THE WAIMATE PLAINS. [By Electric Telegraph.] [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1189, 10 February 1880, Page 3

THE W AIM ATE PLAINS. [By Electric Telegraph.] [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Nobmanby, Yesterday. There is any amount of speculation here as to what will turn up next and how events will shape themselves, but leaving mere speculation aside the all important fact remains that the work of roadmaking is being 1 pushed vigorously ahead. Contracts for gravelling have been let, and the road all the way along from Waingongoro towards Parahaka is covered with the Avorking parties of contractors and the fatigue parties of aimed constabulary who act as a guard for the former, while themselves busily engaged in road formation, with their arms stacked ready for immediate use. The Maories come and go and watch all our proceedings narrowly, but manifest little apparent interest. One thing is certainly impressed upon them, that we are in earnest in what we are about, and that we not only intend to open up these roads of communication, but to fight if necessary. No third commissioner has yet been appointed in the place of Mohi Tawhai. Indeed, it is a knotty question whether he has or could resign. He has simply asked to be released from the duty of the commission in conjunction with Sir D. Bell and Sir W. Fox, the remark made that the Commission was composed of two pakehas and a dog having stung him deeply. It is thought that he is being worked upon by certain Pakeha-Maoris at Wellington, the object being to raise trouble between the Government and the natives on the matter of confiscation. The latter, however, .seem to place little importance on having a native acting" as one of the commission being entirely indifferent to the commission altogether. The other two Commissioners will be in Hawera to-morrow, and then the Hon. the Native Minister will, it is> baid, take their advice as to the next step, whether a third Commissioner .shall be appointed in place of Tawhai. On Saturday Mr Bryce started on a visit of inspection to all the military posts, returning here to-morrow to meet Commissioners Bell and Fox. Titokowaru is not at his kaiuga, being it is said with Te Whiti at Parahaka. Nothing, however, is likely to be known of what the Maoris really feel in the matter till the March meeting at the latter place. Every week that this delay of open manifestation of hostility to our proceedings goes on the better for the Government. Indeed, it looks very much as if the locally interested natives were overawed by our decided, prompt and cautious measures, knowing well also that they would receive little sympathy or assistance from other parts of the island.

Hawera, Last Night. Camp Constabularly was yesterday visited by many of the inhabitants of Haw- i era, who find the camp a convenient distance from the township for an afternoon's ride or drive.

New Plymouth, Last Nig-ht. Mr Bryce, accompanied by Colonel Roberts, visited White Lliffs, and returned to New Plymouth by special train. He | inspected the A.C. camps between here [ and Stoney River. Colonel Hoberts left by train for Hawera, and the Native Minister proceeded by the 4 o'clock tram to Inglewood, where he will becom the guest of Colonel Trimble for the night, i'o-morrow he proceeds to Hratford by rail. A constable at White Cliffs named Patrick Pley, while untethering his horse allowed the rope, by some means, to get round his neck, aud the horse starting away, the man was dragged by the neck about 000 yards He is still quite unconscious, and is not expected to recover,