Interprovincial Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 754, 20 January 1870, Page 3

Interprovincial Items.

WA IK ATO, IMPORTANT INTELLIGENCE. TE KOOTI THREATENS OBAKA.TJ. PREPARATIONS TO. MEET THE ENEMY. MURDER OF A SETTLER. THE KING REFUSES TO ALLOW TE KOOTI TO BE INTERFERED WITH ON THE KING TERRITORY. TE KOOTI LOOTING AT TOKANUI. WAIKATO MAY BE ATTACKED. [From the New Zealand Herald, 14th January.] A telegram yesterday received from Waikato states that a native woman had been sent by the King with a message to the effect that the authorities had better keep a sharp look-out at Orakau, as it was suspected that Te Kooti was bent on mischief in that quarter. It further goes on to say that the Maoris at Te Kuiti, were all in arms, going after Te Kooti, that Topia and the Wanganuis were in hot pursuit of him, and that he was done for this time to a certainty. In the meautime there was no cause for any alarm to be felt by the Europeans, and reinforcements had been sent forward to the frontier Post. Another telegram received later in the eveniug informs us that a man name unknown, had crossed the Punui river, his horse had been found, and subsequently the body of the individual, but no further particulars are given. It is not supposed that this affair has anything to do with Te Kooti's movements and most likely to-day will give us further news as to the cause of death, which at present is believed to have been accidental. J From N. Z. Herald's Correspondent.] Alexandra, Jan. 13, noon. Important events are taking place here. Te Kooti is threatening the settlements. A messenger was sent in a hurry to Cambridge by some native of the King party to give warning tha-t Te Kooti was advancing with the intention ol attacking 'Orakau. Colonel Moule at once ordered that the posts at Kihikibi and Cambridge should be reinforced, aud took measures for placing everything on a suitable footing, to punish the arch rebel should he make an appearance. The redoubts are in readiness, scouts have been thrown out, and Te Kooti will, ii he comes, most certainly find himself met with a warm receptiou. It is current here that the King natives, or a portion of them, are mustering to repel Te Kooti, having at last determined to discountenance his course of action. It is reported that Topia, Kemp, and the 600 Wanganuis are in full chase, and will soon overtake the enemy. An engagement is imminent. 4.20 p.m. Te Kooti, with about 300 men, is within a day's march of Orakau. Major Kemp, with Wanganui Kupapas, is on Te Kooti's track, and has reached the Waikato boundary. Two hundred natives from Te Kuiti have gone to caution Kemp not to come within the King's territory. Kemp says he will follow and capture Te Kooti whether Tawhiao agrees or not. Kemp's force is about 400 strong. A collision is expected if Tawhiao persists in hold ing Kemp in check. The result will shortly be known. Tawhiao, Rewi, and Co. will soon show their true colours. Jan. 14, 3.30 p.m. John Lyons, a settler of Kihikibi has been found in a swamp near Orakau murdered, with a tomahawk cut across the forehead. The man had been missing several days. Inquest at Kihikihi this day. It is reported that the King told Topia that so long as Te Kooti, with whom are Kereopa and Hakaraia, is on the King's land, he shall not be interfered with, Te Kooti, he says, may have done wrong heretofore, but is not doing wrong now. fFrom the Southern Cross Correspondent.] Jan. 14, 2 p.m. Te Kooti and Kereopa are at Wherapapa, about twelve miles from Orakau. The Kingites refuse to allow Topia to enter the King's boundary unless Te J£ooti commences hostilities.

