AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 91, 13 June 1846, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

In the New Zealander of April 25th, (the latest from Auckland) the Editor indulges in a long complaint of the want of communication, during the Governor's absence, between that place and Port Nicholson, and suggests thd,t in the present state of the Colony, a weekly communication could be kept up between the two places by means of the Driver. The settlers in the North have now had practical experience of a grievance which we have so long had reason to complain of, the want of communication between the nominal Capital of the Colony and the great body of the settlers in Cook's Strait. As long as the Governor of the Colony confined himself to Auckland, this matter never gave them any concern, it is only when the tables are turned and, unlike his pi edecessors, Capt. Grey endeavours as far as his duties will allow, to divide his time equally between the different settlements, that the settlers at the North feel any uneasiness on the subject. We may observe that though the communication from Port Nicholsou to Auckland is frequent, yet we seldom or never hear direct from Auckland except by the Government Brig, or some other vessel chartered by Government. The last opportunity was by the Judith, now six weeks since. We have made the followin_- extract relating to the native war at the North :—: — Natives. — In the native war, about one month since, between the Ngatitipa and the Ngatipou tribes, several chiefs and their relatives were slain on both sides, and among the allies of the latter tribe, — the Ngatiteata, Te Ropiha, a nephew of Kawau, chief of the N gatiwatua tribe, at present resident at Hokao and Orakei, was killed. During the last fortnight, the Ngatiwatua went to Mauukau, intending to cross the ffiSfrbtkfe -ifiithe ground where the battle was fought, in onter>3s they declared, merely to fetch the body of their relative, an ( dc"oHV¥y^t to Orakei for interment. The Waikato tribes of Ngatitipa, Ngatimahuta, Ngatitamaoho, &c, entertained opinions that the visit of the Ngatiwatua was hostile, and to demand utu, or satisfaction for the death of Te Ropiha, and they assembled in numbers on the southern shore of Manukao, and threatened that if the Ngatiwatuas attempted to cross, that they would meet them midway in the harbour, and destroy them. By the persuasion of Wetere and"J*bfez Bun*irigV the Ng-jtiwatuas desisted from their purpose, and leaVing* Their large war canoes on the beach, near Oneunga, as pledge of their desiie apparently, to preserve peace and friendly connexion with the Waikato tribes, they departed for Orakei and Hokao. But on their return, in revenge for the conduct of the Waikato tribes, they placed a tapu on all the roads, leading from the interior through their district, into Auckland. The Waikato tribes during the last week, heaiing of the scarcity okpork in Auckland, have driven in numbers of pigs. On their arrival at the spot under tapu, three pigs were taken by the Ngatiwatua, as a penalty for breaking the tapu. The Waikato, enraged at this conduct, did not, by force, resibt the seizure of the pigs ; but have returned to their own country, threatening vengeance, by immediate return with all their friends, to expel the Ngatiwatua tribe wholly from their present abode to Kaipara. Orakei and Hokoa are not the rightful inheritance of the Ngatiwatua, but they dwell there by sufferance from Te Whero-wero, and other Waikato chiefs. The occupation of that valuable spot so near the town of Auckland, has long been the jealous envy of the Waikato people, and now that they have been so insulted, as to furnish plausible plea for possession of their lands, there is no doubt whatever, but they will promptly avail themselves of it. The elder chiefs cf the Ngatiwatua, — Kawau, Tinana, Kaipuke, &c, disclaim any participation in laying on the fa/v, ascribing it to the younger chiefs, and they have appealed to Te Whero-wero, to interfere, and prevent hostile collision. However desirous the latter sensible, peaceable chief may be, to promote such result, we very much doubt, whether he will

be able to restrain the restless, warlike spirits of Young New Zealand. — New Zealandcr, 25th April.