THE NATIVE DISTURBANCE.

Southland Times, Issue 3361, 29 March 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DISTURBANCE.

(TELEGRAPHED BY THE PRESS ASSOCIA- '■' TiO"s!rS SPECIAL •*-*_BPORTERi)' ; : ; J k: HAWERA, March 27. ; Many leading Kuaphinui natives state that- - they knew nothing ; of -the! action against ;the surveyors till they were^off .the plains. They .are disposed to accept any reasonable terms and reserves if offered by Government, but until the affair is more definitely settled they are determined,^"as/ hitherto,- --fo. remain en-v ;tirely neutral. Tito Kawaru's tribe, however, seem cantankerous, and now, with great .glee, boastfully, though good-humoredly, relate their- triumph.v r 'The natives really appear to have ho intentibh of j fighting,, and are quite unprepared, but there is ho telling what it may lead to unless nipped in the bud. Orders came direct from Parihaka, and commissions: ;were formed' -by 'several of Tito iKowafu's men, although they took no part, and were quiet. Te Wheti- 'is;, at the bottom of the movement. A force stationed at Gape Egmprit, about 45 miles: from here, would- alone checkmate him, and tend tb remove troubles beyond Opunake ; otherwise : ■-'■; Te : Wheti and Parihaka will be;- a sore for years .to come. ' The survey parties are all removed up the mountain road surveying bush. The Opaneke .railway -.'party. suspended operations without ./Native interference.: , . It is quite false}: thatNatives are pulling' up the surveyors' pegs and destroying their -work. T tbiuk the Native ; -•Ministers -by firm -and judicious action, and conjointly demanding a general meeting of all Natives interested, . may settle the. whole affair sat\sf actor jly. --All Natives absent fromthe meeting are to have a black mark set against them when the -reserves are granted. Tnis might bring them to the scratch.