THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY UN THE WEST COAST.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 2245, 1 December 1881, Page 6

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY UN THE WEST COAST.

TEE ADVANCE ON PARIHAKA. ARBEST OF TE WHITI, TOHU, AND HIROKI. [Br Tblkgbaph.] THE OJFIOIAI. ACCOUNTS, Wbllihotok, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. Te Whiti, Tohu, and Hiroki were arrested this morning. 11.30 a.m. The Government received the following from Mr Bryce : — " Arrived at Paribuka at 9 am. Found the marae enclosure jammed. Mr Butler (interpreter) was directed to call on Te Whiti to give an answer to the Proclamation, but Te Whiti did not reply. At 9.30 tho Riot Act was read. One hour will be allowed to elapse by law, and the marae will then be Burrounded. Hiorki is there. The natives are dressed m holiday fashion. Seemingly it is not their iutention to use other than passive resistance. Te Whiti, it is said, told the natives to sit close, and be stouthearted." 9.30 p.m. The following ofQoial telegram is just, to hand: — "Mr Brjco has returned to Pungarehu. Colonel Roberts and Mb troops are encamped m the neighborhood of Parihaka. By Mr Bryce's permiscion To Whiti and Tohu before they left addressed a few words of farewell to the assembled natives amid a dead silence. Mr Bryce did not press the dispersion of tho assembled natives immediately after the arrest, as they were naturally m a state of considerable excitement. When the events of the day have soaked into their minds means will be taken to cause the strangers at Parihaka to withdraw to their own homes, which is now of great importance. Mr Bryce speaks m the h ghest terms of the conduct of Colonel Roberts and the troops. The Volunteers distinguished themselves by their steadiness and tho munnor m which their positions wore taken up, and the lines which were contracted round the assembled natives showed the Volunteers had been drilled and disciplined to good purpose." (FHOH OVTL OWN COBBEaSONDENT.) ; WbIiLIBOTON, Nov. 5. One of the Post's correspondents at the front sends the following account of to-day's proceedings ut Parihaka : — "The men m both camps — at Rahotu and Pungarehu — wero up I at an curly hour this morning, m preparation i for tbe advance on Parihaka. A good deal' of excitement prevailed, as, although it was i generally expected from the absence of any . warlike preparation on the part of the natives ; there would bo little or no resistance on their part, atill the ißßue wob involved m sufficient , uncertainty to raise lively feelings of anticipai tion m the minds of those concerned m tho ; undertaking. Consequently, a number of the \ men had very little oleep^ during the night, ' and all were astir betimes this morning. I Having breakfasted, the men fell m m i marohing order at about 5 o'clock, and . the advance took place, tbe men leaving ' both camps at about the same time. Tbe i forces joined outside Parihaka, where a halt took place for a while. The troops, whe ■ numbered 1700 m all, were finally inspected, and then the word was given to advance into th" settlement. Tbe Armed Constabulary ! formed the advance guard and marohed into , Parihaka first. The main body was made i up m the following way : — On the left fl mk were the Nelson and Thames Volunteers, under the command of Major ; Pitt, and on the right flank tho Canterbury and Marlborough Volunteers, the centre being occupied by the Wellington and > Thames Naval brigades. The entrance into I Parihaka was made at about 9 o'clock, and at I half-piist 9 Te Whiti declined to make any ; answer to the Proclamation and the Riot Act was read. The Maoris all seemed m good . spirits and aßßumed an air of indifference to > the whole of the proceedings. During the 1 hour allowed by law to elapse after reading I iho Ri >t Act before any further proceedings could be taken a number of the Maori boys m the settlement passed the time by danoing > hakas. At 11 o'clock the word was given to ; the forcps to close m on the marae, the meeting place, where the prophet generally [ delivers his speeches, and where the natives , were chiefly oongregated together. This having been done, Mnjor Tuke at 20 minutes past 11 marched up to To Whili and took I him prisoner. The chief gave himself up without any resistance, and the Maoris