THE SETTLERS ARMING. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1442, 29 September 1881, Page 2

TH E SET TL ERS ARMING. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

"Wellington, Tnesday. The Government have received no fresh ■news from the West" Oon«tr-^The*'N»tive ■ Minister will he at Opunake to-morrow. Fifty picked men of ttie 'Wellington NaVal Brigade have offered' 'their services te go ' ■to the Iroiit. Should they be accepted, the detachment will ( gq in command of Lieufcenaut Bennett. ' The Government are accepting nearly all recruits of a suitable cla!«s for the A.O. There were nearly 300 applicants in Christchuxch, of whom some will be accepted and brbugh't up By the 1 Hinemba. Evident anxiety prevails as to the situation of native affairs; • ■ .

New Plymouth, Tuesday. A Hawera gehtle'ma'n writes to the Taranald Herald : — ,'' It is my usual custom to go and see the Plains natives on returning from Parahaka. On the 19th inst. I weut out and met Titokowaru on returning from Parahaka. Prom him and others with him, I heard a similar version of Te 1 Whiti's speech to that published in the papers. The old chief was in very low spirits, and said it was impossible to control the young people at Parahaka. Only two or three chiefs belonging to the Waimate Plains have letarned from Parahaka, not a single native belonging to the south of the Waingongoro has yet returned." The Hinemoa anchored in the roadstead this morninsj from the Manukau. She brings arms and ammunition. Ti toko war u and his people, numbering about two hundred in all, have left their settlement at Mawhitiwhiti, and proceeded to Parahaka. They carried with them all their chattels. They burned down some of their whares before leaving. They are well supplied with axes, fernhooks, &c, having purchased a considerable number of these implements lately. The natives at Parihaka have warned the constabulary that they intend shortly to proceed to the Waimate Plains for" the purpose of molesting the settlers there. They intend to commence ploughingthere.

Opunake, Tuesday. Major Stapp to-day enrolled the settlers as volunteers, and issued arths. The Defence Minister has arrived here, and while approving 1 the action'bf the settlers in preparing for contingencies, he himself anticipates no difficulties. The natives here are all quiet, and at work cultivating.

'Ha-weka., Tuesday. Crowded public meetings have been held at Manaia and Hawera to enrol volunteer corps in case of a disturbance. (53 were enrolled in Hawera as infantry, 30 mounted rifles, and 38 foot rifles wero enrolled at Manaia. Last night at Manaia Major Stopp was present, and the meeting 1 received him heartily, and showed great confidence in him as the officer commanding; the district. A number of other volunteers bad expieased an intentian of joining who were not present at the meeting at Manaia. It is expected that at least fifty mounted, and probably one hundred infantry, will join on the plains. A number are waiting to see whether Te "Whiti means nghfcin<r, as the new settlers are too busy to spare time for soldiering except at senous inconvenience and loss. A few settlers have removed their wives and families into the township of Mandia and elsewhere. The place is full of rumours.

Wellington, Last Night. The report respecting Daniells and the natives is stated by Col. Roberts to be a fabrication, and as to Mr Rollcston and Col. Roberts going out with a guard, the fact is that they had with them only the usual orderlies.

Christchurch, Last Night. _ Additional men were sworn in this morning for the A.C. Force, making a total of 133.