THE NATIVE REBELLION.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 166, 27 March 1869, Page 4

THE NATIVE REBELLION.

ALARMING NEWS FROM THE EAST COAST.

Tauranga in a state of Siege.

Tlie Aid of British Troops refused!

Narrow escape of Alexandra.

The King and Rewi in favor of peace.

The Post's correspondent at Napier sent the following telegram on Monday evening last ; The steamer Star of the South had arrifrom Auckland, bringing alarming news from Taurauga. The s. Tauranga arrived at Auckland on Wednesday. She brought 75 women and children from Tauranga. Colonel Harrington was in command at Te Papa with 25 cavalry and the settlers. On Tuesday Kereopa, Hakaria, and 400 rebels surrounded Te Papa, threatening an attack. The Friendlies are building defence pas. Te Kooti attacked Major Mair’s position at Whakatane on Friday the 12th instant, and failed to carry it. He then left for the interior, or to join Keopa, 400 Arawas pursuing him. Danger is apprehended from the Ngatirangi.

The settlers are called in, and the Militia and Volunteers are put on pay. Free passages to Auckland are given to women and chidren. 20 men about to start were stopped and put on pay. On Monday the natives reported that Te Kooti’s raid was only the commencement of a general rising during this month. Waikato, Eoturua, Hauraki and Tauranga are to be simultaneously attacked. The people of Taux-anga are anxious for European i*einforcements.

Volunteers are called for at the Thames and Auckland, and if a sufficient number is not obtained the first-class militia will be called out.

Confidence is felt in Major Mair’s eventual success.

The Arawas are excited, and likely to do service, but the Tauranga natives are doubtful ; they ask for arms, but it is not deemed wise to grant their request An application made by the Resident Minister, [Drv Pollen] on Wednesday, for troops to garrison Tauranga was refused.

The Volunteers raised in Auckland left for Tauranga on Thursday.

The news from Ohinemuri is unsatisfactory. The Government has chartered ths Duke of Edinburgh to bring away the settlers, who are all warned off by Te Hix*a. The message is this :—“ Clouds are darkening. God is good. Te Kooti is abroad.” The A dvertiser says :—Colonel Harrington had concentrated his force to hold Te Papa and the Gate Pa. Application was made to Colonel Elliott for two companies of the 18th regiment for Tauranga, but was refused.

The Thames Times of the 17th states all Europeans had been warned from Ohinemuri by Te Hira. Rapier, March 19, 5-30 p.m.

Ropata and his men are leaving in the Murewai. There is a report from Captain Spiller, Wairoa, about Hauhaus being in the vicinity, some eight miles above the blockhouse ; they are only stragglers. The following report was received’from Napier at the same time as the above, but requires confirmation ; Te Kooti is at Taupo at a place called Tauaroa, to the north of Kuranga, two and a-half days from Napier. It is thought that he is on his way to join Rewi. He is largely reinforced. Natives say they will oppose him if he attempts to join Rewi in the Waikato. No immediate danger to this district. Rewi has written to Pohipi, at Taupo, asking him not to oppose the passage of Te Kooti if he should come that way ; therefore it is thought he is on his way to join Rewi, and that he was expected. The King does not approve, by all native accounts, of bands of murderers. He says —“ March will decide whether it is to be ‘ life or death.’ ” He wants to get back to Ngai-uawahia—then he would ally himself with the Government, and assist in putting down murderous bands.—lndependent.

The following information, which has been extracted from a letter received on Saturday from a gentleman who is in the immediate neighborhood of the King party, may be relied on as being a correct version of the state of affairs in the "Waikato:—

“There was a meeting of natives at Kawhia, on the invitation of the King, about the middle of February. The natives were chiefly Waikatos and Kgatimanio-

potos. “ Reihana and his party, who reside near the Mokau river, declined the invitation, as also other natives residing in the same neighbourhood. “ When Tamiti, Rewi, and others of the King party bad nearly reached Kawhia, where the feast was to be held, they were informed that Reihana and his friends held a meeting immediately after the King party had left Tokangamutu, and had determined to attack the Europeans, A party headed by Wetere, and afterwards joined by Tikaokao, were to attack those living at the White Cliffs (Europeans), and Reihana and his party were to attack Alexandra. Tamati, Rewi, and others, remained only a short time at the feast. Their party was divided into three portions of about two hundred men each, who travelled by different routes to intercept both Reihana, and also to stop Wetere from going to the White Cliffs, and thus prevent their designs being carried into execution. They were too late to prevent Wetere from carrying out his design. “ The Waikatos, under Rewi, came up to Reihana and his party, consisting of about 30 armed men, between Tokangamutu and Hangitiki, about 25 miles from Alexandra, and compelled them to return with him at once, and go to Tokangamutu. “In a few days afterwards the news of the murders at the White Cliffs came, which information was immediately given by the influential King natives to the Europeans in the Waikato.

“ It would seem that the previous information as to Rewi being at the head of the war party was incorrect, for he used his great influence to prevent Reihana and his party attacking Alexandra. “The murderers at the White Cliffs are reported to have been a half-caste lad, residing near Mokan Heads, Wetere, Erewini, and Te Tana.

“It has been stated that Mr. Whiteley was shot, not by Tahana, but by Wetere himself. Mr. Whiteley refused to go back when he was ordered to do so. His horse was then shot. He fell on his knees, and commenced praying, and while in this position was shot at twice by Wetere with a revolver, which missed fire both times. Wetere then went close up to the unfortunate gentleman and shot him dead. It is stated that the news of these murders created profound sorrow throughout the whole of the peacefully inclined section of the King natives, including Tawhiao himself, Tamati, and Rewi, who remained in their houses an entire day after the news had been received. They were particularly sorrowful that Mr. Whiteley had been killed. “It would thus seem that the King, Tamiti, and a very large portion of the King party, are decidedly in favor of peace, and opposed to war—but the natives are all in a state of excitement at the murders, which have been committed, and it is not easy to calculate the effect of the conduct of Reihana and more violent Hauhaus. The number of this party who are inclined for war is not at present very large. Another meeting has been arranged to be held at Tokangamutu, at which both the peacefully inclined, and also Reihana, Tikaoka, and Wetere are all invited to discuss the present aspect of affairs, and whether it is to be peace or war.

“ It is thus pretty clear that Rewi, as well as Tamati, is supporting Tawahio in the interests of peace. “ Messengers hare been sent by the King to all the native settlements round about his place in the Waikato to be on . the alert, and not to allow any armed party to pass. “ The King and his party have done much in the interests of peace,. But for his interference, and the promptitude of Rewi and Tamati, Alexandra would have been attacked at the same time that the murders were committed at White Cliffs.”—Auckland Herald.