THE NATIVE BOTHER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3169, 9 July 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE BOTHER.

NATIVES ON MR. KYNGDON'S LAND.

A native interpreter who accompanied Mr. A. Kyngdonj went yesterday to Monganui in order to have a conversation with the natives who were ploughing on Mr. Kyngdon's hind. When they arrived on tho land there were no Maorics to be seen, and thcro wns only about three-quarters of an acre ploughed. They then procc6dcd to tho settlement, which is about a mile off, and spoke to the natives. The natives said that Mr. Kyngdon had given them permission to plough the land. This Mr. Kyngdon denied. Ho said that when ho was leaving, a native asked him if ho would lot him plough a piece of land to plant potatoes in, near whore some young trees had been planted ; but Mr. Kyngdon did not answer him. He might have told the native that perhaps ho would allow him, but he did not then give him permission. The natives stated they understood Mr. Kyngdon had given thorn permission. .On leaving to come to town Mr. Kyngdon loft tho key oE his house with tho natives, and asked them to look after it. Mr. Kyngdon states ho did not leave through fear of tne natives, but he left to come to town on private business. The natives thought that Mr. Kyngdon wns loaving on account oE the native disturbance. They say they asked Mr. Kyngdon when ho was coming back, and he replied, when the native trouble was over. They then asked permission to plough the land and plant potatoes. . Mr. Kyngdon states that when he returned to his land on Monday week he told the natives they wore not to plough. Whereupon one of them replied that it was against the Government they wore ploughing, and not against him.

NATIVES SOARED.

No doubt the solution of the affair is that the natives are becoming scared at the action of the Government, and thoy are now wishing to make out that they understood Mr. Kyngdon had given them permission to plough. Thoy appear to have taken fright soon after they were warned by Mr. Kyngdon, for they have only ploughed three-quarters of an acre of land altogether. There is one damaging feature against tho natives pretended permission. They have not ploughed the ground they asked permission for, but have gone into Iho orchard and ploughed a piece of tho finest clover. This cannot at all bo reconciled with their statements. They have deliberately ploughed another piece of ground, for which they never, asked permission. The natives say they are anxious for Mr, Kyngdon to return to his land, for if anything is lost thoy will be blamed for it. Mr. Kyngdon evidently placed every confidence in tho natives when ho left, or it was unlikely lie would give them the key and leave them in charge of his place. Mr. Kyndon intends returning to his land. He is at present detained through the sickness of a relative, but hopes' to bo again at Monganui next week.

TE WHITI LOSING GROUND.

We learn that To Whiti's influence is fast on the wane. Natives who less than a fortnight ago were loud in Te Whiti's praises, have now nothing to say, and- look downcast and dejected. They were buoyed up with the sanguine expectations given to them by the Parihaka prophet ; they thought he was omnipotent ; that he had only to speak the word and his designs would bo accomplished. Now they are doubting his omnipotence. lie Ins suffered his followers to be taken, imprisoned, and sent far away from their friends to be tried as criminals without any display of his miraculous power in their favour. Therefore doubt and perplexity have seized upon them, and they have become a prey to evil forebodings. How long Te Whiti can delude them is a matter for their credulity to decide ; but it is certain that many of the natives who 'wore followers of To Whiti a month ago, have now turned absolute sceptics.

TE WHITI'S LAST PROPHEOY.

We hear that several of the natives, being very dissatisfied at the prisoners not being released by supernatural influence, after three days imprisonment, have visited Parihaka, and seen Te Whiti on tho matter. The prophet, ever ready with an excuse, has told these misguided Maoris that they would have to procure rams horns, and blow them outside tho prisons where tho natives are confined, when, the walls, like those of Jericho, before which Joshua .and his seven priests stood, would fall and release all the prisoners. It is said that tho natives are busy hunting for " rams' horns," and when thoy find some they will no doubt devote their leisure hours to learning how to get a sound from them.

TE WHITI TO BE MADE A MARTYR OF.

From another source wo hoar that the natives are becoming so enraged with To Whiti's prophecies as to tho release of the natives being false, that they arc threatening to deliver him over to the Government, so that he may receive the same punishment as the men who have already been taken prisoners. Thoy say : "To Whiti is the cause of all the trouble, so let him be punished. Send Te Whin to Wellington — send him to Dunedin where Tauroa was sent — and then let him deliver himself, and we will believe. Why should we suffer ? let Te Whiti bo punished." " It would be the best thing that could happen to tho place if the natives brought their false prophet into town, and handed him over to the Government.

TRIAL OP THE PRISONERS.

WELLINGTON, July B.— His Honor, in discharging tho Grand Jury, said their further attendance was not required, as it was not intended to proceed against the native prisoners this session.