NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 344, 25 January 1866, Page 3

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

(From tho Daily Southern Cross, January IS.) Some time ago wo gave a report of an interview between William Thompson and Mr Commissioner Mackay, in which certain facts, of great importance to the colony, were brought out. We propose to add to that report some “ gleanings ” on the native question, which are not without their significance, and for tho accuracy of which we vouch. Many Europeans, as our readers know, have recently penetrated into the heart of the disturbed districts, amongst the Pai Marire fanatics. We have bad an opporlunity of speaking with several tourists, and purpose to supply a summary of the intelligence we have thus derived. Starting from Auckland, and going up the Waikato and Thames countries, one remark.is made by all tourists—namely, the diminished numbers of the natives. On being questioned regarding the cause of their decrease, they state that the loss by war did not nearly so much affect them as the loss by disease. Affections of the throat and cheat have been the chief agency in carrying off tho native people; and as they have, as rule, gone back to the licentious and communistic practices, in vogue twentyfive or thirty years ago (amongst others, the whores punt), there can be little doubt that the mortality will increase. Several gentleman who penetrated into a comparatively unknown country, in the interior, were treated everywhere with marked respect and kindness. They attribute this to what took place a short time previously at Matamata. with Thompson. It would appear, as the natives report, that a deputation from all the Inland tribes, numberinn abont fifty men, waited on Thompson, asking him to lead the tribes in an attack on Auckland. Thompson is said to have asked—“Do you know tho way to Auckland ?” After a pause, the deputation replied—“No; but we look to you to show us the way.” Thompson—“ I tried to take Auckland once and I lost one eye. If I try to take it again, I fear to lose the other eye, I made war on Auckland once and Waikato is gone; if I make war again I may lose the Waiho (Thames).” The deputation said no more. Thompson then addse—“As you represent all the native tribes and villages inland, now that you are here, I may as well tell you what I want you to do. When any Europeans want to go through your districts they are not to be touched. You are not to murder any; you are to help them and treat them with kindness.” The deputation left, carrying this message to their villages; and the tourists to whom we refer, heard it in a remote district, through which Kereopa, with the head of a European, travelled only two days previously. This speaks volumes for Thompson’s influence. Our informants often spoke on war subjects; and on being questioned whether it was peace or war, the natives invariably answered, “It will be peace or war as Thompson decides.” They are quite ready to fight, and don’t appear to think themselves less able to drive us into the sea, with diminished numbers, than before the war. It may be said that the natives have altogether abandoned Christianity. They have given themselves to impurity and uncleanness. Even Thompson is a thorough believer in the Pai Marire delusion; and vindicated it as a harmless kind of thing so long as the votaries only daneed round a pole. On being closely questioned, he is stated to have said that whatever might be his belief he certainly would not allow missionaries abont him again. This will certainly be the greatest punishment to himself. Thompson is quite ready to lease lands, on equitable terms, to Europeans. This is a good thing in itself, and may lead to the best possible results.