also remained passive. Tohu was arrested soon after and, still later, Hiroki, tbe alleged murderer of McLean, a Government surI veyor on the Waimate Plains m 1878 was > taken into custody. In nono of these cases was any resistance offered by the Maoris. The ■ Volunteers were well placed m the advance, • and ovory means were adopted with the view of quelling any attempt at violence on the i part, of the Maoris. Te Whili and Tohu are being sent to New Plymouth m charge of a strong escort." Nov. 6. The Government have practically no [ further information to-day from the front, I excepting that the night had passed quietly, and that Messrs Bryco and Rilleston had gone to Parihaka to-day to have a talk with ■ the natives, and to expUin to them the ( position of affairs and tho intentions of Government toward them. Theie have not been [ officially disclosed here, but it is understood I that tho next move will bo to send home each , tribe of strangers successively. I hear it is not correct as reported that two days' notice was given last night to the natives to clear out, Government information is to ' the effect that Mr Bryce deferred doing this | until tho natives should havo calmed down . somewhat, and no time was definitely fixed. | I hear the Presi Association managed to . circumvent Mr Bryco's extraordinary mandat e , against Press correspondents, and had a re- [ presentative within a few yards of Mr Bryce all the time, so that you will receive a full account from him, and it is needless for me to duplicate it second hand. lam told Mr Bryce actually ordered that any correspondent* following tha troops should be arrested and detained 24 hours m custody. Te Whiti and Tohu seem to have behaved with groat dignity and self-possession. They declined to travel m the same wagon with Hiroki, the allegad murderer. I understand i it is probable Te Whiti and Tohu will be tried at Now Plymouth under the Special Act of 1880. I believe very full and careful reports have been sent by tbe Government per to-day's San Francisco mail to the Agent-General for publication m .England, with a view to counteracting any exaggerated or sensational reports which might find circulation there to the prejudice of New Zealand interests. (Fbom Special Corbesfondknt of the Pbbsb Association ) Pt/hoabkhu, Nov. 5. Until this morning the naiivn news lib> been vory quiet here, but Mr Bryce's move to Parihaka with the troops to- ay, camed great excitement m the Pungsreha camp, and from early morn tho Armed Constabulary wero flitting about getting ready for the rx pectod fray. The Rahotu Camp was squally busy, inasmuch, as they were under orders to march at daylight and join tha troops from Pungarehu shortly after 7 a.m. Tho Armed Constabulary and New Plymouth Cavalry and Rifles marched from the Utter camp at 645 a.m., tho Constabulary band playing us they left. The fact of an order being on Friday night issued that all special correspondents would not b<i allowed to proceed with the troops for Porihska, und m the event of any of thorn being found there that they would be immediately arrested and detained for a space of 24 hours, caused some indignation amonj tho Press man, and during that day several members of the Presn interviewed Colonel Roberts, but were unable to get permission to go to Parihaka. Some of tho correspondents were determined if possible to gain admittance to Parih&ka. and ut daybroak this morning a party of fly» gentlemen, innluding tho special correspondent of the Lyttelton Timei, Mr Hamilton, of the Lyttelton Times, the Special Correspondent of tbe Press Association, with Captain Dawpoa and Mr Barclay, of the Government survey, the Utter gentleman acting si guide,

1 -ft for Psrihulta by a track whii-li brought them to tho rear of "Parilinka aft>-r a rou L 'li walk of two hour*. Un reaching the ►pot, three of them werf left on the hill m the. rear, and thi- " i-peciuls " proceeded on to Panhaka, the intention being that m the event of the "specials" being arretted thrse b»hind w.iuki be able to communicate with the telegraph ufiice and send any information that could be obtained. On reaching Parihaka tho" specials" were well received by the natives, who did not appear at all concerned as to the approaching visit of the soldiers. A close inspection of Parihnka showed that there were about 2500 natives present, m