TARANAKI.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3794, 24 February 1881, Page 2

TARANAKI.

(feom a spscial cobeespondent.)

February 17, 1881. QENEKAL AND NATIVE NEWS ON THE WEST COAST. I send you some items which may be of some interest to the Star readers. I go again on to Parihaka in a few days. I saw Titokowaru yesterday. The particulars of the late fire there were greatly exaggerated in some of the Government newspapers. The cultivations principally belonged to Titokowaru and Hanewhenua. It is rumoured here that Te Whiti had ordered the men to plough the lands lately cropped in wheat near Pungarehu, and in consequence the ploughs had been seized by the A.O. force. The news however requires confirmation, and I do not believe it. It shows, however, that the natives anticipate further steps of the kind will be taken by the prophet. Sir William Pox, one of the units of the ever to be remembered Koyal Commissioners has taken an office over a store in Hawera. The local Star states that he is being continually interviewed by natives anxious for the sub-division of their lands, but there is no truth in the report. From my own enquiries I can as3ert very positively that the Maoris still hold aloof. There are of course a few exceptions, and these are Pibama and Katene. These poor deluded creatures have a strong liking for always following Eoyal Commissioners, and all Government officials, and although not recognised agents of the bulk of the natives, are always spoken of as such by that innocent official, Mr Parris. It is owing to such as these being open to acceptances, that a supposed Government party is formed at Sir William's head quarters. No doubt your readers will remember that the first war in Waitara was commenced through the purchase of land from Tiera, who was then put forward as the owner of the land and of which he had only a share in common with the rest of the natives of whom Wiremu Xingi was the leader. I fear that Mr Parris is now doing the same thing, and has kept at it during tbe intervening period. It may turn out that the men who are very willing to sell are put forward as chief owners, and, the actual owners who keep aloof are altogether ignored. These conclusions are now the guiding principles with Te Whiti, and it is to expose such alleged method of negotiations and make a standard rule for future dealings that the head centre is so anxious to have a searching enquiry into all past native land dealings all along the coast, and for the better guidance of his people at Parihaka.

Whether it is fjr Mr Parris' interest to have these ol^ land sores raked up, I cannot say. The most curious part oT the whole business is that Sir William Fox bought all the soil, and now the people of the colony find him the real head of a Commission of investigation. The whole thing seems more of a farce than anything else. I presume the House, when it meets, will take some steps to enquire into native matters on the West Coast.

It siltely should do, and have its attention specially directed to the mystery branch here. Speaking of one of Fox's body guard, JPihatna, it would be an instructive document if laid on the table of both Houses, to see what this worthy has got either as salary, payment for land or " takoha" of all lands reserved for him, and particularly the services for which the remuneration was given. This Pihama must be a great power, judging from the exceptional manjujfc in which he is treated. The BoyaPiJomniissipn reported Pihama had no land, but that is only a teetotal fib. I do not go to the length of saying more than I can help re this native dignatory, but he seems very thick with. Mr Parris. There may be nothing .in the bosom relationship, but many say there is more than the uninitiated can divine or make out. I hope for Pihama's peace of mind that Mr Parris has no mortgage over the old man's holdings, but then things are so raised up beetween Good, Parris, and Pibarua that a little prospecting into the business is very necessary. This particular native nearly reached old General Cameron's tent at the attack on Nuku-

maru, and very likely for this signal act of bravery the present Commission may mark its deep approval of his conduct by awarding him special grants. I suppose the forced severance of Mr Parris from the Government iv

1874 will not be forgotten, and it is bound

soon to be revived. There is. another small matter of, say, five hundred pounds

which has passed lately between Pihama,

Major Brown, I*, and Mr Parris which should be enquired into, but I suppose with other matters it will yet be heard of.

Some of these native dealings on the

West Coast are most " creditable," in fact oriental finesse is nothing compared to it.

It is as|refreshing to hear of some of the choicest* tit-bits re-told as to read the pSvidence on some of the Hatvkes Bay 'lands. I was speaking to a friend of M.v Parris' the other day, and I mentioned to

him what I heard about hisTaranaki land ' transactions. He seemed very touchy on the point, especially when he mentioned that they were likely to be gone into afresh. I state the general belief in publishing the fact that the real and principal owners of land are at Parihaka. Kewi and other leading chiefs never attend a Court, although Jiaving large kierests at stake. That the present land purchase system requires looking into further I have satisfied , myself about, and curious as it may appefcfcf in print, I have the assurance of several competent persons that if any"block of land which Government wished to purchase through a particular officer was being dealt with they could supply you with ( the "owner's*" name at once. I am tfot-iip to writing for the newspapers ,bufc as there are many little grievances which' will never be properly ventilated, here^ shall be obliged by your giving thikjratnbling communication a corner in your valuable columns. The publication in your columns of what Taranaki has c'o£t the colony is not at all pleasing to thevfeelings of our waning and unpopular rulers and representatives. The ijonourable Mr Oliver is likely to remain a few days here on his way north to confer with our gallant major on various moves now on the political chess board. This part of the colony is suffering owing to the absence of rain.