THE NATIVE DISTURBANCES IN THE NORTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 6

THE NATIVE DISTURBANCES IN THE NORTH.

i [By Telegraph.] Hawera, May 30. , All the Maoris at Maki, between JHawera p and Car'yle, are stated to be selling off their i sto;k m Hawera, nnd to be now on the road ■ to Parihaka. Tliere was only one old chief, i Matthew Jenkins, at Maki, and he is now m Hawera. He says that these statements are I quite true. The Maoris now seem quite fanatical m their adoration of To Whiti. A number of settlerß this morning, at an urgent ; meeting, were ull anxious for the represents- , tive of tho district, Mn.jor Atkinson, to hold , a conference with tbem at. once, ns they huve p faith is his long experience and tried judgment, i New Plymouth, May 30. i Mr Par-is has returned from Purihaka, i where ho has seen To Whiti, who does not i iieny that he snnc'ioned whnl has been done, ; but Buys it is not ogain-t tho settlers but Ihe ) Government that the action hns been tuken, , nnd tiiat us they want to try the question, [ ho hnß issued the order co aa to brim; the t Government to book. He further states they , have made a claim for the confiscated laud, . and intend to stand by it. i The Waitara correspondent of thc TaranaH ! Herald writes lhat there is no doubl. m that I district thnt the present Government have . entirely loßt the confidence of the unlives, not. . only on this conßt, but throughout tlio island, . andthatifmittersare allowed to proceed much j further m the surae course ns at present, t we will have to como to blows. Mr Parris , was asked by the Government to eeo TV | Wbiti and ascertain whether it was by his , orders or sanction that Mr Courtney's lund whb being ploughed by the natives. Mr j Caverhill and Mr G. Messenger accompanied Mr Parris. The interview with Te Whili ) was so far satisfactory thut he eaid that he , m no way deeired to commence hostilities ; but ho admitted sanctioning the ploughing of j the land, and lhat ho intended to continue it, a -i he wishe I to bring the question of the confiscated lands to un issue with tbe Go- [ vernment. Mr Parris told him that doing bo would tend tocreate hostility, aa the confiscated j land could not be surrendered by the Government. Te Whiti, who was nttended by j 200 or 300 nativos, received the visitors m 3 a very friendly way, and the interview . throughout was conducted with good humor. I On Tuesday the natives were not at work on Mr Courtney's land, but two ot them passed through the town to attend a tangi at tbe Bell , block. Weivlington, May 30. j Mujor Atkinson has received a telegram from his constituents nt Putea asking him to . go down to consult wilb them, as tbey conI sider that nativo matters aro looking serious , there. He repliod, promising an immedinte | vißit after the Governor leaves here for Auckland. I £For the following important te'egrams we , are indebted to tho Press Agency, they having J appeared yesterday m the Agency papers.] I, Patea, May 29. j A Waitolara native, named Kereopa is j roaming nbout the district, threatening harm , to tho European Bettlera, more especially to any 3 who may adventure on the Momohaka j , plains. JHe is known to be a daring character, P and is hnrdly ever seen withaut a double--1 barrelled gun, which he announces his inten--3 tion shortly to use on the pakeha. A public , meeting to OBk for arms wil) be held toj night. Wanganui, May 29. [ On Wednesday evening a meeting of the i vigiianco committee at Waverley was held, to oonsider a message from Major Brown that Kereopa, whoso turbulent character is well known, has threatened to follow the example of Hiroki, by murdering the settlere, and Major Brown particularly. Tbat the latter [ might be warned, the subject was brought before Sir W. Fox, who telegraphed to the ; Minister for Defence, suggesting the arming of settlers, and that steps should be taken to [ secure Kereopa. No reply had been receiver! r when the me. ting assembled. The meeting j was a orowded one, and resolutions were passed that a memorial be forwarded to Go . vernment, asking them to arm settlers and i arrest. Kereopa. The memorial was prepared immediotely and numerously signed. It will , be forwarded at onca. A resolution waa also . passed by which those presest agreed to enrol . themselves as volunteers. The Burvey parties m the neighborhood have 'aeen brought m ', and will not be sent to the field again until , sufficient protection is provided NAPIE3, Muy 31. '■ The Maori chief Hiroki Tuiba, wbo obstructed the railway line, was charged at the . Police Court with the offence. Inspector Scully said he had received instructions from ! the Government to withdraw the information as there were extenuating circumstances. The Resident Magistrate said the summons was withdrawn because it appeared that on the morning the prisoner had been ejected from the railway carriage with undue force, for smoking, and had then allowed his temper to get the better of him. He had, however, in-fotm-d the Btation master at Kopua of his intention to obstruct the line, and he no doubt thought he had a right to prevent trains passing over his land. He had, however, rendered himself liable to penal servitude for life, and it was to be hoped that tbis would be a warning to him. New Plymouth, June 1. i Meetings of the settlers were held yesterday, at which it was decided to wait on the i Premier, and present a resolution tothe effect : that they hoped the Government would not t take any steps to suppress the natives, without < securing the protection of the district by large i forces. ; A deputation, consisting of Members of the Assembly and prominent Bettlers then waited i on the Premier ond Colonel Whitmore. c Major Atkinson, having submitted the c resolution, proceeded to state the anxiety that C existed amongst lhe settlers with reference to the aggressive attitude taken up by the natives. Ho then proceeded to itate that v

