OUR SPECIAL AT THE FRONT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3884, 7 November 1881, Page 2

OUR SPECIAL AT THE FRONT.

[FROJI OUR SPECIAL REPORTER,] Pungarehu, November 5. — The march of the Colonial Forces on Parihaka, which has been looked forward to by the whole colony with eager interest and a certain degree of apprehension, was accomplished on Saturday. In accordance with orders issued on Friday night, the various corps at Pungarehu paraded at 6.30 a.m. on Saturday. The volunteers at Rahotu paraded at 10 p.i*. on Friday, in the exact manner in which they were to parade on the following morning, and at daylight on Saturday they proceeded to the Pungarehu settlement, a distance of about five miles from Rahotu. I left the Pungarehu camp at 0 a.m., and went towards .Rahotu, and on my way I met the Volunteers and A.C. a short distance from the rendezvous at Parapara. They numbered 1,100 strong, under the command ©f Major Pitt. A halt was made at Paiapara till the men from Pungarehu came up. The men we're then paraded into two columns, and at the junction of the roads before reaching Parihaka detachments were filed off to take up positions in order to surround the settlement. " Mr. Bryce, Colonel Roberts and staff are justly entitled to credit for the excellent manner in which the large force was managed. Not the least confusion prevailed, and the men obeyed the orders issued without hepitation. The Nelson Volunteers occupied the hills to the left, and the Canterbury and Marlborough filed off to the right, taking possession of the various heights, and*were supported by the Wellington Navals and Taranaki Rifles'. The Thames Scottish and A.C. Force, with a division of the Mounted Rifles, were ordered to march into the settlement. When the bugle ordering the advance sounded, the men all at once appeared on the hills overlooking the settlement, and the sheen of their rifles as they so suddenly came into the view of the natives of Parihaka had a magnificent and startling effect. Simultaneously with the advance of the covering parties on the summits of the hills, the AC. Force, Thames Scottish, and Mounted Rifles advanced to the centre" of the settlement, where all the natives were assembled outside ! the whares. It appears the natives had assembled in the same manner before daylight, waiting for the advance of the Constabulary. The arresting body (numbering 96 men in all) who had been specially selected and armed with revolvers for the purpose, then received orders to advance close to the marae, but their progress was impeded by a number of women and children, who held a long rope across the road. After some delay the men received orders to advance, notwithstanding all obstacles that might be offered ; and Sergeant Garland and , several oihers seized the rope and raised it in-

