THE KAIMAI COUNTRY.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 414, 30 August 1876, Page 2

THE KAIMAI COUNTRY.

PEOSPECTOES OEDEEED OFF THE G-EOUND BY THE PIEIEAKAUS.

It is with extreme regret that we have to 'announce that the prospecting parties which left here on Thursday last for the Kaimai, for the purpose of prospecting that country for gold, have been turned back by the Pirirakaus. The following particulars have been kindly furnished us by one of the prospectors :—

"We left Tauranga on- Thursday afternoon, slept at Wairoa. Next morning we proceeded up the river in a canoe to the head of the navigation, where we had to camp that night, as our guide and protector, Mr August Tupaea did not arrive till late. "We arrived at Kaitnai at one o'clock on Saturday, and were welcomed and kindly treated by the few natives who were there, and who at once brought a large supply of potatoes for our use. Next day, being Sunday, we employed in making ourselves as comfortable as we coxild with the means at our disposal, and in the afternoon received an addition to our numbers by the arrival of three visitors from Tauranga. "We arranged to make an early start next morning for a creek about four miles away, in which the natives informed us quartz was to be found, but the weather was so bad we did not leave. About eight o'clock a native arrived with the intelligence that the Hauhaus were coming, and shortly afterwards ten individuals, dressed in very unique and varied costumes, made their appearance, who, so we were told by Wharepapa, had been persuaded by him to leave their guns about half a mile away. They opened the proceedings with prayer, according to the formula of their peculiar faith. Te Miere then addressed the assembled pakehas and. natives, ordering them to leave to-da,j, as no search for gold would be allowed, as that was

Tawhiao's word, and they •were' merely carrying out his instructions ; : this land being outside the line ■ of. the Governor, and was all in the hands of Tawhiao; nor would they allow us to remain. He was replied to by Ngawharau, who said they had nothing* to do -with the land ; they had brought their word, and it was for them to go away ; the pakehas should stay. Others of the Hauhaus spoke in the same strain, and -were replied to • by Akuhata Tupaea. This was continued until the food was cooked, and the meeting was adjourned for f eeding purposes. After fortifying the inner man they became much more bouncible, , and for the first time threats were made ■ use of. Our natives still' stuck out firmly that we should not move; on this the Hauhaus changed their tactics, and addressed us pakehas, telling us •■ that, if we persisted in staying/, evil would come, and we should be killed. One or two of the Hauhaus now shewed meres hanging from their wrists and ordered us away immediately, and if we did no^ leave they would force us to do so. Akuhata then told us we had better not" remain, and as we had previouslyagreed to be guided'by him, we came away, with anything but heroic feelings. On the way back, about three miles from Kaimai, we met McKenzie's party of four, who had with them three pack-horses, loaded with tucker and tools. We told them what had occurred, and they went f orward ; after crossing the Wairoa, we saw them returning, escorted by thirteen or more of the Hauhaus, who must have been following us very closely, and were reinforced by the scouts they had on the road. One of the natives was on the brow of the hill overlooking the river, acting as sentry. While McKenzie's party was crossing, one of the horses and the person leading it lost footing, and were washed some distance down the stream, but eventually got across all right. We arrived in town -on Monday night soon after. 8 o'clock, precious tired, disgusted, and glad to get home, and are now awaiting Mr Brabant's return to see what he says on the subject. We. do not, however, intend to be baulked, but shall have another try at it if supported by Hori Tupaea and Ngaiterangi. The names of the Hauhaus, who are mostly belonging to the Pirirakaus, of Whakamarama, I ascertained to be, Manuera, Perahama, Maka, : Te Miere, Taupa, Trrfcera, Parata, Purautau, Kaiamo, and Wairakau, who belongs to Mangatapu. The land in Kaimai is of excellent quality, as good as any in the district, and is very ac 3essible, so on that account alone, even if payable gold is not found, it is of great importance it should no longer remain closed against . . the energetic European." • • •