they hud waited upon the Gor. nniient to I know whether Ministers were prepaid to j;ive an absolute assurance of protection, so thnt they might remain at their homes with safety. Sir George Grey replied tbat tho Government w mid do everything m their powor to pr.itect the -ettlemen s when cifd n^ered. He thought it better if some lending settlers would meet him and give information respecting their several districts, as to the nutiiberof the settlers nnd the protection they had m care of au outbreak. Major Atkiuson replied that the setters would give all thc information iv their power. Sir Georga Grey said this was the cause of his visit. Major Atkinson said ho would not like to be one of a private deputation. Sir G.-orge Grey replied lhat there were ' other gentlemen equally cjgnisantof the state i ofthe country. Sereral olher solders then spoke. In reply to the deputation, S'r George Grey eaid the Government would be m a position to protect them nud their interests when required, and would notify them if it wss ndvisablo lo quit their homesteads. After the deputation withdrew, Sir George 1 Grey and Colonel Whitmore hud n long discussiju with a number of settlers. I A public meeting haa been culled for eleven i o'clock ou Monday. New Plymouth, Juno 2. > The tribe to which Kereopu belongs have I held a meeting concerning his late threatening . conduct to European. The excuse Kereop i i made was that he was incited by Parihaka r influence. Thc natives condemn his. conduct. Colonel Whitmore, accompanied by I'r r O'Curroll, visited Onsut-a yesterday, and m I tcrvierf-cd settlers there. Mr VV. Bniley, and i Mr Synome went with the party over the . block, and afierwurds had along conference . wilh Colonel Whitmore, who lold them thut " Government would do its utmost to protect l settlers m ease of un outbreak, I His Exc-llency the Governor rode out yesl terdny with a party of gentlemen m tho direction of Meeting of Waters. To-day bo : has gone out. to Cnverhill'a Farm, where he 5 will oi joy a day's shooting. Hi* Excellency . on his way will have an opportunity of wit- - nessing how natives defy the law, for he will f see them hnrd at work, ploughing up Mr s Courtney's grass paddocks. , A Volunteer cntps is being formed nt 1 Waitara, and thc Omaln se( tiers will hold a meeting to-morrow ovening to consider their position with retard to nut ires, nnd to make j arrangements for forming Volunteer corps. Major Atkinson has been requested lo be present. A la-ge publio meeting, convened by the Mayor, nt the Oddfellow's Hall, was held this morning, to discuss Saturday's interview with the Preiniernnd Colonel Whitmorv The Mayor presided, and stated that generally Iho people , were dissntisfii-d with the Ministers, wbo hod uot made promises likely to had to a settle- ' ment of the difficulty, und the impression was that it wus desirablo to go to the Governor direct. Volunteer corps were being formed m the principal out settlements, and ho urged L the formation of ono mor v Major Atkins n confessed him=elf not suliri fied with the promises of tho Ministers. He j asked peopl" to put usido political fooling, und net us colonists m this einerg-ncy. Let them wuit n fow days longer, nnd then, if necessary, thoy could meet and express their views more decidedly. J MrH. Richmond, wilhout wishing to create undue fear, or create v panic, snid th' slu-i---j tion was so critical thnt atrocities, uny moment, might be committed whicli would ' plungo tho country into war. Ho moved a ' motion, asking (he Government to put Ihe J district m a completo state of defence, nnd gives tho natives to understand that their ' settlement would at once be destroyed if they attempt any viuhnce. Na'ivcs could be t brought from other parts to fight them. Mr Stnndisli, m seconding the motion, t whilo hoping war might be averted, urged the necessity of being prepared for any emer j gency. " Colonel Trimble believed that trouble waß J inevitable, but. should let the responsibility rest with tbe Government. The pluce ureally required to bo strengthened with nrms, nnd I now tho Government had recognised the ' gravity of the position, ho hoped mutters j would be combated iv a -.radical a:<d ; politicnl spirit. Many influential residents of out districts . stated tbat hostilities wero imminent, nnd j mentioned the anxiety of thc country people, who were m f.-or of being murdered m their ' beds. Tho resolution wns "greed to, and was pro.