THE SETTLERS MEDITATING ACTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5491, 23 June 1879, Page 5

THE SETTLERS MEDITATING ACTION.

"Wellington, Sunday. We have been favoured by the Government with the following telegrams:— Hawera, Saturday. The Proinier, Wellington : The settlers are verj much excited. They talk of turning the Maoris off to-morrow. The settlers met here at 10 p.m. last night. 1 have the wire kept open. —SIIDDLEMAS. Hawera, Saturday. The Premier, Welling, bun : I have been asked to attend a public meeting. The settlers are very much exsited, and determined to take some actioti. I think they will oppose the natives entering an the lands of settlers, or cart the ploughmen and their.ploughs across the Waingongoro. There were 15 men and 2 plough 3at work on Livingstone's land to-day. Some Df the natives therj have warrants out ijjainst them fur thefc and other offences. I recommended that these warrants be exe;uted. There are reports that the natives ;hreaten to plough nearer Hawera and Mokoia.—C. Brown. THE PREMIER'S ADVICE. Wellington, Sunday.—Major Brown, Hayera : Thank Mr. Middlemas for telegram to ne. I am sorry to hear the settlers areexeited. rhis is unnecessary, for I understand there ire men of signal courage and determination imongst them. Anything done under exsitement in a time of disturbance is badly lone, and something takes place which tlwaya leaves reason for lasting regret. : believe also there is such strength it Hawera, that the place can protect tself against any immediate dangor without lifficulty. Had I been able to travel I would ,t once go up there. From ignorance of nany circumstances I cannot now pretend to nake complete directions to those on the pot, whose responsibility must therefore est upon the authorities, but the best inter>retation shall be put upon all they do. I mderatand there are warrants against some if the natives ploughing for theft aud other iffences. It must rest with the authorities in the spot to determine whether the trength at Hawera and other circumstances ender it prudent to execute these warrants, ind whether it is moat advisable to do ;hat, or simply prevent the Maories from 'Oing on the land, to warn them oft the 'and, and, i£ they did not go, to move :hem and their ploughs, without insult, and quietly, from the land. I have no doubt that four own prudence will, with the full knowedge you have of all the circumstances, point out the best course for you to take ; but you should let the settlers understand ;hat the great thing is to bring on no unlecessary disturbance. Measures will be ;aken to ensure the permanent peace of the jountry, and if this can be done without bloodshed and evils which follow from an unnecessary war, all we can desire will be gained. Some of the natives represent that what they are doing is only to call attention to wrongs which they state they have for years suffered in reference to lands promised them is compensation. Others undoubtedly are ioing it under the orders of a fanatic, and there is no telling to what length fanaticism will proceed. This is no new thing. Nearly similar circumstances took place in the County of Kent in my youth, and resulted in much loss of life. You should let the settlers understand that there are no negotiations whatever going on with Tβ Whiti, and that wo are quite free to take any course we think necessary, that they may rely upon everything possible to be done to secure thair eafety, and that I feel sure they will act with calmness with a view to their own welfare and the good of the colony generally. The wire will be kept open all day so that the settlers may keep me advised as to matters. —G. Grev. THE NATIVES THRUST OFF THE LAND, Hawera, June 22, 10.30 a.m. Premier, Wellington : Settlers have removed the ploughmen, teams, and carts from Livingstone farm to the other side of the Waingongoro. There was only a slight tuesel by a native with one of them. The natives say they will return.—C. Brown, CO. Hawera, Sunday, 2.15 p.m. Promier, Wellington : The report is incorrect that tho natives were ploughing Normanby, The natives with the ploughmen, carts, and teams that were removed across the Waingongoro were increased in number to about 50, and then dispersed. The settlers used no more force than was necessary for their removal. The warrant I think had bettor not be executed yet against the ploughmen guilty of theft, &c—C. Bkowk, CO.