order to pass under it. Here ensued a rather amusing spectacle, for in their endeavour to puss under the rope some of the men lost their hats, and after they had passed it they had to pick their steps among the prostrate bodies of a laTge number of women and children. Te Whiti and Tohu were surrounded by the natives. Mr. Butler, Secretary to the Xative Minister, read the Riot Act and the Government Proclamation; ' Te Whiti did not reply. The natives were allowed an hour to consider their answer, during which time they indulged in one or two haka", but otherwise remained quiet. After the time had expired, Mr. Butler and Major Tuke advanced in front of the natives, and called upon Te Whiti, who stood up when called. Mr. Bryce then tkc interpreter, Mr. Hurstliouse) told Te Whiti that he wanted an answer to the message he had previously sent him. Te Whiti asked Mr. Bryce to come into his whare to discuss (he matter, but -Mr. Bryce declined, and informed Te Whiti that he must have a decisive answer — yes or no. Te Whiti thereupon replied, " Hera 1 am ; if you want me take me." Orders were' then issued to Major 'Tuke to arrest Te Whiti and Tohu, which was accordingly done without the least' resistance. The time of Te Whiti's arrest 1J.30 a.m. Hiroki was then called for, and he "was identified by Sergeant Charles Gray (of New Plymouth), 1 " and immediately arrested 'and handcuffed. He was dressed at the time of arrest, with a fur cap," and' had a blanket wrapped- round. Kirn..':. Te Whiti was dressed in a. native mat and. shawl,; and Tohu with a bright coloured shayvl. Sergeant Gray also formally identified Te Whiti and Tohu. . The Government express was in waiting, and Hiroki was. placed in it. Tc Whiti and Tohu were also requested to go in, but ie Whiti objected, saying he did not understand his being ordered to go with Hiroki, as there was a great difference between them. Mr. Bryce then ordered Hiroki to be taken out of the. express, and Te Whiti and Tohu went intb it, accompanied by Te Whiti's wife and niece. Before entering the express Te Whiti asked to be allowed to address a few words .to his people, which was permitted. Te Whiti then said that the shepherd was being taken away from the flock, and they were to be careful to keep a stout heart. They must remember his words of peace. He was in a position he did not understand ; but if they trusted in him he would come back to them, and give them joy and gladness. Tohu=also spoke a few words, urging the natives not to forget the wise counsels of Te Whiti and himself. The natives received the farewell addresses without any demonstration of grief, and when Te Whiti and Tohu were driven away before their eyes, no sound escaped their lips, with one exception, and that was a half-caste woman," who stood up and said that the pakehas should be ashamed of themselves for taking Te Whiti away. There were others the^e^ho-v^ere worse than Te WUiti, and they stiouMbe taken Jfifst. r .It was not known positively to wtibih ' she alluded, but it was believed to be to some pakehas. Mr. Hurstliouse and Mr. Butler accompanied Te Whiti and Tohn to Pungarehu, and when the conveyance reached the camp a cheer greeted the occupants. Te Whiti looked round at the byestanders with a smile on his countenance', and he appeared to be pleased with his reception. After alighting from the conveyance, they were escorted to the blockhouse, and there kept in custody. The Taranaki Mounted Rifles formed the escort for conveying Te Whiti into camp, and the prisoners were placed in charge of Captain Davidson. Te Whiti was not in the least discomfited, and partook of a hearty dinner a short time after his arrival. Hiroki was escorted to Pungarehu on foot, under a guard of the A.C. Force, and was confined apart from the other prisoners, and a strong guard placed over him. The natives, shortly after the departure of Te Whiti, retired into their whares, only a few of them coming out again during the rest oE the day. Parihaka was thus taken without a struggle, and its occupation by the Colonial Forces was a peaceful victory. The men were ordered down from the hills, and were quartered round the settlement in companies. Conveyances were busily plying between Pungarehu and Paxihaka, taking up tents, provisions, &c, in order to form a permanent redoubt at Parihaka. Mr. Bryce assembled the officers of the forces together in the afternoon, and addressed them. He thanked them in the name of the colony and the Govei'iiment for the valuable services rendered that daj\ He could not speak too highly of the manner they had carried out their instructions. It was a matter for congratulation that the Government were enabled to show the natives that the law of the land must be obeyed ; and he believed the lesson which they had taught the natives that day would go far towards settling the native difficulty. Colonel Roberts had told him that he could not speak in too eulogistic terms on the steadiness and alacrity which the Volunteers had obeyed the orders given to them. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon the men were hard at work erecting tents and making their quarters comfortable. Parihaka is an excellent camping ground, being sheltered and easy of access. Before dark the men had comfortably established themselves, and appeared to be supremely happy with their surroundings. Captain Davidson was placed in charge of the Pungarehu camp, and ho returned to Pungarehu with his troop at 5 p.m., after having performed a good day's work. This company has done good service, and its efficiency is acknowledged by everyone. It is credited with being the most steady and reliable volunteer corps in the field, and this- is mainly due to the excellent discipline which the officers and men maintain. Their equipments are perfect, and on the parade ground they have a very imposing appearance. I understand that both Mr. Bryce and Colonel Roberts have expressed themselves as being highly gratified with the corps, and they have shown their confidence in the Mounted Rifles by intrusting them with such important duties. Captain Ellis' company are also highly spoken of, but they have as yet had but little opportunity of showing their capabilities. The total number of men at Pungarehu yesterday was 1,500. I hear that Mr. Bryce, will give three days' notice to the natives who do not belong to Parihaka to leave the settlement, or they will be dispersed or arrested. The natives are very sullen, and will not &peak to Europeans. The principal native now in charge at Pari-

hnka is Te Whetu, who, I believe, was one of the natives formerly arrested for fencing, and afterwards liberated. Te Whiti's wife and daughter are staying in the blockhouse with him, but they arc uot in custody, and can leave at any moment. There are still a considerable number of natives at the fences, which have not yet been taken down by the Constabulary. It is not expected, however, that the natives will resist when the order is given to pull them down. It is rumoured that Te Whiti will not be taken into New Plymouth, but will be conveyed from Opunake to Wellington by the Hincmoa. This, however, is only rumour, and nothing is yet known as to the intention of the Government respecting the trial of Te Whiti. It is only reasonable to suppose that he would be tried in New Plymouth, that being the nearest town where* a Supreme Court sits. Six or eight representatives of the press were arrested yesterday in attempting to pass into the settlement. One or two were successful, but they had to conceal themselves at such a distance that what was transpiring was inaudible to them. For the most part the reports as to what actually topk place have been obtained from the meu who took part in arresting t Te Whiti.