-ented to the Premier by v deputation thia afternoon. Ho promised to send extra force, j and to consider the affairs without, delay. He also referred to a threatening telegram which had been sent to him. A large number of those m the room, headed by the Mayor, en--7 rolled themselves as volunteers. Wellinoton, June 3. j Advices roceived by the Government from j Taranaki represent matters tbere ob being i more threatenivg than was ot firft believed. It is now admitted that the ploughing was begun, and i 3 being continued, by To Whiti's a exuress orders, given m his assumed capacity of an inspired prophet, and represented as being both dictated and Bjpported by supernatural and irresistible authority. The wholaffair thus takes the shape of an outbreak of fanaticism directed towurds Ihe ntlninment of a well defined and practical object, viz., the r-covcry of confiscated lnnd. Te Whiti nt nny time may suddenly deem himself inspired j to pronounce the eentenc3 of death on eottte 3 unhappy eeltler or his family. The Government, ri-cojni-ing the urgency of the situation, are making energetic prepnration-i for bringing to bear a force sufficient to crush all n-sis ance. The Armed Constabulary ure being lnrgcly j[ -trenglhened by enlistment, and men ure , being traine*! assiduously for active servico m .1 the field. Reinforcements will be sent to the disturbed districts ns fust as thoy can be gol ready. Ample Bupplits of arms and nmrounilion ore being forwarded. Meanwhile the settlers are enrolling themselves as volunteers, and are being armed and drilled for service. Redoubts are being repaired, and put m a thorough sta'e of readiness for occupation, j. V^ry strong garrisons, and some new redoubts I and earthworks aro about to be thrown up at c various suitnble points, under tho direction of , Co'r.nel Whitmore. The whole of thc disturbed distiict, m short, is being plnced m a t state of thorough defence. Ai mngeuient s are beinrr made for bringing fully a thoußund » Ngatiporoos and otber friendly natives on lhe spot, as activo allies against To Whiti and his j followers. The European settlers have been T warned not to precipitate a crisis by any * individual action on tbeir part, but to oet entirely m concert with the Go- , vernment, and m the case of tho more j outlying districts, the women nnd children I are being sent into town. Hope 3 even yet are entertained that by these demonetr itions of . the firm and resolute determination on Ihe part of the Government to maintain and enforce the author ty of the law, the disaffected j natives _ti:ay bo induced (o submit, but as everything depends on the personal caprice of the chief fanatics, there is no security for a singe day. It is deemed absolutely necessary to take every precaution to guard against cur- ; pri«e. In addition to tho 70,000 cases of ' cartridges now on the way from England, large further supplies have been ordered. Hawera, June 3. The rumorß about Bayley'a family having been murdered nre entirely without foundation. The Maoris are peaceful aud quiet all \ around hero, and are making no warlike professions, although it is known they are. proparing to resist any act of aggression ou our part. A large meeling of Maoris took pla-e at Pokapa on Sunday und yesterday, wh; n Tiuroa, one of the Uadicg chiefs, who was transported lo Dunedin a few years since, spoke eloquently to tbe natives. He pointed out tho folly of going to war. He reminded them of their incarceration m the Dunedin gaol, and warned them that tliey could not dare i to hope for such kind treatment from their eouthern fr'ends again. He was m a great measure euecesssful. The fanatical influence . of TeWhitiie, however, Btill epr.ading through- i out thp district liko an after-damp. Every i rea-onable means, I think, are being tried to I stay it. , The settlers here are not frightened, although they wisely intend to prepare for the I evil day, as the balance must be Btruck some i day between JHiroki, Te Whiti, and the Government. New Plymouth, June 3. I The Hinemoa left for Wellington thia after- j noon abont four o'clock, taking the Governor, i

the Pr. micr, Colonel Wl. inure and party. I The tiiivcinor doe< i:ot visit Auckland unlil ihe liih June, as he will he d. tamed m Welling! -n, owing to a full Cabinet meeting to bo bel there lo c insider ihe native difficulty, and to decide what action ehould be taken m the mutter. A Cabinet meeting wae held bere this morning, and a deputation to the Governor is talked of. New Plymouth (Later). A deputation waited upon Ministers before leaving, and had a finnl intervie -, when the Premier slated that a foice of 20Q men would be sent here immediately for tho protection of the place. The general opinion ia that the arrangements made by the Government are satisfactory, and confidence is beginning to bo ' restored Several families have come into town, and > will remain until iheaffui. i< settled. ■ Vilunt eer troops are ben-; formed iv tho principal parts of the distiict. The excitement is now subsiding, and when " the arrangement for tho protection of the - settlers is curried into force, confidence, it is i to bo hoi'Cil, will bo restored, and business, - which hns been entirely suspended, will iijiain be renewed, although it is feared it will tnke * time to recover frjin the severe shock it has ■ received through tho aggressive aciientukcu by the natives. 