eluding women and children. The naliTei> were squatting m tho marae. and had been there since 12 on Friday night, ihey hating been informed that the s ildiers were to visit Iho pah about daylight: Tha weather was exceedingly warm, ami the Constabulary and Volunteers were rather exhausted from their tramp m he ivy marching order. The natives appeared very clean, and wore white feathers as a head dreia. Thoy had pulled down one of their fences to allow room for the troops to go into the pah, and bad had 500 loaves prepared bo as to provide the mon with food. Early m the morning the chiof of the Ngaruwarus addressed the assembly, and cautioned them, not to übc any violence. Tohu followed m a similar strain, and said that no matter what force was used against them, they were not to strike, not even with a stick. From a hill m front of Parihaka the Armed Constabulary wero seen advancing at 7.15 a.m., they hnving been joined by the Volunteers from Bahotu, who came by way of Parapara, but the troops on reaching Kopara separated. One body, comprised chiefly of Volunteers, took tho left with the intention of proceeding to the rearof Purihnta, while the Staff and main body continued to march on Parimentioned, seeing the men approaching near tho scene of the supposed action, engaged the services of an interpreter, who is also a " special," and by these means gained full admission to the pah. Tohu wished them to sit beside him, but this being out of the question, ii wharelrom where full observations could be made wa» offered them. The offer was kindly accepted. The first body of men was seen advancing over the dope to the S.W. of the pah at 8.30 m the morning, and after making a gtp m the fence of one of the native plantations, approached the pah, but on gaining the high ground to the west of the pab, halted and waited the advance of the main body. Immediately this body was observed by the natives about 200 young children were sent on to the high ground m front of Parihuka and danced a haka. From the exccllrnt lime kept by the children — whose ages ranged from 8 to 14 — m their movements, it was appirent that they had been trained specially for the purpose. The Staff turned into the road leading to Parihaka at 8.30, and the children turned their attention to them, performing m the same way as they had done to the other companies. On a small rise m front of Purihaka the Staff halted, and waited for the Armed Constabulary to approach. The whole force thon camo towards tho pah, headed by the Armed Constabulary and skirmishers. At 9 o'clock the skirmishers of the Armed Constabulary had taken up a position on the hill immediately above the burial ground, and were accompanied by Mr itolleaton and Mr Bryce. The former was on foot, while the latter was mounted on a white horse. At flvo minutes past nine tho four companies of the Armed Constabulary hod reached the foot of thß hill, and then Tohu commenced addressing the native assemblage His utterances wero of short duration, and were inaudible to the reporters. Captains Gudgeon and Newall were now advancing to the front of Paribaka with v company of Armed Constabulary. Tho Maoris still kept their squatting posture, with the exception of the young girls, who were enjoying themselves with skipping ropes, and boys who were playing m front of the pah. None of them appeared (be letist a f raid at the approach of the Constabulary. A few minuloa Inter, th" Hon. Mr Bryce, Colonel Roberts and staff readied the square m the marae, but almost, immediately proceeded on to the rear of Paribaka whiire the Armed Constabulary were posted. The Armed Constabulary when opposite the houßO which was built for His Excellency the Governor Bhould he havo visited Paribaka, hailed. The Volunteers to the west of Parihaka, now closed m, but still kept on high ground. At 9.35 a.m., Major Tuke and Mr Bu'ler (Secretary to Mr Bryce) came into the pah. The former gentleman addressed the nativesas follows : — " We have come to hear Te Whiti's reply to the Proclamation issued." After an interval of five minufos, and there being no roply, Mujor Tuke read the Riot Act, calling on all the natives to disperse. The Act was translated into the native tongue, by Mr Buller, after which both gentlemen retired. The natives did not appear to take any interest m the reading of the Act. At 10 o'clock some