THE WEST COAST.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 679, 6 May 1869, Page 3

THE WEST COAST.

The Wellington Independent, 27th A pn'l, thus summarises the news from the West Coast : —"The intelligence from the front, as republished bj ua from the Wanganui Times, is to the effect that the Patea people apprehended an immediate attack from Titokowaru and hia force, who were alleged to be in the neighbourhood The information obtained by the G-overnment i* of a different character. The state of affairs seems to be as follows : —Mr Parris has written to Colonel Lyon informing him that Titokowaru and a large portion of his force were at the Upper Wuitara, and that an attack on tho northern parts of Taranaki was either impending or threatened. Under those critical circumstances Colonel Lyon was recommended to move his force to Waihi, preparatory to getting at the rebels by taking the back track through the bush at the back of Mount Egmont. At the last advices Col. Lyon was at Patea preparing for an expedition up that river to destroy kaingas and cultivations, and, as we are informed, the Ngatiporous are cordially assisting him. Capt. Kemp and his men were to form part of the expedition. The Whenuakura district has been scoured by our forces, bat none of the enemy found there. This practically is all the West Coast war news, and it points to the immediate possibility of fighting near Taranaki, but not yet at Patea. For the moment nothing particular is doing, but the position is one of suspense. In the meantime Captain Kells had either started or was about to start with a small force to explore the inland country beyond the hummocks, lie has sixty of his Veteran Volunteers and sixty of Captain Bryce's We shall look with some anxiety for farther news from the West Coast, which indeed may soon be as much the theatre of war as the East. The WaitotaraS.—The following astounding statement is made by the Wanganui Chronicle: —Any further speculation as to the whereabouts of this quondam rebel tribe is now at re it. They are under the protection of the Government, harbored by our so called allies at Putiki, within sight of the town of Wanganui. No treaty ha* been male fur.hor than a tacit understanding that it is expedient to be oblivious of certain acts that the public honor of the land at one time demanded should be only expiated in blood. The Waitotaras with their arms in their possession confidently walk our streets under the protection of the "broad shield of English justice." These significant facts need no commentary.

A Maoei Juey.—The New Zealand Herald, 26th April says:—On Saturday, a Maori jury (of five by consent) was empanelled to try the dispute of Taipara and Rapana Maunganoa, in respect of the boundaries of a piece of land extending from the Hape Creek to the Northern end of Pollen street, and therefore the most valuable in Shortland. A great deal of time was occupied in getting even five good men and true. However, five were at last obtained. It was almost as difficult to keep the Maori gentlemen in order as it was to get them ; for one placed himself in the position of counsel, and made speeches to the witnesses. Three others went to sleep, and all exhibited an ungovernable propensity to keep their mouths open. Ais Honor the Chief Judge at last interposed, and asked, " Will no one wake up the jury ? " A Wise Peofosai..—The New Zealand Herald, 26th April, thus concludes a leading article reviewing the action about to be taken by the Engilsh Grovernment in the matter of naval and military reduction : —Looking at the present position of New Zealand, and the undoubted claim she has over England for temporary assisto put down the war caused by England for her own purposes, we have a proposal to make whuh would be of benefit to both Old England and New Zealand. And it is this, let England send, say two or three thousand of the men she is discharging from her army to this country. Instead of discharging them at once, let them have the option of coming to New Zealand, to serve, if needed, from one to three years, at a slight increase to the English army pay, and to locate the men in good positions on good land, the Crown grant of which should be given to them. While on pay they should be liable to serve against the enemy. P»y this means England would, at a small cost, for ever get rid of responsibility in connection with the New Zealand difficulty, and that in an honorable manner. The judicious planting of settlements of that character would form nuclei of population which would rapidly increase, and more especially if the men sent out were as free as possible — pensioners. They would as in other pensioner settlements, become rooted to the spot. They would increaso and mdltiply, and while increasing the amount of land in cultivation, would increase the population to cultivate that which remained. It seems certain that if some arrangement if the kind we suggest could be made between the Colonial and British Governments, and for a judicious stream of emigration of the usual mixed character, it would be highly beneficial to both ooun« tries.