1 The Bera'd to-night, referring to what hns been done, says : — '" At- a ciisis euch as tbis, culm deliberation is of tho utmnst importance. ' Declamation or passional c orations would be * strangely out of place, being calculated to lead i lo false conclusions. Wo want on Buch 1 occasions, but cool c ili -ulations ef ull the odds, - and then resolve on a delinito course of r ucti> _. We think the resolulion passed by - tho Conimiltee expresses the tienerul opinion, 1 and wo hope we shall not bear more of euch *" feeble proposuls as a civil action to check an - evil of such Eevere inngnit'.ido, and one. 1 I lint requires a strong hand und a 1 di termined will lo deal with on tho moment of ita ocruirenco. Though Tc Whiti ia a * fanatic ho is not ult 'rly deranged. Even an a exhibition of power wi'l not ho lost on him, 0 for we think the most deluded of his f llowers c would then prefer rather to hold their plough-^ F ing mutches on a secluded epot far from busy" * haunts, than io the immediate vi'inily of iho 1 Armed Conslubulary Wo think unit believo r lhat an ample armed ferco will prevent nuything nrising which will loud to acllision, t nnd it is evidently on all uecountß bitter, by i bold and energetic nclion. to p-event disaster, *■ th-m to have it incited by a show of weakness - nnd m a vaiu struggle afterwnrds to recover * lose ground." [The following telegrams arc from tho > Press."] J New Plymouth, Juno 2. 1 Altrgo public meeting was held this niorn- ** ing m lhe Oddfellows' Hall. Tho Mayor ! ' pre.-Med, and the members of tbe Assembly ' for tne district wtre present. Mnpr Atkinson explained that n deputation * of Justices und other influential settlers had i- laid before tho Premier on Saturday, the fact * thut the district is surrounded and interI speised with fui nt ies, under the control of To Whiti; thnt Tc Whiti bud on mote thnn * ono occasion resisted bloodshed, especially m ** the caso of the surveyors beiiig turned off lho ' plains, but there was no dependence to be l placed on his continuing to, pursue that > course ; thut m the present instance, boforo c the Government assert the muj'-ety of Iho liw, it w uld he prudent to tuke steps for the * protection of the ec'.tlers; that after hesitation the Government had undertaken to do - this, and hud slated, after muny inquiries, 1 thai they would bo prepared to inform tho x set tlera of their intentions. Ho ndvised that p matters should be lefl for the present. 1 Mr H, Richmond, while acknowledging the f g uvily of tbe situation, did not think that 1 uny immediate danger was to bo apprehended c from Tc Whiti. tie thought a large force might bo looked upon us a chulleiige, and i should only bo resorl ed to ns a last resource, n#d c I lint it would bo wise to nvert bloodshed us long as possible. Ho moved — '"That the resolution of thn meeting of Justices and 8 otlnrs on Saturday last be ndoplcd, ns oxy prcssifg Ibe feeling of tho community, and y tlmt this meeting trusts tSut the Government, i while firmly asserting the law, mny succeed '• m averting nnr, and will put tho threatened 8 dietricts m a stute of defence." I Mr Stindish seconded the resolution, and stated that tbe best way to avert war wus to s be prepared to meet it, and that a force of at 1 least 500 im-n waß needed. ', Colonel Trimble supported tho resolution, r He ndvißed coolness on Ihe part -.-f the settlors * and tlie placing of their services at the dis- » posil of the Government. He feared on ', Silurduy that the steps proposed te be taken c by Government were inadequate to tho occa■i sion, but he trusted thnt the eyes of tha f Government were being opened to the real - stato of the case. Hn ridiculed the idea of the present difficulty being settled by referenco to a law court. i Mr Courtney usked leave to publicly state 1 the person who telegraphed through tho Press . Association thai tho Atkinson parly were s making political capital out of tbe present b native difficulty is a liar and a traitor. V This wns endorsed by tho meeting. s Mr T. Kelly supported thc resolution. He - believed the Government hnd to deal with a >• fanatic, whose movements are uncertain, and f who is backed up by a large force. Ho did f not think the Government knew the gravity c of the case till they camo here, t Mr John Ellioti, of Waitara, looked upon 1 the present emergency as the gravest which c hnd yel arisen m the history of tlie province. - They had not only tho four or five men , ploughing at Oak urn to oppose them, but i nearly the whole of the natives on the West '■• Coast. The first step towards Umb difficulty y was ttie meeting at Wnitura, when Rewi dee manded the return of Waitara, wliich meant a the confiscated laud. The next step was the c permitting Hiroki, tho murderer, to escape il justice. He believed that if speedy measures i- were not taken, a great catastrophe would c occur. They knew what the nativeß were i, capable of doing, under tbe power of fana- !. licism. a After the