WAIMATE PLAINS.

Patea Mail, 17 October 1881, Page 3

WAIMATE PLAINS.

(from our correspondent.) Manaia, Saturday Night. The report that Titokowaru threatened to burn down Manaia and take the lives of women and children, is foolishly exaggerated. It is now about ten days since the supposed threats were made, and since then there has been a great deal of talk about the matter amongst white folk here, None I have met are prepared to say that Titokowaru actually threatened them, but he admits having told some drunken men, who asked questions as to whether the natives would fight, burn down houses, and kill the people, that the natives would do so. His reason for telling them this, he says, was because the questions put to him were impertinent and bouncing, and he answered them in like manner. I visited Titokowaru’s settlement the other day, and found him and some of his men busy putting in potatoes. Manaia and his people have also been planting potatoes near their several pahs ; but all the young people are away at Parihaka. A large number of Europeans will be present at the native meeting at Parihaka on Monday. A very general impression prevails that some move will be made by the A.C.’s on Parihaka next week ; but 1 am inclined to think that no decisive steps will be taken until Government have a larger force. To-day about fifty of the Waimate Eifles under Captain O’Brien, were put through their drill. Numbers of the men marched in from Otakeho and the bush in order to be present, thus showing that they have not joined with any desire to play at soldiers. The Mounted Riflesalso mustered well, thirty answering to their names, nearly all being well mounted. Messrs Budge and C. Broadbent were appointed sergeants by the captain, who used his prerogative in the matter. So far, I believe the men are satisfied with the appointments ; but they generally prefer that the commanding officer should waive his right, and allow them to put in whom they please—the most satisfactory way in the majority of cases.

Uniforms like those of the A.C.’Shave been issued by Government to the- foot company, but the mounted men are goipg in for tunics and breeches, to be paid for by themselves.

Mr Jackson’s new hotel is almost completed. Business is being conducted with good results. Of this more anon. The want of a daily mail service between Manaia and Hawera is much felt. I am told that letters posted here in time for the down coach from Opunaki, arrive in Hawera sometimes too late to be carried south by the Hawera-to-Waverley coach. These matters require seeing into. The growing importance of the district cannot be overlooked. A telegraph office in Manaia would also be found a great convenience. At present anyone requiring to send a message has to go to the camp, a distance of three-quarters of a mileMessages to residents in the town are delivered only as casual opportunities present themselves.