NATIVE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 16, 13 May 1871, Page 2

NATIVE.

[Correspondent to Lyttelton TiMES.j

I hear those prisoners who had just surrendered when I last wrote will be transported to Waiheki, an island in the Hauraki Gulf. The island is inhabited by natives who, as far as I can learn, have never been disloyal. They have volunteered to take charge of the prisoners. The latter have been supplied with a couple of old marquees, some seeds, and some spades. I believe they are mainly expected to furnish themselves with food from the surrounding ocean, which abounds with wholesome fish and a species of sea-weed much used ns a comestible by Maoris in simi ? circumstance.

Prominent amongst the prisoners is Paora Told, a chief of Hawke’s Bay, who has been in rebellion for the last six years. In Fraser’s fight at Petane, seven miles from Napier, on Oct, 12tb, 186(5, Paora Told narrowly escaped capture. On that occasion only five of his band got away, and his wife was shot through both thighs as she fought by his side ; but, terribly wounded as she was, the poor creature rejoined him at Waikaremoana, after crawling by by-paths over a hundred miles of mountains. At the time it was considered an extraordinary feat, and I am glad to record that the old girl is still alive, and faithful to the chequered fortunes of her spouse. He has been a great scoundrel —twice broken his oath of allegiance, and joined Kooti. However, there exists no eviclenoe to show that he ever committed or connived at murder. I was informed he ventured to hint at restoration of lands, but was sternly told by the Defence Minister that those lands were forfeited years ago, and he might deem himself fortunate in not being sent for trial. He is growing an old man now, verging, I should say, on seventy years, and seems consumptive. I think we have nearly heard the last of Paora-Toki, until natives assemble from all quarters to tangi over his demise—a few weeks, or months hence, as the case may be. Meantime he has bought a tattered Union Jack to demonstrate his thriceborn loyalty, and keeps the emblem constantly'flying before his whare. It was generally believed here that after the decision of the Native Lands Courts respecting the Aroha block, a fight would ensue between Ngatihaua, the Waikato defeated claimants, and Ngatimaru, the Thames tribes who won. An intelligent Arawa half-caste told me a week back that Ngatimaru kept messengers who might be despatched up and down „the coast at a moment’s notice for reinforcements. It has been said Ngatimaru could occupy the Aroha block with a thousand warriors of course including their allies. It is now stated that Ngatihaua will offer no objection to

taking possession. I think ] Ngatihaua are afraid. The result appears to be that Ohinemuri will shortly he unlocked, as a majority of Thames natives desire such a consummation. In connection with this subject, Mr Mackay, junr., late Native Lands Commissioner at the Thames, was recently publicly accused of placing difficulties in the way. That gentleman has written a letter to the “ Auckland Evening News” to explain, but I regret to say the explanation is n6t considered satisfactory. In fact, Mr Mackay admits that he has been in the habit of offering certain advice to Te Hira. and the general opinion certainly is, that such advice has done much mischief. The official judgment of the Native Lands Court respecting the Aroha block is aow published. Jt is very long, but highly interesting as affording many glimpses of the strange state of things existing among Maoris 40 years ago. In the early part of this month some of the finest-looking natives I have ever seen arrived here. They came from Mercury Bay, and belonged to the Arawa tribe. They were all armed, and have since proceeded to the Thames to help Ngatimaru in case Ngtihaua show fight. I had many conversations with these Arawas during the fortnight they remained here, with the view of discovering if there is any truth in the statement lately made about the Ngatiwhakane branch of that tribe having made peace with the King party. None of the Arawas I conversed with knew anything about it, and denied that such a peace had been made, or that Ngatiwhakane meditate making peace separate or otherwise. At present natives are collecting from many distant points, previous to holding great meetings at Te Aroha, Piako, and Ohinemuri. The other day a magnificient war canoe, crowded with Maories paddled up the Thames in fine style. As you will have received details of Ropata’s last expedition, I need only relate why it was undertaken. As I understand the facts a few weeks hack information was obtained from a reliable source, that Kooti in the Urewera, was again at the head of 50 men desperadoes like himself. Only half these men were armed, and Kooti was meditating a sudden swoop on some adtlying district to obtain supplies, especially gunpowder and caps. When this news came, Ropata and his men were not, and for some time previously had not been, employed by Government. The news, in fact, found Ngatiporou harvesting grass seed at Poverty Bay, and earning from 10s to 15s per day at their work, which is lucrative while it lasts. Ropata got news of Kooti’s movements from the Defenoe Minister, and wanted to start at once in pursuit, but his men demurred. They were earning good wages, and were asked to undertake another dreary bush expedition at the rate of half-a-crown a day per man. The tribe have suffered severely from former expeditions; the country to be traversed was a trackless waste of mountains clothed with dense bush and tangled scrub, where it was next to imposssible to earn the £5,000 offered for Kooti; and, in brief, Ngatiporou “ couldn’t see it.” Ropata is a capital Maori orator, but I hear it was only with great difficulty that he succeeded in getting them to go in chase once more. Only a limited number of the best men were taken, and Ropata is of opinion none of his men ever behaved better than these companions of his latest bush taua. Unluckily for all concerned, Kooti appears to be as successful in evading his pursuers as Nana Sahib or those Australian bushrangers who have contrived to escape the punishment due to their crimes. It must be a great disappointment to Ropata, who has set his heart on some day catching the cruel murderer of his uncle Raruhe, to say nothing of the reputation Ropata wonld gain, or the £SOOO, It is reported that no more expeditions will be sent in pursuit of Kooti unless he ventures to emerge from the labyrinth in which he lies concealed.