MAORI WAR.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 397, 7 November 1868, Page 6

MAORI WAR.

Further news has reacted us from Wanganui, and it is quite certain that a startling crisis in the natiye war, either for good or evil is imminent. The caunibal monster, Tito Kowaru, has now it appears, a force of six hundred men, all well armed and trained for bush fightiug, and the consequence is, that it has been found necessary to call out the first class militia, who have gone to the front. It is even more than probable, that before now an engagement has takeu place, and as the euemy will very largely outnumber the colonial forces, the result will be awaited with no small anxiety. Unfortunately though " first class," the militia are comparatively raw and untrained, their class being derived from their age, aud not from any special military experience, or drill. The late successes of the Hau-Haus, have emboldened the waverers to join the rebel standard, and this cannot be regarded with anything else but unmixed satisfaction. The chiefs named iu the telegram, were at best but doubtful friends, and the fidelity of the Waitotara natives has for a long time been regarded with distrust, by those best qualified to form an opinion. Col. M'Donnell especially, would have made a wholesome example of this flock very recently, when settlers' sheep were coolly stolen, killed, and eaten almost before his face, but Colonel Haultain's celebrated proclamation stopped proceedings, and the robbers now laugh at the Minister, and at length have openly avowed their rebel intentions, aud swelled the numbers of the enemy. Another good arising out of

Tito Kowaru's recent reihforceinouti is that he evidently thinks himsel; now strong enough to wage more open warfare, ami the Colonial troop* will not have to fight at the disadvantage that they have dono hitherto. If as we have every hope, the present I ody is defeated, the prestige of oui arms will bo restored, and it is possible such a lesson may bo read to the natives, as they will not readily forget Be it which way it may, it is bettei that the crisis has come, and from it we anticipate nothing but eventual food. If by any good fortune tin irch-villain, Tito Kowaru, could be japtured or is killed, a great blow tc ;he Hau-hau prospects would be dealt or up to the present time his escapim scatheless, has favored the superstitious relief he h?s so carefully cherishec unongsf his followers, that he is undei she special protection of the Divine Being, and is intruded to become tin 'ogeuerator and liberator of his race 4. very encouraging item is to hand .n the fact of one hundred and seventy. ive trained soldiers, discharged frotr the Gsth and Waikato regiments laving taken service. This number ir jroper hands will be worth twice as nany uudrUled or undisciplined men Not that the latter would be less irave or courageous when called iutc ictiou, but the steadiness of the old soldiers, their thorough acquaintance ,vith bush fighting and Maori tactics gained in the last war, far counterlalances any amount of untrained gallantry. If this force reached the scene of action in time for Tito Kovaru's attack they will, we venture tc say, assist most materially in giving n *ood account of that scoundrel's followng. Their joining just now will be most )pportune, and will, we trust, be the neans in a great measure of turning ;he tables on the lately victorious Maories. It is very clear that the jrovernment now need to put out all dieir strength to even save AVanganui. md every effort should be strained to iring the head of the movement tc ustice. As to the pretended friendly Waitotaras, a short shrift and a stout 'ope ought to be their fate, and as tc mling longer about mercy to such luman wild beasts, surely even the greatest philo-Maoris will not venture ;o say that auy punishment can be toe leadly or too severe. The issue has leen narrowed to extermination on me side or the other, and -it can lot be that an Anglo-Saxon Colonj vill suffer savages to exult ever; ;emporarily over its own people ft is certain that the feeling of disiffection, never extinct, has beer "anued ~iy early successes into a flame if rebellion throughout the whole oi she north island, and should the colonists sustain further reverse neaidy wery tribe in the whole of New Zeaand will openly range themselves on the enemy's side. On the contrary, i< Tito Kowaru meets with a serious meek, or better still be unmistakeably iefcated, it will have a pacificator y 3ffect that can hardly be overrated. Now and immediately is the time for a blow to be struck, and fortunately the 3uemy in the excess of their confidence b.ave at length given an opportunity if attack. Whether our forces are in sufficient strength to assume the iffensive, we are of course at present unaware, but even if they can hold their own agaiust the hostile Maoris that now threaten tbem till ?e-iuforcements arrive a change 'or the better in our native relations may be looked for early. Ehe next news from Wanganui will be .ooked for A\ith great anxiety, and that Tito Kowaru, may have met with at east an instalment of the justice due "or his crimes, must be the sincere Drayer of all, The Wallabi is due from ;here, and in all probability will bring startling, and let us trust favorable, ntelligence from this disturbed disrict.