THE NATIVE DISTUBANCE AT MURIMOTU.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 2, 17 April 1880, Page 2

THE NATIVE DISTUBANCE AT MURIMOTU.

The Taupo correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald telegraphed as follows to that journal; — The Murimotu difficulty has assumed a new phase, and Kemp and Topia will ultimately come to blows unless the Government interferes. Kemp was preparing to withdraw from his pah in the bush in compliance with an urgent solicitation fi-oro. 'Ha friends on the Wanganui river, when a letter was received from Topia Turoa, who is still at Tapuarharuoa, Taupo Lake, which completely changed the complexion of affairs. The letter, which was addressed to Ngatiwhiti and Ngatiara, contained much figurative language, and concluded with an assurance that he would come over to Murimdtu if the flood rose high enough. Ngatiwhiti and Ngatitawa interpreted this expression to mean that the old chief would only come over if the difficulty should assume a more serious character. Major Kemp, however, to whom the contents of the letter were conveyed by a Native clergyman, the Bey. Henare Herekau, construed the language otherwise. The rev. gentleman, who had come up ostensibly as peacemaker, agreed with Kemp.^that what the writ r meant by "rising of floods," was the assembling of inland tribes, and that he intended to come over with an " ope " at his back. The practical outcome of this was that Kemp resolved to stay, and dispatched commissioners to Wanganui river to "weremero" (challenge) according to Maori custom, various friendly settlements. From most villages there were a few volunteers, and a contingent of 65 armed men came out to join, the Ngatirangi. Major Kemp now expresses his determination to hold the country till the Land Court sits to adjudicate on his title to the great Bangipo block ; this will probably be in July or August. It is very doubtful, however, whether Major Topia will tolerate tho continued presence of an armed force in the very heart of bis country, and the position of affairs is becoming more critical every day. Topia has left Taupo for Murimotu. This complication, however, will not affect Europeans who have leased the land in dispute. Kemp promised Dr. Buller some time since that he would not prevent the passage of wool from the stations of Messrs. Moorhouse and others, and tins promise has been faithfully observed. The quarrel is one entirely confined to the natives, and though doubtless it is. unpleasant for European settlers, neither they nor their property are menaced."