THE TARANAKI AFFAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5478, 7 June 1879, Page 5

THE TARANAKI AFFAIR.

[EY TELEGRAPH, FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] New Plymouth, Friday. A CONFIDENT SETTLER. The Herald says : Whilst the public are on the tenter hooka of suspense, when tho slightest movement of the natives, nay, their very looks, all tend to create alarm, it is very encouraging to be able to state that Mr. W. Biyley, who is living on the very borders of a nasive district, bas every confidence in the peaceful mtoncions of the Maoris. He ha 3 already five hundred head of cattle on his farm, and to back his opinion is going to put fifty more on in a few days. " We hear that he has had an interview with a chief from Parihaka, who, on hearing of Mr. Baylev's alarm, bad come to see him. The chief told Mr. Bayley that the natives did not intend fighting. There is very little doubt that, in setting the men to work to plough Mr. Courtney's paddock, Te Whiti wished to see how far he could venture. By findiug we are preparing ourselves for any emergency, he will be inclined to draw in his horn 3 and agree to a Heal settlement of tho whole question. REIXFOUCEMENTS. The Stelia, from Wellington, with 45 of the Armed Constabulaty, arrived in tho roadstead at about 3 o'clock. She experienced severe weather on the passage. Volunteering is going on with much spirit. At Ingle.Tood, last evening, 120 were sworn, in more than half volunteering for active service. A!N ADVEMTUROCS PROFESSOR. Professor Frazer, the phrenologist. h»s gone on a visit to Parihaka, to see Te Whiti, and will, probably, feel the chief's bumps. FANATICISM. It is said that eueh is the fanatical faith of the natives in Te Whlti's power, that if an armed force of a thousand men went to Parihaka, the natives would not attempt to defend themselvee, believing that no bullet could kill them while in Te Whiti's presence. Te Whiti told the men to plough Courtney's paddock, saying that no harm would befall them. His words have come true/ and the natives' faith in his supernatural influence accordingly gains ground. The Opunake correspondent of the Herald telegraphs : —" The natives are still in undisturbed and unquestioned possession of Bayley's land, and, beside 3 ploughing, are preparing to fence it in, with the view of planting it with potatoes.'' A young friendly chief has warned the men in charge of ttie flour-mill at Opunake that a party of natives have determined to take possession of it. Great uneasiness is felt at Opa.iake, at.d the settlers have resolved that, unless the Government protect their property from injury, or offer compen»ation, they will do whao they can to stop this aggression.

RE-INFORCEMENTS FROM WAIKATO.

Hamilton, Friday. Sub-In3pector Ifewall, Messrs. White and Garland, and 25 men of the Constabulary Force passed through Hamilton to-day en rout* for Taranaki. On leaving the town for the railway station they were loudly cheered by the inhabitants.