Te Kooti is killing Uriwera's cattle and pigs, and looting their horses. The women are at Tokanui, in the bush. [From the Evening News, Jan. 15."| From a private letter received in town this day, we learn that many in Waikato do not believe in Te Kooti's intention to attack Tauranga. They say that his movement thither is a mere ruse, as from his present position he can just as easily march upon one of the Waikato settlements. Considerable apprehensions are therefore felt. TAURANGA. TE KOOTI THREATENS the SETTLEMENT THE NATIVES PANIC-STRICKEN. WAVERING AMONGST THE QUEENITES THE COUNCIL OE WAE. THE ARAWAS ADVISE DEFENSIVE TACTICS. THAMES VOLUNTEERS EOR TAURANGA [From the Southern Cross Correspondent.] Tauranga, January 13. I weite to inform you that we have stirring times here, and that we are in expectation of still more stirring times to come within the next few days. Messengers arrived here on the 11th inst., from Henare Pukeatua, who is in command of the Arawas at Taupo, to the effect that Te Kooti was in the neighborhood of Taupo, at a place called Te Papa, at Hitori te Punata's village. The messenger also informed us that in consequence of that message a number of Arawas had gone on to Taupo, to Henare te Pukeatua, who had been instructed by the Government to raise a native contingent of 50 men. ,The next intelligence was received on the 12th, and it was to the effect that Te Kooti was at Patetere, and that he was intending to go on to Tauranga. On the 13th it was confidently believed that Te Kooti was at Paengaroa, and that Piawiri, of Pirirahad sent down to the effect that one of Kooti's own men had been at Te Papa, where he had made some purchases, and had afterwards gone back.' Messengers were sent to Tahawai and Paratene (a place near Katikati), and the Urungawera, residing at Otana, on the Coromandel Peninsula. Wi Katero came up from Ohere to Tauranga giving information of messengers having arrived at his place. "The Ngaiterangi people, under Enoka, Hamiora Tu, and others, assembled at Te Papa, requesting to be armed in order to defend themselves and the settlers agaiost any attack that might be made upon them by Te Kooti. Several of the Arawa chiefs had been sent for from Whakatane and Maketu, and had a conference with the au thorities as to the best mode of acting. The Arawa chiefs advised that Te Kooti should not be pursued, but that the Europeans should allow him to dash into Tauranga, if that were his intention, then that tliey should fall upon him, in which case they said he would be an easy prey. Their own figurative way of expressing it was that Te Kooti " would fall into their hands as a lobster would fall into the hands of a man with a long arm." The natives are accustomed to pull the lobsters out of their holes, and the man who has the longest arm has generally the best chance. The messengers who came down from the ranges said it was the intention of Te Kooti to attack Te Papa, and that he would come out in daylight and fight Openly. Paraone te Koikoi, who seems to have been wrongly charged with inviting Te Kooti to Kaimai, is at the Thames, but it is reported that Hakaraia and Kereopa are acting in concert with Te Kooti. In all probability some of the straggling Ngatiporuus will act with him, also the Pirirakaus. Some of the settlers of Otumahatoehi and other places here deemed it prudent to come in with their families and their goods, and I hear that the road between Katikati and Ohinemuri is considered to be unsafe. It is impossible to say how many followers Te Kooti may have. He may have twenty or ten times as many; but I may tell that Maoris are much given to exaggeration as regards numbers. It might be possible that Te Kooti will be reported to be in a dozen places at once, but this is easily explained. Eor instance, should even one of Te