meeting had been addressed by i- Beveral other speakers, tho Chairman put the s resolution, which was carried. t At 3 p.m. a deputation from this meetif ins, headed by the Mayor, waited on the '- Jfremier. a liir George Grey complained that this resoe lution, as well as the resolution of Saturday, d did not point out to the Government the c nc'ual source of danger. He expressed his s pleasure at finding that the settlers were n prepared to defend their homes, and that y was all the Government would require of o them. He was cautious and reticent as to a >■ force bf ing sent for the defence of the district c The result of to-day's proceedings is not n ea'isfactory. c Tbe notives resumed ploughing on Courtf ney's farm yeeterday. c The Hinemoa is Btill nt anchor here. Volunteer companies are rapidly forming, i The Government will accept short services s without uniform. f Haweea, June 2. a The settler* all up the Coast are much i- excited at the aspect of native affairs. - J Meetings have been beld at all the townships. F The aettlers are clamoring for arms, and , offering tbeir cervices as volunteers. The utmost excitement appears to exist at the townships remote from the frontier, whilst ; nt Normanby, tho nearest to the Waimate Plains, and consequently the most exposed to attack m the event of an outbreak,jthe people go on the even tenor of their way without the slightest apprehension of danger. Tbe ■ natives, including Tito Kowaru, laugh at the idea of war, and all say that even if we commenced, they will not be forced into fighting, but remain passive, and that then our forces will retire thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Pari, Tito Kowaru's sister, says she does not think there will be fighting, but if there is the last war wonld be mere chil Ib play to the one that would eaene, and that the fearful slaughter which befel our forces at Te-Ngutn o-te-Manu would be totally eclipsed this time. The last war only ended with the consumption of every charge of powder ths natives had, but now again they have larger supplies than ever, thanks to the mistaken policy of somo of our officials. The Governor, Premier, and Colonial Secretary are expected back m WeUington on Wednesday next. New Pltmouth, June 4. Tbe arrangements made by the Government for the protection of this district appear to give satisfaction, and alarm has been somewhat allayed.

At lhe iutervi-w yesterday, tho Premier stutid that, lhe arrangement he was making bere wa- only part of a general echemo which was under ihe consideration of Hie Government for the disposal i.f the native difficulty for ever. Tho nativo political ploughmen who have been amusing tVemselves lul. ly on Mr Courtney.* land at Oakura, are getting tired of their ■ avork. They made a start on Monday and wore there yesterday, but failed to put m an appearance to-day. They do not do much. Tho extent of their work each dny does not , exceed an acre. i Intelligence has been received thnt the natives hnvo commenced ploughing up Wm. Bnylcy's paddock nt Tt-naino, near Opunake, ' withiii a stone's thr.w of where a force of Constabulary ure stationed. ' The natives hnve warned Mr Bartlett to leave the Opunake Hotel, and intimated thnt tbey inl-nd to commence to plough bis pad- i dock at lho bu-k of tho house tomorrow. Thiß is being done under the eyea of the Constabulary, and is intended us a further threat by the natives. A rumor has been circulated m town I lint ' Te Whiti stated thc lath of ihis month was ( the day which the ruru (meaning un uprising ' or convulsion of some sort) wus lo take pluce, ' and that on thut dny all tho land will bein the possession of the Muoris. These state- - ments, though coming from Maori sources, cannot be relied upon, nnd muy be mere oxuggerations. Wellington,- June 4. Immediate steps nre to be tuken to recruit | 200 men more for thc Constabulary, who will be sent to defend N-.w Plymouth. Advices received from Turnnuki by the Government to-duy iro more reassuring. The reported removul of women und children from outlying set tlement s into town, is now , explained to have tuken place only m one or | two isolated cases, where, the husband waa accustomed to bo absent, from home ut work all the week. In such cases it wus thought J belter thut tho wives and children should imt bo left nhiiie uud unprotected. It is stated, ' however, thnt most of tho outlying settlers ! disclaim nil apprehension of attack, nnd expressthcir belief that nothing of tho kind is probable. It is aho alleged that the natives manifest no ill-feeling whatever towards Iho ' Europeans, hut mo ely a- sert Hint they arc endeavoring to force osci tlement of the que§- | tion of title by entry oii the land. The action of the Maoris so far hns been Bimply a civil trespass .o test the tii 10, and they utterly repudiate any intention of hostile movements ngiiinst. tbe Government. It is credibly reported that Te Whiti's f. flowers are ulinosl unarmed, and ure wholly unprepared for wur. The run. or that he waa making warlike pre- t parations is positively contradicted. The Go- i -eminent are determined to hnvo everything i m readiness (or nny emergency. Information has been received of