excitement was caused m the pah when the Constabulary wore to bo Been retracing their steps to the front of Parihaka. The natives, evidently thinking the AC. had come for tha purpose of dispersing them, oalled on their friends and relations who wero loitering about the pah to assemble, which was immediately done. From the whare where the reporters had taken up their position, it was rather difficult to watch the movomonte of the varioui companies, but it offered every facility for observing everything that took place between the Hon. Mr .Bryce and thenativos. Tohu again addressed his people, saying : — " Let the man who has raised lha war do his work this day. Let no woman cook or man cook stir. Wo have partaken of food. Let none of us stir lest any of us be absent. Be patient and steadfast, and even if the bayonet como» to your breast do not resist." The companies who were on the west of Parihaka then descendod and took up a position m the rear of Parihuka. At thn time a completo line around Parihaka, with the exception of the eatt side, had been formed. At 20 inioutet to 12 p.m. Captains Gudgeon and Newall, with an arresting party (with handcuff*) of the Armed Constabularly, marched to a position on the left of the marae, where tho natives were squatting. Major Tuke called on Mr Buller to point him (meaning Tohu) out. Colonol Eoberts then joined tho arresting party, and on Captain Gudgeon arresting Tohu, said Grey of No. 6 company would be handy m pointing out Te Whiti. Mr Hursthouse (interpreter), acting on instructions, called upon Te Whiti to conte and stand m bis (Mr Bryce's) presence. Te Whiti replied that the Hon. Messrs Bryce and Rolleston must come to him. Mr Bryce, through an interpreter, refused to go to To Whiti, and said ho muat come to whoro he stood (near the graveyard). Te Wbiti had nothing to do but go to them. Te Whiti replied : " I havo nothing but good words m my mouth for him or anyone. " Mr Bryce said : " From your goad wishes I fe*l inolins 1 to humor your wish to corns and Bee you. Make a good rond boforo ms for the past&ee of my hor>e ttirough your people, and I will come to you." To Whiti replied : "But somo of my ohildren might get hurt." Mr Bryce : " No, this is a quiet horso." ToWhili: "I don't think it good you should come on horseback among my children. If Mr Bryce wan to to talk with me, let him come on foot." Mr Bryco : " The days for talking are ovor." Te Whiti: "When did you find that out?" Mr Bryce : " Since this morning." Te Whiti : " I have nothing more to say." This conversation was carried on through an interpreter (Mr Hurtthouse). At 11.30 a.m. an order wai given for the arresting party to advance, and the natives immediatdy oloarnd n passage for the men, and the party advancing to where Te Wbiti was seated, arreitcd him without the sliehte.it ro«iatanc<i whatever. When the men reached Te Whiti Colonel Robert's railed out to the men, " Lot him walk if he will." Te Wbiti walked quiotly with four of the Armed OonBtabnlory to where Mr Bryce and bis officers wore stationed. His wifo walked through tho file with him. Tohu and Hiroki wore taken m & similar manner. The Urge assemblage of natives looked calmly on ; and scarcely • word was spoken. Te Whiti and Tohu were not handouffcd, but Hiroki was. The arresting party retired at 11.36 a.m. To Wbiti, when under ureat, spoke ' to bii

p<-O|il', niu) Mte.-l thfm to he buHheartod and patient. H.- said: "This is not my work, but it co ces from the heuris of tho Euro peans." Tohu foiled, an a sa id " This is tho doing of war. Be not porry the Europeans have torn away tho eorrowful heart from y"U. We go away as fools, »„ mistaken men. We looked (or peace and we find war. Be steadfast. Keep to peaceful words. Be not dismayed. Have no fear." Te Whiti eaid : "Let yonr dwellings be good m this place. Work such as thiß (meaning the soldiers) is frustrated this day." Te Whili and Tohu, accompanied by their wives, were then conveyed to the red.iuiit at Pung.irchu, under an e-r-ort. of the New Plymouth Mounted Rifleß. Hiroki was sent. to the redoubt later m the day. It now being timo for mejs nearly ull th.visitors returned to Pungarehu. leaving the natives still squntting m the marae. After Te Whiti and Tohu had left for th redoubt, Keuo, an aged chief from Taranaki, addressed the natives, hie advised the peon]. to continue