NATIVE DISTURBANCE IN THE NORTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1466, 3 June 1879, Page 2

NATIVE DISTURBANCE IN THE NORTH.

Nbw Plymouth, June 2. The tribe to which Kereopa belongs have held a meeting concerning bis lale threatening conduct to European -. i'lie excuse Kereop.l m«de was that he was incited by Parihuka influence. The natives condemn his conduct. Colonel Whitmore, accompanied by l)r O'Carroll, visited Omata yesterday, and interviewed settlers Ibere. Mr W. Bailey, and Mr Bynonie wont wilh the party over the block, and aflerworc's hod along conference with Colonel Whitmore, who told them that Government would do its utmost to protect, settlers m case of an outbreak. His Excellency the Governor rode out yesterday with a party of gentlemen m the direction of Meeting of Wutera. To-day be ha* gone out to Caverbill's Fnrm, where he will erjoy a day's shooting. His Kxcelli ncy on Ids way will have an opportudity of witnessing how natives defy the law, for he will see them bard at work, ploughing up Mr Courtney's grusa paddocks. A Volunteer corps is being formed at Waitara, and the Omata settlers will hold a meeting to-morrow evening to consider thoir position witli regard to natives, and to muke arrangements for forming Volunteer corps. Major Atkinson has been requested to be present. A large public meeting, convened by the Mayor, at the Oddfellow s Hall, was held. this morning to discuss Saturday's interview wiih thePremierand Colonel Whitmore. The Mayor presided and eta ted that generally the people were dissatisfied with the Minister?, wbo had not made promises likely to lead to a settlement of the difficulty, and the impression was that it was desirable to go to the Governor direct. Volunteer corps were being forme:! m the principal out ttttleinents, and he urged the lormati >n of one more. Major Atkinson confessed himself not satisfie I with the pron.iaes of tbe Ministers. He asked people to put aside political feeling, and act as colonists m this emergency. Let them wait a few d»ys longer, and then if necessary they could meet and express their views more decidedly. Mr H. Richmond, witboat wishing to create undue fear, or create a panic, said the situation whs so critical that atrocities, any moment, might be committed which would plunge the country into war. He moved a motion, asking the Government to put the district m a complete state of defence, and give the natives to understand that their settlement would at once be destroyed if they attempted any violence. Natives could be brought from other parts to fight them. Mr Standish, m seconding the motion, while hoping war' might be averted, nrged the necessity of being prepared for any emer gency. Colonel Trimble believed that tronble wai inevitable, bat should let the responsibility

re.'t with the Government. The .lace tnatly required to be strengthened »ith arms, and now the Government hid reo g> isrd the gravity of the position, he hoped mutters would he combated m a practical a> d political spirit. Many influential resident* of out di-tric's stated that hostilities were imminent, and mentioned the anxii-tv of the country people, who were m f- ar of being murdered m tbeir beds. The resolution was "greed to, and was p-erented to the Premier by a deputation this afternoon. He promised to sen'! extra force, md to CDnfid-r the affairs without delay. He ali>o referred to a thre tening telegram which had been s<-nt. to him. A lar^e number of thosf m the room, hpaded by the Mayor, enrolled themselves as volunteers.