LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 411, 26 March 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

(Per Press Agency.) , NEW PLYMOUTH. March 25. At an emergency meeting of the Waste Lands Board to-day, convened by telegram from Government, the Board proceeded to classify land of Waimate Plains, and decided to offer 16,000 acres o£ same for sale by auction, at Carlyle, on the 6th May. WELLINGTON. March 25. The Native Land Purchase Department have been lately doing considerable business in Wanganui and West Coast district. During the last two months about a million and a quarter acres have been proclaimed as under negotiation. In addition to the blocks already gazetted, deposits amounting to some £25,000 have been paid over to the natives, the balance to be paid on completion of title. Dr Duller has accepted a general retainer from Government, and will act as counsel for the Crown in all cases in the Native Land Court. It is understood that Parliament will meet for the despatch of business on 25tb July next. The Chronicle demands that the Waimate Plains survey be gone on with, despite native bounce, and that the perpetrators of the outrage bo punished. Great preparations for reception of Governor to-rnorrow. With regard to the report circulated that Hiroki was present at late native meeting at Parihaka between Native Minister and Te Whiti, the following are the facta of the case :—Mr Sheehan wrote to Te Whiti from Opunake, stating that he was going to see him, but that if Hiroki was allowed to take any partin the meeting, Mr Sheehan would not attend. This was submitted by Te Whiti to his advisers, and they agreed that Mr Sheehan’s request was fair. The result was that Hiroki was kept in the background during the whole time Mr Sheehan was at Parihaka. Regarding the removal of surveyors on Waimate Plains, Gm F en>ment state that a party of natives headed by Te Manu (the native who was some time ago rescued from custody while on his Way to Taranaki in the coach), carried away the tools of the surveyors to the nearest Township, and ordered surveyors off the ground. Government believe that the Maoris intend to do the same with other survey parties.

No violence whatever was offered, in fact the Maoris acted in the most good humored manner, and made, no threats of any kind. It is thought the act of Te Mann and company is a sort of final protest against the survey and occupation of the Waitnaie Plains, on behalf of natives who have been cultivating the ground. It is thought the natives have acted under instructions from Parihaka, at the instigation most probably of Europeans, who have some sort of interest in the land, but it is thought the natives would not have acted in so highhanded a manner without having received instructions from Te Wliiti.