PUNGAREHU.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4016, 11 November 1881, Page 2

PUNGAREHU.

This day. It was understood that Mr Bryce was to leave here for Parihaka yesterday morning at fire, so several correspondents made it their duty to be there, only to find that nothing was to be done so early. The Minister arrived at seven, and orders were at once issued for a hundred Wanganui Rifles from the Eahotu to march to Mania, a post about eight miles from Normanby, and in the neighbourhood of Titokowaru's people. They left for Opunake at two yesterday, and leave there at eight this morning for a twenty miles' walk. The Wellington Navals still remain at Eahotu, and are jolly and in good order. Capt. C. Johnston and Dr Diver left yesterday for Wellington on leave.

At 10 o'clock Mr Hursthouse and Mr Butler entered Parihaka, and the, former read aloud the names of chiefs whom it was intended to arrest. No resistance was offered, but some of those wanted could not be found. It is decided that all the prisoners shall go to New Plymouth in the afternoon. A working -party of 100 A.C., with a covering party of 50 A.C., marched out to commence the road. Major Tuke communicated with Captains Northcroft and Morrison under him, and Colonel Eoberts accompanied by Mr Wilson Hursthouse C.E., selected the line for the new road, and this was quickly laid out by the surveyors. During this time it rained heavily so that the men had a wet time of it. The new road runs east from Parihaka to Stratford and will doubtless necessitate the demolition of some whares on its way to the main line. The native difficulty seems little altered, certainly a few prisoners have been taken, but I learn on good authority that with the exception of two the prisoners are not representative men. Tamaokoke, one of them, if he has any ancestral ri<>lit at ail, has a claim upon Parihaka only. Of those who have left of their own wish, Wi Parata took 5 to Waikane, and of the 11 that went with Tahitia, there were four women and three children.

Yesterday afternoon, a girl, apparently a European, dropped two pieces of paper over the fence close to the camp, a sergt. of the Waiuaea Rifles picked them up, and on reading one found that it stated the writer being tired of living with tthe Maoris and feared being taken back into the bush with them she asked the finder to have the note delivered to her mother, a European. The first note was shown to Major Pitt, who laid it before Col. Roberts. The girl will be taken away from the natives this morning. There is a strict order against any visitors seeing Te Whiti, even his relations being forbidden admittance to him. Hone Pihama's daughter committed suicide at Oeo, 24 miles from here, because they would not allow her to return to Parihaka.

(Pbe3S Association's Special.)