MAKETU.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 183, 15 July 1864, Page 3

MAKETU.

I hear that the Oruauui (the head settlement of the Queen Taupo natives, and residence of the Civil Commissioner) natives have written to the Government, complaining that the Rev. Mr. Grace, on his arrival there about a fortnight ago, told them they had done very wrong indeed in joining the other portions of the Arawa in attacking the Ngatiporou and the allies on their retreat from Maketu, and also that the Government were very wrong in paying the assessors and they wished to know whether the sentiments expressed by Mr. Grace were his own, or whether it was the opinion of the Government. I believe it was some time before they allowed him to proceed, telling him he was a staunch Kingite, and would do their cause no good by proceeding further. However, they ultimately allowed him to proceed. These facts, if true, require no comment from me—they speak for themselves ; and it will be recollected that the rev. gentleman was once before brought very prominently before the public, having reference to his advising the natives not to dispose of any more of their waste lands. I am informed that on the 16th a meeting took place at Orakeikorako (Taupo), between the Queen’s natives of that place, and some rebels also belonging to the same place, who had just returned from Waikato. The Kiugites tried their best to induce the Queenites to throw off their allegiance, saying that in the long run they would only be made slaves of, to which they replied that “ a live mqjai was better than a dead one, although-''that one happened to be a chief,” and in their turn eudavored to bring back the Kingite's to their allegiance. The rebels in answer to > this said, they meant to have another year’s trial, that they did not consider themselves beaten, that they expected large reinforcements from Kapiti, and that -they would be able to recover all they had lost.—Correspondent of Southcrn'-Cfoss, June 20.