another ' nativo difli uity at. Hcrowhenua, near Oluki, m this district. Itis atriviul quarrel between ' two parlies about some lund, and both sides heilig wel armed ihey threaten to have a fight. The C.G.S. Stella leaves nt 4a.m. to-morrow , with a detachment of Ihe Aruic i Constabulary for New Plymouth. j The Muy or of Wellington interviews tho . Pi-emiir to morrow lo urge the necessity for . preserving pence m view of obtaining another loan next s-. ssion. [_From the Press."] New Plymouth, Juno 3. < To Whiti hns prophesied that the Governor ' would x'x-'xt '.he ploughed land, and that no ' re-ult would follow trom his visit ; that all ' tho European fmi.ilics will he cuted Irom the confiso ted lands into New Plymouth by ' Mnoiis, after which there will be a great earth ' quake, avhich will destroy New Plymouth and ] its iiiliiibitnnls. The first part of this prophecy is nlrendy fulfilled, for the Governor ' did visit thc ploughed land yesterday, nnd no Results have followed. The natives of tho ' district are neuriy ull at Parihaka. ' During yesterday nfternoon forty men were em oiled m New Plymouth as mounted Volunteers and torty-lwo as ordinary Volunteers, i Thirty-six men are enrolled nt Urenui. i Wellington, Juno 5. ' The Government have not heard anything moro übout Taranaki to-day, thun Hint the nntivis continue ut work, ploughing. A ; Cabinet Council was held tc-d y, when i 1 was ( resolved to muke every preparation for nny s possible emergency, but a confident belief ( seems to be enlertnined that there will be r.o , fighting, nnd thnt the Muoris aie really more ] inc.ineil to testth« tille tothe land m thc luw courts, thnn to (ight about it. Ropnbns and Ngutipcvous, 1600 'string, nre ready for cm- < buikution to the West Coast at a few hours' ' notice if wanted. < New Pli-mooth, June 5. A report was m circulation m town this afternoon that the natives of Wuitnra were nrmi- g, and that 50 of tbem hud rifles. From y enquiry I find that Ihere is come truth m it, but it is supposed that the natives have tuken ( alarm nt volunteers being armed, and hnve mnde provisions to protect themselves, should they bo attached. ! Tho Bera'd'a corrcepo-idens nt Opunnkc ( telegrnpha to-day that a party of .natives, bencied by Ngnmari, a turbulent chief, who recent ly warned thc eettlorß nnd Constabulary 5 off, commenced ploughing Barley's mill paddock yesterday, withiii 400 yards of tho A.C. g redoubts. They signify their intention of taking possesion of Bartlrtt's farm, and the j settlers feel considerably nlnrmed, ns a number of cuttle havo been killed m the district, and hitherto the Government hus ufforded no protection to property here. The correspondent satirically adds :— " The la.' d tax papers n hnve just heen received by the inhabitants of Opunake." The natives have given npt ice to Sub-In>-pector Morrison, who is m charge of tho A.C. force at Opunake, that, they intend t to' commence at onco tj plough up the Go- *" vernment paddock, 'lhe natives are getting ' bolder and bolder, and it looks as if matters 8 ■were coming to a crisis wben they commence ' to destroy Government properly. Meetings ' nre being bell by tho seltlers m town and m the country districts for the purpose of forming Volunteer corps. A corpj of , Mounted Rifles and two Riflo Companies have j been formed m town. At 801 l Block , ' another force has been enll-tid, of come 60 j Btrong. Abogetbe-, at tho prcsor.t time, noarly 400 men huve enrolled theuiselve e, und ( the numbers aro being increased every day. ( The settlers liting m the country ore bringing , theit families into town. New Plymouth, June 6. I Tho Berald snys : — " While the puhlic are i on tenter hooksof euepenee, whentlicslightojt I movement of nutives — nny, their very looks i — tend to create alarm, it is very encouraging i to be able to Btate that Mr W. Baylcy, who i is living on the very border <>f a native dis- ! trict. has every confidence iv the peaceful m- < tentiotiß of the unlives. He has already 500 ] head of cattle on his farm, and, to back his i opinion, is going to put 50 more on m a few i days. "We hear he has interviewed the chief 1 from Perihika, who, on bearing of Mr Bayley's i alarm, had como to sco him. The chief told i Mr Bay ley that the natives did not intend i fighting. There is very littlo donbt that m i getting men to plough Mr Courtney's paddock Te Whiti wished to sco how far he could venture, but, finding we nro preparing ourselves for any emergency, he will be inclined to draw m his borne. Hawbba, June 6. The largest meeting ever held m Hawera was held last night to coneidor the native question. Mnjor Atkinson would not permit party questions to bo introduced. Ho said at, the meeting that the Government -policy would be considei ed elsewhere. The settlers must bo of one mind m trying to overt the danger thnt threatened them and m guarding against an attack. He eaid he thought, settlers shou'd only be called out to protect their homes, and that the Government should provide an armed force for the active wcrk. The Government had promised to modify the Volunteer Regulations ; but he hnd urged the folly of the Government arming the settlers with old Enfields whrn tho Volunteers down South bad Sniders. The Ikato Fettlerß, however, who are wilhin six miles of Parihaka, were to be armed with Sniders. He thought that the Maoris had implicit confidence m Te Whiti, and that they all preferred to believe that the annihilation of the Europeans m New Zealand would take place by special means. This was all very good *if they were willing lo be experimented upon m tbis way by Te Whiti. He stated that " When the

