FIGHTING IN THE MARSHALL GROUP.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3323, 23 May 1879, Page 3

FIGHTING IN THE MARSHALL GROUP.

The 'Belle Brandon' further particulars of the war on the island of Majuru, Marshall Group, which was reported by the' Gael.' The dispute is between the chiefs of the western and north-western sides of the island, both of whom desire to become King. The whole of the natives under these chiefs were engaged fighting for possession when the' Belle Brandon' left, on the 3rd ult. The women were also employed in supplying them with provisions, and ussistJDg in the war. Up to the time of the • Belle Brandon's' departure two mou had been killed and two wounded.

A correspondent supplies the following from Oliinjnmri, under date " Paerou, Way 20th : —A meeting d pack and hack horses took place at the stables of Mr M — on Saturday evening last for the purpose of taking into consideration the separation question and oilier matters affecting tho welfare of animals in this district. Potentate was voted to the stalls The stall-holder said he was pleased to see so many reprfsentative horses round him, although the matter had very little interest for him, still he was ever ready to offer a helping hoof to the poorest of his fellow creatures. A lot of spouting had been done about separation, but not one word was adduced in its favour. What they really wanted was about fifty decent 'funerals.' Then would come harmony, peace, prosperity, and happiness. (Cheers.) ' A very, very miserable-looking animal who said that he was a Waitekauri packhorse, now addressed the meeting. He said that he belonged to a race that were worked off their legs. The assembly before him would doubtless refuse to believe him, and yet he could assure them that once he was as fine a spirited hunter as ever was seen (ironical laughter). They might indulge in hoarse laughter (a laugh), but for all that what he had said was true; if they had all been driven up the Waitekauri track like he had every day, year after year, in all sorts of vesther, they would look every bit as bad as he did, (Hear.) What he wanted to know was this, would the separationists go in for improving the roads and tracks throughout the proposed new County, or would they spend the rates on "gas,"—(A voice: "Wchave enough of that already ")— and asphalt pavements in the City of Paeroa? The present Council could scarcely do better than turn their attention to the state of the pack tracks in this riding, if they wanted to secuie an unanimous vote of thanks from the class to which he (the speaker) had the honour to belong. (Loudand prolonged cheers,) A honey looking animal, who said that, he was a " Katikati hack," now came forward, and said he had just arrived from Katikati, and what he wanted to impress on the meeting was this; The Government compelled publicans to supply travellers with feeds, liquors, &o,; why did they not compel them to provide stable accommodation. The horses had a far worse time of it than their owners, riders, or drivers, amd taken all round, where they not an injured race to those who owned, rode, or drove them ? (Loud cries of " No; of course they were not.") A pakeha Maori horse here addressed the meeting at great length, contending that it was the duty of the Government to constitute themselves a paternal Government, The speaker sneered at the grievance of those who had already ad* dressed the_ meeting. He drew a picture (to the great impatience of all present) of the peaceful life of a pack horse, declaring that nothing could be more charming than to end oce's days by the sad sea waves—of mud— between two kegs of Ehrenfried Bros', or Brown, Campbell and Co.'s sparkling XXX, Hejrefused to allow any resolution to be put to the meeting, and asserted that he had a right to speak as long as he pleased. He quoted the case of a gentleman who had pursued similar tactics at a meeting held in the city recently. At this juncture a horse belonging to the " Heroic Packar" started kicking, and such confusion and uproir ensued that the meeting was broken up,