THE NATIVE WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1024, 8 May 1869, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR

LATEST FROM THE WAIKATO. THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING. By special telegrams, to the Auckland Southern Cross, dated, from Waikato, the 28th April, we learn that the great native meeting concluded on the Monday previous. There were present 1200 Hauhaus besides friendly natives. Rewi and Tapihana were the principal speakers on the side of the Hauhaus. They stated that they desired peace in the Waikato district. They said Te Ohowapu and other chiefs were welcome to fight when and where they thought proper, with the exception of Waikato, which must be kept tranquil. The following speech of the King was read from the throne to the assembled natives by Wiremu Huna (William, junior), the the King’s secretary : “ To all the tribes, — Let men cease killing men on account of land. Let men cease killing men. Let the left hand be the left hand, let the right hand be the right hend (i.e., let things remain in their ndrinal position). Given-'by Tawhiap,.. on the 26th day of AnothwWegra'm was received in Auckland on Tuesday,- stating that Mr Searancke, the ResfdeidrMhgistrate at Hamilton, had returned from Hangatiki on Monday. 3 The telegram states that he was very hospitably received at Hangatiki,fwhere he saw and conversed with Rewi and several other leading chiefs of the Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes, all of whom expressed their desire, both in conversation and at the meeting, to maintain peace in the Waikato. Indeed some determination to put down by force any attempt of the turbulent party to bring about a war. The telegram also corroborates the one received previously as to the pacific character of the speeches delivered by the principal speakers. It further states that the total number of natives present was about 1700, and that not a single word was uttered by any of the natives during the proceedings which could give offence to the Europeans. The friendly natives who went up to the meeting from various parts of the Waikato and elsewhere are well pleased with their reception by the King party, and are returning to their homes. Latest telegrams from Alexandra, to May 1, state that at the great native meeting at Hangatiki, just concluded, Tawhiao expressed himself that he would like to meet the Prince. Nothing is however settled in the matter. In answer to Te Wheoro’s repeated suggestions on the subject, the reply of Tawhiao was, “ Wait, I will see if it can be done.” A telegram was also received on Saturday by a gentleman in Auckland from the chief Te Wheoro, on the same subject. Te Wheoro says, “ Perhaps the Prince will be invited, perhaps he will not.”

LATEST FROM NEW PLYMOUTH. By way of Auckland we learn from a correspondent of the Southern Cross, (writing from New Plymouth under date the 27th of April) that great excitement was occasioned at the Waitara on Sunday night by the natives raising a false alarm that Titoko Waru was upon them. The whole of the settlers congregated themselves together at Webster’s store, and Mrs Halse and her children who were stopping there (Mr. Halse having come into town to write letters for the steamer that was expected to arrive on Monday) came into town at 3 o’clock in the morning in an awful state of fright. Mr. Parris and Major Stapp went out and found that it was a false alarm, which originated through some misunderstanding as to whereabouts of Titoko Waru. This wily cannibal is, it is said, recruiting his forces, which now number about 300. He is living on two or three acres of land at a place called Pukemahoe, on a tributary of the Wanganui river. He is about ten hours’ march from this place, but was also reported to have moved down to his place at Te Ngaire. . The nomination for a seat in the House of Representatives comes off to-day, Mr. T. Kelly and Mr. F. A. Carrington are up.

COL. WHTTMORES MOVEMENTS. The correspondent of the Southern Cross writes from Tauranga as follows ; April 27. —Yesterday afternoon Colonel Whitmore and Mr. Clarke went up to Kokohinau, also the rest of No. 6 Division, leaving only a few men at Miatata to disembark stores from the ‘Sturt’ whenever she is able to came in. Very rough last night and wet to-day. April 28.—The ‘ Sturt’ attempted to come in to-day, but still too much surf. Last night the wind was very hi"h ; several tents were blown down. Colonel Whitmore and Clarke returnedfrom Kokohinau. The Arawas are ready, and will march about 300 men into the bush, with 100 or 320 of the Armed Constabulary under Major Roberts ; these go up to Ahikereru. It is not yet quite certain whether the Colonel will accompany Major Roberts’or Lieutenant-Colonel St. John’s column, but as the corps of Guides, composed of some 12 or 35 picked men of both races have been sent up to Kokohinau, it is evident the Colonel at present means to go by Ahikereru, leaving LieutenantColonels St. John and Fraser to penetrate by their old line of march up to the Whakatane gorge. . The entire distance of Ahikereru from this is about 80 miles, four or five of which are through forest. When that point is reached the country to Ruatahuna is solid forest, over hills such as are seldom met St. John’s route is bv a river bed, and through most abominable country, the whole likely to be one scene of fighting in the most rugged unknown, and inhospitable country m New Zealand : but till it is cleared out no peaceful settlement on the East Coast is possible since the the Urewera have joined Te Kooti. Our fellows, therefore, must expect scant fare, hard work, and often snow for their pillow, till the expedition is over.