OCCUPATION OF THE PLAINS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 3628, 3 February 1880, Page 2

OCCUPATION OF THE PLAINS.

THE A.C. CAMP AT KAIPIPI. EBOM OUR OWN CORKESPONDENT. The Armed Constabulary camp at Kaipipi presents an animated appearance, being at present the centre of attraction for the inhabitants of Hawern, Normanby, and the neighbourhood generally. Day after day some improvement is made, in the arrangement of the camp by the erection of telegraph station and canteen, or by such alteration in the economy of the place as is found by experience to be most conducive to the thorough maintenance of order and discipline, which is co apparent in all the efforts of the , authorities in command of the A.C. force. Officers and men alike do their , utmost to make things as pleasant as is compatible with a just attention to the real work' on hand, and the road making goes on so rapidly that it is thought that before very long a change of camp will be necessary in order that the men may be nearer their work and not lose time in marching backwards and forwards.- The tidy and clean appearance of the men on parade is very noticeable, and a stranger would fail to recognize in the trim and natty soldiers who form in line for inspection the same he had previously seen, grimy with sweat and dust, march into camp after a hard day's work. The band enlivens the camp and cheers the spirits of the men as they rest from the labours of the day and "jokes pass from one to another, mirth and hilarity are universal, whilst discipline with sobreity makes this camp a model for future imitation, as who shall say, "So was it at Kaipipi." As will be seen by reference to the advertisement, tenders are called for metalling portions of the road, and as metal is plentiful it may be expected that before winter is upon us a good macadamised road will be open from from Woingongoro to Opunake. A tele1 graph station for defence purposes forms one of the conveniences of the camp, so that news of any diaturbance'among the natives can be flashed to head quarters and the will of the Government communicated to the Col. in command with*" out a moment's delay. The determined advance the Government has made, and their adoption of a policy firm and decisive, which seeks to conquer by the moral effect which a display of strength must necessarily have upon the natives, rather than by any impetuous aggressive movement calculated to involve the country in war, must infuse confidence in all who have at heart the future welfare of our adopted land, combined with a wish to preserve untar* nished the dignity of our race. The Natives of the Plains, whatever they may say, must undoubtedly feel their utter inferiority to us in the field, the companies of warrior labourers at present occuying the land, armed with unrivalled weapons which, they refrain from usißg, must inspire them with respect for our forbearance in face of the great and galling provocation which they have lately dealt out to us. The present of potatoes, &c, lately, made by tbe Natives makes a very curious phase in this altogether unique quarrel. It waß made in thorough Maori style ; the food when placed on the ground being duly presented by the bead man, wand in hand, who proclaimed it the gift of the Natives to the Europeans. The manner of the gift differed in no way from the usual Maori donation of food by the owners of the land to strangers who are visiting them, and the party who brought it into camp were composed of followers of Te Whiti, and also of some who claim to be favorable to the Government. A like present of pork was made by Te Iki (now in prison for ploughing) to the surveyors at Otakeho, with the information that we are commanded " If thine enemy hunger, feed him," and it is probable that some such feeling has prompted the present gift. On the other hand the Natives who wish to express their loyalty to the Government claim it as a token of friendship on their part. Whatever may have been the feeling which suggested the gift, it was courteously offered and wisely received, and it is to be hoped that Te Whiti will not so advise his followers as to cause an acquaintance which has been initiated by an act of courtesy and kindness to terminate in hostilities. Of late the Natives who inhabit tbe Plains have almost to a man been thorough followers of Te Whiti, notwithstanding the assertion of Katene to the contrary, and the Government party, as a party, has ceased to exist. Touching the extract from Katene 'a letter to Mr Bryce, which appeared in the Heeald a short time back, it is not perhaps inopportune to remark that a man who could not so influence his cwn son as to prevent him from ploughing with his father's bullocks is not very likely . to have much inluence with the tribe in general. The Pact is that were Katene to exert the inluence he so much boasts of, to draw , iway to the Government side and place - n opposition to Te Whiti all the men of lis tribe who acknowledge him as leader, le would find himself with a very scant bllowing indeed — perhaps one, perhaps tone. This is supposing they were retired to do something that would ommit them irrevocably to the Governaent side in opposition to Te Whiti; >ut if they were simply asked or word service . and a do* ation. promised, then Katene would hine a chief in Israel. Eatene's osition is known to the Natives, and is joked upon with indifference. They see i every offer of his to the Government n application for payment to himself, nd do not trouble to interfere in a matter rhich they consider, does not concern aem ; but were they aeoused of being

followers of Katene they would treat the impeachment with scorn. It is hoped by those conversant with the manners of the Natives that a renewal of confidence in the Governinentis spring, ing up among them. The late visit of the Native Minister must have had the effect of convincing them that although honest loyalty will undoubtedly receive consideration, mere pretence will meet with no profitable return, and contumacy be surely punished.