LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

Southland Times, Issue 1066, 2 December 1868, Page 5

LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

The following northern intelligence is taken from the Otago papers : — "Wellington, Nov. 24. The Auckland Press are discussing the propriety of holding a public meeting. The ' Southern Cross' deprecates " it, saying thab no part of the colony doubts their sympathy with the sufferers, and their indignation at such a massacre as that at Poverty Bay. Mere declamation might only embarrass those in authority ; and suggests as something new and practicable that a number of the attendants at any such meeting should [ volunteer to join in the work of punish-

ing aggression and restoring order. There is nothing' decisive from the Waikato. War has not so tar come upda ; us there, but danger is threatening; A large number of Natives have ■ been assembling, but why, is not known. Mr Serancke, E.M., telegraphs from Alexandra— lmmense excitement amongst the King Natives beyond the Aukati or King's boundary, in consequence of the present state of affairs, but a strong party deprecate any disturbance at the Waikato. Hetit, a settler who has long lived within the King's boundary, has been warned off. More than half a column of the latest issue of the ' Southern Cross ' consists of exciting information, and an attempt at proving that the information cannot be true. The steamer Tauranga had visited Tauranga and other portions of the East Coast, having been chartered by the Government for the conveyance of Mr ! Mackay and others on a tour of inspection. At Tauranga, consequent on the fewness of the men, the redoubts have been reduced in size. Mr Mackay has held meetings of the Chiefs, who expressed their unabated loyalty. . :^-'' On the recommendation of a deputation from the settlers at Grate Pah, 20 men have been placed on pay to garrison, the redoubt there as a place of refuge in case of attack. The force at Tauranga now consists of 21 men at the Monmouth redoubt ; 20 at Gate Pah; and 12 ...at Pye's Pah 5 total, 53. It is believed that these, together with the Eriendly natives, will be amply sufficient to prevent a repetition of the Mate Whero tragedy. Lieutenant Grundry has enrolled a force of 50 Arawaa for service at Wanganui, and it was deemed quite safe to take them on to Auckland en route. The steamer proceeded from thence to Opotiki. That settlement has been visited with a disastrous flood a few days previously, and 20 men had been placed ' on pay to repair the damages occasioned. The Natives everywhere were quiet, and there appeared to be no indication anywhere of immediate danger. Both at Opotiki and Turanga the inhabitants were in blissful ignorance of the occurrences at Poverty Bay. It is intended to keep the Arawas at Auckland for some time, for the purpose of drilling them and afterwards to ; send them to Patea, or wherever they are most required. The new from Taupo and the other inland settlements is reported to be satisfactory ; but the Hauhaus are said to have driven off a lot of sheep from Captain St. George's run. In fact, under-lying all the satisfactosy reports there is more or less a feeling of uneasiness. Thus the very latest in reference to the Waikato states that 25 Constabulary had been dispatched to Hamilton by Cobb's coach and by jfsteainer. "We have been . informed," says the ' Southern Cross, " that the sending of this reinforcement to the Waikato is only precautionary, and that no immediate fears are entertained of an outbreak, Prevention is better than cure ; and as the Natives are just now in a very unsettled state, and are likely to be elated by their recent. : success, it is as well to be prepared for a sudden attack. The only thing we have heard of which makes us feel apprehensive is, that Louis Hetit, who lived on the Waipa all throngh the Waikato war, and lias since been living within the Aukati. has been warned to leave. It is said, however, that this has been done because Hetit had had some disagreement with the chiefs of the King party." ' And, again, it states: — "The district to which we believe there is the greatest danger is Opotiki, Two or three days would take Te Kooti and his men from Poverty Bay to Opotiki, where there is but a small force. What renders it most likely that Opotiki will be the place to which the natives will turn their attention, is the fact that the TTriwsras, whose assistance To Kooti has doubtless obtained, have claims on the land that has been confiscated there. A small force of Arawas is now stationed at Ohuira on confiscated land, and we believe there is great danger of an attack there." It is openly stated in town to-day that the purport of the despatches from Colonel Haultain to Mr Stafford, • received on Sunday, was to inform the Government that the reports brought in by natives and others had led to the belief that a general rising was imminent. Mr Williamson has been on a visit to the Upper Thames, endeavoring to have . it opened to miners. The natives were insolent, and snubbed him. . The latest news is that the Eapatas cut down the Queen's flag, and hoisted the King's. The ' Southern Cross' says :— •' The war party who were said to have assembled near the Waikato, are reported to muster over 1000, but very likely this is an exaggeration. It is pretty evident that the more violent of the Kingites are attaining a degree of power which the King himself and Tamati Ngapora cannot control. This is a great crisis, and the next news may be that the settlers have been driven from Kihikihi or Te Awamutu. We believe that Dr Pollen has taken every possible measure that can be adopted in the emergency to give security to the Waikatos. It is significant of the state of affairs that although the 300 recruits for whom the Government called some time ago have, been obtained and despatched to the seat of Avar, recruiting still goes on, and there appears to be a demand for a body of men equal to, if not in excess of the number who may offer. Yesterday, we observed bills posted in various conspicuous places about the town, calling for more recruits, the terms being the same as those offered to the men already en- j listed, viz., 5s a day and a suit "of clothes.