THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2681, 22 October 1881, Page 3

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

The special cm respondent of the “ LyLie-ion Times” telegraphed from Okaio yesterday ;—So far I have been unable to discover whether ul-tf-naium of October 19 has been officially delivered to Te Wi iI. He, however, received a cony from bis own sources of information, which he immediately put into the five. I spoke to many of the natives, who all ridiculed the proclamation, The natives genera'ly make fun of the fourteen days’ g>ace, saying that if the Government want fourteen days to make np their mb'ds ihey (tue natives) do not. The best authorities admit that without the assistance of Volunteers the Constabulary could not at present Indd tbcir own in the event of hoslili-ies, and that fourteen days is barely sufficient time within which to get in readiness. The Maoris are fully aware of this.” It is rumored that Sir A. Gordon is very desirous to visit.Te Wnili in person, under the idea that he would be able to overawe and subdue the prophet, but that Mi'ds\rs disapprove. Last night’s Wellington “Post” says that only two adverse voices of any consequence are likely to be raised in the colony against the native policy of the Government. The “Lyttelton Times ” is men ioned as one, and the Governor as Ihe otbe '. 'The Hinemoa left for Opunake last evening with 60 Armed Constabulary, The secretary to the Native Minister was also a passenger. He visits Parihaka, for the purpose of distributing the proclamation which, was recently issued. ... The appointment of Mr Bryce as Native uod Defence Minister was gazetted yesterday. . Thir.y-nine recruits for the Armed Constabulary have been selected in Dunedin.

r [By Telegraph.] Why Sir Arthur Gordon returnedAuckland, Oct. 22. There has be*>n a good deal of speculation as to bow Sir Arthur Gordon received intelligence of the Native crisis in * this colony, and it was erroneously stated that a telegram was sent by way of l 'ooktovvn. Conjecture has been set at rest bv the arrival of the Southern fesTfrom I’.ji. I* »ow turn, 0,.t that intelli -en-'e was conveyed to Levuka by that vessel, and soon after her arnval steam was got up on the Emeraid and and Sir Arthur set out under full steam for New Zealand. Whether he obtained information from telegrams or from a private source does _ not appear. A report obtained currency in a war bad actually broken out in JNew Zealand. The Maori Idea of the UltimatumNew Plymouth; Oc-I. 22. A large number of natives from Paril aka are in town to day. They have purchased nine tons of flour and some sugar. They were questioned as to whether the news of the proclamation had -cached Paiibaka, they said No, and a copy of the “ Herald ” with

it in. One who could read English perused it, and said he would take it to Te Whiti, who he was sure would not care, as he knew all that would happen to the Maoris, and could turn the Pakehas away at his will.

\ Opinion of the Settlers- ! Patea, Oct. 22. [ The Chairman of the County Council has telegraphed to Major Atkinson that the action taken by Government re native affairs on the Coast meets with the unanimous approval of the settlers, and he trusts Government will be firm and bring the matter to a speedy and successful issue. Mr Brvce was heartily cheered on passing through here to-day