NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XII, Issue 626, 8 November 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

♦ ARREST OF TE WHITI, TOIIU, AND OTHER CHIEFS. A good deal of anxiety was evinced by the public to learn the result of Mr Bryce’s movement on I’arihaka on Saturday morning, and the message from our Dunedin correspondent was read with eagerness. General satisfaction was expressed at the firmness shown by Government, and at the arrest of To Whiti and his fanatical lieutenants with such promptitude. Mr Bryce entered Parihaka at one o’clock on Saturday morning. It was crowded with Natives An answer was demanded from To Whiti to the Government ultimatum, hut no reply avas received. The Riot Act was read, and an hour was allotted before action was taken. The Natives were in holiday attire and showed no active resistance. Te Whiti exhorted them to to sit close together and keep a stout heart. The troops surrounded the Natives. Hiroki was present. Te Whiti, Tohu and Hiroki were arrested at halfpast cloven o’clock Saturday forenoon.

The following from tho Wellington correspondent of the Daily Times will bo of interest read in the light of after events : Wellington, November 3rd.

There is very little news from the front to-day beyond mere records of drill and preparation. Mr Bryce and Colonel Roberts reconnoitred Parihaka and neighborhood to-day, riding o’ose up, with a view of obtaining all information necessary for maturing the plans for Saturday’s proceedings. It is understood that these have been most carefully and elaborately mapped out and prepared ; but it is obviously desirable that the precise nature of the programme should be kept secret, and it has not been divulged. It is not even known here yet what time in the day the decisive advance will be made on Parihaka. Some believe it will be at noon, but so far as I can learn it is much more likely to be as early as possible in the morning—-in fact shortly after daybreak, so as to have the whole day before them. Various reports are current as to the probable nature of their reception, but the best informed judges still anticipate that the Natives will merely col’eot and huddle together in the marae, refusing to budge, but without attempting any violent resistance—in fact, that they will simply oppose vis inertia to momentum. In that case Mr Bryce’s plan of operations will come into force, and this, as I have said, is a State secret. One thing I bear however, on good authority : once in Parihaka, he will not leave it in a burry—or at least, if he do not remain in persoube will be represented by a strong garrison. He is fixedly determined to complete his task this time, and I am inclined to think he will do it. At the same time all the beat authorities persist in maintaining that there will be no “fighting” in the strict and sanguinary sense of the term, although there might be a sharp struggle at the trial of physical strength that will take place.

The total force at the front may now be sumed up roughly in round mi mbers as follows; Constabulary, nearly 900; Volunteers from other places, nearly 1000 ; local Volunteers, 500 or 600—in all something like 2500 men. Government have been obliged to refuse all offers from every part of the Colony since last Saturday morning, as Mr Bryce telegraphed very posilively not to send any more at present, as he dill not want them : an excessive number would embarass rather than assist him. Government were very sorry to disappoint the various corps who had so readily offered their services ; but it coul 1 not be helped. Their services might yet be required, although it is of course hoped that such will not be the case. A rumour got about during the last day or two, and has been very generally circulated that a portion of Parihaka is mined and charged with dynamite or powder, and that the Divine interpretation promised by Te Whiti on the sth November will consist in blowing up the New Zetland forces as Guy Fawkes proposed to do the House of Commons on that day two or three centuries ago. I have made careful enquiries regarding the truth of this alarming rumour (which is expressed to-day in a private letter from the front), but as tar as I can learn there is not the slightest foundation for the idea. It is almost impossible that the necessary preparations could have been made for such an atrocious scheme without coming to the knowledge of the Government through the various means which they have of procuring reliable information as to what goes on at Parahika. I have every reason, therefore, to believe the report utterly groundless.