LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 42, 4 September 1880, Page 2

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

News reached Hawera on Thursday evening of a severe scuffle having taken place between the Maoris and the Armed Constabulary in front of Parihaka on Tuesday. Latterly, the fencers have not been arrested : they have been merely turned away, and their fencing taken and put up at the sides of the cultivations by the A.C.'s. But Te Whiti sent down the usual number of four, day after day, to cany on the work of obstruction, and as he could not get them taken prisoners, they were ordered to go down daily, until their ranks swelled to about 40 or 50 — some accounts say 60 or 70. On Tuesday this body of natives came down, some of them carrying saplings, and others ti-tree scrub, and they at once commenced to fence across the road as usual. The constabulary went to take it down, and then the scuffle commenced. Strong language was used, and the pakehas were denounced in vigorous terms. Blows were at length exchanged, and what is known in the P.R. as "claret" was freely distributed. Eventually, as might have been expected, the constabulary had the best of the fight, but the natives were very sulky. The Native Minister was present during the affray, and it is stated that he highly complimented the A.C.'s upon their behavioui\

A detachment of 125 men have been sent to Cape Egmont to do all the preparatory work for. the erecsion of the lighthouse. It is expected that, as the tower will be composed of iron, a month or six weeks will suffice to get it in position. Should the weather prove favorable, all the necessary material will be landed at Cape Egmont, and failing that, at Opunake.' A redoubt will probably be built, and a permanent force stationed near the lighthouse at the Cape.

The Public Works Contingent have been ordered to the Plains, and we believe that Mr. Wilson Hursthouse, in company with Major Parris, selected the site for the camp at the back of the township of Manaia, near the Waiokura stream. The men will be immediately employed in making the road between Manaia and Normanby, which will be pleasing news to our friends living in the latter township, and will save them the trouble of interviewing the Native Minister on the subject.