AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1054, 27 March 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

MELBOURNE, March 25. The s.s. will leave at noon to-morrow for New Zealand, with the English Mail. SiDNEY, March 25. The Marine Board have exonerated the captain of Che * Bonnie Dundee' from blame in the recent-collision, but find the mate blamable. Dr Tyrell, Bishop of Newcastle, died last night.. The latest news from New Caledouia states that the revolt is entirely suppressed.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. [press agency. I GBAHAMSTOWN, last night. J. L, Byers, the actor, after being missing for two days, has now been found on the Tararua Track, having taken a stroll and lost his way. NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday. THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

SURVEYORS DRIVEN OFF. The surveyors have been driven off the Waimate Plains to-day by a Maori named Te Manu, who some time ago committed an outrage at Opunake, by biting off the finger of Mrs Bartlett, landlady of the Opunake Hotel. The instruments and camp fixings belonging to Skeats and party, have been brought by the Maoris in drays, across the Waingonqforo River, and the drays have returned to bring in all the other survey parties off the Plains. Information of this proceeding was received here officially this morning. Te Whiti is thought to De unconnected with it. Major Brown is expected at flawera to-morrow, and will, it is hoped, be able to put matters right. The Maoris, about 20 strong in each party, ere removing Mr Climes's and other camps. Te Whiti decided this aftair after Mr Sbeahan left. Mr Williams has started for the plains. Mr Skeet the surveyor ordered off, was marking the boundary throughTitokowarus own settlement The other surveyors were near the coast: Jt is said they were to be moved to-day. The surveyors say that nothing could have exceeded the politeness and good humour of the natives. In moving the camp everything was carefully packed in drays. There was no violence used. The surveyors wisely consented to go when civilly asked. The Government have resolved to advertise 16,000 acres of the surveyed portion of the plains for sale by auction, at Carlyle, on May 6. The ' Herald's' Oarlyle correspondent telegraphs : " It is rumored that

the natives have determined to remove all the surveyors from the Waimate plains. The Civil Com, missiouer, Malor Brown, who came along with the Hon. Mr Sheehan from Parihaka, was at Carlyle at noon to-day, and left about half-past 1 o'clock for Hawera. on hearing that Mr Skeet, the head of the survey party, had arrived there. It is reported that Te Manu; with a party of natives declared that he would olear the surveyors from the place. The instruments, tents, and other things belonging to Mr Skeet's party have been brought across the Waingongoro river. The Maori drays again returned to bring, it is said, the other surveyors off the land." The ' Herald's' Hawera corres-

pondent sen Is the following tolegratn : —" Mr Skeet's survey party aud camp were taken possession of by twelve Maoris, Titokowaru being present. Tha natives carted the

party to the South side of Waingongoro river. About 100 Maoris came up on the M*ru Road. After leaving the party ou the othe.i side of the bridge the Maoris road off, saying they were going to remove Air Olimes's camp. I hear from the natives that they are acting under Te Whiti's orders to remove all surveyors from the plains."

There is considerable amount of excitement at New Plymouth res peoting th<?. action of the natives at. Waimate plains, and the native*, as they pass through the town -aro | questioned very closely as to 'wh&\ transpired between Te Whiti an,,' Mr Sheehan. An old native said that Mr Sheehan advocated that Hiroki should be sent to either Wanganui or New Plymouth, and should be tried, but that Te Whiti might accompany hira s )as to see fair play, but Te Whiti replied that Mr Sheehan should birng his people to Parihaka and he would be judge. Another native says that when at the meeting, Mr Sheehan, observing Hiroki present, commented on the murder, and he condemned the natives for tho part they bad taken in not giving him up. Te Whiti gave a smart and unexpected answer. He said the Govern, ment were responsible for the murder. Tney were thieves ; they had taken this land, and the murder would not have happened if surveyors had not been on the land, which they ought not to have been. This was received with loud response of " Ka mae Te e Te Whiti," which, translated,means that Mr Sheehan had been vanquished by Te Whiti. After the Native Minister left, it is said that Te Whiti gave orders that any surveyors who should attempt to make roads or lines at Waimate, or between Urunui and the ivlimi river, were to be thrown on one side or carted away, but theke was to be no blood spilt. He further orders that the Europeans are to be kept on the other side ot the Waingongoro river. Another Maori says that after Mr Sheehan left, the natives threatened Te Whiti's life if he did not give orders for them to remove the surveyors.

The ' Herald' to-night says : "As u Pakeha Maori of not very nice principles has been known to be visiting the 'district lately, it looks as if his visits had 30tnething to do with the changes in the conduct of the natives. As matters have gone so far, the Government ma3t show a bold front, and maintain the attitude they have previously taken up." A special meeting of the. Waste Lands Board has been held this afternoon; and the Civil Commissioner, has received orders to get the Waimate la ids priced, and to offer it for sale. It is reported here lhat Tifcokoworu has telegraphed that he is at the head of the party, and is responsible for what has been done. WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

Parliament will probably meet for the despatch of business on the 25th of July. An altercation, which led to a regular stand-ap fight, rooK place at the railway station this morning between two well-known members of the Civil Service. The-pai ties went into one of the station-rooms, an undpr-secretary acting as umpire, and several rounds were fought. One of the combatants was severely punished. Legal proceedings are talked about. GISBORNE, Tuesday. A suspicious half-caste, supposed to be Winiata, is hangiug about Waeranga a-hiki, and it is said to have been recognised. The Licensing Bench informed the publicans that any hotel not having a private entrance entirely away from the bar would not haye the license renewed in June.