NATIVE NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 151, 24 September 1881, Page 3

NATIVE NEWS.

The Pungarehu correspondent of the Taranaki Herald telegraphs as follows, under date September 22 : — The natives have gone down to the fences every day about 850 to 400 strong, and have maintained tbe fences without let or hinderance, although within sight of the' Constabulary camp. The natives are thus masters of the position, and they appear to be quite content to let matters rest there for the present without taking any further action. The Constabulary are refraining from interfering with the natives until the Native Minister arrives. Tohu held a meeting on Sunday night, and delivered a long speech to the natives. He told them to be careful, and not misunderstand what Te Whiti had said to them. They were to clearly understand that they were to resist the constabulary at the fences, but they were not to use fire arms until they were first fired upon by the constabulary. If the constabulary tried to pull down the fence, they were to resist ; if the A.C.'s attempted to make any of them prisoners, they were to prevent it; and if blows were struck, they were to return the blows ; but on no account were they to shoot unless they were Sret fired upon. This is how affairs are at present, and, no doubt, they ■will remain so until the constabulary receive orders to arrest the natives, when the fight may begin in earnest. A few nativeß left Parihaka on Sunday, but they returned again last night, after " raising the wind " by selling their horses,

ploughs, &c, at a great sacrifice. lam /told that a settler was,, offered i's, by a native, for two pounds '' of powder. The natives are evidently preparing for a fight, as they expect the A.C.'s will try to pull down the fences. It is rumored here that a large reinforcement will shortly arrive from Wellington to join the forces at Pungurehu.