NATIVE AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 26, 22 July 1871, Page 8

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

The prisoners released on Thursday are a portion of the East Coast followers of Te Kooti who were tried at Wellington a year ago, and at that time sentenced to death. So long as the Uriwera tribe remained in rebellion, it was thought necessary to keep these prisoners in custody, but now that that tribe has been thoroughly broken up and located in the Bay of Plenty and elsewhere, there is no reason for continuing the custody of the less prominent, and not at all dangerous, members of the party. It has been decided, therefore, to pardon twenty-three of the number, and gend them to the Bay of Plenty, where, like the larger number of untried prisoners taken by Ropata, Kemp, and Topia, they will be placed under bail of the friendly chiefs. Six, however, of the most dangerous characters and ringleaders have had their sentences com • muted to imprisonment with hard labor for life, and will, it is believed, be immediately sent to Dunedin, to be placed in the gaol there. We are informed that the Whakatohea prisoners who were located at Opotiki a few months ago have already several hundred acres in crop, and are conducting themselves most satisfactorily ; moreover, they entertain, as do all the Uriweras, the bitterest hostility to the King party, for having been the means of leading them into trouble, and finally causing the breaking up of their tribe. It is a satisfactory sign that the Government consider that these men can be sent to keep them company ; and that it can be safely asserted that the chances of our being again involved in hostilities on the East Coast are diminishing day by day.

On the West Coast the extension of the telegraph to Opunake is already exercising a beneficial effect. When the natives come to understand that it dues not "eat " their land—that it does not " take away their food " —that it is not, in short, the dreadful thing they supposed it to be—opposition to it quickly subsides. The following messages (translated) have been placed at our disposal, and will be read with interest: KAHTTIKAEABEHE TO THE NATIVE MINISTER.

Opunake, July 17th, 1871. To Mb, M'Lean, —Salutations to you. We Bend this to express our gratification that this great property of the European—the telegraph —has reached Taranaki. We have admired this good thing—the telegraph; and th« women and children, and also the men of this place, have seen this new wealth I send you my thanks by the wire. Do you send me an answer to my expression of approval of your great property —the telegraph, Kahuikababehe, Nephew of Wiremu Kingi Matakatea. the native minister to eahuikababehe. Friend, Salutation, — It is right that you should welcome this new wealth. You have seen its meaning (or intention). Untie the cords which lie across its road, that it may proceed to its destination to convey all the news of the world, from here and from there, and from all lands. Wi Tako and I are much pleased with your letter. D. M'Lean.