THE OCCUPATION OF THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 3310, 27 March 1879, Page 2

THE OCCUPATION OF THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

OBSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE OF THE NATIVES. Wellington, March 25. Regarding the removal of sarveyors on the Waimate Plairs, the Government state that a party of natives, headed by Te Manu (the native who some time ago was rescued from custody while on his way to Taranaki by coach), carried away the tools of the surveyors to the nearest township, and ordered the surveyors off the ground. The Government believe that the Maoris intend to do the same with the other survey parties. No violence whatever was offered, to the surveyors ; in fact, the Maoris acted in the most good humored manner, and made no threats of any kind. It was thought this act of Te Mauu and Co is a sort of final protest against the survey and occupation of tha Waimate Plains on behalf of the natives who have been cultivating ground. It is thought the natives have acted under instructions from Parihaka, at the instigation moat probably of Europeans, who have some sort of interest in. the land ; but it ia thought that the natives would not have acted in so high-handed a manner without receiving instructions from Te Whiti. Major Brown ia on his way from the Plains, and will be here to-morrow. New Plymouth, March 25. The Herald's Carlylo correspondent telegraphs :— It is rumored that the nativea have determined to remove all the surveyors from the Waimate Plains. The Civil Commissioner, Major Brown, who came along with the Hon. Mr Sheehan from Parihaka, waa at Carlyle at noon today, and left at about half-past one for Hawera, on hearing that Mr Skeet, head of the surveying party had arrived there. It is reported that Te Manu with a party of natives are determined to clear the surveyors from the Plains, and instruments, tents, and other things belonging to Skeet and parhy have been brought across the Waingongoro River. The Herald's Hawera correspondent sends the following telegram :—" Skeet'a survey party and camp were taken possession of by twelve Maoris, Titokowaru being present. The natives carted the party to the south Bide of the Waingongoro River, where about a hundred Maoris met them when they came upon the main road. After leaving the party on the other side of the bridge, the Maoris rode off, saying they were going to remove Climie's camp. I hear from the natives that they are acting under Te Whiti's orders to remove all surveyors from off the Pkins." j March 26. All the survey parties on the Waimate Plains have been removed quietly by the

j natives. The Government intend firmly to enforce law, and, if necessary, to establish a military settlement on the Plains. Last night advertisements of the sale of 16,000 acres of disputed territory on May 6th were telegraphed to the papers throughout the Colony and in Australia.