REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.

Evening Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 2, 2 July 1879, Page 2

REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.

SECREr STRONGHOLD OF TE WHITI. COMMERCIAL DEPRESSION IN THE DISTRICT. 1 (FSOJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Waitara, 27th June. Native affairs wear a worse appearance every day and cannot go on like this iriany days longer. The natives, who^have hitherto confined their egression to the south of New PJymouth, have at last commenced in this district Yesterday a party of natives under a man named Katene, commenced to plough up Mr. F. Bay ley 'B land at Pukearuke, within a few miles of the Armed Constabulary station there and about 14 miles from Waitara. They state that it is their intention to plough up land at Urenui and Tikorangi in a day or two, and they have already driven off cattle from a few farms, and have warned one family off. One settler who has been threatened declares that if the Maoris go upon his land he will shoot their bullocks, and if they still persist, he will shoot the men. He is one of those who suffered, without receiving any compensation, in the last war, and will not see himself again ruined without striking a blow. Last night, whna the Waitara Volunteers (who number 60, besides the specials numbering 40) were at drill, Captain Elliott asked who would volun^£jr to turn natives off Mr. Bay ley's land in case it was found politic to do so, the whole company stepped forward and' offered their services with great enthusiasm. There is not the le<wt dou bt .that when affairs do come to a crisi«, the volunteers in the province will prove themselves good men and true, and will perform what is required of them willingly and ably. We number about 1400 volunteers now in the disaffected districts from Urenui to Wacganiii. The men appointed by Te- Whiti to superintend the ploughing in this district are Katene Pitoma and old Te Patu. The latter is one of Te Whiti's most enthusiastic agents, and is the same chief who was so conspicuous in the tangl at the Waitara meeting last year. His headquarters are Manukoribi Pah, on the north side of the river, and right in the township of Waitara. The pah is on a cliff, irom whence, in the event of fighting, the aatwes can command the whole township. There aro sometimes 60 and -70 men in tbis pah, who are very sulky. It is hard to say whether they are all armed, although all means have been iiiad by various people to find out. The people are indignant that the Government will not grant permission to build a blockhouse between the pah and the edge of the cliff, where there is ample room. The building would be built by volunteer labor if the Government would grant permission and find the timber As it is, the townspeople can feel no security until this is done. , There has been a great deal said about the Maoris not wanting to fight. If questioned, they all say "no fight ;" but it is strange that they will offer almost any price for powder or arms. Another mistake made by the people South is the idea that the Maoris have no arms or ammunition at Parihaka. It is well-Known that there is scarcely a Maori who visits Parihaka who has not arms there. Until recently you could scarcely enter a whare at Parihaka without seeiug one or more guns hanging up, and I have beard it stated by Maoris themselves that when Hiroki went there first he used to sleep with loaded guns and even revolvers within his reach. There is a well-founded belief that Te Whiti has a stronghold or magazine behind Parihaka, surrounded by bush, and that his having sent all his arms, etc., there accounts for the absence of any warlike preparations at Parihaka. Thus far, the Maoris have been under the impression that the pakehas would be removed by supernatural power ; but when they see us still here and confident, they are not the people to acknowledge themselves beaten, and they will certainly not give in without a struggle. It is rather strange that at first Te Whiti said the pakehas would go without objection, and there would be no bloodshed ; but now, when things look more serious, he tells them they are to go on in spite of all, and that " the bullets of the pakeha will go first one side of them, and then the other." The commercial depression in the district can scarcely be credited by those in other parts of the colony, but it is a tact that all business is at a stand-still. Buildings in course of erection are left unfinished ; intending settlers go farther on, and thousands of pounds' worth of orders ate countermanded in consequence of the uncertain state of affairs.