NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5918, 13 February 1880, Page 5

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Telegeafh.] [FEOir OTTE SPECIAL cobebspowdbht.] NORMANBY, Feb. 12. At a late hour yesterday I received information that by proceeding to a certain spot I would probably obtain ad interview with Kimble Bent. After riding some distance in a direction that, for obvious reasons, it would be injudicious to indicate, I and my guide reached a pah where we m-t an old Maori, the father of Bent’s wife. After considerable palaver, another Maori was called, and piloted us for a distance of about half a mile through a dense bush. The track was excessively narrow and wound about in a perfect maze, which could not possibly be followed except by one intimately acquainted with it. Finally we reached a palisade, outside of which we had to leave our horses, and then made our way to where a number of Natives, including one of tte most influential chiefs on the coast, were lying round a fire in a grove of Karaka trees. We were welcomed and hospitably entertained, but there was no sign .of Bent, < and, it was not until a long conversation had taken place and the Natives evidently became satisfied that no treachery was intended, that they admitted he was within about five miles of the spot, and agreed to make definite arrangements for a meeting between us in the course of a few days. Returning through the maze a Native went before each of us. carrying a glowing brand and exhibiting just sufficient light to enable us carefully to lead our horses along the narrow path. As may be gathered, the place to which I allude is within a few hours’ ride of the European settlements, and yet is E radically inaccessible. It could be held for ours against a superior force, and then evacuated safely, and retreat made by similar well chosen spots further inland. The more I see of the Maoris the more I am convinced what a fatal mistake it would be to under-estimate their' strength or their resources. My visit of last night was made under circumstances which debar me from being explicit, but I may go so far as to say that the Defence Minister and Colonel Roberts are acting with wise discretion in preparing for any contingency. Possibly I may see Bent to-night, and almost certainly to-morrow night. Yesterday it was confidentially stated that the constabulary would be moved from Kaipipi to the bank of the Kaupokonui. There is as yet, however, no sign of a move, and it is whispered that the next advance will be neither in the direction nor of the description hitherto anticipated. I» fact persons who ought to be well f that the successive steps in the occupation of the plains will be more and more of a decisive, if not actually agreape, clwracter, thus gradually testing the hunts up to whmh the Natives will remain quiescent, I do not wish it to be understood that I stats tin® authority, but there are very clear indications "something of the kind is in contemplafurther is known as to .the movements of Titokowaru, but his visit * haka is exciting much attention amongst both Europeans and Maoris. . ascertain I have been at some trouble to ascertain whether the Natives ascribe any the event. Looked at from KSlttth£k the Natives would

have attached any significance to the phenomena but for the fact that Europeans have been assiduously spreading the silly superstition that a comot is tho invariable presage of war. The Maoris have caught up the cry but, whether they repeat it in ridicule of the superstition of the ignorant Europeans, or really think there is something in it, is impossible to say. The Commission sat for a short time yesterday, but only for the purpose of the proclamation. No time is as yet fixed for tho transaction of business. Hone Tihama and several other influential chiefs are anxiously waiting. The Commissioners, accompanied by Mr Parris, visited the Waimato Plains to-day. Mr Bryce left for Wellington by coach yesterday.