IMPORTANT NEWS FROM UPPER WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 457, 28 February 1867, Page 2

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM UPPER WANGANUI.

The Wanganui Times of the 19th contains the followin /; —We have just received the following letter from our up-river correspondent, and our readers will easily perceive that the threatening attitude assumed by the arch-rebel Pehi and his sons, is simply the result of the restoration by Sir George Grey of the confiscated lands extending to Pehi’s boundaries. Those confiscated lands may, during the natural period of Sir George Grey’s existence, be so managed as to keep alive the the, to him, all important fact of a native difficulty. Here is our correspondent's letter: — “ Koriniti, 15th Feb., 1867. **A letter was received here yesterday from Tahana Turoa of Mongi hau, Tapia Turoa, and Pehi Turoa. calling upon the natives of this place, for the last time, to come and fight the Pakeha. They have also called upon the natives ox London, Jerusalem, Kai Wairoa.ami Karatihu, to do the same. I saw and read the letter mrcolf anil no n tVmrofiPa *nMinV» “V IVI j]''' T* ♦a *l% n |»WUAV9«V\4 t'V WUO AVX*J

iowing chiefs of Wanganui:—Pauro Haimona, Metihu, Hori Kingi, Mete Kingi, sud Morte, and reads thus-*-“Tins is our word to you, and we will inform you for the last time to join our cause. We give you your choice of two things. Either to join us, or don’t interfere in any way whatever with us. If you still persist in adhering to the cause of the Pakeiiaweshali liave to treat you as we intend to do them.” The letter then goes on to state that they have received and are still receiving reln= forcements from Taupo, Waka, Waikato, and Ngatimauiaporo, and that they intend fighting their way to th& Ngatiranui country. On the receipt of the letter, the chief of Koriniti. Matiu held a korero, at which one and all said they would stand by the Pakeha, and that if Tahana or any of bis followers in any way broke the peace in any of .the Wanganui river settlements they would fight to the last. Towards the close of the meeting a rather curious incident occurred* which shows the loyal spirit cherished by some of these natives. A man named Weariko rose and said— “l. for one, will fight and die for my brother.” Upon this he was asked what he meant. He then drew from under his blanket and carefully unfolded a sheet of the Illustrated London News; upon which was a large likeness of the Prince of Wales. He exhibited the picture, kissed it, and said that was what be meant hy his brother.

“ Since I last wrote to you there* has been considerable feasting here, in consequence of a number of natives with their families, who had been taken prisoners by the Waikotos from this place many years ago, having returned. It was known several days previous to their arrival that they were coming, and great preparations were made for their reception. On their arrival the war dance was performed with unusual vigor ; then a tanffi commenced, after which thenew arrivals were well fed and comfortably clothed, and certainly not before they wanted both food and raiment. On their arrival here they had! nothing but Maori mats to cover their shoulders, nothing to sleep in; and judging from their appearance and the manner in which they devoured thefood set before them, it is pretty certain they were not well treated duringtbeir captivity. Should the expected ’nostile movement take place, you shall have particulars as they come to hand,"