INATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, 26 February 1880, Page 2

INATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Hawera, Feb, 24. Abo at 50 Maoris turned np this morning, and are now taking tbeirturn before tin Commission. Those vciP occupy the Court at least a couple of days, and other natives are expected to-morrow or next day. As the natives have rolled up so promptly, the business of the sitting here will probably be concluded this week, though it was originally thought a fortnight would be required. The next sitting place will most likely be New Plymouth. Natives and Euro pcans alike are now beginning to anticipate most beneficial results from the Commission, though at first people were not generally so hopeful. It appears that among the natives along the coast are a number who have recovered from the Te Whiti infatuation and have left Pa' ibaka never to return. They do not call Te Whiti a humbug exactly, but at tin same time intimate that they have had enough of him. His half-brother evidently thinks very little of him as a prophet. The natives drive a brisk trade at the different camps of the Armed Constabulary, selling peaches and vcge'ables, and though it would bo easy for the Constabulary fo supply themselves from the Maori plantations in the bush, usually only a few miles away, they are strictly interdicted from doing so or indeed anything af all er'cnlated to lead to any unpleasantness among the Maoris, The result is the very best feeling regarding the Constabulary. The Klpini camp of Constabulary lias been shifted to Olmkcho, near Maniaha’s place, and the old chief is delighted J beyond measure a I having th opportunity of showing his hospitality. Helms accordingly sent one lot of his people to dig up potatoes, and others to get peaches and pigs for the guests, while he superintends the operations. For some time back lie was very anxious to know when their camp would be shifted to his place, as ho wanted to treat them i like in’s own children. i