THE NATIVE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 1172, 7 June 1869, Page 5

THE NATIVE WAR.

! (From the 'Wellington Independent,' May 13) The war still drags its weary and painful 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 Pat'ea, and his once powerful force scattered to the four winds, than Te Koofci, who was supposed to have been finally disposed of at his eagle's eyrie on Ngatapa, than he 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 Hauhau 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 Saragassa/ 5 - Since then we have had news of the arch rebel's death ; but it is hard to reconcile ourselves to the belief. Some of those Maori chiefs appear to be endued with as many lives as the fabled water serpent had beads ; 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 o-epreseat Colonal Whitmore, pressing into the tjriwera country, where, it is supposed by many Te Kooki has taken refuge^ Latterly public opinion has been tolerably calm regarding the war operations, and the conviction seems to' 'be gaining 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 doggedoess, which, is partly pictured in the line — " The day drags through though storms-keep out the sun." A sort )f 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 other . 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 the almost impenetrable fastnesses of a wild hill tribe, who, confident is the inaccessible nature of their country, have always maintained a sullen hostility too weak in numbers and influence to create any extensive rising, but ever 'seizing every opportunity to send out 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 immunity from European attack, they have become correspondingly arrogant, and indulge in all the bombast of the savage.. To follow Te Kooti in this country would be 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 good account of these saucy hill men. After the Colonel's departure from the West Coast, he enjoyed a pleasaut 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-compli-mentary speeches praising eachother very neatly'. The Colonel flattered the Auckland people by telling ithem that they were the best judges of how the war should be conducted, and reminded them off 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 between himself and G-eneral Cameron.