LATEST NATIVE NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 911, 7 January 1871, Page 2

LATEST NATIVE NEWS.

We have to acknowledge the receipt, by electric telegraph, of the following despatch from Lieut.-Oolonel Moule, Tauranga :—*- Tauranga, Jan. 6. I take th,e following items of nativeintelligence from the Southern Cross of the sth inst., being from that journal's telegraphic correspondent:.— Alexander, Jan 4, 9 &m. News has just been received that a party of armed natives is said to have been seen with. Tapihana, within a few miles of this place. The friendly natives say they told them that they intended to "light a Are at Alexandra.'*' Great excitement prevails, and the settlers aremustering. 10.15 a.m.. The natives are now at Mangamairira, six, miles from here, cooking breakfast. They have expressed a determination never to return to Kawhia. Some of them have left for Kuifi for consent and for reinforcements. They are erecting a pa. Only about 60 are there at present. The natives who are now mfc Mangamainra are believed to be the same who* came over from Kawhia ten days ago to defend the murderers of Mr Todd. It was expected that the murderers would be attacked by the settlers. Colonel Lyon has received intelligence that Tapihana is at Mangamairira, ten miles from Alexandra, with 40 men, and that Whitiora is at Hautura with 20 men. A messenger has been sent to Tapihana to enquire what his intentions are regarding Waikato. The Southern Cross thus comments upon the above : We received yesterday several telegrams. from onr correspondent which showed that uneasiness prevailed at Alexandra regarding native movements in the King country. H» reported that Tapihana with a number of his men —variously stated as 40. and 60—was at Mangamairira, and that Whitiora, better known as Wiremu Kumeti, was at Hautura with another party of 20 men ; and that they intended jointly to attack Alexandra. Soinu days tsince it was reported that Tapihana had come to Hautura with 40 men to protect that place in case of an expecied attack from tho Europeans, and as M tngiinairira is close to Hautura, both places b-dng ou the Kawhia road, it seems probable that a repetition of this, story has caused the uneasiness above mentioned. The necessary steps were taksu by Colonel Lyon to obtain accurate but up to the time of going to press we believe that nothing had been heard of to confirm the rumor of an intended attack. Major Mair, who came down here in the Samson, inform; me that before leaving Auckland he tried but couid not find out that- any official information had been received respecting the reports in the Southern Cross, and that he does not believe them. W. Moule, Lt.-Col., Tauranga.