IMPORTANT NATIVE NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 282, 5 December 1870, Page 2

IMPORTANT NATIVE NEWS.

OPOTIKI THREATENED BY TE KOOTI.

Opotiki, November 29. Yesterday a notice appeared posted up, of which the following is a copy: —"Authentic information having been received that hostile natives are again in the vicinity, settlers aiv hereby warned to be on the alert, and until further information is received, are strongly advise Ito form a system of patrols. (Signed) Fred. SwiNOLEY, Sub-Inspector, in charge of Opoliki station. District Ofllee, November 28, 1870."—The settlers convened a meeting almost immediately, to take all necessary precautions. Sub-Inspector Swindle,? stated to the meeting, from reliable information that he received concerning Te Kooti, that he was in the vicinity, and intended to at lack some Piiipe ah >'it hr»r<\ when or where he did not know. This was the reason he put up the notice to enable them to adopt some mode of HcfV-ncP, a3 they might expect no assistance from him, nor would he allow a man of them inside the redoubt. The settlers immediately organised themselves into a body to do night duty, bat found that several men were without arm's or ammunition, anil some of those unfortunate individuals were told off for patrol dui.y at their own expense. The same night Sub-Inspector Swindley was applied to for arms, but declined to issue unv until next day. Tho settlers are anxious to have those bio >d-thivsty scouudrels—ihe murderers of our fellow settlers and the hangman i>f the lamented Bey. Mr. Volkner—removed from amongst, them, or transferred to some more exotic dwelling-place. There was also a resolution passed unanimously that any natives caught within the bouncaries of the European lines after a certain hour of the night would be fired upon. This was inconsequence of Sub-Inspactor Swindley stating that they were to look to themselves for protection; that he could not take his men out of the redoubt. As the settlers are left to fight their o«n battles, and receive no remuneration, they will cc Mainly make short work of it, far it is impossible to expect any man to do night duty and maintain himself and family by his daily Libour. I should not be surprised lo hear of som i of the supposed friend lies bring shot- by the settlers : they cannot tell the difference between friend or foe at night; nnd i.hey feel so indignant at so many Hauluiu.-' being located amongst them, that they are beginning to think that the present Government flunks but little of the lives of tli imselves, their wives, or their children.

N.JB.—News has just arrived from Ohiwa, from Tamaikoha, to keep a sharp look-out.