m the same work a» Te Whiti and Tohu had ordered them, even if they were all arrested on tbe land which had been handed down to them by their ancestor!. During the afternoon tbe lion Mr Bryce. m the mime of the Queen thanked tho "Volunteers, both officers and men, for their valuable services. Later m the day a party visited the pah, but there is nothing fresh to report,. The Hone. Bryce and Rolleaion returned to Pungarehu camp ahout 4 p.m. Mr Bryce was unable to itate when tho prisoners will be forwarded to Wellington, as it would requiro » Btrong escort. Ho wbb of opinion many men could not be spared from camp at present. All the A.C. and Volunteers will remain m the neighborhood of the pah for a few days. Tho positions of the different corpß on duty were as follows : — Tho Tlmmes, Auckland and Nelson battalion, on the left; the Marlborough, Canterbury and Now Plymouth contingent, on the right ; the Wellington Navals m the rear ; the Wnnganui contingent on the front fncej the Wellington contingent, also on tbe front, but on tho opposite side of the road ; while all (he Armed Constabulary were m the pah. The accommodation for visitor to Pungnrehu is quite inadequate to the demand. The only accommodation house m the district is crowded, and beds of any kind cannot be obtained. Severol gentlemen leave for Parihaka at daylight. While the troops were marching to Parihaka, several Bpecial correspondents were turned back, and m one or two instances were ordered under arrest and escorted to tho rear. It is stated the natives will recommence fencing across the road to-morrow. Nov. 6, 5 p.m. I visited Purihaka this afternojn. Everything is m much the same state as laet night. Sentries were stationed m front of Parihaka, for the purpose of preventing visitors to the pah. This difficulty, however, was easily Burmounted by taking a track to the east of the village and by crossing two small streams. Access was thuß gained by visitors, who were received kindly by the native*, the greater portion of whom were found squatting and lying about m the marae. Te Whiti's wh»re win visited, and we found seated within it Wi Parala (formerly native representative for the West Coast m Parliament) and about n dozen more natives. The former chatted freely and spoke about a legal defence for Te Wbiti, but, the latter said they would not alow anyone to appear for him. Wi Parata intimated that to morrow he will leave for Wellington. It is understood that native affairs at Parihuka will be placed m the hands of some of the most influential chiefs. Taut are, a nephew of Te Whiti, waß sent to the camp by the natives this morning to to bring back Te Whiti's wife and niece, who had accompanied him to the redoubt, it being the wish of the natives that none Bhould voluntarily go to prison unless the whole were arrested. Tautare was prevented by the Constabulary froai leaving the pah, but subsequently, on an order being imied by Mr Brrce, he was allowed to no \t 1 p.m. Tautaro was seen returning to Parihaka accompanied by Te Whiti'a wile and niece. The Constabulary are camped m Tito, kowaru'n paddock, a short distance m front of the pah, but no perions are allowed within. Several correspondents endeavored to g tin ndmittance to-day but wero refused, orders having being issued to admit no civilians. The natives offered a quantity of potatoes to the Constabulary, but the latter were not allowed to receive them. The natives are not allowed to leave Parihaka, and several of the men who were going out hunting for pies, which also were intended as a present to the Constabulary, wsro prevented from leaving tbe pah. The oamp at Punearehu is almost deserted, there being but a few men m charge. A large portion of the camp equipments has been removed to the camp at Parihaka. The Hons. Mcears Bryce and Rolleston were seen on the hill m Parihaka camp this afternoon m consultation with Colonel Roberts and Major Tuke. During the day a number of Opunake and New Plymouth civilians passed through Pungarehu on a visit to Parihaka. The Wanganui Kifloa and a portion of the Wellington Navals have been marched back to Rahotu camp. Late this morning sentries were placed on the east side of Parihaka, and civilians are thus prevented from visiting either the English camp or the native pah. The Wellington Guards shift their position to-morrow, but m