prophet wakes up and finds that he has not tiiispiwer. ho will use force, anel cali upon hia in r utuated followers to carry out the prophecy; anl we should be prepared for this form of power as people feeli-g Ihe gnivily of the situation. Wo must insi-t on the Government doing their duty. We aie the peoj.le who will Buffer if matters come to v dUp'ay of force, anil let us not play with tlio natives, but make a clean sweep of them." A resolution was proposed to urge the Government to take the necessary steps to protect and arm tho settlers. A committee was then appointed, nnd the names tuken down of those willing to join the Volunteer force under thejmodified reg lations, as wisely agreed upon by the Executive Government when m Taranaki. Thc meeting, which was an enthusiastic one, ended with tbree cheers for Major Atkinson. Nkw Plymouth, June 7. Profeisor Frnser, the phrenologist, who went on a visit to Te Whiti, returned here to (lay. Te Whiti received Fraser m a friendly manner, and allowed him to feel the bumps of hia ll ad. Frusor will give a report respecting his visit. Volunteering is still going on here. The Mounted Rifles now number 70 members. Mnjor Atkinson hns gono on a visit to Hawera. The b.b. Stella left to-day for Manukau to bring the Constabulary from Auckland. Tho natives nre still ploughing up Mr Couitncy's lnnd. June 8. The natives resumed pio uhing on Courteney's fnrm this morning. They have seized the Hayon farm. The Carlyle correspondent cf the Berald wires that the settlers about ten miles up Iho Patea river have been warned not to go upon their lund. Hitherto the natives ot. thiß place have heen very cordial, but to day lliey were re;.ellunt und warned settlers not to proceed to Taurnu, and that ihey had better return, which they did. The mutter has been reported to tbe Government It is supposed that the natives aro erecting a pah on thc Ototaupakii block. A report of arni'd nativeß being seen at Waitara turns out false. The natives will not lire the first shot. Wellinoton, Juno 7. A gentlemen who has just returned from tiie scene o- the Maori troubles m Taranaki, informs tho Chronicle lhat Te Whiti is sending his iollowers to plough up the lands af the Kuropenn settlers on the advice of Mr George Higginbotham, tbe great Victorian lawyer, who has given it ns his opinion that thc lands have never been legally confiscated. Gisborne, June 8. The statement thut 1000 Ngat'porou nre rendy to fight nt Taranaki is un warranted. The natives nre vory ii'-decided. Probnbly n meeting of tho tribe wiil he held next week to consider the mutter. Thero are only from 20(1 to 500 n -.tives at tho n-.ost that could be relied on under the circumstances. New Plymouth, June 9. Tho Government ore losing no timo m sending a defence force for Tnrannki, for nnolher d tachment ol tbo Armrd ConstnbuInry arrived yesterday, and feveral more are to arrive. A small detachment of 10 men wa3 advanced to Pakarawa on Sunday morning, and about 70 more were sent to Oakura this morning. Tho Opunako post will be reinforced m a day or two. Nearly all the V- lunteers havo boen supplied with arms, nnd ore heing drilled. There are between Normanby ond Hawera 180 infantry ond 90 cavalry, ond m ono night over 100 men were enrolled. • Wellington, Juno 9. Everything is very nctive wilh the Armed Constabulary Der6t hero. Thc Government havo received nothing later from the West Const. Haweba, June 9. A large meeting of settlers wns held on Saturday. Major Nonke said he would issue rifles nt 10 o'clock next morning to any settlor join'ng tho Defence Force, nnd yesterday mo ning nt thnt hour upwnrds of 100 men wero armed, and a company formed of Liglit Horse. There are now upwards of 200 armed and determined men at Hawera, whi'o many others are hourly joining. The Government seem equal to any emergency, and are determined to hold the district, nnd m the event of disturbance vigorous nrmed parties will scour the country. Greater confidence now prevails. The Maoris nre etill going to Parihaka at all hours, taking flour and other provisions. Yesterday Ktiitua rodo tlirough the mnin street when our mon were receiving arms. He seemed soared at seeing so many, and rode on without, stopping. Every effort Bhould bo made to obtain Sniders. ' Seeing the present danger of the district, southern Volunteers, ns Englishmen, should , not want asking to roll up. Their own dis- ' tricts do not require their proteclinn, while we here know that the natives m hundreds • are armed with Sniders. Normanby has a defence forea who are well i nrmed. Every man tbere hns enrolled. , New Plymouth, June 10. ' There is nothing new to report respecting 1 the natives, except tbat they are as bounceable ! ns they were before the