NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1202, 28 January 1870, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

Napieh, January 21. Colonel M'Donnell left Tapuaehararu on the 18th for Patea. He has arranged to meet Kemp and Topia at Waimahana. The Ariwea tribe is gathering at Botorua. Communication is open between Cambridge and Tapuaehararu. Mr M'Lean is at Tauranga. Commodore Lambert has received instructions from Home, to give every assistance in his power to the colony. Jan. 22. Colonel McDonnell's force reached Waimahawa, near the Patetere country, on the 20th. Topia and Kemp, with 370 men, reached there the same day. The whole force advanced on the 21st. M'Donnell is in communication with M'Lean at Tauranga. A body of Arawas Is advancing upon Patetere by way of Purakau. Colonel Frazer and his force advance by Wakamarama. These movements are made in concert with M'Donnell. Te Kooti has attacked a Ngatiraukawa settlement called Kokano, near Tapapa, and captured the people, except two men, who carried the news to Botoanga. *:■*-:. Wellington, Jan. 19, - The Government telegrams from Messrs M'Lean and Ormond to-day are reassuring as to the attitude of the King party. Kooti is not really supposed to be so near Tauranga as reported. Three hundred men have been enrolled at the Thames ready to assist in operations against him if required. Kemp, Topia, and M'Donnell are about to unite their forces in pursuit. Mr Fox writes from Manawatu that all opposition to the survey has been withdrawn. Matini Ty Whiwhi writes to Mr Gisborne to the same effect ; also, that a meeting of all the King Natives in the province will be held at Wairarapa in February, to consider the question of openly acknowledging the Queen's supremacy. 1 Jan. 20th. Te Kooti is at Tupapa, only a distance of sixteen miles from Tauranga. Twentyfour families have come in from that district. The Cambridge Militia has been called out. Tauranga has been reinforced by fifty Thames Volunteers. Twenty of Te Kooti's men are at Ohinemuri. A telegram states that 200 Ngatimaniapotos under Bewi are in pursuit of Te Kooti. The hon. Mr M'Lean telegraphs from Tauranga that a telegram was received yesterday from Mr Firth, who is on his run at Matamata, twelve miles from Te Kooti's position. Mr Firth says Te Kooti had beard of the alarm among the Friendlies and the Europeans which his presence had created, but they are not to be afraid, as he does not intend to break the peace made by William Thompson. Telegrams were received yesterday afternoon*- «tafeing- -that Te Kooti had invited Mr Firth to meet him at Thompson's monument. Mr Firth tells the Government that he will go. Mr.Branigan and the Superintendent firmly demanded the Government to prevent the meeting. The Edith has gone to Tauranga to fetch Mr M'Lean. A great indignation meeting is proposed. The particulars of the murder of John Lyons are to hand. He was erecting a fence at Orakau, when a native stole his coat off the fence. He was pursued by Lyons, and in a scuffle the native tomahawked Lyons, stripped his body, and threw it in the river. At the inquest, a verdict of wilful murder was returned against a native named Kiha Boa, who, it is suspected, has joined Te Kooti. Great disappointment is felt at the intimation that the Squadron will only stay two clear days here, as a three days' programme had been arranged. Many persons have already sustained a heavy loss by its putting into Lyttelton unexpectedly. Mr Kolleston has been telegraphed to by the Keception Committee and the Government, to use his influence to induce the Admiral to remain three days. Nelson, Jan. 20. The Auckland papers state that Mr Firth telegraphed on the 17th to the authorities in Auckland, that he had received from TeKooti anoffer of surrender to the Government on condition of protection. The authorities telegraphed in reply that they would acceptno surrender from Te Kooti unless it was entirely unconditional. Jan. 22. Auckland news to the 20th has been received. "There are conflicting statements in the papers about Te Kooti, but it appears certain that he offered to surrender conditionally, and the Government; refused. Mr Frith saw Te Kooti, who said he considered the time for figh*ting had ceased. If the Pakeha wo aid let him alone he would cease killing, and would settle down quietly and cultivate at Tapapa with Hataraia. He wants bygones to be bygones, but if jumped on from all sides he will fight. He wished to see "His friend" M'Lean, and talk. Te Kooti followed this up by writing a telegram for Dr Pollen in substance as above. In the telegram Te Kooti alludes to his being hemmed in. The Cross says Te Kooti has been driven by our arms to his present position, and that the King remains neutral in order to keep the fighting off his land. The King in effect says, "Do not attack Kooti on my land ; I want peace." and to Te Kooti lie says, " Leave my district ; do no evil in it." The Thames Times says the Hauhaus have left the Upper Thames; it is supposed to join Te Kooti. Bopata, a friendly chief, having sent for Europeans, a lot of diggers went to help in defending him against Te Kooti. Vague rumors are current about Te Kooti's intentions. He is still at Tapapa. Some think he will enter Ohinemuri, in which case our forces will follow. The country there is open. The papers condemn the withdrawal of troops.