CHANGED ATTITUDE OF THE WAIKATO NATIVES.

Patea Mail, 7 June 1881, Page 3

CHANGED ATTITUDE OF THE WAIKATO NATIVES.

EUROPEANS ORDERED OFF.The Waikato Mail of the Ist June, gives the following particulars relative to the driving of European cattle on the other side of the confiscated land at Kiliikihi ; Kihikihi, 8 p.in.—The cattle belonging to Tolc, at Ngamoko, have been driven off the land by the natives. The natives have driven off A. Ross’s cattle ; also Tolo’s, last evening. When Rewi was questioned, by Tawhiao why he received money from the Government, he said it was for his arm, and that he never received money for rent. The natives are coming in freely to Punui, on their way to Kukui. Manga (Rewi) is ordered there at once. All Palceha-Maoris are ordered off. There are a great lot of natives from Hikurangi and Punui. There is to be a fresh lot left there in place of Manga’s tribe. Manga has to hand the Grown Grant back, and the money, if any was received, and to pay for the fencing that is done across the boundary run, from which Ross’s cattle have been driven off. It is situated on the south side of the Punui river. The Waikato Mail , referring to the above, observes the Maori King movement is again becoming aggressive. Its aggressiveness has not yet assumed a phase calculated to excite alarm, but it would he folly to attempt to ignore the importance of the intelligence from Kihikihi. The gist of the matter is that the natives are expelling Europeans across the confiscated boundary, and that Tawhiao, or Natutuera, as he was re-proclaimed at the recent Hikurangi meeting, will endeavour to coerce Rewi, with a view to completely isolating him from European

influence and sympathy, A move has been made in'the direction bf reviving and consolidating the power and authority of the Maori King, and the leading promoters feel sufficiently strong to make, another endeavour, to stay the inevitable march of civilisation and progress of settlement. The particulars published of the proceedings at Hikurangi are derived from fact. They were supplied with express sanction of Rewi, Te Whanuui, and Te Kotoru. The result of the meeting is that representatives of several influential tribes, including Ngatimaru, Ngatipoa, Ngatimahitira, Ngatilianauga, Ngatimana, and a section of the Ngapubi, have formally handed over control of their lands to the Maori King, and that a new “akauti ” over the boundary has been laid down, within which no lands are to be sold or leased, or roads and railways constructed ; that Kingites newspaper be revived and the old policy of isolation and passive resistance re-established.