The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1884.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 25, 30 January 1884, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1884.

Native affairs do not appear at present to be in a very satisfactory state, as trouble seems to be brewing both at Parihaka and in the North. In another column will be found lengthy and interesting telegrams from our Wellington correspondent on this .subject. The firs'; portion was crowded out of yesterday's issue, but this we do not regret, as we are able to publish the whole batch together, and, read thus, the information they contain possesses more significance than if it were laid before the public piecemeal. In his Monday night's telegram ifc will be seen that our correspondent, who generally contrives to obtain a pretty accurate idea of the Ministerial mind, pooh-poohs the idea of any difficulty arising in connection with the native lands in the Waikato, disposes of Tawbiao as almost powerless in the matter, and speaks of " Wahanni, Rewi, and Tainui who are great landowners and chiefs of great influence " as being " heartily at one with. Mr Bryce in furthering the surveys and opening up the country." A very few hours after this was written the Government received a telegram to the effect that " Rewi has been induced by Tai whan ga to withdraw from the agreement with Mr Bryce." This clearly shows that the Government have been completely taken by surprise, and that the opposition which has now sprung up was altogether unanticipated. However, we feel confident that Mr Bryce will succeed in removing this new and unexpected obstacle to the opening of the King country. He has on previous occasions proved himself equal to emergencies quite as great and serious as this one, and we have no doubt that he will in the end show bis ability to deal with and triumph over the machinations of the notorious Sydney Taiwhanga, who appears to be at the bottom of the mischief. At Parihaka, Te Whiti appears to be growing discontented and desirous of assuming his old sway over his followers. The large meetings at which he was wont to preside once a month, when hundreds of natives flocked to hear the words of wisdom that flowed from his lips must have been gratifying to his pride, and, naturally enough, he is desirous of renewing them. This, of course, cannot he allowed, and the wily old chief, should lie persist in his endeavors to accomplish the desire of his heart, will have to learn once more that he must submit to the iron will of the Native Minister, strong as he is in the consciousness that he has at his back the whole European population of the colony with the exception of the few to whom a Native disturbance would be a money gain. Evidently Mr Bryce has his hands full just now, and all his diplomatic skill will be required to enable him to cope successfully with the difficulties that have so suddenly sprung up around him.