NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1275, 5 July 1870, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

W Wbllin&toh*, June 27th. The trial of the Maori prisoners commenced to-day. Captain Handley, formerly of the Armed Constabulary, published in the Advertiser some notes on the East Coast campaign, reflecting on Colonel M'Donnell. The latter replied in a letter to the APost, accusing Captain Handley of falsehood and cowardice. Captain Handley has commenced an action for libel against Colonel M'Donnell. and threatens to take criminal proceedings against the Post, unless an apology is made by it. June 28. The following letter from Waikaremoaha, bas just been received by Government by telegraph from Hawke's Bay : — Matuahu Pa, June 23, 1870. Sir, — I have the honoT to acknowledge the receipt" of yonr letters, dated 19th instant, which arrived last night. My despatch of the 19th will have informed you that the Native rumor that Te Kooti was then at Maungarereroi was not correct. Since then, finding that the Hauhaus did not come in accordance to promise, we proceeded in the boat and two canoes to Maungarereroi and Kereheretau. At the former place we found four men and a woman, but the latter was deserted. One of the men, Hori (who had visited me at Matuahu with Makarini) informed us that the bulk of them had retired into the bush, being afraid to come in until the return of Makarini, who had gone to Ruatahuna, and from there intended to proceed to Maungapowhautia, not only to bring his own people in but also to try and induce all the rest to surrender. As the capture of these few insignificant people would not advance the end in view, we allowed them as a matter of policy to remain at large at Maungarerewi, leaving them a few. canoes to bring their people in, but brought away the five-oared whale-boat, and all the rest of their canoes, one or two -".ycsry large ones. Toori, on. being -asked to come in to Matuahu Pa, said he would rather wait until the arrival of Makarini ; but he and the rest would move up to Tiki Tiki the next day, leaving a. letter at Maungarerewi to tell the resfTtO come in. This they did, and yesterday I went over there and had a long "Korero" with them.. Orie of them^ Tawhai (a fine young fellow), informed me that he had been with Te Kooti, to Mohaka, Taupo, the King's place, Pototere, and in the fight between Mair arid them, arid back to Ruatuhuna, where he left him. As to Te Kooti's present strength he had a very vague _idea._„ Te Waru's strength when he left here, was about thirty, and he went with ' the avowed intention of joining Te Kooti. He gave me a full account of the whole •affair, from Mohaka right round. He Viays that Te Kooti has "Teturuki" branded on his right arm — an old family name. From the information of Paora ! Kunaku who left Te Kooti about five weeks ago,, his present strength is fifty men, and he is still, I believe, at Waioeka. . Hori says that he expects Makarini to return the early part of next week. You willbe pleased to accept all this information and these promises of surrender _ under reservation, as although the general opinion of the chiefs of my party is that the Uriweras intend to surrender, yet still we are of course suspicious and do not like to have to state anything as being _ actually., an accomplished fact which might possibly have to be contradicted in the next despatch; under these cirf cumstances I have determined ta temporise for a few days. I believe that Makarini is sincere m his statement that ;he himself and his people will come in, 'but in the present state of affairs here the arrival of Te Kooti would alter . entirely the complexion of things, but .even should this take place we are quite _ prepared for this . alternative, and I may add that with regard totheNgatipawahera and the Ngatihus, I believe they would ' greatly prefer fighting to peace negotia- ; tions, and you may rest assured that should Te Kooti come here he will meet ' with a warm reception. Our only fear was that inspirited by his presence they nvght attempt to cut off some unfortunate orderly or convoy in our rear. This would throw a greater check on the spirits of our men than ten men being killed in open fight. But now I think all fear of this is over, as we are virtually in possession of the whole lake and most of the canoes. I have motr not shifted from here, as this is the most commanding position on the lake, but our canoes and boats are daily scouring all the different cultivations, from which prisoners are being brought in here every hour in the day. From the almost fabulous amount of potatoes round this lake, it is evident that this was intended to be the dernier resort of Te Kooti and his followers, as the quantity we have already got and destroyed would keep a thousand men for twelve months. Yesterday, part of our " fleet " went round the Wairu and Maru Lakes—where there are a great many cultivations. I have communicated the contents of your despatch to the chiefs of my party, and they are all highly gratified at the terms in which their services are spoken of by the Government ; at the same time, with regard to the surrender of Hapurona, they say that this should come by way of Wairoa, as no lasting peace will be made r~until this is done — until he comes to them, and the wounds he has inflicted are healed, they will still feel themselves the aggrieved party. Unless I have anyi thing definite to report, I shall not send ; down. specially again, as the few mounted . men at present in the Wairoa have had rather hkrd work for their horses. lately. ,- I hope to be able in my next to inform you that Makarini has returned, but this wfll.not be.for a vreek. In the meantime we shall scour the Lake, and collect or ,destroy all their provisions. I have the honor to be, Sir, : "' Your most obedient servant, F. E. Hamldt,