THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2694, 7 November 1881, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

The following is a further account of the proceedings at Parihaka on Saturday, from the report of the special correspondent of the Press Association, who, with correspondent, made his way into Parihaka, notwithstanding the orders issued by the authorities forbidding their presence. These gentlemen got into the settlement by a back way before daylight, and were well received by the Natives. Tohu invited them to sit by him during the day, but this was of course out of the question, and they were safely stowed away in one of the wharcs.

A close inspection of Parihaka showed that there were about 2500 Natives present, including women and children. The Natives were squatting in the murae, and had been there since twelve on Friday night, they having been informed that the soldiers were to visit the pah about daylight. The Natives appeared very clean, and wore white feathers as a head dress. They had pulled down one of the fences to allow room for the troops to go into the pah, and had had 600 loaves prepared so as to provide the men with food. Early in the morning the chief of the Ngawars addressed the assembly, and cautioned them not to use any violence. Tohu followed in a similar strain, and said that no matter what force was used against them they were not to strike, not even with a stick. Immediately the first body of Constabulary was observed by the Natives, about 200 young children were sent on to the high ground in front of Parihaka and danced a Jiaka, and as other bodies appeared on different sides the children turned their attention to them. From the excellent time kept by the children, whose ages ranged from 8 to 14 years,in their movements, it was apparent they had been trained specially for the purpose. As the men approached the Maoris still kept their squatting posture, with the exception of the young girls, who were enjoying themselves with skipping ropes, and boys who were playing in front of the pah. None of them seemed the least afraid. At 9.35 a.m. Major Tuke and Mr Butler (secretary to Mr Bryce) came into the pah. The former gentleman addressed the Natives as follows :—“ Wo have come to hear Te Whiti’s reply to the Proclamation issued.” After an interval of five minutes, and there being no reply, Major Tuke read the Riot Act, culling on all the Natives to disperse. The Act was translated into the Native tongue by Mr Butler, after which both gentlemen retired. The Natives did not appear to take any interest in the reading of the Act. At 10 o’clock some excitement was caused in the pah when the Constabulary were to be seen retracing their steps to the front of Parihaka. The Natives, evidently thinking the Constabulary had come for the purpose of dispersing them, called on their friends and relations who were loitering about the pah to assemble, when Tohu again addressed his people, saying; —“ Let the man who has raised the war do his work this day. Let no woman cook or man cook stir. We have partaken of food. Let none of us stir lest any of us be absent. Bo patient and steadfast, and even if the bayonet comes to your breast do not resist.” At this time a complete line around Parihaka, with the exception of the east side, had been formed. At 11.30 a.m. an order was given for the arresting party to advance, and the Natives immediately cleared a passage for the men, and the party advancing to where Te Whiti was seated, arrested him without the slightest resistance whatever. When the men reached Te Whiti Colonel Eoberts called out to them, “ Let him walk if he will.” Te Whiti walked quietly with four of the Armed Constabulary to where Mr Bryce and his officers were stationed, and his wife walked through the file with him. Tohu and Hiroki were taken in a similar manner. The large assemblage of Natives looked calmly on, and scarcely a word was spoken. Te Whiti and Tohu were not handcuffed, but Hiroki was. Te Whiti, when under ‘ arrest, spoke to his people, and asked them to be boldhearted and patient. He said: ‘‘This is not my work, but it comes from the hearts of the Europeans.” Tohu followed, and said “ This is the doing of war. Be not sorry the Europeans have torn away the sorrowful heart from you. We go away as fools, as mistaken men. We looked for peace and we find war. Be steadfast. Keep to peaceful words. Be not dismayed. Have no fear.” Te Whiti said : “ Let your dwellings be good in this place. Work for such as these (meaning the soldiers) is frustrated this day.” Te Whiti and Tohu, accompanied by their wives, were then eonvcyed to the redoubt at Pungarehu, under an escort of the New Plymouth Mounted Rifles. Hiroki was sent later in the day. After To Whiti and Tohu had left for redoubt, Kina, an aged chief from Taranaki, addressed the Natives. He advised the people to continue in the same work as Te Whiti and Tohu had ordered them, even if they were all arrested on the land which had been banded down to them by their ancestors. Tautare, a nephew of Te Whiti, was sent to the camp by the fNatives next (Sunday) morning to bring back Te Whiti’s wife and niece, who had accompanied him to the redoubt, it being the wish of the Natives that none should voluntarily go to prison unless the whole were arrested. The Constabulary are camped in Titokowaru’s paddock, a short distance in front of the pah, and no persons are allowed to go in. Several correspondents endeavored to gain admittance but they were refused, orders having been issued to admit no civilians. The Natives offered a quantity of potatoes to the Constabulary, but the latter were not allowed to receive them. The Natives are not allowed to leave Parihaka, and several of the men who were going out hunting for pigs which were also intended as a present to the Constabulary, were prevented from leaving the pah. [By Telegraph,] [euo.m our special correspondent.] Opunake, Nov. 6, 8.15 p.m. At Parihaka all is quiet to-day. The troops bivouaced at night. The Yolunteers were under arms on Saturday, from 4,30 a.m. till 5,30 p.m., but all behaved splendidly. The day was clear qnd warm, and the work of advancing through the bush with swags was very trying. Three cases of epileptic fits occurred. Two recovered, LieuWhite, of the Nelson Artillery, had to bo sent to New Plymouth to-day by waggon. Doubtless the long ex*

posure to the heat, and the absence of usual nourishment was the cause. In complimenting the forces, the Native Minister said that but for the presence of the Volunteers the programme could not have been carried out. Major Pitt had ably carried out his instructions. Captain Hamersley, with the Canterbury, Makara, and Wairarapa Corps held their position from 9.15 until 5.30 p.m. This party, to which Captain Durham was Adjutant, deserye great praise for their steadiness.

The Hon, Major Atkinson passed along the road to-day to Pungarohu. A Cabinet meeting will be held to-morrow, when an after Proclamation will be issued.

It was reported this morning that the Maoris talk amongst themselves of war, but a reliable gentleman told them they would be swept off the face of the earth. Besides, they had no guns. The Maoris replied they had plenty of guns and ammunition, but on enquiry from other Natives this assertion was not confirmed. The Natives have been congregated in the meeting place all day. They seem very poor, Te Whiti’s wife returned to Parihaka from Pungarehu, where the prisoners now aie. She brought a message from Te Whiti for the Maoris to go out as usual for bread, and to shoot bullocks and pigs. If they were shot by the pakeha it could not be helped. Further arrests of three leading Natives, two being Titokowaruand Rangi were expected by the Maoris to-day, but it was not contemplated by the authorities.

The Maoris presented 60 kits of potatoes this morning, but the offer was declined by Mr Bryce. The Armstrong gun from Parihaka will be taken to the camp to-morrow. Sentries were placed round the village to stop persons from entering,but a good many visitors evaded them. All civilians are refused admittance to the A.C. lines, a piece of unnecessary incivility, as it prevents the public from receiving the fullest information. An unfortunate correspondent wandering through Parihaka last night was arrested and kept prisoner all night with only a waterproof coat to cover him. Many Corps remaining before Parihaka made mimis ,* the Nelson contingent lay by their arms in column with their officers. A picket of the A.C. is stationed on the hill commanding the settlement, day and night. Doubtless the severity of their duties stimulated their appetite, but it is to be regretted that Natives’pigs have been killed and potato pits opened and the contents stole by the men.