THE PATEA.—A BOLD STROKE.

Southland Times, Issue 704, 2 August 1867, Page 3

THE PATEA.— A BOLD STROKE.

(From the " Wanganui Times," July 20.) In our last issue we intimated that Leiut.-Colonel M'Donnell with eighty men crossed the Patea river at eight o'clock' on Tuesday night. "We now leave our Patea correspondent to give his brief account of the result : — Paiea, 17th July, 1 p.m. The expedition has returned, Colonel M'Douneil, Capt, Gumming, mi M?

Booth, Native Eesident Magistrate, entered the enemy's camp at two o'clock last night, oi rather this morning, unarmed. The natives met them in a very friendly way, and then followed a long discussion. They objected to the sur r veys being proceeded with, but when M'Donnell quietly directed attention to the eighty armed men lying at a distance and suggested his usual alternative, they gradually cooled down, altered theirviews, and agreed that the surveys should be at once proceeded with. Then followed a friendly Tcorero, and M'Donnell and his 'unarmed companions Tejoined their men and returned to camp, after a long night's march. Thus, by a firm and unflinching stroke of diplomacy, blood-shed has been prevented, and the surveys will be quietly proceeded with. I trust this will be in time for your next issue. That was certainly a bold and yet prudent stroke of policy on the part of M'Donnell. He must have known his men, and the confidence which they reposed in him, or he would never have ventured into their camp at 2 o'clock in the morning, unarmed, leaving his men at a distance. We still say that if those men have had promises made them by Mr Parris, (which they said when here thev had) then the Government should inquire into the case and fulfil the engagement, however unwisely entered into. It is only by keeping faith that M'Donnell has gained the confidence of those men. Time after time he has attacked them ; fought them, and inflicted heavy punishment, but invariably gave them timely warning. As fighting men they respect a man who acts thus, but false promises and deceptive arguments drive them to rebellion. Let us hope that this lesson will not be lost upon the Government. RUSSELL. FIGHT BETWEEN TWO HAPTTS OF THE NGAPUHI TRIBE — SEVEN" MEN KILLED AND MANY WOUNDED. July 12. — Some weeks ago two hapus of the Ngapuhi tribe had a dispute about a piece of land in the neighborhood of Waimate, and had a hostile meeting (I don't know whether I can call it a fight) on the subject, at which no damage was done, beyond breaking an old musket. Mr Williams, E.M., endeavored to make peace between them, and thought he had succeeded, but yesterday and the day before they met again, and were either more in earnest or took better aim, for report says that seven men were killed and several more weunded. lam unable at present to give the names, or any further particulars ; but I believe what I have told you may be relied upon as a fact. I have nothing else to tell you just at present.