The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1870. THE WAIKATO.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 8, 10 January 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1870. THE WAIKATO.

o I Tho news from the Waikato is of some importance so far as ifc relates to Te Kooti. We learu from, the Auckland Ilerald that King Tawhiao has stated that he intends to retain Te Kooti within his dominions, but with what object it is impossible to say. A graphic account of his interview with Te Kooti and Kereopa at a place called Te Maranui on the Wauganui River is given by Aporo, the King's messenger, who was commissioned by his master to inform the cannibal chief thafc if he entertained any hostile design upon the Waikato he would be put down. Te Kooti had his gun in his hand, and when he heard the words of the Maori ambassador, he cast it away from him and cried out " I have done with fighting. I shall cast it (the gun) away for ever and ever. I come to the King." Kereopa is said to have been present at this interesting parley, and hearing that his companion had made peace said, "Yes, it is very well for you, but what is to become of me?" The response was an invitation to come to the King's country, bufc whether the invitation came from Te Kooti or from the King's messenger, is not apparent. The last that was heard of this übiquitous chief was that he was on "Kiug's Land,' 1 and waiting further intelligence from the King. It seems very doubtful whafc this news means, whether ifc is good or bad, whether ifc is to be looked on as a precursor of peace, or whether it forebodes a renewal of hostilities at the first favor- , able opportunity. The general impression seems to be thafc the King purposes to retain both Te Kooti and Kereopa as a security for the peace of his district, but at the same time it must be remembered tbat many of the King's people sympathise with the doing of these two malefactors, and that if Te Kooti remaius long in that country he will exercise considerable influence iu respect of questions of peace or war. Many of the most influential of the Waikatos derive large incomes from leasing their lands to the colonists, and it is certainly to their interest to preserve peace, but there is no denying that the presence of Te Kooti in the King's camp may have the effect of inflaming the minds of those of the natives who are not so interested. But it is quite within the bounds of possibility that Te Kooti is entertaining designs not very favorable to the King himself, and, should this turn out to be the case, it rather intimates new troubles to the Maoris themselves. In such an event the Maoris would be divided into two strong factions, and it is, says the Herald, " a hopeful sign that the chances of anything like a well cemented coalition between the present representatives of Maori feelings and opinions are every day becoming less in number and likelihood. Estimated as a whole, there is certainly no reason for any apprehension that the peace will bo disturbed, unless some unforeseen event should precipitate matters, and in that case the conflict between the two Maori parties would be more acrimonious,

and they would be likely to furnish an llustration of the tale bequeathed to poserity by those implacable quadrupeds, who left nothing of each other but the extremities."