THE TAKANAKI NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5415, 23 June 1879, Page 2

THE TAKANAKI NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

: A telegram from Hawera states that, on Saturday there were , twp, teams with, ploughs on Mr ' r . Livirigstone's land, guarded by fifteen Maoris, ploughing up the lawn in front of the house. ,The. Maoris who have; returned from Parihaka seem more infatuated .with the supernatural assumption of, power, by Te Whiti than. ever. - -They intend to push on the ploughing operations in the Hawera district, arid the settlers may expect to hear any number of ploughmen's whips in their paddocks every morning. The natives intend to use no force, and no white menwiE.be harmed. All Maoris who do riot acknowledge, j£be divine right of Te, Whiti to rule are outlawed. The settler's are not alarmed, but they would like to see the movement stopped, as there is no knowing what ijb .maj^.lead to. Titokowaru and ithe other leading men have remained at •Parihaka to attend the cabinet council which ' is usually held, and is attended only by chiefs of note. As a rule the common' Maoris do not know what is 'done .in the council^' T© Whiti talks parables tit the meeting, and then consults his leading men after. He does not act merely on his own. judgment, -but ho is supported in a great measure by some of the cleverest brains; in New Zealand. The. Maoris have got hold of the Supreme Court idea of Sir George Grey, but confusing, him. with ,the Governor, |they say that the Governor says, " The most we-<?an dp with them for» ploughing the land is to sue them for trespass, arid the land, is theirs while we are lopers." The settlers were, however, bent jipon taking prompt action, and upon Jmoyingthe Maoris gentiy but firmly from (Mr Livingstone's lawn. They will not jbrook much impudence ; if the Govern* jnierit cannot break TeWhiti's manaths Settlers say they' will do so. -. . . •'..". '[ i, ; -We have been favored by. -the Govern-; ment with the following telegrams relative to the. state of exoitement; at Hawera : —

"To the Premier, Wellington. — The 'settlers are very 'much excited and talk of turning the Maoris pff-forriiorrow. The settlers met here at 10 p.m. last night. Have wire kept open for committee. — ThonAS Middlemas, chairman of the committee. Hawera,, June 22."

"To the Premier, Wellington,—l have been asked to attend a public meeting of the. settlers. They are very much excited, and are determined to take some actipn. I think they will oppose the natives entering on the lands of the settlers, orcartthe ploughmen and their ploughs across the Waingongoro. There were fifteen men and two ploughs at work on Mr Livingstone's land to-day. Some of the natives there have warrants out against them for theft and other offences; I recommend that these warrants be executed. There are reports that the natives threaten to plough nearer Hawera and Mokokoia. — C. Brown. Hawera, June 21."

"To Major Brown, Hawera, — Thank Mr Middlemas for his telegram to me. I' am sorry to hear that the settlers are excited. This is unnecessary, for I understand there are men of signal courage and determination amongst them. Anything done under excitement in a time of disturbance is badly done, and something takes place which always leaves reason for lasting regret. I believe also that there is such a strength at Hawera that the place can protect itself against any immediate danger without difficulty. Had I been able to travel I would at once go up there. From, ignorance of any : of the circumstances I. cannot now pretend to give complete directions to those on the spot. Much responsibility must therefore rest upon the authorities there, but the best interpretation shall be put upon all they do. I understand there are warrants out against some of the nativos who have been ploughing for theft and other offences. It must rest with the authorities on the spot to determine whether the strength at Hawera and other circumstances render it prudont to execute these warrants, or whether it is most advisable to do that, or simply to prevent the Maoris from going on the lands — to warn them off the land, and if they do not go to move them and their ploughs, without insult and quietly, from the land. I have^no doubt that your own prudence will, with the fulT kjiowledgQ you h.a,ye pf^Ufae,

circumstances, point out tho Ibest course for you to take ; but you should let the settlers understand that the .great thing is to bring on no unnecessary gisturbanoe. Mea^ures^will be : taken to seoure the permanent jp6ace of the ;dduntry,; and if this oaiij.be dtitie -mtliput blobdslied and the eyils whicfc foU^^from. an unnecessary wat,; ; , all -We can dettre: will bo gained. Some pf the natives represent that what they, are doing is only to call attention to Wrongs which^ they state they have fotf years sufleredr in.'- reference, to. land&pro* toised .them a^compensation. Others tin-* ddubtedly ate 'doing it under the orders of a fanatic, and there is no tellings to -what length fanaticism will There ia : no new thing. Nearly a similar ' circumstance: took place - ; in the . opiuxi^f, of Kent in my youth, s anS.".reßulie"d in much loss of life. " You "should let them understand" there are no negotions'whatever witli' Te ■Wbitijanfvthgfc * We are quite free to take any course we think necessary ; that theyTniay reljjjhat 'eyerything.possible will be done to seoure '.their safety, and tha^'l f ensure they^wiil > act. withl calmness with .view to their ; own .-welfare and <to , the goo'd>ts£f JthelO ) colony, generallyr The wire, will beiept jppen all da#/ so that theisettlorrioSay me. advised as to the matter.— G. 50EEY. Wellington/ ifune ? 22.^ BBS? | " Hawera, June 22, :.v10.'30) a.m. The Premeri Welliag^on^-The' settlers*«haY#H renioved the ploughmen^ teams,>andiisaiisM from' ; Mr • Livingstone's f<s ihe • other-^ide O i of; the ■WaingongpJDo.l jTfipfe was "ohl^«aO sltglit tussle v^th.ViorieV-of them:- Tfe^O 'natives say ■thev;%wm:,:return. —^M stw O? <l s ! ** Hawera, June 22,-^2*ls * p.m.,4TOeS: Premier, Wellington.—Tire report'fflTn^ 1 porrect,that ; . the. nfttiv^ ; were £ ploju«lungLat^ojcaianby. .s'itChSiptougT^e^jjjgariy ' and ! teams jithat wereiiimovedv-fS^Mwaith^f - Waingorigofdtwerfftlinoifeaßed»WdQ^|>ej^i t6"iEibottt^flftyjandotfene.dfeperaedft»S!!El^ settler4iised ; no ; m^re/f6rce^hW^.hfecessaOTis for'the'remiovali '^ r^warr6ntsff3r*nM^r . had' b.ett''er'/.nbt l ße exebuted^yetf^figaiiis&o ilie- ' pl^ghW^VguilW K bf ll ttie% %£s*>**