THE LATE ALARMING NATIVE NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 535, 27 July 1869, Page 2

THE LATE ALARMING NATIVE NEWS.

TE KOOTr AND TITO KOWABU IN THE WAIKATO. By the arrival of the steamers Wallabi and Waaganui, we have Auckland papers to the lOtfi., brought thither by the steamer Keera. Affairs in the Waikato are again assuming a threatening aspect, it having been found beyond a doubt that Te Kooti has arrived there big with some plan of mischief, and from various sources there seems to be corroboration of the news contained in the telegram published by us on Saturday. The Southern Cross of the 10th says : —A letter received in town yesterday from a perfectly reliable source states that Tito Kovvaru is now at Mokau, ou his way up to Tokangamutu, and that Te Kooti on hearing of the approach of his great compeer sent one of his principal chiefs to meet him. The object of Tito Kowaru's visit to Tokangamutu is not at present known, nor is it clear whether Te Kooti has come there at the invitation of the King party or for some purpose of his own. The letter received states that the Waikatoes treat Te Kooti with coolness, and that the natives at the outsettlements have refused to meet him at Te Kiuti, or in any way to honor him. The correspondent of the Southern Cross writing from Alexandra, July 11, says :—"I had just time in my last letter to inform you of the arrival of Te Kooti in this district. He arrived at Tokangamutu on Saturday last, accompanied, as far as I have been able to ascertain from various conflicting reports, by some three or four hundred armed natives. These do not represent his own force, as many of thetn are natives of kaingas he has passed on his road here, at Taupo and elsewhere, who have followed him to be present at the meeting. Te Kooti's own body-guard of cavalry consists of 70 men, all perfectly equipped with arms and accoutrements in European style, including breechloading carbines and revolvers. It is impossible from the many reports to give any decided opinion as to what will result from this visit. Nearly all I have spoken to on this subject seem perfectly in the dark." The same correspondent writes on the 12th and says :—" As there is undoubtedly far more serious danger than the Waikato has hitherto experienced, I think, with many others here, that the Government should keep up a constant communication between this place and Orahiri or Tokangamutu. I am informed that Te Kooti has six Europeans, deserters, -who have joined his force. A great many natives have gone up from Waikato these last few days." A Wellington telegram, received by way of Christchurcb, states with regard to this visit of Te Kooti :—"lt

is rumoured that bis purpose is to endeavor to induce the King to join the rebellion. Te Kooti has been joined by Rewi, of the Ngaliuaaiiiapoto, with a force of 500 men. 200 Taupo Hauhaus have also joined. If Te Kooti is unsuccessful with the King he will ask Tito Kowaru to join him. 200 Arawas have attacked Ye Kooti, and took one prisoner, who corroborates this information." From Wellington we also hear that the Auckland Militia are immediately to be placed on an effective footing. The following, from an Auckland contemporary, gives a conjectural explanation of the news contained in the latest telegrams published:—" Our correspondents' letters disclose" the extraordinary yet perfectly correct interpretation of the motive" that has induced Te Kooti to visit the King. That he came attended bj only some thirty followers, showed clearly enough that his errand was not one of violence but of diplomacy; that he came through the special personal intervention of Rewi shows that his object is likely to be successful. That object, it appears, is neither more nor less than to persuade Tawhiao to abdicate his sovereignty and the King party to accept himself in the stead of Tawhiao as King of Maoridoin. That Tawhiao will make any very great stand against this proposal is hardly likely. He has never been more than a puppet in the hands of such men asTamata Ngapora and Rewi, and now that Te Kooti, ilushed with success, and coming in the name, and as the chosen vessel of the Hau Hau god, calls upon him to abdicate in his favor, Tawhiao is scarcely likely to do more thau it is reported ha has done, namely, to caution his people to hold no intercourse with Te Kooti, more especially if the demand be backed up by the" fanaticism of the Hau Hau party." The latest news from Waikato represents that Te Kooti has given out that ivs career is to be the same as that of Jehu, as described in the 9th and 10th chapters of the 2nd book of Kings. Jehu, it will be remembered, feeling himself to be the annointed of the Lord, slew Jorain and Ahaziah, Kings of Israel and Judah ; also the seventy sons of Ahab, and forty other relatives, Jezebel, and afterwards the priests of Baal. A high authority on native matters thinks that the priests of Baal may mean the pakehas, but cannot explain the applicability of the other points.