NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2845, 10 June 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[tiY TELEGRAPH.]

SUPPLIES OF ARMS AND AMMU 1

NITION

' WELLINGTON,' Monday. Recruiting and drifting go on steadily. at> the Mount Cook barracks. A number of applicants wer.e rejected to-day, not being up to the required standard. The' Government have ample supplies of anus and ammunition, ' the former including 3,000 Snider rifles, and some of those .Cohorrimortars) which proved so _ effective in seizure of pahs in former native wars. . THE NGATIPOROIJ CONTINGENT. The apticipations previously indulged in of getting at least a thousand Ngatiporoua as allies are not likely now to bo realised. A difference of opinion exists among the tribe as to whether they should fight at all' or not. If hostilities break out in any case not more than five hundred men will be expected from that tribe now.

PUNISHMENT OF MURDEKKKS. It is understood, however, that the Government have come to the fixed determination that in the event of any murderous outrage being committed by the natives or auy bloodshed by them, prompt and. severe measures will be adopted. In tho event of such a contingency arising the whole of the Armed Constabulary force at Taranaki would make an immediate advance on the natives, while the Volunteers wotild garrison various outposts and denote. In that case care will be taken .that it is put out of the power of the natives ever again to be troublesome. Major Noakea is in command of Volunteers. Major Tirkej of the Armed Constabulary at Taranaki, and Inspector Gqritfg are at Opunake and

NEW PLYMOUTH; this day. " THE FORCES iON THE GROUND.

Sixty Armeil-Constabulary are encamped at; Oiikura, and/ eighty are stationed; at Opunake. Tie .local Volunteer forces n6tt number SSO. i,» -. .-■• -:■.*■'■•_ The Maoris appear unable to reconcile our arming with TeWniti'spropheHcs of Sthe"^atiVes backing down. Soventy-thul© volunteers were sworn in at Mahuhiri north yesterday. The general arming of tha districts is prodncing'a' salutary effect on the native mind. Some of the more sensible natives admit they do not know the reason of tho ploughing. A great meeting,is to bo held at Parihakq on the 18th at which Europeans will be permitted to be present.;