THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2702, 16 November 1881, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

An error occurred in our “ latest Native news last night. The number of women and children arrested yesterday was 47, not 217, as was stated. 44 of the men who had been taken into custody as Wanganuis were yesterday released, as their, identification as members of the tribe was shown to be doubtful. The rest, and the women and children in custody, were to start early this morning for Opunake, en route to Wanganui. Drays were provided for the children and baggage, but the adults, men and women, were to go on foot. They will probably be sent by steamer to Wanganui, and turned adrift at the wharf there, A good deal of difficulty is expected in identifying the Natives from northern districts, as Europeans have not been much among these. Mr Bryce is, however, determined to disperse them some bow or other. Mr Bryce expects that he will have to destroy a large portion of the Natives’ crops, principally potatoes, as there is sufficient for three times as many Natives as belong to Parihaka. If he does not do so he fears that strange Natives will assemble again at Parihaka. The “ Lyttelton Times ” commenting on the trial of Te Whiti and Tohu says : —“ It is again the old story. Here is a Native difficulty; after great expenditure of time and money, the spread of scares innumerable, the convulsing of the public mind, traced to its usual source —official bungling in high places. Government informs the public that for two years the Natives have persistently refused the reserves pointed out to them, And it turns out that no reserves have eyer been pointed oat to them.”

THIS DAY,

[Peess Association Special.] Pungarehu, IT. 35 a.m. The prisoners were sent away from parihaka camp early this morning for' Opunake. They passed the Rahotu camp at seven.