THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Southland Times, Issue 3419, 5 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

... : «. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGEAPH.; New Plymouth, Wednesdaj'-. The arrangements made by Government for the protection of the district appears to give satisfaction, and alarm is being some whnt allayed. At an interview with the Premier yesterday, he stated that the arrangement he Avas making here was only part of a general scheme which was under the consideration of the Government for the disposal of the native difficulty for ever. The native political J ploughmen who have been amusing themselves lately •on Mr Courtney's land at, Akaroa are getting tired of their work. They made a start on Monday,; and were there yesterday, but failed to put in an appearance to-day. I They do not do much ; the extent of their i work does not exceed an acre. Intelligence has been received that the natives j have commenced ploughing up Mr Bayley's paddocks, at Te Naiua, near Opunaki, within a stone's throw of where a force of Constabulary are stationed. They have j Avarned Mr Bartlett, of the Opunaki Hotel, I and intimated that they intend to commence ploughing his paddock at the back to-morrow. This is being done under the eyesrfcf the Constabulary, and is intended as a further threat by the natives. Rumors have been circulated in town that Te Wheti stated that the 13th of this month was the day on which the rwru (meaning ; an uprising or convulsion of some sort) was to take place, and that on that day all the land will be in possession of the Maoris. These statements, though coming from Maori sources, cannot be relied upon, and may be exaggerations. Wellington,. Wednesday. The Governor and the Ministers returned from New Plymouth to-day. Immediate steps are to be taken to recruit 200 men more for the Constabulary, avlio Avill be sent to defend New Plymouth. Advices received from there by the Government to-day are more re-assuring. The reported removal of women and children f-om the outlying settlements into town is now explained to have taken place only in one or two isolated cases, Avhere the husband was accustomed to be absent from home, at. work, all Aveek. In such it was thought better that the Avives and children should not be left alone. It is stated, hoAvever, that most of the outlying settlers disclaim all apprehension of attack and express their belief that nothing of the kind is probable. It is also alleged that the natives manifest no ill feeling towards Europeans, but merely assert that they are endeavoring to force a settlement of the. question of title by entry, in order that an action for civil trespass might be forced to test title. They utterly repudiate any intention of hostile movements against the Government. It is credably reported that Te Wheti's followers are almost unarmed, and are wholly unprepared for Avar, the rumor that he was making warlike^preparations being positively contradicted. The Government, however, are determined to have everything in readiness for any emergency. Information has been received of another j native difficulty at HoroAvtenua, near j Otaki, in this district. It is a trivial quarrel between two sides about some land, and both sides being well armed, they threaten to have a fight.