NORTHERN INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 352, 22 February 1866, Page 2

NORTHERN INTELLIGENCE.

THREATENED HOSTILITIES BETWEEN

KUKUTAI AND TE WHEORO. (Trom the Daily Southern Cross, 14th February.)

We stated yesterday that a dispute had arisen between Waata Kukutai and Te Wheoro concerning certain eel pas near Lake Whangape, and that these chiefs had collected their followers under arms. We are glad to state that the affair has been settled without bloodshed, both parties having been deprived of their arms (which, by-the-bye, belonged to Government). The quarrel would seem to have been brought on.by the unreasonable conduct of Kukutai. On the stream leading from the Whangape Lake, were several cel pas of ooi.« siderable value. The one next tho lake, the best, was the property ot Kukutai. and no one disputed his right to it. Those further down, about five in number, belonged before the war to the Ngatipou j but as all of the tribe went into rebellion, Mr Fox granted tho eel pas to Te Wheoro for hi* services. Latterly, Kukutai has laid claim to ono or more of the eel pas, and, on being resisted, he went down to his place and armed bis tribe with the muskets confided to him by the Government. This he did against tho advice of Mr R. O. Stewart, Resident Magistrate at Waikato Heads. He then returned up the river, and, on his arrival at Putak auerc (i'e W heoro’s village,) fired a volley into the settlement, nearly killing a young chief, a near relative of To Wheoro's, who had for safety concealed himself behind a flax bush near tho river side, Kukutai's party were under arms throughout the day, and towards evening held a council of war, at which it was determined to take possession of the conveted eel pas as speedily as possible. Upon receiving this information To Wheoro despatched a messenger to Kukutai and party, inviting them to come forward and explain the cause of the visit. In the meantime actual preparations were made, and every precaution taken for the defence of the settlement; and To Wheoro’s people also armed themselves with guns furnished them by the Government.

While these movements were in progress, Klilt utai, having gone through the necessary forma- - ties (required by Maoris on all such occasions.) made a declaration of his determination to defend his mans, which he declared the JSgatinahos h. d so wantonly trampled upon. On hearing the intelligence, the Ecsidi nt Magistrate, W.N. Searancke, J£sq., immediately proceeded to meet the Ngatitipas, and to inquire further into the cause which actuated their movements,'and adopt measures against an impending breach of the public peace. Accordingly, after considerable discussion on both sides—tha Kgatitipas becoming more and more convinced of the importance of keeping on the peaceable side with their neighbors—at length acceded to the Hesident Magistrate’s proposals, to live on the same footing with the iSgatinahos. In the arrangement it was provided that the JS’gatinahos and Ngatitipas should have an equal right to make use of the pas and fisheries of Lake Whangape.

Affairs were in this state when Mr Commissioner Mackay paid a visit to the Whangape and completely disarmed the chief Kukutui and party j alterwards placing both ammunition and guns in the charge ot a native policeman fur safe keeping until further orders.

It is a matter af doubt whether the bulk of Kukutsi’s people Will be content, with the arrange* meut ytade.

DARING ROBBERY AT MR KING'S. (From the New Zealander. 14th February.) On the night of Sunday or early on Monday, a most daring act of burglary was committed on the premises of Mr King, jeweler, of ShortlandStreet, when property to the value of about £2OO Was stolen from the shop of our respected townsman. Mr Kinglockedupeverything perfectly safe on Saturday night, securing the shop door leading to the back parlour, which was empty, and fastening the outer street door by means of two padlocks. On arriving at the shop about half-past eight on Monday morning he at once perceived that a forcible entry had been made into the place, and property to a large amount had been stolen, with ■which the thief or theives had got clear of. The panel of the inner door was found smashed, the door standing open, and a man hole having been cut in the ceiling. The theives must thus have entered from the rear of the premises, having easy access to the upper-portion of the building from the Chancery-lane side. The adjoining shop on the east side was empty, having been vacated about the end of last week by Mr Hayward, mat- - tress-maker, and on the west side of the shop is the passage to the Hew Zealander printing office. The only weapon left behind by the burglars was the blade of an old screwdriver, and with this instrument the inner door appears to have been forced. Upon examining the remaining contents of the cases, whiclvthe theives apparently in their great hurry left behind them, Mr King estimates he has lost the following articles:—3 gold watches, 4 silver watches, 26 to 30 gold chains, 20 ladies' stone rings, 12 gold keepers, 8 sets gold studs, 6 pairs gold earrings, 3 gold necklets, with lockets , attached; 2 pairs gold Albert chains, 2 gold brooches, 5 silver pencils, about 20 gold lockets, a few gold scarf pins (gents), and a pair of gold mounted hair bracelets.