The Native Difficulty. [BY TELEGRAPH, OWN – CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1456, 1 November 1881, Page 2

The Native Difficulty. [BY TELEGRAPH, OWN - CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Last Night. Mr Bryce telegraphs that a big native meeting is being held at Parihaka to-day. The interpreters sent there have not yet returned. Important results are expected. Mr Rolleston goes to the front to-night or to-morrow.

Okato, Yesterday. Sixty-eight men, of the Naval*, escort the ammunition towards Rahotu, under Captain Taylor. The Nelson Batt ihon arrived at Okato afc six o'clock, after a march of 18 miles. They appear to have had a very rough passage to New Plymouth. Their march on the day after landing must have tried all. 'I here is no sickness in camp. The Artillery hnng . one six-pounder Armstrong gun, which they mounted on the beach at New Plymouth in a very creditable manner. Time, 3n\ins. The Nelson men atari at nine o'clock to-day for Rahotu, 11 miles distant. Major Pitt commands, and Dr. Boor is in medical charge.

Mastekton, Last Night. Thirty-two of the Masterton volunteers, 36 from Fielding, and 33 from Palmersfcon, left by the morning train for Wanganui to embark for the front. A large crowd assembled to witness the departure of the volunteers.

Coromandel, Last Night. At a meeting of volunteers held on Saturday night it was resolved to go to Panhaka if their services were required by Government. A large meeting of natives was held today at Kennedy Bay.

Wajicknui, Last Night. The combined mfantiy forces from Wanganui number 170.

Auckland, Last Night. The Star's correspondent telegraphs :—: — "Rahotu, this day. The day after the reading of the proclamation, Te Whiti despatched 27 drays to New Plymouth, nnd gave the diivers £200 in money wherewith to pm chase piovisions for a giand feast to he held to-day. At every embryo city, in every small towuship and village settlement along the route from Hawera to Panhaka, the sound of the military bugle and the lingof martial arms is heard. The constabulary vie with the volunteers in enthusiasm, and from all appearance the horrid front of gloiious war appears imminent in the immediate future. Meanwhile, the man who has aroused the storm preserves impenetrable silence. The oracle is dumb. At present no arming is apparent. No ammunition is observable, and the natives disclaim all intention of fighting. Nevertheless the situation is fraught with anxiety. The temper of the youths on both sides is not to be trusted when they are engaged in the Hide struggle such as is likely to take place should arrests be attempted, and a rough and tumble contest may provoke a shot or a stab of the bayonet on the one side, or a blow from a spade or a tomahawk on the other. My next telegram will be from Pnngarehu, where nearly 500 men are stationed, wlnist 120 are located at Rahotu, and the cry is still they oomc. The helmettcd light horse, the bluecoated, wide-trousered, cutlas-armod naval brigades duly inarched to the front, and ere long 2000 men of all arms will be collected near the dwelling of the prophet, who says his only arm is his tongue, which promulgates the right, and speaks of the rifle as being ' the Crown grant of the pakehas to the land." 1