LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

Southland Times, Issue 737, 16 October 1867, Page 3

LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

The following is taken from the latest Northern journals : — THE THAMES GOLEPIELD. A great deal of excitement has prevailed at the Thames goldfield, in consequence of a rumored hostile gathering of Hauhau natives in the Upper Thames, with the view of attacking the diggers. The Eesident Magistrate, Mr Lawlor, acting in Mr Mackay's absence, felt it to be his duty to write at once to the agent of the Q-eneral Government, apprising him of the report, and asking for .250 stand of arms and ammunition. Dr Pollen, instead of complying with this request determined to go down to the Thames and ascertain the facts for himself. Major Von Tempsky was previously present to keep the panic from spreading by his advice and example : and it proves that the alarm has been altogether groundless. Prom information derived from Natives who are thoroughly acquainted with the whole circumstances, the Southern Cross is enabled to state precisely what led to the fright, and to the demand : for arms which has been so properly refused. Our contemporary sa y S .__« lt will be remembered that Mr Mackay extended, or wished to extend, the ground which might be prospected, up to Hikutaia, but in consequence of some doubts as to the disposition of the Natives in that quarter, we believe he did not wish the diggers to go close up to 'the boundary line. A chief at Hikutaia, Te Herewini, of Ngatimaru, proiessedly a Queenite, but associating and sympathising a good deal with the King party, wrote a letter to Tawhiao and to the 'potis,' or committees of the King tribes, couched in very strong language, giving over his land at Hikutaia to the charge of the King, and asking the Hauhau ' potis' to come down and assist him. This letter was despatched to Matutaera, but Te Hira, hearing of it, determined to stop it, saying that it would afford the more violent of the King party an excuse for coming down to the Thames, and creating disturbances. The messenger was therefore stopped near Ohinemuri, and the letter taken from him. Shortly after, several Europeans made their way up to Ohinemuri. Te Hira said to Te Moauanui, ' You are of that side ; take care of these Europeans, by sending them back again.' This was done, and the Europeans were sent back to Kaueranga. Another thing which has caused excitement amongst the King party is the talk that has been amongst the Queenite Ngatihauas about opening their land to the Afoha. Mountain; and a third, a statement which has been circulated amongst them that Mr Clarke, of Tauraiiga, was going to send the surveyors to Katikati and Te Pun;i. All these matters tended to agitate the King. Natives in the Upper Thames and beyond, and meetings have been held to ' whakatakoto tikanga,' or devise measures for their future conduct. The have no idea at all of making any attack upon the prospectors." SUCCESSFUL EEBEL SAID AT OPOTIKI. The correspondent of the Southern Gross at Opotiki describes a successful rebel raid by the Maoris in that district. It appears that a blockhouse is now being erected near the "Waioeka, and the rebels, watching their opportunity, entered it, carried off the tools, &c, and burned part of the timber which was to be used in the erection. The correspondent: writes, Sept. 23rd:— "We had beg-un to fancy ourselves secure from any further predatory vjsits from our sable enemies^ and were consequently a little surprised on the 12th inst., about eight o'clock, to observe in. the direction of the Waioeka unt»istakeabl9 signs of some large conflagration. It was surmised that the whares in the redoubt were on fire, some rifle shots had also been heard a short time .previous, and there was a bare possibility that the Maoris had again venturea to attack. A body of cavalry, with the Major, proceeded immediately to ascertain the particulars, whilst the Militia fell in and were ordered to remain on the parade ground, until the return of an orderly with orders for their future disposal. About nine o'clock, the cavalry returned with the intelligence that the Maoris had entered the blockhouse (now in course of erection) ; carried off nearly all the tools, together with two kegs of nails, and before leaving had piled all the spare timber against the walls, and : set the bullet-proof building ; on fire. On account of its being filled, however, between the lining and weatherboards with gravel, the fire did not take such an effect on it as it otherwise would, but sufficient damage has been done to remind us that they are still prowling about. A picquet of some fifteen men are now stationed at the blockhouse, which' is only aboUt a ' mile and a half from the redoubt. Since the above little excitement, the. /weather has proved so invitftig that most of our ifcj pending settlers are e,ithe? fenein^ plaat> fog, $v ploughing tUeip $$W\

THE TATTBANGA NATIVES. j The Tauranga correspondent" of the journal quoted above writes that he xsan j seen see no reason to modify the opinion he expressed in his last letter as to the threatening aspect of the natives in the Bay of Plenty. One of the causes of the agitation amongst the King Maoris in the Upper. Thames was an intimation that had been received that the surveyors would soon be sent to Katikati. This Tauranga" letter gives us the fact that there has been some talk about the matter at Te Papa. The Katikati block is more exposed to the excursions of- the hostile natives than the land in the Tauranga district, from, vvhich the sur- . veyors were driven last year. Penetaka, who is as determined as ever, is resident with his people at. Te Whakamarama. It is said that the horse of 'the man Lewis, found dead lately on the beach between Tauranga and Maketu. bears the mark of a bullet wound, and this has given rise to the suspicion that Lewis has been murdered. The fact is not confirmed,: however. The only place from which danger could come is Hakaraia's old place, Te Puke, or Canaan ; but we have not'heard of its being re-occupied by the hostile . natives.