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Hawke's Bay Times, 17 August 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

Moke Novel than True. —A writer in tlie Sydney Herald, signing himself A. S. Webster says : —“ I have great pleasure in contributing late intelligence, just received by me from Hokianga, the head quarters of the Ngapuhi, at whose head is the renowned chief Tamati Waka. Since the recent outbreak amongst the Southern natives, much anxiety has prevailed respecting the attitude the Northern tribes would take more especially as it is well known that active unscrupulous emissaries from the “ King party” at Waikato have been at work amongst them for the last fifteen months, and the nature of whose mission may be judged of from the proposal viz., a general rising and wholesale massacre of the whites. It must therefore be gratifying to know that our friends and allies the Ngapuhi are still true to the British interests. About six weeks ago a great meeting was held at Hokianga, to consider the all-engrossing topic of “ the war,” and all are invited to express their views : it was very fully gone into, and has resulted in the Ngapuhi, offering their services to the Government. This offer would reach Auckland during the early part of the present month accompanied by a letter to the Governor, in which they advice his Excellency to ‘ Cease arguing, to banish the word peace from his thoughts, and go at the people whose crimes (alluding to the murder of the soldiers) stink like the Kekereku (wood bug). They add, 1 If you wish, 0 Governor, tarry until Hokianga join you, that all may witness the punishment of the evil race.’ &c. It remains to be seen whether or not the offer thus made by the Ngapuhi will be accepted. I believe they would muster over 1,000 warriors, and would form a most valuable contingent. Those acquainted with the history of the first war, cannot have forgotten the important services rendered to the Government by Tamati Waka and his followers.” We need hardly say that no such offer as that referred to has been made. No doubt the Ngapuhi could .muster 1,000 warriors, but from private sources we know that a “ valuable contingent ” as that alluded to would not be forthcoming unless there was something hanging to in the shape of pay. — Daily Southern Cross, August 8. The Northern Natives. —The following extract from a letter written front the Bay

7 ———————— been furnished to us :—“ The -TCoheroa ’ and ‘ Papakura ’ was a ‘ Stunner ’ for the Ngapuhis—couldn’t credit it, and even now many think the report a patched up one, showing how low we had sunk in their estimation. The news has already had a beneficial effect. All are remarkably quiet and respectful.”— lbid.

Selling Fire-arms to the Natives. — Information has reached us that there is a prosecution pending against the Captain of one of the coasting vessels, for selling firearms to the natives. The offender is at present absent, but if what we are informed of is correct, it will be somewhat of a ‘ surprise’ to him when he returns.— lbid.