WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 10 July 1863, Page 3

WAIROA.

{From a Correspondent ]

2nd July.

The disagreement which for the last week or ten days has existed between the natives here is at last settled. All the natives armed, met yesterday, and after some talk between the different chiefs, they drew the ball cartridges and fired a salute over the body of the dead man, and then finished by dancing the war dance. Great praise is due to the Rev. Mr. Hamlin, who left nothing undone to settle it in the way it has been settled.

Ist July. {From another Correspondent .] Yesterday was all excitement. The natives were determined to fight, the cause of which seems to be this: —They brought the dead man, Rangi Mataio, to Mati Para's place to bury him, which in Maori custom has some signification of a claim upon the ground (it is allowed to be the best piece of land in the Wairoa) which caused some jealousy. Last night the one party was determined to bury the man there, the other declared they would fire on them if they did, and just in the nick of time, the Rev. J. Hamlin came, and after ascertaining how matters stood, begged of them to consider what they were doing, and proposed four things. First, that all sleep here to-night. Second, in the morning to talk the matter over quietly in the presence of persons. Third, to see if there was any just reason for them to conclude that the man was bewitched. Fourth, whether by burying the man on this ground, involves things dark, and likely to be troublesome hereafter. These proposals were received and assented to, next day acted upon, and the result is peace.

Hone Kaihote has demanded five shillings from the Rev J. Hamlin for sabbath desecration. Last Sunday the Rev. gentleman start-

ed from his station to perform the afternoon service at Hikawai, a distance of five miles, on horse-back. The next day, Monday, the demand was made by the “ holy” Hone, who declared that it was most grossly impious to ride on horseback on Sunday, and again demanded utu; but the Rev. gentleman positively refused giving him anything, so the case ended.