PARIHAKA.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4012, 7 November 1881, Page 2

PARIHAKA.

The special of the Press Agency speaks of the natives at the pah on Saturday thus morning :—

On reaching Parihaka the reporters were well received by the natives, who did not appear at all concerned as to the approach* ing visit of the soldiers.—-On a close inspection of Parihaka it was seen that there were about 2500 natives present, including women and children. The natives were squatting in the marac, and had been there since 12 o'clock on Friday nigh!,, they having been informed that the soldieis were to visit the pah about day* light. » The weather was exceedingly warm, and the Constabulary and Volunteers were rather exhausted from their tramp in heavy marching order. The natives appeared very clean, and a large proportion of them wore white feathers as head-dress. The Maoris had pulled down one of their fences to allow room for; the,troops to enter into the pah, and h«d 500 .loaves prepared so as to provide the men with food. 1 '"■ ' : '"■ ' •"'■■ •■•;--; 1': ;■-.•■". ■ - Early in the morning the chief of the Ngawas addressed the assemblage, and cautioned them not to use any violence. Tohu followed in a similar strain, and said that no matter what force was Died against them they were not to strike even with a stick.

ADVANCE OF THE TBOOP3. From a hill in front of Parihaka the A.C. men were seen approaching (at 7.15 a.m.), they having been joined by the Volunteers from Rahotu. who came by way of Pariwaiwa. The troops on reach* ing Kopara, separated, one body, composed chiefly of Volunteers, taking the left with the intention of proceeding to the rear of Parihaka, and the rear and main body continuing to march on Parihaka direct. The special correspondents already mentioned, seeing the men * approaching near the scene of supposed action, engaged the services of an interpreter, who is also a special, and by these means gained full admission to the pah. Tohu wanted them to sit beside him, 'bat, this being out of the question, a whare from where full observations could be made was offered them, and the offer was kindly accepted. The first body of men was seen advancing' over the slope to the south west of the pah at 8.30 in the morning, and making a gap in the fence of one of the native plantations approached the pah, but on gaining the high ground to the west of the pab, halted and waited the advance of the main body of men. Immediately this body was observed by natives, about 200 young children were sent to the high ground in 1 front of Pari- ' haka, and danced a baka from excellent time for children whose ages ranged from Bto 14 years. In these movements it was apparent that they had been trained specially for-the purpose. The staff turned on to the-road leading to Parihaka at 8.30, and the children tamed their attention to them, performing as they'had done before the other companies; Ok a small rise in front of Parihalca the staff halted, and waited for the Armed Constabulary to approach. The whole'then came on towards the pah, headed by the A.C. skirmishers. ...

At 9 o'clock the skirmishers of the A.C. had taken up a position ousfth& hill immediately above the native burial ground,and were accompanied by the Hon Mr Holies* ton and the Hon. Mr Brice. The former was on foot, while the latter was mounted on a white horse. At five minutes. past nine the four companies of A.C: had reached the foot of the hill. , »\v

At 930 Major Tuke and.Mr t ßutler, Secretary to Mr Bryoe, Came into the pah. The former 'gentleman, addressing the natives'said :—We have come to hear Te Whiti V reply to the Proclamation'issued to him. After an interval of five minutes, there being no reply, Major Tuke read the Riot Act, calling on all the natives to disperse. The Act was translated into .the native tongue by Mr Butler, after which both gentlemen retired. The natives cUd not appear to have taken any iiitereskin the reading of the Act.'''. ■ •

At' 10 o'clock some excitement ims caused in the pah, when the Constabulary were to be seen retracing their steps to the front of Parihaka, the ua^ves evidently thinking the A.C. men had come for the purpose of dispersing them. They called on their friends;and relations who were loitering about the pah to assemble, which was immediately done. I'From the wbare where the reporters bad taken up their position.it, was rather difficult to watch the movements of the various companies, but it afforded every facility for observing everything that took place between the Hon. Mr Bryce and the natives. ''

Tohuagain addressed bis people, saying: Let the man who has raised the war do bis work this day. Let neither woman cook or man cook stir. We hare partaken of food; let none of ua stir, lest any, of us be absent. B$ patient and steadfast, and even if the Bayonet conies to'your breasts do not resist. '■ ::f v.v-.: ?tY^y 1 'The-troops bnViflg tiriMt^tLp tS#ir positions the following' conversation took place between Te Whiti and Mr Bryce :■ Mr Hursthouse (interpreter) acting on instructions, called upon Te Whiti to come and stand in his (Mr Bryce's) presence; Te Whiti replied that the Hong. Mr Bryce and Bolleston must come to him. Mr Bryce, through an interpreter, re* fused to go to Te Whiti, and said he must come to where he atood 'hear the grave* yard). He said Te Whiti had nothing to do but to go to them. ' . ' Te Whiti replied: I have nothing but good words in my mouth for him 'or anyone. , "' '. '" Mr Bryce, replying, said: From your good wishes I feel inclined td honour your wish to come and see you; make a good road, therefore, for the passage of'my horse through your people and I will come to you. • ■ ■

Te Whiti: But some of my children might Ret hurt. ' ■■) •" : < ;. .- Mr Bryee; No; this is a quiet horse. Te Whiti: Ido not think it good you should oonte on horseback among .my children. If Mr Bryce wanted te tilk with mo let him- come ou foot. ;: , Mr Bryoe: The days for talking are over. , -'•..- ■ . . Te Whiti: When did you find that out. Mr Bryce: Since this morning. Te Whiti: I haTe nothing more to say. This eourtrrsation wag carried oft

through an interpreter (Mr Hursthouse) At II 30 a.m. an order was Riven for the arresting party to adavnee, and the natives immediately cleared a passage for the men, and the party, advancing to where Te Wbiti was seated, arrested him, without the slightest resistance. Wlien the men reached Te Whiti, Col. Boberts called to the men, " Let him walk, if he will." Te Whiti walked quietly with four A C. men to where Mr Bryce and the officers were stationed. His wife walked through the file with him. Tohu and Hiroki were taken in a similar manner. The large assemblage of natives looked on calmly, and scarcely a word was spoken. Te Whiti and Tohu were not handcuffed, but Hiroki was. The arresting party retired at 1135 a.m. Te Whiti, when under arrest, spoke to his people, and asked them to be lionhearted and patient. He said: This is not my work, bat comes from the hearts of Europeans. Tohu followed.* He said: This is the doings of war ; be not sorry ; tarn away tho sorrowful heart from you. We go •way as fools, as mistaken men. We looked for peace and we find war. Be stout hearted ; keep to peaceful works ; be not dismayed, hare no fear. Te Whiti said : Let your dwelling be good in this plnce. Work such as this (meaning the soldiers) is frustrated this day. Te.Whiti and Tohu accompanied by their wives were then convened to the redoubt at Pungarehu, under an escort of Nevr*^fymouth Mounted Bifles. Hiroki was sent to the redoubt later in the day