THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3382, 20 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Hawera, June 19. Katene on Tuesday visited the Waihi stockade. He counted the number of men stationed there, and was evidently getting- information for some purpose. It is said he has taken a great liking to review Waihi of- late. It is a pity orders could not be wsued to prevent all friendlies visiting that post on any pretence. Mr Mackay has gone to Parihaka on private business, wishing to get the signatures of some natives to some Wanganui leases.' Mr Thomson, who is well acquainted with the Maoris on the coast, has been sent by Sir Geo Grey to interview Te Whiti at Parihaka. We hope for peace, but rather than have a patched up truce, settlers would undergo the hardship of a sharp and severe war c Many talk of rushing headlong into war, but the sorry experience of last war at Te Nute-ote-manu,' where poor Von Tempskey and many others were left by untrained men in the wilds, should be a sufficient warning. : A deputation represented to Mr Maeandrew in Hawera that' it would be> better for the Government now to make an aggressive movement than wait until the natives were thoroughly prepared. The latest from Psrihaka is that Te Whiti is not awed by our armament, and that redoubts are beiug built round Parihaka. The Maoris ara not to fight, he says, because it would be impossible for the whites to fight the Maoris if the Maoris take no notice of them and show no fight. New Plymouth, June 19. The Government steamer Stella arrived in the roadstead this morning at 11 o'clock. She encountered very bad weather, and was compelled to seek shelter at the Oroixell'es. No one has yet returned from Parihaka, bnt a person who passed yesterday learnt that there were a large number of natives at the meeting, but they were doing nothing. They declared that it waa not their intention to fight, and that was about all they were saying. It is not likely the meeting will last long,; — the bad weather that has sbt in wlil probably cause the meeting to disperse. The natives have built several large whares at Parihaka recently.