Kooti's followers make his appearance at a Maori village, while the leader was actually 100 miles away, the natives of the vilage would say, '* Te Kooti has arrived." As t write it has been reported that a settler's haystacks have been burnt, and that his sheep have been driven off. It is well known that there is sympathy between some of the Ohinemuri people and Te Kooti, but I should think Te Kooti is far too good a soidier to think of going down into the valley of Ohinemuri. I do not believe that he will make a determined attack upon Tauranga, but I incline rather to the belief that it will be found that his object is to raise an alarm, divert the forces, and then suddenly swoop down in another direction; or seek some hiding place. He must know that there are forces of ours at Oruanui, Puketarata, Tukano; that the King party are opposed to his proceedings, and that Topia and his large force are anxious to come up with him. I believe also that there is a force at Opepe, one of the roads into the Uriwera country. Some ol the Uriweras in the outskirts of Whakatane and places in that vicinity, although tired of fighting, say they are only waiting for Te Kooti's word. I believe myself,that Te Kooti would not have come here were it not that he was driven by Topia. Topia and his party, even should they follow. Te Kooti, would take a long time to consider before they attack him. They would, I dare say, wait to see what the signs in.the heavens would portend, and perhaps in the meantime Te i Kooti would have got away. They consider that he ha 9 a great deal of " mana," and that he is, in fact, in communication with the gods, and that therefore they would have to act with much more caution than if they were attacking an ordinary man. I ' believe myself that Te Kooti does not, however, look for assistance from the King party, and the letter which you published from Mauuhiri to Mr Davis shows that they have no confidence in him. In fact you will remember that, in one of the extracts which were given, Manuhiri was represented as saying " Mana e rere," which would mean "Perhaps he (Te Kooti) will bolt after all." "We are in.a great state of excitement, and I have not time to write more before the departure of the steamer. [From the Evening News Correspondent] Jan. 13, 1870. We are once more plunged into difficulties with that arch-nuisance Te Kooti. ' News arrived early this morning that one of the settlers' farms, some 12 miles from Te Tapa, had been visited by his (Te Kooti's) mob, that his sheep had been driven off, and that they had fired, his hay; the sheep, at any rate, cannot be found. Colonel Fraser has placed on pay all the military settlers, who have driven in their live stock and brought in their household effects. ' Te Kooti is believed to be occupying the high land between Paingaroa . and Patatere. The Cavalry are all up, and on pay;, the friendly natives also. Major Mair, has forwarded an orderly to Maketu to obtain a reiuforcement of 80 Arawas. Last night women and children might be seen in every direction coming into town for security. In conseauence of a meeting convened by Mr G. A. Douglas, M.P.C., last evening, at the Masonic Hotel, Captain Tovey in the chair, a deputation of gentlemen consisting of Mr Douglas, Mr T. George, Mr Hallowes, Mr Samuels and Mr Brown, waited on Captain Palmer on board H.M.S.S. Rosario to request him—had he a discretionary power, not to withdraw his vessel under the present painful circumstances, as it was anticipated the s.s. Tauranga might bring despatches which would compel him to leave this harbor. Captain Palmer, who received the deputation most courteously, said he had already considered the subject, and should take upon himself the responsibility of acting. It was also his attention to bring up his vessel abreast the town forthwith. It i 3 Captain Palmer's intention to send up an armed party of sailors to garrison the township to-night. Mr Civil Commissioner Clarke arrived here this morning by the steamer,

11 in accordance with instructions received from the Government with rejferenee to the expected outbreak in Waikato. Everyone is anxious that Te Kooti will try conclusions this time, for tbe continual state of mental hot water we are in renders business a blank, and keeps every interest down to zero. fProm the N. Z. Herald Correspondent.] Jan. 13. Te Kooti is now at Kainui, within 15 miles of Tauranga on the open ground, and some 4 or 5 miles from the edge of the bush. He means mischief evidently, for the women and children which have hitherto accompanied him remaia behind him in the king's country. A number of men from the Rosario were to have been landed yesterday evening for the defence of the town. [Prom the Southern Cross, Jan. 15J It is gratifying to learn that all that is possible under the circumstances has been done to protect life and property. At Tauranga the Gate Pa has been garrisoned by 50 men, and the Rosario has been detained. The Blanche was ordered last night to take her departure for Tauranga at four o'clock ■ this morning, and the Sturt will probably follow during the day , with fifty of the Thames Volunteers. . It is probable also that the Hon. Mr i M'Lean will go in the Sturt. Mr | McLean's return from the Thames was ' most opportune. Orders were about | to be sent by the Commodore directing : the Rosario to go on to Wellington, ( but, owing to the timely arrival of Mr j M'Lean, they were countermanded. . [Prom the Evening News, Jan. 15.] j The Thames Volunteers and Thames Volunteer Militia, under the command < of Captain M'Carrol and Lieut. Casely, l arrived from the Thames per Royal ! Alfred to-day. Their destination , is Tauranga, to take part in the pro- , bable forthcoming struggle with the i rebels. The men presented an unus- 1 .ially line appearance, and we recog- | nised many who have smelt powder ] in defence of the interests of the Colony. : ft is probable that the strength of the Contingent will be increased from the ranks of Militia and Volunteers now in Auckland. It is supposed that the p.s. Sturt should she return from Coromandel, will transport these troops, and the hon. the Defence Minister will accompany them. The body of Mr Smallwood, who was drowned along with Mr Balfour, was found , near the mouth of the Opihi river, Tioaaru, on the morning of the Bth inst., and has been brought into town. The remains , were identified by the clothing and articles in the pocket, and also by the watch. The New Zealand Gazette announces that John M'Kean, clerk in the Post Of. flee, Dunedin, has been dismissed from fhe public service.