NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 584, 29 October 1866, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

(From the " Southern Cross," Ootober 3.) On Monday last we stated that a large meeting of natives had been held at the Thames, and we have since received some further particulars of the proceedings Although our information is derived almost entirely from natives, we have no hesitation in asserting its correctness. Thompson was present, with a number of "Waikato chiefs ; Te Hira was the leading chief present of that section of the Thames natives who are believed to- have warlike tendencies ; and the inland tribes were mostly represented, even to the Urewera. None of the Ngatimaniapotos attended the meeting. Thompson and Te Hira addressed the meeting at length, strongly urging peace and quietness as the best policy at the present time for the Maoris. Natives from the Firth of Thames, who left before the meeting was held, reported that the "Waikatos had sent to the Upper Thames to ascertain how many men and guns could be mustered there; but, whither that was the case or not, the more recent and authentic intelligence as to the meeting is quiie rea ;suring. Nothing of importance, so far as we can learn, has occurred at Tauranga since the stoppage of the survey there, ■which we reported some years ago. The arrangement as to the land surrendered was unfortunately left by the Government in an unsatisfactory state, and the natives appear to have been under the impression that the "Wairoa was not to be crossed ; hence the stoppage of the surveyors when they passed that river. Te Hira, who held forth in such a peaceful strain at the Thames, is said to have urged the Pirirakau and others to put a stop to the survey beyond the Wairoa, on the ground that the Government had no right to that land. If the natives are in the right, let the survey beyond the Wairoa be put an end to by all means. From Waikato, we learn that the exodus of the friendly natives who have been located within our settlements still continues to the districts beyond onr line. Some of the natives of Lower Waikato, who are in town, say that this is a sign of war, and that the Government should supply them with more guns • but upon

any pretest they are ready to make sue a request. Of course, any statement a to the future, even by those bes acquainted with native affairs, can b little better than a mere guess ; we wil therefore abstain from speculating. In conclusion, we may advert to ; rumour that prevailed in town 0] Tuesday, to the effect that such was th< nature of the intelligence that ha< reached the Government, that thefurthe embarkation of troops was to be stopped We believe this rumor is entirely withou foundation, and that not the slightes change has been made in the arrangement; already entered into.