AUCKLAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 281, 13 February 1862, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

; THE WAIKATOS. (from our own correspondent.) • - : , r Waipa, Jan. 27, 18G2. Tlie. ,r^marlcs.. published in the New Y.eaiqii&exi relative to tlie natives in this district,are calculated to create a false impression; _ and, however .unpalatable the truth .may he, it is better 'to know the exact state of affairs than to be lulled into, a false" state of security. Things are hot going' on so smoothly as have beeftmepresented ; and as far as I am ablet-o glean ftom the natives, the policy of our esteemed Governor is not assented to'by-them, neither-is it at present likely to be. ' One fact spealcs for itself. Mr. Fox, the Colonial' Secretary, on his late visit, used every diligence to secure an interview with the chief W illiam Thompson, aiid tbs so-called Maori king. Both declined receiving him ; so you will perceive he met with no better treatment than'the poor rejected ‘ third-class clerk,’ so contemptuously referred to by • Mr. Fox, who was' deputed to visit this district on, a former occasion by the late ministry. . ' I wots,;;.in conversation the other day with a very' influential chief, as to the probability oh a war at the south, and lie informbth-me-'that should fighting take place' down there' the Wailcatos would assist them. Still, I think many would not go, unless an attempt was made to take land which has not been sold to the government. . The feet of the soldiers being stationed at Maungatawhiri will have a wholesome effect of keeping them at home, let the cause of quarrel be what it may. -My opinion is, and always has been, that they must be thrashed first, and then treated with firmness and justice afterwards-'and sooner or later, do what our Governor may, this course must be adopted. The natives talk of sending our new Commissioner away, but I scarcely think they will attempt any harsh measures, though they will not allow him to interfere .-with tlieir laws. The-Chnvch of England missionaries ; are "fast'doling their influence over the natives’ attached to the king, and th ey have, signified them intention of sending them out of the district in case of war, retaining only the Rev. A. Read, Mfeipa. —SduiMrii -Cross, Feb. 4.

Murderous attack on Dr. Neill, of THE ; 65tii.— In our- last we stated that#*;? gentleman liad been attacked by two alien of Captain Mercer’s troop of the/Royal Artillery, and stabbed. The wound, we are glad to learn, was not so deadly as: rumour at first described it to be, but Dr. Neill is still in a precarious state, although-there is no apprehension of his. death. It appears that on Wed-uesday-eyening last lie was met by three men when returning to the Otaliuliu camp, who knocked him down and took about A'4 and his gold watch from him. When..lying on the ground, Dr. Neill pulled the handkerchief off the face of the liian who was kneeling over him, for the purpose of his identification. The man said, “ I will take care that you never give evidence against me,” and stabbed the unfortunate gentleman in the left side, but providentially above the heart. The three miscreants then ran away." A soldier of the Gsth shortly afteiuyards' passed where Dr. Neill was lying, .and lie, requested him to get assistance, and go after his assailants. This man speedily procured help from liis own regiment, and a corporal and a few men kept them in view, following them up to the camp of the 70th regiment, and into the tents of the Royal. Artillery. Three men AY ( e t*,§ arrested., A court of inquiry was sitting, but it has been adjourned until Dh Neill is able to attend. It is said that; the niau who used the knife can b&'idehtiflM by alioi-se-shoeinark on his arm ; aiid’ we have also been' given to understand that on the person of one of the men arrested there has been found ati envelope that was taken from Dr. Neill when robbed. — Ibid.

Murder.-— Daniel Burke, private in H.Md7oth regt, is committed for trial on a charge of culpable homicide, having stabbed a private of, the 12th regt., named John Hcslin, with a knife, in a scuffle on

tlie evening of Dec. 23, in consequence of which he died onl2tli January. .No. light has been thrown 6n ..the cause, of the crime.

.Coromandel. large number' of Australian diggers, of experience and with the requisite means, have arrived in Auckland from Otago, for the purpose of prospecting Coromandel. * Raglan. —The Southern Cross pubIMies tliis ; extract:-froin,. a letter dated Raglan, fifth January,—“ The natives in Rawhia, and south of it, are all. for - war, and even here I do not think the Governor can settle it unless there be blows.. The natives now bear themselves with unusual insolence.”-.? - •- - ->