TE WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 256, 24 April 1865, Page 2

TE WAIROA.

(from our own CORRESPONDENT.) April 17, 186^1 After a long period of suspense, expectation hfl been gratified by the actual arrival of the maidj body of the hau-hau in this disirict. Some three hundred men and a crowd of women and children are now at Te Uhi. The white man is still with them, and appears determined to continue to east in his lot with theirs. Thera has been a good deal of talk of demanding him, and some alarm lest doing so should provoke a collision. To-morrow for the great muster and talk. A large number of Mobaka natives are in our immediate neighborhood, under arms ; and, generally, the Wairoa is in a great state of effervescence! Nearly all the whites have received arms, now supplied without question, although only a short fortnight ago doubts were expressed as to the advisability of furnishing the stttlers with them, it being conceived that the arming of the friendly natives was all that could be asked of Heaven or the Government. Rumor speaks of the appointment of Mr Stopford as Lieutenant of Militia. As Mr S. is much liked, his being chosen will probably please most parties. The block-house intended originally, I believe, for Petane will be completed in a few days upder the active exertions of Mr Le Quesne.

Much indignation has beeu vented on the quality of the arms supplied, consisting, as they do, of old 65th muskets, with most shabby etceteras. They are not what should have been chosen to send to the front, although possibly it was Hobson’s choice—those or none.

Business is quite at a standstill, and the constant worry and semi-excitement amongst the natives themselves, and half-nervous, half-irritated expectancy amongst the whites, produce a state of affairs eminently unpleasant and wearisome. Some rash individuals go so far as to propose sending away the women and children, and having a “go in ” for some definite solution ; in fact, the annoyance of the business is fast provoking everybody.

The conduct of the Govern merit in allowing so large a body to roam at pleasure through the country, whilst their object is avowedly hostile, is most annoying. This particular party have marched without interruption from the Bay of Plenty here, obtaining recruits and supplies in all directions. Former proclamations of the Government touching “comforting” rebels, &0., are wholly ignored by so-called friendly natives, who receive and feed them, and discuss, the merits of their new faith with perfect calmness and content. Matenga, of Nuhaka, gives his wife over to their care (she being sick), and says that upon her cure ho will join their party “ with all his house.” The great danger from these people lies in contact; if they remain here quietly feeding for any time, half the natives in the river will join them from sheer inability to resist the temptation of excitement and license. Apparently the Government has no fixed policy whatever in reference to these matters, and I only dread that the miserably weak and vacillating conduct displayed on all sides will give encouragement to the rebels on the one hand, and weary

*nd disgust the loyalty of our few friends on the other. Truly, “we are governed by the ‘ hero,’ whose name is Quack, whoso work and governance is plausibility, and also is falsity and fatuity.” How long must patience endure until ** quacks shall bare no more dominion over us f" April 18th has come and gone; the talk is over, and excepting some twenty or thirty men on guard on either side of th» river, the wearied population of the Wairoa is sunk in much needed repose.

I have not time to write at length the that were made. Eopu spoke like the kal trump that he is, utterly rejecting the proposals of the hau-haus, and bidding them defiance. After he nad finished, our party rose, and on getting within the pa, indulged in as hearty a war dance as I remember to have seen. The hau-haus, being plentifully supplied jvith food through thelibe* rality of Paora Apf>u, having first given vent to their feelings in ti wav dance and discharge of fire-arms, proceeded to bestow their attention on the all-importaAbusiness of feeding. I endeavored, as to procure a literally correct of the party, but found ti expected. I, howthe speeches were others were amiable hau-hau) surely were the best judges of whom they should smite, and whom they should spare. I am so pressed for time that I must conclude. Whatever I have omitted, or whatever of interest may occur, I will endeavor to write you of nex week.