CHANGES AT PARIHAKA.

Patea Mail, 6 February 1882, Page 3

CHANGES AT PARIHAKA.

The Wellington correspondent of the Ot.-igo Times writes :

About 50 men are now stationed in Parihaka, but the greater portion of the Constabulary are actually engaged in constructing a road round the native reserve of 20,000 acres which has been allotted to the Parihaka people. With a view to the better and more distinctive definition of this block, it has been decided to clear and form a good road right round the block, instead of marking the boundaries by ordinary survey lines. The block is, of course, the 25,000-acre reserve recommended by the Royal Commission, and the 5000 acres which were forfeited for sedition. After being set apart and marked off as described, its distribution among individual claimants will be conducted by the Royal Commissioner, Sir W. Fox. The natives themselves express great satisfaction at this being done, and seem eager to manifest their thorough submission to the law now that they have had practical evidence of its power. The Government frequently receive communications from leading natives of the formerly disturbed district expressing their entire willingness to abide by Mr Bryce’s decision on the land question, his vigorous policy having evidently inspired a wholesome respect. One chief naively observed that he should try to get as much land as he could, but that nevertheless he should be quite content with whatever was assigned to him.

Some of the natives have been applying to Te Whiti for instructions how they should act, but so far as can be ascertained he has refused to direct any further than he has done in the past. He says his words remain, and he has nothing more to say. Most of the natives, however, seem disposed to discourage all reference to Te Whiti. They appear to recognise that he has failed, and their present anxiety seems to be to make the best terms they can for themselves. Moreover, many are anxiously desirous to see European settlements progress, ns they are shrewd enough to have discovered that this means a large benefit and profit to themselves. Consequently the present aspect of West Coast affairs may be characterised as exceedingly satisfactory, and promising as well as possible for the future. The above information is on thoroughly trustworthy authority, and may be accepted as absolutely authentic.