TELEGRAM TO THE GOVERNMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3161, 30 June 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAM TO THE GOVERNMENT.

SekxXG the critical position of native affa'rs, Mr. T. Kel'y, on J3atur Jay last, forwarded the following telegram to the Government :—: — New Plymouth, June 28, 1879. To Hon. Sir G. Grey, Premier, Wellington. I sincerely hope that in the event of any further occupation of land by the natives and a continuance of their ploughing operations, that the Government will give such orders to the civil police or armed constabulary as will authorise them to take action and obviate the necessity of the settlers taking the matt'u into their own hands, I fear that in the present excited state of public feeling unless the Government take an absolute lead in the matter that we may be hurried into a premature collision with the natives. The settlers arc willing to aid the Government in any reasonable way, but it is not right or safe that they should take unauthorised action at such an important crisis. T. Kelly. SIR GEORGE GREY'S REPLY. This morning Mr. Kelly received the following reply :— Wellington, 10.10 a.m. T. Kelly, Esq., M.H.R., New Plymouth. Have rcceive'l your telegram, and am obliged to you for it. At all points where police are they are instructed now to take action. The state of excitement prevailing renders this necessary. G. Grey. ARREST OF SEVENTEEN MAORIS AT OAKURA. The Maoris again assembled, to the number of tweuty-h've, on Mr. Courtney's laud yesterd; Ly morning. Major Tuke proceeded to Oakura at noon, and, we believe, it was his intention to arrest the natives, and bring them to the lock-up at New Plymouth, but on his arrival at the spot the natives had disappeared. A number of persons, anxious to see what was going on, visited Oakura in the afternoon. They, however, were not gratified with anything more than a view of the camp, for everything had the appearance of repose, and those who went out to have some excitement must have been disappointed. This morning the Maoris again put in an appearance, when seventeen were arrested by Major Tuke, brought into town, and placed in the gaol. Matters having reached a climax, the natives will now see we are in earnest, and their true designs will soon bo manifested. ARRIVAL OF MAORI PRISONERS IN TOWN. When the news was circulated about town that the Maoris had been arrested and were being brought into the gaol here, numbers of business people were to be seen leaving their shops and stores, and making their way towards the Great South Road to get a view of the prisoners as they passed on their way to town. A large crowd congregated and waited patiently for about an hour and a-half, but as there was no sign of the prisoners most of the assemblage dispersed, and returned to business. The prisoners arrived at about 1 o'clock, and were conducted to gaol, but upon what charge we are not aware, except it be for trespass. NATIVE BOUNCE AT WAITARA. The Waitara Natives are beginning to bounce. Yesterday a party of them, who were conveying a plough in a bullock dray, instead of keeping on the road, crossed over Mr. T. Elliot's property, levelling the ditch and bank fence with spades they had with them for the purpose. Mr. John Elliot endeavoured to dissuade them from doing so, but without avail. This morning Mr. Elliot saw Te Patu, the leader of the party, and asked him to repair the damage the natives had done. Te Patu replied that he would repair the fence when it was convenient for him to do so ; that the land was his, and did. not belong to Mr. Elliot, and that it had been stolen from him. Mr. Elliot has since received notice from the natives that they intend to commence ploughing his land to-day or to-morrow. NATIVES REPORTED TO BE ARMING. It was reported in town this morning JJiat the nattves between Opunako and Parifiaka were very sullen/ and were arming themselves.