LATEST FROM PARIHAKA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6212, 14 October 1881, Page 5

LATEST FROM PARIHAKA.

♦ MR. ROLLESTON VISITS TE WHITI. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. I AM in a position to state on authority that on the recent visit to the West Coast of the Native Minister (who returned to Wellington last night), several communications passed between Mr. Rolleston and Te Whiti, through a European gentleman, who is a very old friend of the latter. The result of those communications was that Te Whiti sent an express invitation to Mr. Rolleston to visit him at Parihaka for a personal interview. Mr. Rolleston accepted the invitation, and went to Parihaka, where he had a long interview with Te Whiti, the result of which was unsatisfactory, Te Whiti stubbornly adhering to the position he had previously taken up, and refusing to accree to the slightest concession. Thus much I have on authority; but I may add that I hear further, from private sources —namely, that Mr. Rolleston gave Te Whiti very distinct and solemn warning of the absolute determination of the Government to carry out their policy, and enforce law at all costs, and of the serious consequences that might ensue to himself and followers if they persisted in setting the law at defiance. Te Whiti, however, is said to have treated the warning with the loftiest .disdain. It is clearly ascertained that not the slightest warlike preparations are being made by the natives who are hard at work on the cultivations, which are even more extensive than reported. Their demeanour is entirely pacific, and they seem to rely implicitly on Te Whiti's supernatural powers, but it is not easy to determine on what he is really depending for being able to maintain his threatened resistance to the Government. It seems very probable there will be no serious opposition, but that the system of continual harassment which has been so effective hitherto will be persisted in by the natives. In that case, it is understood that they will probably be made to pay the resulting expenses, by the forfeiture and sale of a sufficient portion of their reserves to meet the cost of continued military occupation. This, however, must not be taken as authoritative, although I believe it will be found a tolerably correct forecast. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Hawera, Thursday. Evidence is not wanting that the storm is brewing, or rather that the cloud is approaching. I know outside settlers, thoroughly acquainted with the natives, who did not budge during the whole of the native ploughing, who, although expressing no fear, are taking precautions—such as moving the junior members to safe quarters until matters are set right. Titokowaru was using very threatening language at Manaia yesterday, saying that next week the Maoris would make an end of the white people on the Plains—men, women, and children ; and, thumping the Manaia Hotel, he said, "This house will become a big fire." With so much bounce and fears expressed by reliable authority one scarcely knows what to think, but it behoves extreme caution being exercised. There will not be many days' suspense before things come to a head. The Colonial Treasurer's address to his constituents points most clearly to this view. Your chief items of interest will doubtless come from the Parihaka side, and that shortly. The Wesleyan quarterly have asked for an additional minister for Opunake as well as one for Hawera and Manaia. I have just heard that Mr. Rolleston was insulted by Te Whiti on his late visit to Parihaka. Visitors up the coast tell me that on the road from Opunake to Parihaka native youths are to be seen, generally mounted, who are watching all our movements. People generally will commend the Native Minister on his last act of forbearance in condescending to visit the prophet as a last resource. No one can now say that Te Whiti has not had every chance to remove any wrong impression which may have been caused through the interpretation of his late bounceable speech. If the Native Minister was insulted, after Tc Whiti's knowing that we are making every preparation to maintain the dignity of the law, then the Ministry must be backed up by the whole of the colony. Such insults under. such circumstances are not to be borne by us as a people. The volunteers, I hear, are to hold Opunake. Every available constabulary man has been sent to the front, Rahotu and Puiigarehu. Major Stapp, commanding the Taranaki Volunteer Militia is to-day arming all the settlers along the Mountain Road, between here and New Plymouth. Active preparations are being made at Opunake for iocal defence. The bush land behind the Plains sold extremely well to-day. Several sections fetched £3 per acre. All the deferred payment sections were taken up.