THE TARANAKI AFFAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5499, 2 July 1879, Page 5

THE TARANAKI AFFAIR.

THE MAORIS BEFORE THE COURT. [BY TELEGRAPH, FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] New Plymouth, Tuesday. The native prisoners were committed for trial at the next sittings o£ the Supreme Gourt, which will be held on the 17th July. Titokowaru says he intends ploughing land, but does not want to injure the settlers. His fight is with the Government. The native ploughers were brought from the gaol about eleven o'clock to-day, and marched throngh the town between a large escort of police to the Court-house. Mr. Standish, Crown Prosecutor, acted as prosecutor. The prisoners were undefended. Major 'l'uke gave evidence to the effect that he saw the prisoners ploughing a paddock belong ing to Mr. Courtney, and that Mr. Parris told them to desist. They replied that they did not intend to stop ploughing. He then arrested them and brought them into town, and handed them ovar to the gaoler. Sergeant Galland and a native policeman gave corroborative evidence. The prisoners were asked in the usual way i£ they bad anything to say, but refused to open their mouths, after which all but the two boys were committed for trial at the next sitting of the District Court, on 17th July. The indictments against the two boys have been withdrawn, and they have returned to Tapuae. The whole of the natives belonging to the Jcainga, at Tapuae have been arrested, with the exception of two old men, and they have been left with the women. The gaoler has been told to prepare room for 30 more prisoners. But, at present, the guard on the gaol is not sufficient to keep those in who are there. Half-a-dozen natives could release the whole lot, as the gaol itself is not sufficiently secure for a large body of men to be imprisoned without an extra guard over them. THE PRISONERS TO BE REMOVED TO WELLINGTON. The Maori prisoners at New Plymouth are to be removed to Wellington, as it is thought scarcely fair to try them in New Plymonth, where local feeling is, of course, strong. A change of venue will be applied for tomorrow, and the prisoners will be brought here by steamer on Thursday.

PROSPECTS AT HAWERA. Hawera, Tuesday. Ploughing is again postponed another day. The Maoris seem to appreciate the fan of putting a pakeha in suspense. Mr. Cameron, living a mile and a-hsdf from Hawera inland, was threatened and warned by a well-known bully, named Pakarangi, of Keteonetea, an adjacent small settlement, Mr. Cameron has sent letters to the authorities that this man should be arrested at once. He has long been a source of anxiety to the settlers, and now, in these anxious times, his bounoe is unbearable. It would save much further trouble if he were at once arrested. There is great indignation at the report that men' are not to be employed on the railway works immediately, between this and Ketemarae. The Government promised definitely that men should at once be employed. The SO men from Taranaki have arrived. So much for Government promises. Our main chance for peace rests on putting on a bold front. The Maoris all realise the hopelessness of armed rebellion. More men are absolutely wanted in the event of war.' Titokowaru's lot are very dark, but it is not thought they will come and plough. If they do come, an end of the suspense is at hand. The whole situation is surrounded with mystery.

MOKAU. New Plymouth, Tuesday. Twenty more Armed Constabularly leave for Carlyle in the Patea to-morrow. The reports about Te Wetere ordering the Europeans away from Mokau are untrue. He is, on the contrary, most zealous iu our cause.