THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5760, 4 May 1880, Page 4

THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

[BY TELEGRAPH, FBOII OUR SPECIAL CORKEiTON DENT.] NORJIANEV, Mouihy. MOVEMENTS OP THE CoXSTABULARY. On Friday, 550 oE the constabulary, under Major Goring, left the camp at Ueo, and moved to the open, four miles north oi Opunafce, followed by the remainder or the camp on Saturday. From llie point where they are now camped, they will commtncs a track in almost a direct lino towards Parihaka, leaving the old beach track to the left. On Saturday, JRuaroa, a son oE Wire.ra Kingi'a, made a present of food, the constabulary in return giving the Maoris beer and biscuits. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MA'JKIN. As fast as the constabulary advancc towards the heart of the Plains, tbe Maoris are following up. taking up positions -which practically cut off the line of retreat southwards, should hostilities break out. About three miles south of Oeo, thirty oi Titokowaru's people, under Eangaito, are busy engaged fencing in the unreserved plains, and planting potatoes. They hava seven bullock drays with them. At Taikato, about forty natives under Te Vf'iha have completedthe erection of one large wbare and are building two others. They are, at present, living in tents. They make no secret of the fact that they are doing this by Titokowaru's direction?, he being in tarn directed by Tohu, -with the view of showing contempt for the recommendations of the Commissioners and defiance of the Government. At Kapuni, .several loads oi timber are on the ground, and preparations ire being made for forming a native settlement The impression amongst the Maoris is, tilt they have the whip hand, and they are fnliy justified in this, by the blundering that his been made in the road-making policy. The difficulty is, apparently, farther from settlement than ever. Te Whiti said, the other day, to a legpean visitor, "I have let them form U8 roads, but they mnst not gravel thess, because the roads will be used by us, asfl gravel will hurt the feet of our bsliois.' The position of the Maoris towards *M Europeans is that of indifference, i; ,! - M absolute ridicule. Hiroki has left Parihaka. [from another correspondent.] Noriiasbv, Monday. TE WHITI'S POWER. Matters are looking worse than ever ha& The Pre=s is muzzled, which does no: tesu to inspire confidence in the public minil. JWhiti has daily more influence among natives, and has taken action in building titf whares on the land that has not bee 3 reserved for the natives. He says his p3KJ[ in the future will be to ruin the Governmeoby compelling them to ke?p an armed force on the Plains. The roads literally meet as was intended. This, theretorf) verifies his prophecy.