TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 374, 7 May 1866, Page 5

TARANAKI.

The Natives.—Last week the Waikato .contingent, which has been fighting with the Tarauakis and Ngatiruauuis against us during tbe last year or so, crossed the I Waitara and passed through the Ngatimaru ; country on their way northward. William Ring, it is said, had sent away his canoes for.the purpose of avoiding them, so that they had to come more to seaward than they -

had intended. They were seen at Whakaironga by some of the Urenui natives, who recognised among them Tikaokao, Te Tapihana, Wi Hona (wounded and taken prisoner at Mahoetahi and cured in the hospital), and others. It appears that they were on their way to a meeting at Hangatiki in the Ngatimaniopota country, but they stated that it was not likely there would be any disturbance to the northward; any fighting that was to be would be to the south; and they gave a caution as to the kai kohuru, or, as we should say, murderers, who are likely to be active in the Patea neighborhood. As the latter place is where the Government have just determined to begin the surveys, we trust they will see fully the nature of the responsibility the they are incurring. There are only two alternatives—either to fight and conquer the natives who contest our right to settle there, or to withdraw from the district altogether. If Mr Stafford attempts a middle course he will, as we have said, be incurring a very grave responsibility, and may possibly have to regret a very grave disaster.—Taranaki Herald, 21st April.