.