NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 900, 18 July 1879, Page 3

NATIVE INTE LLIGENCE.

Te Whiti’s influence is fast on the wane, and it is probable that it will soon he necessary for him to clear out of the district. Natives formerly loud in To Whiti’s praise now say nothing in his favour. The downcast and dejected women -whose husbands have been taken to Wellington are dreadfully enraged at what they consider Te Whiti’s humbug, and it would not be surprising if at the next meeting at Parilnka they are ready to tear the prophet to pieces for misleading their husbands. It is reported that several Natives interviewed Te Whiti, to ascertain why his words did not come true, and the men who were taken prisoners not released, in three days. He hj is told them to get ranis’ horns, and blow them before the prisons where the men are confined, and the walls will fall down. The Natives are now said to the busy collection ranis’ horns. A chief named Shana[?] says that the Native are so enraged at Te Whiti’s proceedings that they talk of bringing him in, so that he shall suffer the same punishment as those ho has misled have suffered. Twenty nine Maoris were brought down by the Patea this morning, making a total of 99. Of the number Inspected by Mr James Mackay yesterday, 36 were on the side in previous troubles, and only 26 were rebels. Some insubordination occurred among the Maori prisoners this afterncmi, which was promptly dealt with. Mr James M’Kay was up at the barracks inspecting the last lot of Maoris who arrived to-day, and after having their meal Mr M'Kay ordered them to sweep up the place and make things look clean ; but Whakawna, who was so impudent in Court when brought up at Patea, told Mr M'Kay to sweep up himself, or get the Armed Constabulary to do it, as it was their business to wait on the Maoris. Mr M'Kay had him locked up at once. He then took the broom and getting a young Mami to sweep, when a lot of others interfered and would not let him do it, saying" Let the Armed Constabulary do the swceeping.”

Then the whole lot of insubordinates wore put into cells, and pass the night without supper. When being tried at Paten, Wbakawua said, “ I did not come over to one settler, but to the whole. I am quite sure that anything I may say now will not go against mo at my trial. My God will protect me. lam your lord and Tabu is your. lam sweeping my blanket. Do not think lam come to kill one ; 1 have come to kill all, and you in this Court- This is the date of breaking out. You must obey. This is the day I have been looking for. ” At a subsequent stage of the proceedings, Whakawua would insist on ligthting his pipe, which had to be forcibly taken from him, and he was threatened to be dealt with for contempt of Court. When asked if lie wanted to question one of the witnesses (Thomson) Whakawua said, “ I say that I have no question to ask of Thomson ; ask questions of me, your lord. I did not do the ploughing to turn off Finlayson, but all the settlers. ’’ The Maori prisoners have all been thoroughly tubbed, and clothed in corduroys and blue shirts They seem more comfortable and look more respectable than ever they did before. The 29 mutineers are calming down. The wives and relatives of some of the prisoners reached Ball Block last night, on their way to Parihaka to have an understanding with the prophet. They are worked up to a state of great earnestness, and say they will not be put off with vague Scriptural allusions or quotations They will demand something definite regarding the deliverance of the prisoners at Wellington. There was to ho a large gathering of Natives at Mangori last night to talk over late events and to determine course of action to be taken at the new Parihaka meeting on the ISth. Te Whiti’s sister, Hine Kino, who was married to Moewaku, his dead. Seventeen more Maori ploughmen have been arrested.