what direction is not known. The prisoners are kept under strong guard. Major Atkinson arrived here from Manaia at 3.30 this afternoon, and at the time of writing this "telegram he is m close consultation | with Mr Bryce and Mr Bolleston at this camp. Pungabbhtt, Nov. 7 (Noon). At daylight this morning the natives were assembled m their meeting house. They were quiet, and treated those who were successful m getting into tho pah m a friendly way. The chief Ranei addressed the people, last, night. This is one of the chiefs who was imprisoned at Dunedin and was accustomed to address the natives while m custody. He takes a prooiinent part m the management of affairs at Paribaka. It has transpired that several pigs belonging to the natives have been killed by Volunteers. Major Atkinson returned to oamp this ( morning. Tho Mounted Kifles loft Puogirehu for Parihaka this morning, taking with them lh>< six-pounder Armstrong. It is now raining heavily, making the first wet day the Volunteers have had under canvas. Weixinqton, Nov. 7. Tho only nows Government have from Farihaka to-day is thst Mr Bryce has postod a notice there warning the natives not boluigine Io the place to rotum inimedistely to thoir homes. (Faoir. Spboiai. Cobbksfondent of thb Pbess Association.) PUKOABBHU, Nov. 7. Miserable weather has been experienced here to-day. From daylight until late this aftornoon, a strong N.W. wind was' blowing, accompanied by a heavy downpour of rain, which prevented many visitors to the neighborhood of Parihaka. Major Atkinson proceeds to the pah early m the morning, and on bis return proceeds direct to Opunake. At ten o'olock I started on s visit ti the different camps on the road to Ps.rihs.ka. The first camp is distant about a quarter of it mile from the village, on the right side of the road, which leadi to the pah. Hero the. Wellington Engineers, Wellington City Rifles, Wellington Guards, Matterton Rifli-i Makara Rifles, Carlerton Rifles, Qrrylovru Rifles, Marlborough contingent, and Canterbury contingent were stationed, the who'c being under the command < f rViptnin j Hamersley, of tho Timaru Artillery. No I difficulty was experienced m gaining admittance to the camp, aud (he ui«nub«r< of tho different cori» received vuitor* very lindly. Notwith»tnmii»g the heavy downpour of rain, tho nion x»«to m l\yh Bpiritß. The picket i at thii c»«\p h»v( a »*ry trying time, bpinfr po»tt><l m th# hu»l> » iU»tunoe of about ISO y«r<l» (Wn> th» oau>\> Whilt> m enmp I viniied several of th<* <*»»», j and found many of Mirm lending, tmt <M» tt\o occupant*. 'i«id they did no* wUul Itw

v.iiU-r|iroof sheets supplied by Q-.jvernui-.n! nereu pnveiitative ag»in*t their getting wr-l. There being no appearance of lhe weather clra'ing up, I mov> d on to headquarters, iie>ir Paiih^ka. On mr.val there the eix-poui der Armairong which had been sent from Putigarehu this morning lm« been placed m position on a small hill overljobing Puri'iaka. On reaching tbe top of lhe hill no others, beyond a sentry, were found there. I then descended with the intention of proceeding to Parihuka, but was prevented from doing so (from the front entrance) by tho sentries. After this I managed to gain admittance to the pah on the opposite Bide, but only a few natives were about, large numbers having sought refuue from the boistoruus weather. I then retrace I my steps tJ the Const, ihu ury =oinp, and nlihough refused adtnittmce yesterday the sentnea all.iwed me m to-day. When m camp I sought an interview with Colonel Roberts, and being directed to his teut I proceeded there, and found that officer m company with the Hona Bryce and Roilcjton. llr Bryce told me that <oma mistake must have been made m refusing permission to enter the camp yesterday, as no orrters had been iasn«d to that effect, but that there was an objection to any persons visiting the pah. Mr Bryce aho stated that notice had been posted m Parihuka calling on all natives to dispeno forthwith, and that the unpropitious weather bad put a stop to all movements for the day. While on my return journey to Pungarehu I was recalled by Colonel Roberts and informed that the hill on which the Armstrong gun is stationed had been called Fort Kolleston. Dr Diver proceeded to Robotu this morning to attend to one of the Naval Brigade who was reported to be seriously ill. It ie still raining heavily.