MORE NATIVE OBSTRUCTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6832, 10 October 1883, Page 5

MORE NATIVE OBSTRUCTION.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Tuesday. This afternoon the Government received information from Wanganui that Mr. Rochfort, the surveyor, and his party, had again been ordered back by natives belonging to the Upper Wanganui. The natives numbered about twenty-five, and fired a volley of blank cartridges over the heads of the surveyors.'' [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORBESPON DENTS.] Wanganui, Tuesday.

Mr. Rochfort, the surveyor engaged on tho central railway route, arrived in town to-day, having been turned back by an armed party of natives at Te Papa, to which place the survey had proceeded at the last attempt. The natives were Hauhaus, under ohief Taumata, and objected to allow Rochfort to proceed unless he brought a letter from King Tawhiao. The natives were armed with rifles, and fired a volley of fifty bullets over the heads of ftochfort and his party with dangerous nearness. The party consisted partly of Europeans and partly of friendly natives, and amounted to thirty. They were not intimidated, but went on when a second volley was fired, the shots coming still nearer, and then Rochfort and his companions walked up within a few yards of the Hauhaus, who formed inline with guns at the present. Several Hauhaus made declamatory speeches against the pakehas, saying they would rather die than allow the survey party to proceed, and one man said he would have shot the first European who crossed the hill had he not been forewarned of his action. Rochfort went forward, and told the natives it was foolish for them to oppose the railway, as it was impossible for them to stop it. If they killed or injured him the Government would. send a fresh party and an armed force to push the survey through. The Hauhaus still declined to allow the party to proceed, and Rochfort returned to Wanganui, and telegraphed to Wellington for instructions. The spot whore ', the survey was stopped this time is in the Tuhua county, thirty miles this side of Tamaranui, where Moffatt was murdered. It is believed Taumata and his hapu of Hauhaus are acting alone, all the other Upper Wanganui and Taupo ■ natives being friendly to Rochfort's Burvey. Wellington, Tuesday.

Mr. Bryce has received information of further obstruction in the Upper Wanganui country to the surveyor of the central line of the North Island Railway. It appears that Mr. Rochfort and his Burvey party'had ascended the Upper Wanganui River in a canoe, when they were suddenly hailed by a party of natives, about 25 in number, who shouted to them, and fired two or three volleys of blank cartridge over their heads. As this might have been meant as a friendly greeting, and in fact was more of a welcome which would in some cases have been offered under ordinary circumstances, no alarm was felt, but the party soon elicited distinct intimation that the natives did not intend to the party to proceed any further up the river. The natives, though exceedingly moderate and temperate in manner and tone, were also very resolute, and absolutely refused to listen to any proposals except that the surveyors should at once turn about and proceed homeward. After some _ delay and further fruitless efforts to explain the cue to the natives and induce them to abstain from obstruction, Rochfort decided to return to Kemp's country, and did bo accordingly. Kemp was highly irate on hearing what had happened, and strongly urged that the surveyor should return and force a passage through the obstructionists, but this was so serious a step, involving grave possible consequences in the shape of a hostile collision and perhaps bloodshed, that Rochford dyd not feel justified in- attempting anything of the kind without the express sanction of the Government, and he accordingly resolved to report the circumstances, and await further instructions. From what I can learn, there seems i little doubt that this, like the Kawhia affair, [was a simple ebullition of Maori "'bounce," !and*would have evaporated harmlessly ; but, nevertheless, the risk of premature collision was too great to be lightly encountered, especially in view of Moffat's comparatively recent fate in the same country, and nothing was to be gained by precipitation. Some difficulty is experienced in holding in check i the exuberant activity of Kemp, _ who is burning to be at the obstructionists, and cut a way through them vi el But this would be impolitic just now, if not utterly futile as to results ; therefore while his zeal and good intentions are cordially recognised, any strong measures are discouraged. The truth is the natives want to force Mr. Bryce's lead, and he does not choose that they Bhould do so. They would like to exact certain concessions as a condition of allowing the surveys to go on, and railway to pass, but this would not suit Mr. Bryce's plans, and might be productive of future mischief. Topia, the principal chief of the Upper Wanganui, is_ not believed to have had a hand in this affair. He is, indeed, away just now, but.is known to be staunchly loyal. It is believed satisfactory arrangements will shortly be made with him, so as to prevent all future opposition, and meanwhile an alternative plan is available, which will most likely be resorted to. The present resistance is believed to be the work of some chieftans of inferior rank, who have acted purely on their own responsibility. They aro also Kingites, and this may be another little " try on."