AFFAIRS AT WAOTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1781, 4 December 1883, Page 2

AFFAIRS AT WAOTU.

Nothing definite has as yet transpired regaiding this matter. Unauthenticated reports of continued hostile demonstrations on the part of Whatuaio, continue to reach us ; and Harry Symonds complains bitterly of having to support his whole hapu — a veritable standing army — for his own personal protection. He is justly of opinion that the cobt of feeding his people and keeping them about his hotel is a greater consideration than the risk of an invasion on the part of the warlike chief of Ngatingaronga. All the natives who were piesent at Thursday's meeting, with the exception of Harry Symondo and followers, have agreed to petition tho Native Minister for a re-hearing for Whatuaio, as the only means of settling the difficulty, but we understand Mr Bryce has already expressed himself averse to granting a re-hearing. Whatuaio's stockade is not a very formidable affair, certainly ; and in case of a struggle wo\Ud not hold out long against the onslaught of a well-directed tomahawk. The oncloMire is about forty feet bquare, with ft wooden whare inside ; and is situated on an eminence afc the verge of the bush, near the mouth of the road which has been blockaded by the falling of trees. The outside wall is constructed of flat rail& about 10ft. high, nailed closely together, and a roughly-constructed door constitutes the only entrance. There is nothing in the way of trenches. The land in the vicinity of the Waotu bush is of very good quality, and the native plantations, mainly potatoes and clover, look unexpectedly nealthy j and are more extensive than a visitor would expect to find. The circumstances of the present disturbance which has taken the people for the most part from their agricultural pursuits, combined with the unaccountably bad weather which has prevailed of late, will certainly not be conducive of a big return. Harry Symonds h^g just received a letter from Mr Bryoe, who oondoles with him in his present position, and advises him to take an action at law against the transgressors for damages on account of any material loss he may have sustained ; and also tells him that in the event of any furthur hostile demonstration which may constitute a breach of the peace to lay an Information against the party or parties so guilty, Harry» however, would rather the officers of the law would interfere, and settle his troublesome enemy, as a suit, judging from the contemporary experiences of others! concerned in native land law suits, would neither be a profitable nor certain way of deciding the question.

„j{Acn)p's.,Vr Consultation; t b s advertised fin another column. [ *>„,„,{' f ? 11 Mr J.' S. 1 BucklandViU offer^or sale by' aijc'tioH >at • GTaWbHd^ 'on' ■ Saturday ' next, 'the thoroughbred mares Beeswing' and ■•'Miss North, .the latter stinted to Ariel. Also, other wellbred horses. jOn/rijesdav next, thwUth inst.yAe Yard?, ujider in£t(Afiij£s aff*Be sjipi;tbtJrßlli4lls,irotliy iroported\PAaigwo, '