NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 12, 15 April 1871, Page 15

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

[H. B. Hebald, April 11.] The last intelligence that we had of Ropata's expedition, as our readers will remember, was that it had marched from Te Haupapa, a settlement where Ropata believed, on the information of Tautata (a prisoner, who acted as their guide), that Te Kooti then was. This was on the 24th ult. It was estimated that the march would occupy five or six days. Accordingly, on the 30th ult, we find that the expedition had reached Te Haupapa, which is a clearing in the bush some eighty acres in extent, and in which there are two or three pas. The clearing is divided into two parts by the Te Haupapa creek. On the south bank of the creek was Te Kooti's pa, Kakiwhanui. They surrounded it at daylight on the morning of the 30th. On entering it,.however, they found it deserted, and, from the look of the ashes, &c, they were led to infer that it had probably been deserted for about a fortnight. They then crossed to the north side of the creek, to Andrew Matete's pa. . The approach to this stronghold was up a steep rock. A woman was posted on the top of the rock to act as a sentry. As soon as she saw Ropata's men, she gave the alarm, and those inside al! made off for the bush immediately. They were, however, followed into the bush, and most of them were captured, Andrew Matete himself escaping. The name of this pa was Maokomuharangi. Another pa, a short distance to the west of it, named Wharekopai, with its inmates, was also captured The number of prisioner3 taken was, in all, about 23. About eleven of them were fullgrown men. Among them were Hotani and Tamati te Rangituawaru, both individuals of some consequence.

During their stay at Te Haupapa, Ropata's men destroyed five kaingas belonging to the rebels, and all the food that they could find. There were a great many potatoes there, but they were small, as they had been planted late. One of the prisoners guided them to a place in the bush where there was. a cave, which Te Kooti used as a secret magazine, and probably as a hiding place as well, in case of need. They found there a curious collection of articles—three guns, three rifles, a large pouch of revolver ammunition, a pouch of other cartridges, made by themselves, some watches, a sovereign, a shilling, a considerable quantity of pork preserved in honey, and besides this, most marvellous of all, a manuscript book of prayers and revelations, by Te Kooti himself. Some verses, from this remarkable production were translated for us. They ran as follows : 1. This is the Hebrew* word used by God to Adam, Tereina, which being interpreted, is " Be thou created out of my shadow." 2. This is the Hebrew word used by God to Abraham, Te Kipi, which is, being interpreted, "Go to Judea." 3. Th ; ,s is the Hebrew word used by God to Christ, Te Xaumu, which is, being interpreted, " Thou shalt be a king for ever." 4. This is the Hebrew word used by God to Te Kooti, AFJU Aneko, which is, being interpreted, "Thou shalt be empowered to deliver thy people from bondage (in the Chatham Islands), and no hand shall be raised against them." 5. These are the words used by God to me (Te Kooti) at Whare Kauri, " No other god shall have power beyond thee." From the last verse we conclude that Te Kooti is going out of the prophetic line, and. has actually commenced business as one of the Dei majores. Ropata could get no definite information from the prisoners with regard to Te Kooti's whereabouts. It appeared, indeed, that they knew very little about him. Te Kooti, on his departure, had forbidden all communication between them and him. They had heard him mention a place called Tahunatau, near the Reinga road, where he meant to tatoo his people ; but, whether he had gone there or not, they could not say. On Sunday, the 2nd inst., three search parties (Kokiris), each containing about thirty men, were despatched in different directions to scour the bush, and, if possible, to come upon the trail of the enemy. They had instructions that if they did come upon it, they were to follow it up without waiting to be reinforced from the main body. Ropata

himself went with the party which took the direction or Tahunatau. Captain Porter left for Poverty Bay on Sunday, so that by the latest advices, the Kokiris had just started, and what measure of success they met with is at present unknown.

The Poverty Bay correspondent of the the same paper, writing from Turanganui on the 31st says : " In native matters there is nothing of note to record. Those amiable people are selling their lands at a great rate, and getting abundantly drunk for the money. Mr Fox addressed a beautiful and touching letter to the chiefs a while a r go, calling upon them to put a stop to drinking, and to live soberly and cleanly. Our natives have but a faint comprehension of poetry and fiction, and a very powerful appreciation of rum, and they get more drunk than ever, if possible,- regardless of Mr iTox's appeal." . . . . "Nothing has been heard lately of Ropata. An armed party started with Mr Drummond to look for a line of road to Wairoa, by Te Reinga ; and w r e are led to think that the enemy is in the interior, and that this road is tolerably safe, but, not having been used for many years, is not very clear " * Te Kooti pretends to know Hebrew by inspiration.