NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 857, 7 August 1879, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

The reports from the officers m native districts have been laid on the table of the Housd of Representatives In the report of Mr. * Woon, R. M. , Upper Wanganui, he mentions tUe increasing influence of the prophet Te Whiti over the minds of the Wanganui natives. About 150 of them, men, and women with their children, principally from the lower pa, have migrated to Parihaki. where they are awaiting tho fulfilment of his prophecies, particularly the speedy resurrection of all the lands to the Maoris. This is a very remarkable movement, and has been wisely let alone by the Government, for if the work be not of God, it will be sure, to come to nought. Te Whiti is, like miny European exponents of prophecy, a prenullenium, and counsels his people to" -• be ready and waiting for tne second coming of our Lord, which, he says, is close ab hand. The belief has become so strong that many of his followers •have given up thinking about earthly affairs, and live day by day m contstant [ expectancy of the return of Our Saviour to the earth. Many of the Wanganui natives neglected atteuding the f late sitting .of the Native -Lands Court here on matters m which they were interested, having handed . over all their worldly possessions to their relatives as being of small Value to them now m these latter days. TJie interpretation of the Prophets is gaining > ground at home, and the propounders thereof, embracing able and learned ministers of alt denominations both m Europe and America, are becoming more and more confirmed m their opinion as to -the correctness of their interpretation of prophetical books of the' sacred •■-- ages. It seems somewhat remarkable that a man like Te Whiti, certainly well versed m Scripture, should, without holding any communication with men of like faith m England or elsewhere, at j this remote corner of the earth, have - : become so strongly impressed, with the. same view, and shall have 'Secured so large a following among life own country* men. Of course, he fhas advanced too far m his notions and belief, and has j evidently become crazy m the matter of his-religious opinions and interpretations of Scripture, and there is evidently, much' of design about the mam I believe he means peace, and advocates the same, but there is a design of his, suddenly : turning round any time, and reversing.. the native polioy should he find ft necessary to do so from the. force of ' circumstances, arid m the View of in* creasing his influence.