MR SHEEHAN ON THE PARIHAKA AFFAIR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 703, 29 November 1881, Page 3

MR SHEEHAN ON THE PARIHAKA AFFAIR.

On the arrival of the Thames contingent at Auckland they were entertained at the Park Hotel Mr Sheehan who was present, proposed the toast "Success to the Thames Contingent," coupled with the name of Captain Wildman, the senior officer commanding. He said he did so because he felt he could claim to be a Thames man. He had been on the West Coast recently, and the people there spoke in the highest terms of the conduct and discipline of the Thanes men. As to the Native difficultv and recent events at Parihaka he «L sir--I to say that he cordially endorsed the policy of the Government, which led up to the ex; edition at Parihiika, and entirely approved of the steps taken ly Mr Bryce throughout th<whole affair. They cou d have no peace on the West Coast til! that settlement WdS broken up, and Mr Bryce was doing hat work in a resolute, humane, and effective way. From his knowledge of Native affairs in Waikatc. Napier and on the West Coast, lie was satis6ed t.ey had niw seen the end of the Native difficulty. The Natives in the two first named districts were utterly indifferent to Te Whiti's schemes and Hans. On his journey ov- Hand from Napiei to Wellington he (Mr Sheehan) had met Kemp, the famous Wanganui chief. He accos.eJ Kemp, and said : '• I see in the papers you are going to Te Whiti with 500 men." The reply of Kemp was : '' It is t:ue the 500 men a.e there and may go to Te Whiti—that is if Mr Bryce and Colonel Roberts desire their services," 'Viiat was a reply worthy of the chief. When the West Const Natives found Te Whiti's prophecies were falsi6ed, and he himself dealt with as on ordinary criminal in the usual way, they would come to the conclusion that he was an unmitigated fraud, and lose all confidence in him.