The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1879-08-08 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

WAR II; 1./rlv 71AIAND.  The Standard corresponden‘writing from Welling. Eon, Jane 21. says.—As the mail is leaving, warlike preparations are being made by the Government ix view of a possible conflict with the Maoris, who have lately been causing a great deal of anxiety by theii conduct in the north, in the province of Taranaki. The history of the present diffieuly may be briefly stated as follows: After the last war with the llaorii a large tract of very valuable land in the province of Taranaki, known as the Waimate Plains, which belonged to the hostile natives, was confiscated by the Government. No steps were taken to occupy it, however, until a few months ago, and the Maoris having been allewed to remain in undisputed possession fol nearly ten years, and having grown into the belief that the confiscation would never be acted upon. It was not long before symptoms of discontent began te manifest themselves among the natives When they found theground advertised for sale and the surveyor actively engaged in measuring it off. This discontenl was very much increased by a mistaken idea that certain reserves which had been secured to them were to be sold also. Eventually a European, named lll'Lean, belonging to one of the survey parties, was shot by a Maori known as Hiroki, who immediately took refuge at Parihaka, a native village under the protection of a financial priest or "prophet," named Te Whiti. This man is a member of the Hauhaus, a sect professing a religion consisting of a curious mixture of Christianity, fanaticism, and Maori superelation. His influence among the natives, whofirmly believe in his prophecies, is very large, and the Gov ernment have found in him a very difficult personege to deal with. Not only did Te Whiti refuse to give up the murderer Hiroki, but the latter, at a meeting to which the native Minister (Mr. Sheehan) went in order to talk over the dispute with the Maoris, displayed himself openly:in a defiant manner though always takingeare to be surrounded by a body-guard of warriors. The Government failing to take nay prompt and decisive action, the blaoris, who, like most savage nations, cannot comprehend a policy of forbearance, grew bolder, and beeaine more open in their hostility. A measage was Bent to the nearest detachment of armed constabulary by Te Whiti, telling them to vacate their posts, and warning all Europeans off the disputed land. Still, however, the Government remained inactive unlil the settlers, alarmed at the threatening, conduet fi he Maoris, who commenced ploughing up some of the Europeans' land in the neighbourhood, insisted on an armed force being sent for their protection. Yielding to their urgent representations, the Geyer, merit, during the last week or two, have been sending detachments of armed constabulary to the threatened distriet, together with it plentiful supply of arms, ammunition, and equipments; and, in order to be prepared for all contingencies, have ordered a large quantity of warlike stores from home. Simultaneously reports reached Wellington of attempts being made to supply the Maoris with arms, and it was stated that the latter wore offering as much as 30s, per pound for powder in the neighbourhood of Wangamir.