PARIHAKA MISSION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 75, 29 December 1880, Page 2

PARIHAKA MISSION.

(from our own correspondent.)

Opunake, December 27.

I have reason to believe that the following: report o£ Captain Knolly's visit to Parihaka will prove to be substantially correct. The information has reached me through a Maori who has just returned from Parihaka, and I regard him as a reliable man : —

Captain Knollys, in company with Mr. Hursthoase ana Hone Pihama, interviewed Te Whiti at Parihaka yesterday. The former presented a letter from the Governor to Te Whiti. It was to the following effect : —

" Te Whiti, — Friend. Salutations to you,- the stout-hearted man that has directed your people, and kept them from evil. Accept my invitation to "Wellington, where I shall meet you. Take charge of the country lying between Hawera and New Plymouth, for us both."

Te Whiti replied through Mr. Hursthouse that the potato was cooked. I a*a dead with my people in prison. You are like the doctorcgaring to a sick man. It is like the iJfgmountain coming to the little mountain.

The inference I draw from "this parable is that Governor Robinson, the previous doctor, sent soldiers on the Plains, made roads through the country, sent the natives to prison, and lastly cut survey lines through the Parihaka block ; and now that Sir Arthur succeeds at a time when Te Whiti is as bad as he can be, may administer in a different way, and make concessions to him. I believe the mission has had good effect.