THE WAIMATE DIFFICULTY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1057, 3 April 1879, Page 2

THE WAIMATE DIFFICULTY.

(By Telegraph.) HAWERA, March 31. On Saturday, Mr H. Williams, wiih definite instructions from the Government, visited fche settlement on Waimate plains, accompanied by Messrs MuGuire and King. Mr Williams told fche natives positively that; unless they consented to the return of the surveyors, the settlement of the question would be placed immediately m the hands of Colonel Whitmore, vith whom, as Williams naively said, they had a previous warm acquaintance. At, fche first place visited, Te Kautauhere, we met a .staunch and intelligent follower of Te Whiti, named Te Rama, who listened to Mr Williams, though ab times beseemed downcast, bufc soon brightened up again. Mr Williams took up a sprig of fern, and, pointing to the stalk, said that was Te Whiti, and fche branches were the people of the various settlements. "If you destroy a settlement, you merely destroy a branch ; to settle the matter, you must move fche stalk itself • likewise the Government- was the stalk of another twig. Te Rama, said Major Brown, Mr Williams, and others were but branches. Let the two stalks decide this question." Mr Williams said fche Government had already tried to do tliis, but were insulted and abused, and although fchey now took ifc quietly, the consequences would follow. He told fchern Te Whifci was only putting fcboir hands m fche fire instead -of his own. They agreed to much of this, bab would nob give their consenfc to the return of the surveyors. Here fche party were joined by the friendly native Katene. The next visit was to Okarau. The chief here is Tukukino, who, m reply to Mr William's message, said very quietly, bufc without hesitation, "If the surveyors are sent, they must be turned off again ; if there was to be fighting, although he did nob wish ib, there would be a great many Maoris killed ; bufcthe whole of the Europeans m New Zealand would be swept off fche face of the land, and then the remnant of the Maoris would repopulate the colony." This looks ominous. Tauke said, '• Do not bring the trouble on us here, bufc go to Parihaka j we will there defend Te Whiti, if necessary." ' The other natives looked on deeply interested, bufc said nothing. On leaving, fchey gave a most cordial farewell, with no appearance of sulk. We passed one or two other settlements until reaching Ahipipa, where we met Titokowai'ii, and his brother Kokori, tho present chief of the tribe. Mr Williams again related words of warning, and offered them an ultimatum. Kokori, whose teefch are sefc apart, speaks with a continual hiss, and he said boldly and clearly, -he would-nofc let bhe. surveyors back again, no matter what the consequences might be. He did not wish to fight, bat would follow fche instructions given by his great head, Te Whiti. He defied the Government. He got warm, bufc not excited. The men of his tribe appeared to agree with him, bnfc his words had no uncertain sound. Titokowaru, like a snake m the grass, safe near Mr Williams, aud gave him covertly to understand that he sided with fche Government However, things look very dark here, and yefc the Maoris were noi sulky. They seem to have a settled and unflinching faith that Te Whiti will sefc matters right. They are willing to abide by his dictum. They , have apparently no present intention of fighting. Many of the young men were away from most of the first settlements we visited. Wo now pushed on to Kaupokonui. Mr Williams here again went through the whole Plains Question, announcing fche determination of the Government. At the conclusion, Mania arose and eang a song of welcome, and then briefly said he was pleased with the way Mr Williams explained the matter, and was anxious the Government should proceed with the survey, and settle the affair at ' once. He had no sympathy wibh Te Whifci, and never would attend any of his meetings. He would support fcho surveyors on their return, and protect them. Te Mania, thus throwing himself boldly on the Government side, must have a good effect. The affair fchu3 stands : Te Mania's bribe say fche surveyors may come, while Titokowara's tribe say, almost to a man, that orders have come from Te Whifci to stop them, aad fchey intend to carry out these instructions, and say, if fche Government want a row, Te Whifci was fche mm to quarrel with, and they are prepared to support him ab Parihaki.