SERIOUS NATIVE NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 713, 20 September 1870, Page 2

SERIOUS NATIVE NEWS.

ALAEM IN TABANAKI. TITO KOWAEU AGAIN. A special telegram from New Plymouth to the Nelson " Colonist" reports : Hundreds of natives have passed through the town during the past week on the way to Pariaka. The great native meeting will be held on the 18th instant. Great excitement has been created by the intelligence that Tito Kowaru has gone armed to the meeting, accompanied with eighty-four followers. It is said that Tito Kowaru passed within three miles of the town.

A deputation waited on the Superintendent to represent the defenceless position of the town. The authorities state that nothing can be done. A meeting is to be held and a Vigilance Committee appointed, who will see that the powder-magazine is properly guarded, and a patrol will guard the town each night. The authorities are powerless to act, so the inhabitants will have to take the affair into their own hands.

Natives say that Te White, of Pariaka, has blindfolded the Government, and, after the meeting, if the confiscated land is not given up, that they mean mischief. The Civil Commissioner is very anxious about the result of the meeting.

Government has lost no time in affording succour to Taranaki. H.M.S. Blanche left Wellington for New Plymouth on Friday evening with a body of the Armed Constabulary. The " Herald" of Wednesday last, in noticing ttie rumored movement of Tito Kowaru, says it appears to be untrue that he passed so close to New Plymouth as was represented. It was quite necessary, however, that the small force there should be strengthened.