THE NATIVES AT PARIHAKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1342, 19 May 1885, Page 3

THE NATIVES AT PARIHAKA.

The Hon." Mr Ballance arrived at Opunake last Thursday night, and was met by Colonel Roberts, Mr Pardy, Inspector of Police at New Plymouth, and Mr Rennell, Native Ageot, who informed him the reports which had recently been circulated with reference to Maoris on the coast were without foundation, and were originated principally by persons who have settled on small sections of land near Pungarebu, and who made a living out of the Constabulary while they were encamped there, and whose living waß gone when the Force was removed. Mr Ballance went to Oeo on Friday morning to interview Tito Kowaru's and Te Whiti'B people, who assembled there for the purpose of distributing the foodsentto them by the natives of the Chatham Islands as a present to Te Wbiti. There were about two hundred present, and he met with a most cordial reception, a dance and haka being given in his honor. The feeling of the natives is said to be more friendly towards the Europeans than ever. A telegram from Niw Plymouth states that the Hon. Mr Ballance intends sending 25 A.C 'b *o Pungarehu for the protection of the settlers. He visited Oeo on Firday to consult with Hone Piaha and the other chiefs re leases. The settlers are gratified at the action of the Ministry in sending the Constabulary. The Hon. Mr Ballaoce met a deputation of the the Parihaka Road Board on Saturday at Kahotu. The deputation assured him that, speaking from their own knowledge, the Maoris of the district were more friendly than they bad ever been. He met a Becond deputation at Pungarehu, consisting of men who had circulated the whole of the disquieting rnmors concerning the natives. Their Btoriwihad been all previously investigated by* Government officers in the die-' trict, and the interview with the deputation bore out the fact that the rumors had been circulated for the purpose of bringing a large force back to the district and causing Government expenditure. Not one of the deputation had any standing except one, whose charge was that be had threatened to shoot Bome Maori dogs, whereupon the owner took the gun out of his possession. One member of the deputation will probably be prosecuted for shooting Maori pigs. Another memfber, who sent a letter to the Taranaki papers, the substance of which was telegraphed, stated that he knew nothing of the facts himself, but as he could use the • pen he was giving what others told him, There is no truth whatever in the statements alleging that the Maoris threaten to molest the Europeans. Mr Ballance bad a long interview with Te Whetu, the leader of the fencing business and next to Te Whiti and Tohu the most influential roan in the district. j He gave > .most positiye assurance of the ' friendly disposition of the Maoris. He himself had fenced his reserve, and with his people is cultivating it. He complains bitterly of some low Europeans who make depredations on the natives, /and be.expressed satisfaction with the policy of the Government. It is understood that the only change contemplated by the Native Minister is to station a smart policeman in the neighborhood of Parihaka, more for the purpose of watching a certain class of Europeans than the Maoris.