THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2690, 2 November 1881, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Te Whiti’s Meeting. [By Telegraph.] [from our special correspondent.] Opunake, A large meeting was held at Parihaka yesterday, at which about 1500 men and women attended. To Whiti and. Tohu spoke for about three hours. Both recommended peace. Te Whiti said the day of attack would be the salvation of the people. The object of the meeting was to gather the people of Parihaka together at Parihaka, so that they might not be molested. He said that Abel was not killed like a man, but like apig, and if they resisted they would be killed like pigs. All the men, women and children were to assemble on the “ maral ” when the troops advanced, and if any became frightened and wished for the guns they had better shoot themselves,and if any ran into the bush they would be lost. There was nothing to fear. They could not arrest them. Tohu said that perhaps he might be taken for having instigated them to opposition. Te Whiti said they would not submit, and described bis sacred land on a blanket. Visitors were treated very civilly and food was prepared for them. The Nelson Company arrived at Rahotu yesterday, having left their six-pounder Armstrong at Pungarehu. The Wellington Navals marched this morning for Rahotu. They have improved very much since they came up. The Constabulary at Pungarehu are being knocked into shape,and are getting a knowledge of the country. November 2.

The Hinemoa has landed the Thames Volunteers. The Huia arrived about 6 p.m. with those from Canterbury transhipped from the Stella at Wellington. Both steamers are landing 383 men. Unfortunately rain began to fall in the afternoon. The Canterbury men with tents galore looked as if they were in for a wetting, but the weather cleared towards night. Mr S. C. Anderson secured the large unfurnished hotel for the Thames Navals, as the tents from Canterbury by the Huia did not arrive until late. Altogether every exertion was made by the defence storekeeper and Captain Taylor, A.C., to make the best of the difficulty. In the case of a demand like the present the staff at the port of landing is insufficient. It is quite one officer’s duty to attend to the Quarter-masters department. The Thames and Canterbury contingents march to-day for Rahotu. The officers of the Thames and Wanganui Volunteers naturally grumble about the want of equipment on arrival. Some of the Corps have been completely supplied with camp necessaries before leaving Wellington. The Nelson, Thames, and Wanganui corps have arrived unprovided for. Surely some of the officers in Wellington could, by looking at the store book find out how many requisite articles were available at Opunake for the number of men sent up.