AN EXPEDITION TO KAWHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6823, 29 September 1883, Page 5

AN EXPEDITION TO KAWHIA.

- AN ARMED CONSTABULARY POST 1 TO BE ESTABLISHED. [BY TSLEGBAPH.—OW.N CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington , , Friday. ' Ministers hava been in close Cabi-.et all day considering the Kawhia Dative difficulty and the best coarse to adopt. Full information was received from Mr. Butler (Mr. Bryca'a private secretary), who arrived by the Hinemja this morning, and it entirely confirmed the view of the affiir conveyed in my telegram of last night. After a careful review of all the features in the case, including various surrounding circumstances, on which it would be indiscreet to touch at present, Government arrived at u'decision to send; without delay, a strong 'iorpe of Armed Constabulary to Kawhia, and to establish, a permauent military post at thfit place. With that object, the Hinemoa will leave shortly for Opunak' , , and will embark constabulary there, telegraphic orders having b-en already sent tog the commanding officer to draft off; the required force, in for shipment. Mr. Bryce himself has just sfc-trW for Taranaki, w here he will be picked up bv the Hinemoa. He will attend Mete Kingi's funeral in passing, as a mark of respect to that distinguished loyal chief. It is intended to semi 110 p'ckecl men of the A.C. force to Kawhia on Wednesday, and to proceed at once to the construction of the necessary Luildings, &e. The destroyed beaenns, &c, will be immediately replaced, and Tawhiao ami his accomplice) will have plain intim >tion that any further- interference on their part will lie promptly and severely dealt with. It is believed that Tawhiao intended next to destroy the buoys if the destruction of the beacons were passed over unnoticoii, but 1 is heart failed him on receiving a stern warning a« to the consequences of his c induct. I hear the Maniapotoa are gre'tly pleased that the Government have tnkt.n immediate action in the matter, and that they have been eager to disown any complicity in Tawhuo's action. The principal chiefs of the Ngatimaniapoto have been quick to tender, aa-urauces of loyalty arid cordial co-operation. The estab lishment «f a strong constabulary post and force at Kawhia will be .1 great convenience in view of further developments ifrom our side, and there is no doubt that Tawhiao is already conscious of hovirg committed a grave blunder in policy, arid having played right into the hands of the Government.