SCENE AT THE ARREST. MR. BRYCE AND THE CORRESPONDENTS. A NIGHT IN PARIHAKA.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 110, 7 November 1881, Page 2

SCENE AT THE ARREST. MR. BRYCE AND THE CORRESPONDENTS. A NIGHT IN PARIHAKA.

HOW THE REPORTERS EVADED TME PROHIBITION. THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN MR. BRYCE AND TE WHITI. FAREWELL SPEECH OF THE PROPHET. [ By Teleoraph.j (united press association's special correspondent.) | Pungarxhf, sth November. Mr. Bryce's move to Parihaka with the troops to-day caused great excitement in the Pungarehu camp, and from early morn the Armed Constabulary were flittin* about getti»g ready for the expected fray. The Eahotu camp was equally busy, inasmuch as the men were under ordera to march at daylight, and join the troops from Pungarehu shortly after 7 o'clock. The Armed Constabulary and New Plymonth Cavalry and liiilea marched from the latter camp at 6.45 a.m., the Constabulary Band playing as thoy left. The fact of an order being isßued on Friday night, that none of the special correspondents would be allowed to accompany the troops, or, in the event of any of them being found with .them, that they would be

immediately arrested and detained for m space of twenty-four hours, caused some indignatbn among; Pressmen, and during that day several members of the Press interviewed Colonel ißoberts. They were, however, unable to get permission to go to Panhalf a. Some of the correspondents were determined, if pxjs-ible, to gain admittance to Porihaka, and at daybreak this morning; a party of five gentlemen, including the special correspondent of the United Press Association, the Bpooial correspondent of the Lyt:elton Times, Mr. Hanrlton of the* Lyttolton Times, Crptain Dawaon and Mr. Barclay, of the Government Surrey (the lattor gentleman aotinsr as guide), left for Parihaka by a track which brought them to the rear of Parihaka after a rough walk of two hours. On reaching the spot, three were left on the hill in tbe rear, and the specials proceeded on to Parihaka. The intention waa in the event of the correspondents being arrested, those behind would be able to reach the telograph office and send any information that coald ba obtained. On reaching Parihaka the visitors were all well reoeived by the natives, who did not appear to be at all oonoerned in to the approaohing visit of the soldiers. On » olosor inspection of Parihaka it was seen that there were about 2590 natives present, including women and children. The natives wore squatting in* the marae, and had been there since 12 o'clock on Friday night, they having been informed that the soldiers were to visit the pah about daylight. Thtwoather was exceedingly warm, and the Constabulary and Volunteers were somewhat exhausted on their arrival from their tramp in heavy mirohinjr order. The natives appeared very dean, and the larger portion of them word white feathers as ornaments in their head-dress. The Maoris had pullod down one of their fences to allrw room for the troops to go into the pah, and had 500 loaves of bread ore* pared, bo as to provide the men with food early in the morning. The chief of the Ngawara addressed the assemblage, md cautioned them not to use any violence. Tohu followed in a similar strain, and said that no mutter what force was used against them, they were not to strike, net even with a stick. From a hill iv front of Parihaka the Armed Constabulary wore seen advancing at 7.15 a.m,, they having been joined by volunteors from Hahotu, who came by way of Parapara. '1 he troops on reaching Kopara separated, on* . tody, composed chiefly of volunteers, taking to the loft, with the intention of preooodi&ff to the rear of Parihaka, the staff and maia body continuing to maroh on Parihaka direct. The speoial correspondents already mentioned, seeing the men approaching near the ■ soene of supposed aotion, engaged the services of an interpreter, who is also a special, and by these moans gained full admission to the pah. Tohu wished them to sit beside him, but this being out of the question, a wharo, from where full observations could be made, was offered them, the offer being tbankfnlly accepted. Tho first body of men were seen advancing over a slope to the Bouth-weat of the pah at 8.30 in the morning, and, making a gap in tho fence of one of the native plantations, they approached the pah. On gaining the high gronnd to the west of it, they halted and waited for the advance of the main body. Immediately this body was observed by the natives, about 200 young children were sent on to tho high ground in front of Parihaka, where they danoed a haka. From the excellent time kept by these children, whose ages ranged from eight to f oar teen, it was apparent that they had been specially trained for this purpose. Tho staff having turned on to the road leading to Parihaka, the children turned their attention to them, and, having gone to a small rise in front of Parihaka, performed tho same as they had done to tho other companies. Tho stiff halted and waited for the Armed Constabulary to approach. The whole then came on towards the pah, headed by the Armed Constabulary skirmishers. At 9 o'clock the skirmishers of the Armed Constabulary had taken np their positions on the hill immediately abovo the native burial ground.and were accompanied by Messrs. Holleston and Bryoe. The former was on foot, while the latter was mounted on a white horse. At five minutes past 9 the four companies of Armed Constabulary had reached the foot of the hill, and then Tohu oommenocd addressing tho nativo assemblage. His utterances wore of short duration, and