TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 388, 23 July 1856, Page 9

TARANAKI.

Wearied with the repetition of reports of the approach of the Ngatiruanui force to our district, we had ceased to make any further mention of the matter until something definite should be ascertained respecting their movements, hitherto shrouded in mystery. The fact that they have now reached the neigbourhood of the INhiia to the amount of near 500 men, is now no longer doubtful, and we have to aw nit the result. Native report speaks of impending conflicts; but some Europeans, well canable of forming a judgment, think that they have COIU3 to settle on the land, and will avoid fiyhting if possible.— Taranaki Herald, June 28. The position of this Province rep»ardinoits relations with the aboriginal population which, since its settlement, has been collected about it, as well as the recent accumulation of a still larger force of strang-e natives in its immediate neighbourhood with avowed hostile intentions, has lone: been known to Government, and military protection to meet any probable emergency has been supplied ; since which time, except on extraordinary occasions, the press has merely taken its most useful position—that of journalist. From all we are now able to learn of the intention cf the native tribes collected in our neighbourhood, the position of the Settlement is gradually day by day becoming more and more menacing-, so faY as compromising lihiropean neighbourhood goes. The Ngatiruanui natives around here are encamped on the borders of the forests south of the Ivaipakopako pa, and are throwing up strengths and building pas with a viewto hem in the Ninia people. The latter, however, hold out, and it is supposed that even should the quarrel come to conflict, the powerful pa of Aratna Karaka, and the determination of his followers might probably foil his opponents. The Ngntiruanui have thrown up a stockade within ab^nt 250 yards of the Eastern boundary of the Bell Block, and distant from the Ninia pa about 500 yards. They are now engaged building another extensive pa about 80 yards seaward of the stockade, resolving to invest the Ninia in order to force Arama Karaka to evacuate it. Their next business, they state, is to fix permanently the boundary of the European settlement at our present boundary of the Bell Block, and then, they say, they will go back to their own district. The result of course depends on the chances of a coming struggle which it is difficult to calculate, impossible to rely upon. Those who are supposed to have attained a true estimate of the native character, think that, should the Ngatiruanui fail in their attempt to overcome the Ninia people, the;,- will turn on Katauire in satisfaction for Piripi. Indeed, our informant stales that Katatore has already narrowly escaped with his life from his old friends the Ngatiruanui on Saturday last.— lbid, July 12.