arrival of the Armed ■ Constabulary, nnd that, the arming of the ' settlers hns somewhat frightened them and ' taken n lot of the superstition out of their i heads. | Napiee, June 12. J Tho Maoris nbout Hnwke's Bay appenr \ reetlcßs. Some think thnt if there is a rising ; m Taranaki somo . f the Hawke's Bay natives ' will j-in the rebels. They have nearly all ' bei-n friendly to Europeans m the paat, but '' they have been bo duped and swindled m several '' I ransnetions about their lands that they have '■ change*), and now every preparation has been ' made for nn outbreak. There are nbout 150 Volunteers, well armed, and rendy to take the : field at an hour's notice, and there nre 300 : etnnds of arms rendy to begin with. Sixty < thousand extra rounds of ammunition nre co-ring up from Wellinglon. So far, fear is confined to a few persons, but some of them nre supposed to be well up with the native affaire. It is ulso snid tbat Te K'oti and others ere m the pr >vince. Wi Renu, nn important chief of Poverty Bny, received a letter from Te Whiti, asking him to join m tho destruction of the Europeans m Taranaki, but Wi Renu and his tribe, with the exception of a few young warriors who want excitement, remain friends to the Europeans. Five hundred Volunteers could be raised m tho district m twenty-four hours. Haweba, June 12. Tito Kowaru and the Maoris on the plains declare they will not fight, and that if we attack them we must shoot them like pigeons, as they are determined not to 'fight on any account. They are now improving their . homesteads on the plains as if nothing unusual i were going on, assuming to laugh at our arming. They refuso to bo made cats-paws of by r Te Whiti, and will now probably leave him m . the lurch if trouble ari*os at Parihaka. The 1 Government muet press matters rapidly. The t present display of nrmed forces is acting P splendidly as an antidote to Te Whiti's int fluence. If the authorities legally demand j Hi oki from Te Whiti, the settlers will bring j matters to a speedy settlement, bat the Go--5 vernment must not keep them m wearying . suspense. JNapibb, June 14. [ News bas been received at Wairoa of a i burglary committed by some natives on Wed- ; nesday night at Fraserton, Goldstone's etore there having been broken into. A corps of c mounted volunteers is being formed at I Hastings, apd a numbor of * recruits have ' given m their names as members of the proposed Waipukurau Volunteer Corps. As soon ns 70 men are enrolled their services c will he accepted by tho Government. y Eight more volunteers left by the s.s. Lady c bird for WeUington yesterday to join the

field force at Taranaki. Tt ey all nre old hand*, who served undor Colonel Whitmore m 1869. Amongst them is Mr Roley Hill, who gained the New Zeuland Cross of Valor m 1869 for his conduct during tbe Mohoku mastacre. An exceptionally large parade of Volunteers was held bere on Wednesday night. Major Kutledge, who inspected lhem. expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present, us it showed that m time of threatened danger they were anxious to qualify then.selves for any emergency which might ariso. He requested that no more ofthe Napier corps would vo;unteer for service on the West Coaßt, as possibly they might bo required nearer home. Te Harau, an influential Chief, of Wairoa, is much concerned about tbe native difficulty. He says that he feele there will be trouble here. A prophet has arrived at Matiti from Te Knoti. He is to remain there for a week, when he goes back again, and intends returning m a week or ten days with Te Kooti himself. This much has leaked out through the inßtrumentalty of Mori Koraki, a female d evotce of the Poverty Bay murderer. Ropata, one of the greatest chiefs of the Sgatiporou, says that he is much incensed at the respect paid by the Ministers to Rewi, und it is feared thut m the event of a war he and a section of his tribe would join the rebels. Wellington, June 15. News received from Hawero and Normnnby states thut an intense feeling of alarm and anxiety exists nmong thoso living near the bush, which offers Bplendid cover for any enemy making on attack. Rueincsß occupations are neglected, and everybody appears buoy m making block-houses. In the event of ho tilh ies, however, it. is not likely the Maoris will commit depredations unless well armed. The block-houses are manned day and night, hy the local Defence Force, which means heavy work for the settlers, especially if ihe Government keeps ihu district long m ms: enfe. The people would show more discretion if they wore not so excited, as lhe settlers, will-armed and organised, enn defy the Maoris if necessury. At a few hours' • olice eeveral housea m various parts ol Normanby can be turned into block houses, ns arranged by Major Noake, by digging Irenclies and rui.'iiig breast works, &c. The drills are mostly held at night time. A few of thc most exposed settlers have wisely arranged for iheir fumilies t> sleep m town until things are moro eet lied. Beyond this, people nre put to no inconvenience. They wnnt to tee lhe Nntivea turned off tho plains us nn earnest that the Government are pushing forward the ! settlement of the question.