PROGRESS TO THE NATIVE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 1169, 2 June 1869, Page 3

PRO GRES S TO TH E NATIVE WAR.

(From tbe ' Wellington Independent,' May 13) The war still drags its weary and pain- ' ful length, occasionally bounding with ■ galvanic life from one Coast to the other, ' and otherwise flitting about like an ignis fatuus. No sooner was t^e once dreaded Titoko War'u unearthed and hunted from every stronghold and retreat in the p»t©a, ' and his once powerful force scattered to the four winds, than Te Kooti,- who was supposed to have been finally disposed of at his eagle's eyrie on Ngatapa, than he 1 suddenly reappears in force in the neighbourhood of the friendly village of Mohaka, and perpetrated another most foul massacre. At Mohaka was displayed by the Haub.au the cunning and ferocity of the wolf, while the friendlies in the beleaguered pa exhibited on indomitable fortitude and heroism that reminds one .of the " Maid of Saragossa." Since then j we have had news of the arch rebel's death ; but it is hard to reconcile ourselves to the belief. Some of those Mnori chiefs appear to be endued with as many lives as the fabled water serpent had heads ; besides the Maoris always manage to enwrap their losses with such a veil of obscurity that it is difficult to arrive at the exact truth. The latest accounts from the theatre of war represent Colonel "Whitinore, pressing into the Uriwera country, where, it is supposed by many Te Kooki haa taken refuge. Latterly public opinion has been tolerably calm regarding the war operations, and the conviction seems to be gaming ground that, although we have not done much, we are doing all that is possible under the circumstances, and are working out our destiny with a gloomy doggedness, which is partly pictured in the fine— " The day drags through, though storms keep out the sun." A sort if grim satisfaction is felt that whatever cost — let humanity be shocked or not — the war must be dealt with now and for ever. There is no othef help for it. Time and events will demonstrate how. The present tactics of Colonel Whitmore are of grave importance in many ways ; but we fully endorse the step. He is about forcing his way into tlio almost impenetrable fastnesses of a wild hill tribe, who, confident is the inaccessible nature of their country, have always maintained a sullen hostility t O o weak in nu Tiber's and influence to create any extengive rising, but ever seizing every opportunity to send out I murdering and predatory bands, besides affording a refuge for all outlaws or bands of desperadoes driven from elsewhere. Having witnessed and taken part in so many deeds of blood and rapine during the intermittent wars of the colony, and having so long enjoyed a perfect im nunity from European attack, they have become correspondingly arrogant, and indulge in all the bombast of the savage. To follow Te ICooti in this countTv would ba a powerful intimidation to Maoris in future. They must be brought to book. Now that Colonel Whitmore has had considerable experience of Maori tactics, besides having his constabulary force well in hand, he will no doubt soon be able to give a food account of these saucy hill men. After the Colonel's departure from the [ West Coast, he enjoyed a pleasant diversion from the grim visage of war. He went and shook hands with his Auckland friends, and partook of the usual courtesies of English and colonial life. They dined and drank together, and made complimentary speeches praising each other very neatly. The Colouel flattered the Auckland people by telling them that they were the best judges of how the war should be conducted, and reminded them of, their dashing conduct during the Waikato war ; at the same time, while alluding to the spirit of detraction so rife amongst the press, he drew a modest comparison be- ! tween himself and General Cameron.