WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 129, 3 July 1863, Page 3

WAIROA.

[From our Correspondent.^ June 24th. A slight disturbance has arisen here between the Natives, one of their chiefs, Raugixnateo, having died of decline ; but the cause of his death by their account being witchcraft. One tribe having instructed a Native priest to bewitch him, which he (the priest) said he did, they have come to the conclusion

that they must fight, and accordingly they assembled this day with guns, pistols, ammunition, &c. Bishop Williams and the Rev. Mr. Hamlin were there endeavoring to persuade them to keep quiet; but they say they must and will fight. Up to this time, however, there has been nothing more than a few harmless shots fired.

Bishop Williams opened the new church here (a very fine building) on Sunday, and held service for the Natives in the morning, when there were about 300 present; and in the afternoon for the Europeans and half castes, when there were between 40 and 50 present. After this service, the Bishop confirmed 4 half castes and 17 Natives. The Mohaka Natives have . behaved in a most shameful way to the schoolmaster there, having gone into his house during the time he was at church on Friday (Bishop Williams having held service there), and abstracted money and goods ; but of course he got no satisfaction from them. On a previous occasion they went to his house and took things away before his face, and then told him he could go also. A pleasant life is a life amongst Maories.