NATIVE DISTURBANCES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2163, 23 February 1880, Page 3

NATIVE DISTURBANCES.

The correspondent of the “ Press” telegraphs from Wellington on Saturday as follows: —A good deal of uneasiness has been created both here and on the coast of this Island by a telegram of a somewhat sensational and startling nature, published in reference to the proceedings of the Maori chief, Major Kemp, at Murimotu. Although there is reason to believe that the details are somewhat exaggerated, and while it is certain that no actual fighting has yet taken place between the antagonistic factions, there appears to be no doubt that Kemp has been behaving himself in a most outrageous manner and in a way strongly calculated to provoke violence. The difficulty arose as follows: —About two months ago it was determined by the Government to proceed with the survey of (lie Ilangipo block so far as to provide material for making the title good in Court. The only opposition likely to be exercised in carrying out this plan was from Kemp’s own tribe who wished the Government surveyors

to lay off a tribal boundary line, and who feared that if the survey of the Ilaugipo block once were finished they would have no means of bringing pressure to bear to get this done. The only difficulty in the way of acceding to their wishes was that bis tribal boundary lino would interfere with several others, who strongly objected to its being done. The Government, therefore, consulted Mc(o King!, Kemp’s superior chief, and Kemp himself both chiefs being in receipt of Government pay, whether Kemp's personal influence could bo used to prevent any trouble. Both concurred In this view, Kemp expressing his opinion that there might be a little blustering at first, but that he could easily smooth over matters. He accordingly was sent; but now it turns out that he has been playing double, and secretly instigating his followers to resist the survey, until their boundry had been run. He has now thrown off the mask, and is acting like a mad man ; indeed it is believed that he must be under the inllnencc of liquor, for he has been committing preposterous excesses in defiance of the indignant remonstrances of his tribe. Ho has a small party of followers, and the chief fear is lest his insulting action may rouse the anger of Topia and the other tribe, and irritate them into action against him. He has been peremptorily recalled by the Government, who have sent a special message to him and warned him that lie will be required to give an account of his conduct. Mete Kingi also has insisted on his immediate return to Wanganui, and all the principal members of the tribe have written to him in a similar strain. It is to be hoped that he will yield to the pressure thus brought upon him, and avoid the necessity of more stringent measures being taken to call him to order. The Government appear resolved to put an immediate stop to his lawless and disorderly proceedings at all cost, it being impossible to foretell how widely injurious might be the consequences. The “ Lyttelton Times” correspondent writes:—Orders have suddenly and unexpectedly arrived to move the Armed Constabulary at present stationed at Kaipipi to Atakco, some six miles nearer Parihaka. The camp will he raised at 7 o’clock to-morrow. These sudden departures from the previously understood programme seem to indicate a determination to bring the matters to an issue before the advent of winter. It is very evident, if only from the movements of the Pakeha-Maori section of the people about here, tout things are approaching a crisis. The Commission is still regarded by both races as a farce.