ARRIVAL OF FRIENDLY NATIVES OVERLAND FROM WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 382, 4 June 1866, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF FRIENDLY NATIVES OVERLAND FROM WAIROA.

On Friday last, Ist June, a party of friendly natives, under Kopu and Ibaka Whaanga, arrived at Napier overland from Wairoa, which place they left on Monday, 26th ult. On Wednesday, they arrived at Waikare, where they helped themselves to whatever they required, and cut down the Hau-hau pole before they proceeded on their march. On Thursday, Arapawanui was reached, where the friendly natives cut down another “ Niu,” and took some prisoners. Petane was reached early on Friday morning. Paora Toki, a well-known chief of Hau-hau celebrity, hailing from Petane, having in some way heard of the approach of Kopu’s party, and deeming, with true Maori philosophy, that “ discretion was the better part of valour,” very quietly “skedaddled.” The Government natives resident at Petane, immediately on the departure of Paora (which took place on Wednesday) cut down the flag-pole erected at so much cost by these infatuated people, and burnt down several whares, Kopu’s party did not stay long at Petane, but pushed on for Napier, where they arrived about four p.m. on Friday last, Ist June, They were all mounted, and looked remarkably well. They proceeded down Shakespeare-road singing, followed and proceeded by a large concourse of spectators—both European and native. They were met at the Council Chamber by His Honor the Superintendent, who welcomed them in a speech of some length, of which we regret being unable to give a report. The natives were soon after shown to an old store in Carlyle-street, lately occupied by Newton, Irvine and Co., where they have since remained. Kopu declares his intention of visiting all the pahs in this part of the country, and bringing Ms wavering countrymen —should there be any such, and who can doubt that they are “as the sands of the sea-shore for multitude”?—to a sense of their duty to British law. We trust the brave old chief will succeed ; and sincerely hope that the above desirable object will be accomplished without any more shedding of human blood.