WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 136, 21 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

WANGANUI.

[From the Chronicle , July 30.] A picket has patrolled the town at night since Monday last, and it is understood that the Militia and Volunteers will be expected to take a share in this duty, and perhaps in furnishing a guard for the Stockades as well. The Natives. —The Kingite native mentioned a fortnight since as being wanted on a charge of horsestealing, was arrested up the river by the native officers. Some of his friends talked of rescuing him, but the officers brought him into town. He accuses the two previously in custody of being the real thieves, so the matter will probably have to be decided by the Supreme Court. While the assessors were looking for him they visited Pehi, and during their stay two Waikato messengers brought a letter, which Pehi at once handed to the assessors to open and read. It proved to be from Porokoru and Taati, the Ngatimaniapoto chiefs, and Wi Tako, Heremia, and Ngairo, and to the following effect, — “ The Waikatos have swept the front of their houses clean, very ; do you do the same! “ Let all be as in the days of old ! “ Let all be as in the days of old! “ Let all be as in the days of old ! “ Strike! Strike ! Strike !” The assessors remarked, this “was an order to the natives to kill or drive out all the settlers from Manawatu to Ahuririand were told “ it was.” They then asked, “How about Wanganui as the letter is not addressed to any one here ?” and received for answer, that Wanganui was left for after consideration. It was only a suckling, which could be despatched at any time.” The matter is important, as it was in obedience to a similar letter from Eewi, the head chief of Ngatimaniapoto, that the soldiers were slaughtered at Wairau on the 4th of May. Aperahama Tamaiparca, the head chief of Ngarauru, has written to Hori Kingi (and to Mr. White also) desiring them “not to let any surveyor or other white man set foot on the Waitotara block, as any pakeha found there will be killed. The land shall not be given up! Never! never! never ! never ! never! Eio and the other natives who received the money have been ordered by the principal owners of the land “ to return it, as the land will not bo given up.” The payment of the money has also given great offence to the Wanganui natives, in consequence of their not having been consulted, though many of them claim to be

part owners of the land, and of its following so quickly after the death of Hori Patene. Their feeling on the latter point is best explained by the tenor of a letter sent to Mr. White by Haimoni Hiroti, one of the most influential and trustworthy up-river assessors, in which, after reproaching Mr. White for allowing the money to be paid for land, the title to parts of which were disputed, he goes on to say that, as for his own interest, he would be quite content to leave it to Mr. White to see him righted, but that ho regards the payment of the money before the blood of his relative Hori (who died opposing land sales) is cold, as a sort of crowing over the Maoris, which has wounded him deeply.

Pehi was expected to arrive at Kaiwiki to-day with 200 armed men, of whom a large proportion are from Taupo and Waikato. They profess to be going to Taranaki, but if so, why should they come to Kaiwaiki instead of crossing by either of the inland routes P We hear that they have asked Mr. White to meet them at Kaiwaiki, but he has declined, and told them to call on him in town if they wished to see him.

The Wangaehu native committed for forgery has been released on bail, to the amount of £3OO, being given by other natives for his appearance at Wellington ; we thought bail could not bo taken in cases of felony, and, after the scene at the Court-house when he was committed, we shall be greatly surprised if lie appears to take his trial. A number of natives, including about fifteen who have been at the war, were on their way to town with produce on Tuesday, when they were stopped by a messenger from Mr. White. The warriors at once returned home, and the rest remained where they were till yesterday morning, when Major Hassard laid down the following rules respecting traffic from that quarter,—lst. That Kingite natives who have not gone to the war may trade to the town on being enrolled on a list to be kept for that purpose. 2nd. That those who have been in arms against the Government shall not be allowed to come to town for any purpose. 3rd. That the above restrictions apply only to men, and not to women and children.