WAIKATO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 321, 6 November 1865, Page 1

WAIKATO.

(Trom the New Zealander’s Correspondent.) Te Awamutu, October 17. Although Bowl still regains at Kawhia. neither he nor his tribe took any part in the murder of the wife of a Maori (who belonged

to one of the lower Waikato tribes) at the above place; nor did they instigate the five men (who are prowling Pai Marirists) to commit the deed. The perpetrators are well known to the friendly natives at Kawhia; indeed, it is also known that two of them fought and were taken prisoners at Rangiriri. Since the 21st of last month, the date on which the above outrage was committed, considerable excitement has prevailed in the above neighborhood, as well as in other parts of the West Coast where settlements are established. It is feared that disturbances will spring out of this affair, as the Hau-haus (escaped rebels) of the district are intimidating the loyal natives, and endeavoring to make converts of them to their new religion, which Hone te One, a very influential chief of the neighborhood, forbids his people to adopt. It is difficult even to conjecture whatßewi’s intentions really are, and what induces his long continuance on the West Coast; but it is probable that, owing the destitute condition of his tribe, he finds more facilities of subsisting them there. Some people, however, surmise that he is hanging about that coast for worse purposes, namely, receiving munitions of war ; but this is all nonsense, for neither he nor his people have the means even to purchase food. Wi Thompson has sent for the detached portion of his tribe (Ngatihana) from the East Coast, where they have been for some time past digging gum, for the purpose of obtaining a bare living, to Matamata, where he still remains engaged in planting and agricultural pursuits, and wishes to have their assistance. This tribe has been put to great shifts to obtain the means of existence ; and I believe, from what I hear, that this is a sore grievance to Thompson, who has taken the matter much to heart latterly. A great korero is to be held about December, the purpose of arranging propositions for a lasting peace, and arranging the best means to carry out this object. The place of meeting is not fixed, nor is the exact date.

It is believed that the 14th Regiment will shortly be sent to duty in Australia, and that the 18th Regiment will be allotted for service in New Zealand, one regiment (free from the stipulated charge) being all that is permitted by present Imperial arrangements. October 21.

In obedience to the summons of their chief, Wiremu Thompson, many of the natives of the Ngatihana tribe returned to Matamata about a week ago, whilst some of the most lawless of the tribe who are bent on mischief and villany, have gone over to Taranaki to join the war party in that district, as Thompson will not permit any of his tribe to commit outrages within or near the vicinity of his place of abode, but does not attempt to exercise any restraint upon them as to joining in warfare. It is but very recently, indeed, that he h. ard of the intention of a party of his men, who had been engaged in digginggum towards the East Cape, to attack any pakeha they came across, upon hearing which he sent a special message interdicting such crimes, and telling them if they wanted to fight to go to Taranaki, to which place, latterly, a good number, not only of the Ngatihana and Ngatimauiapote, but of nearly all tribes in the Waikato district, hostile, friendly, or neutral, have proceeded to join the war party. There they have asumed a very threatening attitude, and thereby rendered formidable assistance to the Taranaki rebel chiefs. As far as Thompson is concerned, and those of his tribe who remain with him, they are constantly engaged in planting and agricultural pursuits, for which especial purpose he sent to the East Cape for the for the absentees referred to, in order to aid him in these operations ; they maintain a pertectly quiet demeanor, and do not object, but rather seem pleased, to receive visits from their pakeha neighbors at Cambridge and adjacent settlements, to whom they evince every possible courtesy and kindness.

As to the success or otherwise of the lute proclamation of amnesty amongst the rebel tribes in the Waikato district, it would require a person possessed of a more vivid imagination than I can boast of to form a correct opinion ; for to tell the truth, there

are none in it, as, from the Bluff to our most advanced posts, the country has been thoroughly cleared of rebel Maoris. It is true enough we have Eewi and his tribe on the West Coast, with Thompson’s tribe in an opposite direction towards the East, with several other less important tribes in the ranges, twelve or fifteen miles distant front' our front lines—and these,like the aboriginals of Taranaki and Wanganui, have long since ceased to recognise “ Peace Proclamations” with anything approaching to faith in them —but the usual “ kerero,” which generally succed such documents, will be held in a few weeks, the proceedings of which may throw some light as to their opinions regarding the proclamation referred to, as well as to their future intentions.

The felling of timber for the saw-mills at Alexandra continues to cause disatsfaction amongst the natives residing south-east of that station ; the Pirongia Ranges, from whence the timber is taken, is the prescribed boundary, according to proclamation, and I believe no timber is removed except from that side of tne ranges adjoining the confiscated lands ? The other side of Pirongia belongs to a neutral tribe, and it would be advisable to explain the legality of the operation regarding the removal of timber as at present conducted.