NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 29, 15 July 1867, Page 171

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

We take the following items of native intelligence from the ‘ Daily Southern Cross,’ 12th July

We stated a few days ago that some alarm was felt at Opotiki for the safety of Mr Lawson, of the Ist Waikato Rrgt. We are glad to learn, by the late mail, that Mr Law-son, who was out of Opotiki, had arrived in camp safe. The letters of our Onotiki correspondent in another column complete the narrative of the circumstances attending the murder of Mr Bennett White and Wi Popata. The bodies had been found in a shockingly mutilated condition, with the flesh sliced off, probably for the purpose of cannibalism. Ail doubt is now at an end as respects the fate of Beggs and Moore, the bodies of these men hawing been found in a frightful condition, and brought, into camp. Nor does the tale of horrors from this unfortunate place end here. One man had. been burned to death in his whare, and another drowned in the Waioka, in one of the expeditions. It would appear now •to be quite certain that these four murders have been committed by men of the Uriweraitribe, inhabiting the wild mountainous country at the back of the . Opotiki plains. We are afraid there is little chance of the speedy punishment of the murderers. A month or two ago, a track was brought to the knowledge of the authorities at Opotiki, by which it was thought that any marauding party descending from their fastnesses to the beach might be intercepted on their way back. This was at the best only a chance. It is pretty clear that the murdering taua had come down the Waiotahi valley, remaining concealed on the east or Opotiki side, till Mr White and his companion had crossed the river, when retreat was impossible. It would seem that communication along toe beach is now carried on by strong-arnied parties, so that Opotiki is now quite cut off unless by such- means from communication by land with any other place. Onr own correspondent, writing from the Thames, says : “ The natives at Ohineumri say will not allow any of the Ngatimaru, or any policeman, to go up that river to catch any native or European offenders; the boundary between the friendly and the King they have fixed at Hiku. Any native committing a robbery, &c., amongst the friendlißs, and fleeing to the King natives, will "be punished by a light fine, but he will not he given jup to his own peoplebut in the case of a murderer he will be told to flee away and hide himself, as they will not protect him In all otlier cases their land is to be a land of refuge, and they will kindly treat the Europeans living amongst them, according to the words of William Thompson. Ie Hira says the things they are most dark about is confiscating of their (the Maoris’) laud, and hoisting of a flag of truce whilst fighting, and under the flag of truce catching the Maoris and banishing them off to Wharekauri (Chatham Islands) j and tie Governor by such treacherous work has degraded himself to the level of a slave, and. that not till a Governor full of such bad works leaves these shores will peace berestored. He also says that the Maoris are not so vexed with the Europeans as with the Arawas, and that when place is restored they will' turn their attention, to them with the view of blotting tlifcir name out, for fighting against their own countrymen ; and, therefore, if the Governor wishes to save them, he had better remove .them from these islands. Tlie King natives are very bitter against fci-e Arawas for assisting the pakeha. Amongst other peaceful signs of tie time's is this—that the natives have commenced building better dwelling-houses. « There is • also great inquiry for seed wheat,. every native being.anxious tore-commence the growing wheat. • The Ngatiporous are sowing n,

little wheat, and building huts and clear-j ing ground for a location. Wikoka andj some other natives, who went and joined! Tekautnarua, including the half-caste I already mentioned, have returned' to Ohinemuri. The latter individual is usefully employed at the illegal practice of repairing native guns, at which he displays a considerable amount of mechanical skillj which it is a pity to see devoted to so unworthy an object. I would beg to suggest the advisability of Government completing the survey of the Katikati block, as many of the natives do not appear to know for certain where the northern boundary is: Now that a reward iR offered for the discovery of a good geld-field, diggers may find their way on that block, and, should they find gold on it in its present unsurveyed state the natives will certainly dispute the boundary,'and a large sum be demanded to settle the matter, which it would be well to obviate by at once completing the survey, and thus save an immense amount of bother and ill-feeling, which it is our duty to remove by fair and honorable means. Many of the natives dispute the northern boundary set forth by the Ngaiterangis.”

GOLD AT THE THAMES.

The following item 3 of gold news are taken from the * Daily Southern Cross,’ 12th July: —

Taraia, a Thames native, came to town yesterday in the schooner ‘Sarah/ and reports having found gold on his land at Ohinemuri, but neglected to bring what would be a most desirable proof of his statement considering the prevalence of gold rumours —a specimeu of the precious uaetal. He states that he intended to have done so, but was informed by Mr M'Caskill, who had just returned from Auckland, that his Honor the Superintendent was absent at Wellington, and thought it better to await his return before doing so. The master of the schooner confirms the report, and adds that a 9 a digger he is able to speak to the quality of the gold, which is excellent. Reports from this quarter are, however, so stale that no inducement is offered to entertain great expectations of the above.