THE WAIMATE PLAINS AFFAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5419, 31 March 1879, Page 5

THE WAIMATE PLAINS AFFAIR.

[EY TELEGRAPH, frIESS .ASSOCIATION.] Hawera, Saturday. Natives who can be depended on Bay that if surveyors are sent on the plains again, they wilL be turned off, and if an armed force ia sent with them they will be met with armed force by the Maoris. Matters are not to be played with, and we had better be prepared before anything harsh is done. The settlers are unprotected, and thero is not a spare rifle in the district. There is only a small Volunteer corps here. The Waihi Constabulary would have their hands full holding the fort. If the worst came, a Volunteer corps of stout-hearted men could be easily raised, only time must be giren. In consequence of the latest telegrams the Government have received from Waimatc plains, the Hon. Mr. Sheehan has determined to proceed thither at tho earliest opportunity. [ISY TELEGRAPH, FROM OUP» CORKESPONPEXT.] New Plymouth, Saturday. TheCarlyle correspondent of the Taranuki telegraphs this evening that news I has just been received here, that the bulk of the natives have retired from the plains land and gone to the bush, which is looked upon as ominous of their intention to fortify themselves. The well known chief Taiahoa, who was forced into fighting last year by Tito* kowaTu, is in trouble at the preseut state of affairs, and is anxious to come with his people to reside at Carlyle, offering to stand on the defensive with the Europeans, if required. He positively refuses to join Te Whiti, or to go So Parihaka, saying, he has already suffered enough by war. The feeling of settlers here is, that Government must now act or give way to a Ministry who will do so. Fighting is by no means desired, but the plains must be held even at the cost of a collision. The settlers appear readj 7 to do their part, and approve of the tirm attitude of the Government. If men are sent as promised in fair numbera, such confidence will be felt in tlie strength of the district that if the settlers and trained men | combine, it is believed the Maoris will reconsider before striking. The announcement that Government has determined to organise a force of military settlers to occupy sections on the plains, is hailed with satisfaction, thetimefor temporising being considered past. What is considered strongly desirable ia that the mountain road from New Plymouth to Hawera should be occupied by armed men, to isolate tho plains natives from those iuland, and as a protection to contract parties now forming the road. The settlors are ready to stand on the defensive, if furnished with arms and redoubts built at all the centres of population and on the plains. If vigorous measures are not promptly taken, the natives will not stop at the plains, but will demand the whole of the laud dowu to the confiscated line. It is believed that all the inland pas are well supplied with arms, about which the natives bent on fighting boist. The settlers desire to be placed on a similar footing. Th« determination to sell the plains land, as advertised by the Government, is highly approved of.