THE NEW CAMP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 13, 26 May 1880, Page 3

THE NEW CAMP.

(from our own correspondent.)

The Armed Constabulary lately encamped at Opua are now fairly settled on the site lately chosen by Major Goring, as their fifth, and probably last, temporary dwelling-place, previous to the meeting of the roads. When the camp at Ngakumikumi is moved south, it is probable that the division^ wiU he at a distance of only four miles from one another; consequently but two miles from each camp will have to bo formed before the roads meet, after they are carried up to the encampments. At present, the new camp at Te Kete is some two and a half miles ahead of the work, and this distance will take some time in concluding, owing to the nature of the country to be traversed by the road. Should, as is anticipated, the northern camp move to within four miles of Te Kete, the men of that division will also be considerably ahead of then* work, and the character of the country around Parihaka forbids the hope that any very rapid progress will be made, especially as the weather will, in all probability, be unfavorable for operations in the field. Should, however, the work brought up to the points at which the respective divisions will shortly be sottled, the intervening four miles will not take long in completing, as the character of the country is a vast improvement on the portions already mentioned. Meanwhile no opposition is offered by the natives — only a sullen, sulky refusal either to consent to or refuse anything which is proposed to them. This is, doubtless, owing to the promptings ot Te Whiti, who told them not to fear, even though the roads were taken over them, and their fences destroyed. A request for paddock accommodation, or any kindred matter, to a native is neither refused nor consented to ; but one is told to do simply as one desires. Peace — always peace— is the cry of the Parihaka prophet, but a peace which will end in the undoing of the pakeha by the mighty power of the seer's tongue. Such is the promise to the misguided natives, and the ambiguous, yet eloquent, language of the orator has as much influence over them as ever. That he fears a reaction is probable, however, from the fact that he thought it necessary to urge on them continued and frequent attendance before him, and reassured them by telling them that he would carry out all his promises in their integrity, notwithstanding the power of the European, who would not fight nor interfere with their journeyings either by night or day.