TE WHITI.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 495, 28 February 1880, Page 2

TE WHITI.

Tub special correspondent of the Lyttelton Times telegraphs the following to that journal:—“ To Whiti has no confidence in the present Government, saying that when Mr Sheehan left the Ministry the Native Office was dead, and that Mr Bryce was only a European Minister. In reply to the question which I put by request of a Government official, ‘ If the Governor were to come to Parihaka to see you, might it have the effect of facilitating the settlement of this difficulty ?’ Te Whiti answered with a mixture of unconcern and irony, ‘ The mana is open to all. If the Governor chooses to come he will he made welcome the same as other Europeans.’ I questioned Te Whiti with respect to the surveyors, and regarding the Commission. His replies were characterised by perfect indifference. I then told him that the latter were to sit at Oeo, when he said * Yes, they are doing that for the purpose of catching the Maoris as they return from Parihaka, as they cannot catch them otherwise.’ The only portion of our interview during which Te Whiti exhibited suspicion and caution, was when I questioned him with regard to Tito Kowaru. He would not admit that Tito Kowaru was at Parihaka, but said that he was keeping out of the way of Government officials. Te Whiti gave me the impression even more strongly than on the occasion of my last visit in August, of being throughly in earnest and fully convinced of his own powers. As well as I could observe, his influence, so far from being on the wane, is on the increase. An abundant supply of food was provided for visitors, but no intoxicating drink was to be had in the place, and the proceedings wore of the most orderly character. I saw Miroki, ■who moves freely about Parihaka. By order of Te Whiti he does not cany his arms with him.”