were inaudible to the reporters. Captains Gudgeon and Newall woro now advancing to tho front of Parihaka with a company of Armed Constabulary. The Maoris still kept their squatting posture, with the exception of some young girls, who were enjoying themselves with a skip-ping-ropo, and a number of boys who were playing in front of the pah. None of them appeared to be in the least afraid at tho approach of the constabulary. A few minutes later, the Hon. Mr. Bryoe, Colonel Roberts, and the staff reached the square, or marme, but almost immediately proceeded on to th j rear of Parihaka, where tho Constabulary woro posted. The Armod Constabulary, when opposite the house whioh was built for his Exoellenoy the Governor, should he have visited Parihaka, halted. The volunteers to the west of Parihaka now oloaod in, bat ft till .kept OH thft high ground. At 9.35, Major Tuke and Mr. Butler, Secretary to Mr. Bryce, came into the pah, and the former gentleman, addressing tho natives, said—" Wo have come to hoar To Whiti's reply to the Proclamation issued to him." After an interval of five minutes, thore being no roply, Major Tnke road the Biot Act, calling on all natives to disperse. The Aot waß translated into the native language by Mr. Butler, after which both gentlemen retired. The natives did not appear to take any interest in the reading of the Aot. At 10 o'olook some excite* ment was caused in the pah, when the Constabulary were to bo seen retracing their steps to the front of Parihaka. The natives, evidently thinking they were coming for the purpose of dispersing them, called on their friends and relations who were loitering about the pah to assemble, whioh was immediately done. From tho wharo where the reporters had taken np thoir position it was rather difficult to watoh the movements of the various companies, but it offered every facility for observing everything that took place between the Hon. Mr. Bryoe and the natives. Tohu again addressed his people, saving : " Let the man who has raised the war do his work this day. Let neither woman cook nor man oook stir. We hare partaken of food ; let none of ns Btir, lest any of na ba absent. Be patient and steadfast, and even if the bayonet comes to your breast do not resist." The companies who were on the west of Parihaka now desoended and took np a position in rear of the pah, and thus a complete lino around the pan, with the exception of the east side, had been formed. At 20 minutes to 11, Captain Gudgeon and Captain Newall, with an arresting party (with handcuffs) of Armed Constabulary, marched to a position to the left of the marae, where the natives were squatting. Major Tuke called on Mr. Bntler to point him (moaning Tohu) ont. Colonel Roberts then joined the arresting party, and Captain Gudgeon said that Grey, of No. 6 Company, would be handy in pointing out Tohu. Mr. Hnrsthouse then called upon To Whiti to come and stand in Mr. Bryce's presence. Te Whiti replied that the Hons. Bryce and Rolleston must come to him. Mr. Bryce, through the interpreter, refused to go to Te Whiti, and said he must come to where he stood (near the graveyard). Te Whiti had nothing to do but to go to them. Te Whiti replied— l have nothing bnt good words in my month for him (Mr. Bryce) or anyone. Mr. Bryce— From your good withes, I feel inclined to humour your wish to come and see yon. Make a good road, therefore, for the passage of my horse through your people and I will come to you. Te Whiti— But some of my children might get hurt. Mr. Bryce— No ; this is a quiet horse. Te Whiti— l do not think it good that you should come on horseback among my children. Jf Mr. Bryce wants to talk with me, let him come on foot. Mr. Bryce— The days for talking are over. Te Whiti— When da you find that oat ? Mr. Bryce— Since this morning. Te Whiti — I have nothing more to say. This conversation waa carried on through the interpreter. At 11.30 a.m. the order was given for the arresting party to advance. The natives immediately cloared a passage' for the men, and the party, advancing to where Te Whiti waa seated, arrested him without the slightest resistance whatever. When the men reached Te Whiti, Colonel Roberts called to them, " Let him walk if he will." Te Whiti walked quietly with four Constabulary men to where Mr. Bryce and the officers were stationed, his wife walking through the file with him. Tohn and Hiroki were taken in a similar manner. The large assemblage of natives looked on calmly, and ecaro.ly a word was spoken. Te Whiti and Tohn were not handcuffed, bnt Hiroki was. The arresting party retired at 11.45 a.m. Te Whiti, when under arrest, spoke to his people, and asked them to be lion-hearted and patient. He said, " This is not my work, but cornea from the heart of Europeans. Tohu followed, and siid, "These ara the doings of war ; be not sorry— turn away the sorrowful heart from you. We go away as fooh— as mistaken men. We looked for peace, and we find war. Be steadfast ; keep to peaceful works ; be not dismayed ; have no fear." Te Whiti, again speaking, said : "Let your dwelling be good in this place, until such as this (meaning the work of the soldiers) is frustrated this day." Te Whiti and Tohu, accompanied by their wives, were then conveyed to the redoubt at Pung*rehu, under the escort of the New Plymouth Mounted Kifle3. Hiroki was cent to th* redoubt later in the day. It mw being time for mess, nearly all the visitors returned to Pnngarehu, leaving tho natives still squatting in the marae. After Te Whiti and iohu had left for tho redoubt, Keno, an aged chief from Taranaki, addressed the Natives . He adv ised the peep 1 c

