MORE NATIVE OBSTRUCTION.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1010, 16 March 1883, Page 3

MORE NATIVE OBSTRUCTION.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, March 15. C. W. Hursthouse, of the Public Works Department, who left Alexandra on Monday for the purpose of making a flying survey of the railway route to Taranaki, returned yesterday, the natives refusing to alloAV him to proceed. Hursthouse, on arriving at Otoronanga, was stopped by Oporo Taritutu, who, at the commencement of the war, destroyed Gorst’s printing press at Te Awamutu. There were also present Wetere, Te Kawana, Rawin', Hanparoa, and fifty natives., Hursthouse argued the matter, for some time. No violence was used, but the horses were turned round, and he was ordered to return to Alexandra and wait until the arrival of Tawhiao, Avhois on his way up. On crossing the Alexandra bridge after setting out, Hursthouse was stopped, and warned hot to proceed by Te Toko, of Ngatimajoiopoto. This shoivs that the objection was premeditated. On returning to Whatiwhatihoe, Hursthouse saw, and endeavoured to get a speech on the snbjeet witL Wahanui, who, however, with the excuse that all nritives should be present to listen to their conversation, walked out of the house. Hursthouse thought this was for the purpose of calling Them, but Wahanui did not return. The common report now is that if Mr Bryce endeavours to go through he will be stopped at the bridge.