[BY TELEGRAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION].

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1454, 27 October 1881, Page 2

[BY TELEGRAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION].

Wellington, Last Night. The Hinemoa, with the Wellington Navuls, left for Opunake shortly after seven to-night. A tremenduous crowd of people lined the wharf and breastwork. As the vessel moved away the men were heartily cheered. Lieutenant Bennett goes in command. He has received a captain's commission while in charge of the detachment. lie was this afternoon pre-ented with a pair of handsome revolveis by his fellow clerks in the office of Messrs Buddy, Stafford, and Fifaherberfc. in appieciation of the prompt manner in which he proffered Jus services, and the energy he displayed in organising the contingent. Captain Bonnar, of the West Coast (Middle Island), has telegraphed to the Government asking if the Volunteers there offered their services would they be accepted. The C. Battery of Artillery and Temuka Rifles have communicated that they could supply 60 men at a short notice. Mr Bryce wires that everything is quiet at the front.

A correspondent of the Hawera Star writing on the 18th inst. says : — What ' will be the outcome no m<m caa tell. The M.ioris threaten to resist as noon as their [fences are pulled down. The constabulary are being reinforced rapidly, and by the time this reaches you, there will probably be fully 1000 men under arm-. Thi- ouirht to be sufficient to render lesistence dangerous, if not hopelet-a, to the obstructionists. I am satisfied that the [ Maoris hope to ivoid bloodshed, and thU Te Whiti has --imply determiued to do ail in Ins power to secure a hearing for certain (re ti or fancied) claims of his to tho land. His authority and influence over fchi? Maoris is undoubtedly as great, if n^t greater, than it lvis evev been ; and should they be told to fi.cb.fc, they would probibly [ not hesitate for a moment. The youn'x mPii would enjoy and lo<»g for u little fighting, and scarcely realise 'what a crushing aud disastrous blow would bw dealt them, if the European-* weie to -rather up their forces and with ai their might. I shill never regret my \isit to Parih.vka, but I should -caicely caio to go again. Any oue not bring >i Maoii seholai, is almost 10-'t amonir the natives, and one's enjoyment is so entirely lependent upon the piesence and goodn.ituie of an interpretei that it rests on a very slender footing. Judgmj? by what 1 saw of Te Whiti, I should Hunk him most unlikely to .sacufice the lives of his men tor the .sake of the laud claimed by him on their behalf. In his f;ubh-hod address to the electorof Esftnont, Mrj n Atlcinson says • — •' I must with logard to N.itive mittcr-, say i word or two at once, the subject being oi suoh paramount import nice to our di>ti ict. Two years ago I piomisud that I would Mipuoitno Goveiumeut that would noi effectually bottle the Native difficulty on our coast.. Since taking office, I h ivltold you that the Government weic stL'adily working in that direction, and ttat while they would not be unduly hurried on tho one hand, on tho othei they would not be debaired from enforcing the authority of tho law by fear of any consequences. If you will recall to mind how matters stood two years ago, and compare them with tho htatoof fcbimjy at present, you will .see it a glance that a great advantage has been made ; and I now say emphatically that tho time has come when an end must be made of this standing threat to the peaco of the Colony and district, and that it must aud, I believe, will be effectually disposed of dm ing this summer.