TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 981, 24 September 1881, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(from our own correspondents).

Hawera, Sept. 22. Te Whiti’s declaration made no marked impression upon |he Plains settlers ; new buildings and other improvements are being daily undertaken. The settlers are closely watching the course of events, but are not seriously anxious. They have confidence in the Government doing its best to settle the Native question at Parihaka, with firmness and despatch if necessary ; but any real idea of war is laughed at by the settlers.

Patea, September 22. The Patea Mail of yesterday, says it believes Major Kemp sent two chiefs to Parihaka, and they conveyed an offer to send 500 armed men to help the white men. New Plymouth, Sept. 22. A telegram to the Herald from Pungarehu says the Natives have gone down every day in large numbers to fence, the parties being from 350 to 400 strong; they have maintained their fences without hindrance, although within sight of the Constabulary camps. The Constabulary refrain from interfering with the Natives, until the Native Minister arrives. Tohu held a meeting on Sunday night, and delivered a long speech to the Natives. He told them to be careful, and not misunderstand what Te Whiti had said to them ; they were merely to resist the Constabulary at the fencing, and they were, on no account, to use firearms until they were fired on by the Constabulary. If the Constabulary tried to pull down the fences, they were to resist; and if it was attempted to take any Natives prisoners, they were to prevent it; if blows were struck, they were to return blows, but on no account were they to shoot unless they were fired upon first. MR. LOCKE’S ADDRESS.

Wairoa, Sept. 23. Mr. Locke addressed the electors here last night. Mr. W. F. Shaw occupied the chair, there were about 150 present, including a number of country settlers. Mr. Locke referred, at great length, to the early history of Wairoa, detailing the services rendered by him in connection with the Hauhau troubles, and the acquisition of Native land for the Government. Three fourths of his speech dealt with Native matters. He approved of the County system, as a whole, and is an opponent of Provincialism. That institution was not suited to the country now. He supported the property tax as it touched the large property owner like himself, while an income tax did not. He thought Government should simplify Native land subdivisions, and that the Land Courts should be held every six months. The policy of the

Government as embodied in the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill had his approval, and he would like to see some land laid aside as commonage, and the roads made before the land was put up to auction. He mentioned Wairoa, Gisborne, Putere, and Waikaremoana roads, as having legitimate claims on the Government. If returned he could not advocate half a million of money being spent on the harbor, but thought some easy means might be found of keeping the entrance open for the greater part of the year. Referring to the public debt of £30,000,000, he said little or none of it had been spent at Wairoa. He believed that Counties should not be governed by constitutions, but by the people, and he thought the County system, combined with Road Boards, would form a good basis for local government. The Counties should be allowed to unite to erect public works lying in different districts ; in that way the Wairoa-Gisborne road should be constructed. While in the Cook County Council he exerted himself by continued application, and got funds for this road, but .since he left the Council, monies voted by the House had been allowed to lapse. In concluding, he said he was known as a sticker, and if returned he would be a sticker for them.

Replying to questions, Mr. Locke said he could not say if he would support Mr. Ormond’s local Government proposals, as no one knew what they were, nor could he coincide with Mr. Sutton He believed the Waste Lands Boards should be elected by ratepayers. The Ministry’s local Government proposals had no permanency, but would do to tide over difficulties. He was in favor of taxing the income of absentees, but not the public debenture holders. Mr. Aislabie asked a number of questions, to which no satisfactory answer was given—th# Chairman answering one for Mr. Locke. A vote of confidence was proposed by Mr. T. Powdrell, and an amendment by Mr. J. Witty for a vote of thanks only. A long discussion ensued as to the expediency of passing a vote of confidence at such an early date, and the original motion was declared carried on a show of hands, by a narrow majority. The general feeling is that the electors have made a great mistake in pledging themselves so early.