PARIHAKA.

Waka Maori, Volume I, Issue 28, 12 April 1879, Page 386

PARIHAKA.

We give the following items of intelligence from the Pakeha papers respecting the Waimate Plains difficulty:— Hawera, April 1 James Mackay has gone to Parihaka to interview Te Whiti. The Natives have considerable faith in him. A large number of Natives, generally friendly disposed, now say that Te Whiti is right in defending their land. Others say, " Give us liberal reserves ; the Government can take the rest, and the matter can be settled." Opl-ka.ee, April 8. The Maories of Parihaka, say that the late Sir Donald McLean promised them large reserves on: the plains, and a monetary acreage compensation.for,

what the sequestered land sold. These promises) they maintain, have been ignored. They regard all Governments as continuous, and not as individuals, and think that the honor and promises of the past should not be broken or set aside by the present Government. They say that 16,000 acres of fern land on the plains have been surveyed and laid out without the reservation of a single acre for them. They point to the advertisement of its sale as the deliberate sanction of the Government to ignore the late Sir Donald McLean's promises, and rob them absolutely of their inheritance. They have Euro* pean and Native witnesses who can testify to the truth of their statements, and as to what Sir Donald McLean really did promise. Mr. James Mackay and Captain Blake have been endeavouring to obtain information with regard to the previous proceedings as to confiscated lands. They were both received in a most friendlv way by Te "Whiti, but a satisfactory settlement of the matter proves to be very difficult, owing to the complications which have grown up during a series of years. "Welles-gton, April 3. The Government have received reliable information from "Waimate that there is no prospect of any breach of the peace, and the Natives express their willingness to allow the surveys to proceed in a few days. It is understood that the Government have received an almost positive assurance that the Maories will themselves put the surveyors' instruments back where they were taken from, and that no further trouble will arise. The Armed Constabulary from Taupo have arrived here en route for Waimate Plains. Wellingtoh - , April 4. The Native Minister has received a reply from Mr. Mackay, who says that Te "Whiti stood out for at least a portion of the land, deprecated being left impoverished, but at the same time scouted the idea of force being resorted to by himself or any section of his people, and reiterated there could be no war now or at any other time between themselves and their European neighbours. It is considered that the whole tenor of the report indicates a speedy and satisfactory settlement of the present difficulty. Te Whiti is anxious to learn from the Government what their intentions are in regard to setting aside reserves for the Natives (which it is understood the Government intends doing, and thus bring the present complication to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion). Titokowaru said he had finished his work at the Ngutu-o-te-manu, and seemed to lean towards the Government.