LATEST NATIVE INTELLIGENCE

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 153, 11 June 1879, Page 2

LATEST NATIVE INTELLIGENCE

New Plymouth, June 9. The Government are losing no time in sending a defence force for Taranaki, for another detachment of the Armed Con stabulary arrived yesterday, and several more are to arrive. A small detachment of ten men was advanced to Pakarawa on Sunday morning, and about 70 more were sent to Oakura this niorning. The Opunake post will be reinforced in a day or two. Nearly all the Volunteers have been supplied with arms, and are being drilled. There are between Normanby and Hawera 180 infantry and 90 cavalry, and in one night over 100 men were enrolled. Wellington, June 9. Everything is very active with the Anncd t Constabulary Depot hero. The Government have received nothing later from :the West Coast. -

Recruiting and drilling goes on steadily at Mount Cook barracks, and a number of applicants were rejected to-day as not being up to the required standard. The Government have ample supplies of arms ammunition, the former including 3000 Snider rifles, and some of those cohorn mortars, which proved so effective in the sieges of pahs in former Native wars. The an’icipation previously indulged in of getting at least a thousand of the Ngatiporous as allies is not now likely to be realised. A difference of opinion exists amongst the tribe as to whether they should fight at all if hostilities break out. In any case not more than five hundred men will be expected from that tribe now. It is understood, however, that the Government have come to a fixed determination that in the event of any murderous outrage being committed by Natives, or any blood being shed by them, prompt and severe measurers shall be adopted. In the event of such contingency ausing the whole armed constabulary force at Taranaki would make au immediate advance on the Natives, while the volunteers would garrison the various outposts and depots. In that case care will be taken that it is put out of the power of the Natives there again to be troublesome.

Major Noakes is in command of the volunteers, Major Tuke of the armed constabulary at Taranaki, and Inspector Goring at Opunake and Waihi.

Haw era, June 9. A large meeting of settlers was held on Saturday, Major Noake said he would issue rifles at 10 o'clock next morning to any settler joining the Defence Force, and yesterday • morning at that hour upwards of 100 men were armed, and a company formed of Light Horse. There are now upwards of 200 armed and determined men at Hawera, while many others are hourly joining. The Government seem equal to any emergency, and are determined to hold the district, and iu the event of disturbance vigorous armed parties will scour the- country. Greater confidence now prevails. The Maoris are still going to Parihaka at all hours, taking flour and other provisions.

Yesterday Kuitua rode through the main street when our men were receiving arms. He seemed scared .at seeing so many, and rode on without stopping. Every efforyshould he made to obtain Sniders. ; Seeing the present danger of the district southern Volunteers, as Englishmen, should not want asking to roll up. Their own districts do not require their protection, while we know here that the natives in hundreds are armed with Sniders.

Norman by has a defence force who are well armed.

A correspondent to the Otago 1 Thnes ’ writes: I talked to-day with a Paten settler who arrived in town last night. He says there is no possibility of avoiding a conflict with the Natives, that they are determined to provoke one, and have been preparing for it for months back by selling off horses and cattle, getting money .together, and obtaining arms and ammunition. All the settlements and’pahs between Wanganui and New Plymouth are he says, completely deserted by all the able-bodied men. They have all congregated at Parihaka, where my informant believes there are at least 2000 fightingmen well armed. The Natives are determined not to strike the first blow, but to pursue such a i aggressive policy towards the settlers as will at least induce some of these to resent their conduct, .and then the storm will burst. There are several of the settlers who openly state that they will forcibly resist an encroachment on their property.