to continue in the same work as Te Whiti and Tohu had ordered them, even if they were all arrested on the land which had been handed down to them by their ancestors. Messrs. Bryco and Bolleaton returned to Pnngarehu camp about 4 p.m. The accommodation for visitors to Pungarehn ia inadequate to the demand. The only accommodation •house in the district is crowded, and a bed of any kind cannot be obtained. (By Telegbaph.) [UNITED PBEBB ABBOCIATION.] PUNGABEHU, THIS DAT. f At daylight this morning the natives were a. 1 assembled in the meeting-house. They were quiet, and treated all visitors who managed to get in in a friendly manner. The chief Bangi Puhuahoaho, one of the returned Dunedin prisoners, takes a prominent part in the management of affairs now, and addressed the people last night. Several pigs belonging to the natives have been killed by the volunteers. Major Atkinson returned to camp this morning. The Mounted Biflea left Pnngarehu for Parihaka this morning, taking with them the six-pounder Armstrong gun. It is now raining heavily, to-day being the first wet day the volunteers have had under canvas.

On Saturday evening we published as an Extra a telegram received from Mr. Bryce at 9.30 p.m., of which the following were the main points: — " Mr. Bryce did not press the dispersion of the assembled natives immediately after the arrest, as they were naturally in a state of considerable excitement. When the events of the day have "soaked" into their minds means will be taken to cause the strangers at Parihaka to withdraw to their own homes, which is now the point of greatefet importance. Mr. Bryce speaks in the highest terms of the conduct of Colonel Roberts and tho troops. The Volunteers distinguished themselves by their steadiness ; and the manner in which their positions were taken up, and in which the lines were contracted round the assembled natives showed the volunteers had been drilled and disciplined to good purpose."