LATEST NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 156, 21 June 1879, Page 2

LATEST NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Gisborne, June 17. Ropata is very indignant at the untruthful statement emanating from Napier that in case of an outbreak he is likely to join the x-ebels. Nothing could be further flora the truth. He is anxious to punish someone for the slander. New Plymouth, June 18. The reporter sent to Parihaka has not returned, nor has any communication yet been received here. There was a rumour in town that the talk was “dark,” but as no one who has attended from here has returned yet the report is doubted. The Natives at Purehuka, on the other side of Stuney River, are much troubled at the conduct of Te Whiti, and those who have obeyed his instructions in ploughing up the land. June 19. The meeting at Parihaka took place yesterday. Eight hundred Natives were present, including women and children. Hiruki was also present, but made no display of himself. At noon the people feasted on pork, bread, and tea. After the feast Te Whiti spoke for half an hour. His speech ivas but a repetition of his recent orations. He said he was the director of affairs, not the people. War might be pursued by evil men, but he was a man of peace. The only allusion made to the ploughing was a quotation from Scripture applied *o himself :—“ He maketh his messengers spirits, his ministers a flaming lire,” meaning that his servants went and returned like spirits at his bidding, and were not to be injured with impunity. His speech was short, mystical, and disappointing. He was the only speaker. After the speech the remains of the feast, including preserved albatross and eels, from the Chatham Islands, were distributed. The Europeans present were kindly received. The people are clean, sober, well-behaved, industrious, and merry, but anxious about the intentions of the Government. Parihaka is a most defenceless position, situated in a hollow on the banks of Waitotara. commanded by several volcanic hills. There are no signs of any attempt at defence, not more than two hundred and fifty fighting men being present; the majority of them are non-resident. The Government are sanguine that they will be able to resume the Waimate survfiv slmrtlv.