The Natives at their Old Game.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4429, 15 March 1883, Page 2

The Natives at their Old Game.

(FBOM OUR OWH COBBEBPONDENT.). Auckland, This day. C. W. Hursthouse, of the Publio Works Department, who left Alexandra on Monday, for the purpose of making a flying survey of the railway route to Taranaki returned yesterday ; the natives having refused to allow him to proceed. Hursthouse, on arriving at Otorohanga, wasstopped by. Aporo Taratua, who at the commencement of the war destroyed Gorst's printing press, Te Awamutu. There were also present — Wetere fe, JTewenaj-- Bawiri Hauparoa, and fifty other .natives. Hursthouse argued the' matter for some considerable time. No violence was used, but his horses were ordered to return to Alexandra and wait until the arrival of Tavrhiao, who is on his way up. On crossing the Alexandra bridge, on setting out, Hursthouse was stopped and warned not to proceed by Te Toko, of Ngatimaniapoto ; this shows that ah objection to the journey was premediated. Returning to Whatiwhatiboe, Hursthouse saw and endeavored to get speech on the subject with Wahanui who, howf ver, with the" excuse that all the natives should be present to listen to the conversation, walked out of the house. Hursthouse thought this was for the purpose of calling them, but Wahanui did not return. The common report is that if Bryce endeavors to go through, he w ill be stopped at the bridge.