THE NATIVE CRISIS/

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 167, 2 November 1881, Page 2

THE NATIVE CRISIS.

AT THE FRONT. (from oue special correspondents.) OKATO, November 1.

Yesterday sixty -eight men of the "Wellington Navals escorted ammunition towards Eaholu, under Captain Taylor, of the A.C.'s. The Nelson batallion arrived at Ok&to, at 6 o'clock, aftei- a inarch of eiobteen miles. They appear to have had a very rough passage to New Plymouth, and their march on the day after landing must have tired all. There were no sick on arrival in camp. The Artillery bring one 6-pounder Armstrong gun, which they mounted on the beach at New Plymouth, in a very creditable manner, time — 3 minutes. The Nelson men march at 8 o'clock to-day for Eahotu, fifteen miles distant. Major Pitt commands, and Dr. Boor is in medical charge.

EAHOTU, November 1.

The pomp and panoply of glorious war is observable on all hands, and the rustic side by side with his mercantile fellowsettler has donned the war paint, and in company with drilled soldiers seeks, if not the bubble reputation, the kudos to be gained by the suppression of an agitator. Mean-wmie the latter liolcfe fcispeace, gives no token of submission, and, as if in direct defiance of the clause of the proclamation which designates the lavish expenditure of the misguided natives' money on his feasts, has arranged a larger one than ever to-day, when he may be expected to speak, although his utterances are sure to be as ambiguous and unsatisfactory as ever. 220 men are here, and 500 at Pungarehu. Most of the natives are collected together at Parihaka, and not one left at the various kaingas in the neighborhood. Newspaper correspondents abound, and various reports may be expected, from which all shades of opinion may be satisfied. OPUNAKE, This Day.

Opunake is very lively at present with the arrival and departure of troops. The steamers Stella, Manawatu, Hinemoa, and Huia were in the bay yesterday, and landed 171 men from Thames, including Engineers, Scottish, and Navals; from Canterbury, the Timaru, Temuka, and Ashburton Volunteers, numbering 78 ; from Wanganui, the Wanganui City, Marton, Feilding, and Palmerston Volunteers, numbering 162. The Canterbury and Thames men march this morning for Bahotu, the Wanganui Volunteers following to-morrow. The Wellington Navals inarched to Eahotu yesterday. A further detachment of 100 men belonging to this brigade are expected from Wellington, together with the Guards, Torpedo, and City Rifle Corps. The Volunteers that have already landed are being worked into shape on every opportunity. They look a fine body of men, and in the Thames Scottish, particularly, a good sprinkling of service medals is to he seen.

(per united press association.) MASTERTON, October 31. It is rumored that the natives have left Te Ore Ore for Parihaka. Visitors yesber&ay ioanA fcl>6 £a dfeseyfced. Dissatisfaefcion is expressed at the departure of the volunteers, leaving the town unprotected.

The Alexandra Cavalry were expecting to do sentry work for the first time last night.

The Government dray was proceeding to Pungarehu, with field stretchers and munitions of war, at the river on south side, near Parapara, the other day, when the constable who was driving the team, found in the centre of the ford about twenty mounted natives, forming a sort of breast-work, wno would not allow the dray to pass. Major Tuke it appears saw the team descend the river bed, and wondered what had happened. He immediately despatched a mounted orderly to see what was the matter, and on the mounted man arriving on the scene, he found he could not get across to his brother constable. The latter, however, sang out for the other to throw him his revolver, which the mounted man did. Then the driver said "Will you clear the way, or I shall clear it." On the natives seeing the revolver leave its sheath, they quietly dispersed. It must be remembered the dray had not an escort.