RAGLAN. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 165, 29 May 1873, Page 2

RAGLAN . (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Up to the present linns tlie sottlt-rs at Ruapuk* have alwtu* lived on t.lie best of terms with their Maori neighbours, both Kupapa and Haubaus, oud jt i* believed that as long as Rewi is not engaged in tnj hostilities with the Government they are quite safe here, butj they generally condemn the action of the fculhorities laUly in Saglatias calculating to upset that good feeling hitherto existing. On Thursday night hut the natives from thU district were forbidden from occupying their usual quarters in the town of Raglan, and had to cross over to the residence of the Rev. C. H. Schnackenberg, where- they found lodgings for the night. This caused annoyance to them, and still further excited them. A meeting wa» htld to petition the Government to send a detachment of the Armed Constabulary into the town. At a native raeetiug held on Saturday it wn» reported that fifty natives arc to be employed as a guard for the town of Raglan, and fifty men. as guard to the native settlement of Motakotako, the residence of the friendly chief Hone to One, and all Hauhaus henceforth we to be forbidden to couio inside our acknowledged territories. (I don't know how 1 this will suit the Raglan storekeepers, who jiut now arc doing a large- trade with, the Hauhaus in pigs,, wheat, &c. f but probably a. large -govern* raeut expenditure will suit on well),. It is lamentable to see Hauliaus supplied with liquor until they are in a state of intoxication, under the eyed of native magistrates and government officials. If w,vr is to become general, it id the duty of the government to let all the out-settlers know ; and no doubt the Philo-Maori and Exeter Hall panty will be able to disoern the real cause, and so. place the blntno on the right shoulders. Had wo no Native Department, with all its expensive aocossories, in all probability poor Sullivan would still have been alive ; and had Purukutu umde war on fchose be considered had unjustly obtained and leasc^^is land, he would have had' plenty of sympathisers. But notwithstanding the censure Mr McLean and his department rnxy get (i£ wo have another geuoral war)., Purukutu must be taken and made amenable to the laws of the country, cost what it will, so that for ever this state of uncertainty in which, we live may be put an. cud to. The Queen's Birthday was held- on Monday as -a. general' holiday by the settlers of Ruapuke, who mustered with tullr families early in the morning in Mr T. B. Hill* paddock, I determined to have a day's enjoyment. Tht day proved beautifully tine, and although the sottlcrs here are few, they are blessed with pretty largo families. The ohildren numberedupwards of lorty, and with their parents amused themselves' at cricket, football, rounders, and other games. Dinner and tea wero provided for them, and at the closo. of. the day,, after giving three- lusty cheers for the Queen, they returned to their homes well pleased' with their day's enjoyment*

(PIJOJI ANOTBEB CoBBKrOHDENT.)' A meeting of the friendly native* of this district took place on Saturday, the 24th May, at Poihakent, one of*' the Tainui settlements. The object of this gathering was to. ascertain what were the fe«lings of the *o called Kupapoa, or friendlies, with respect to. the murder committed by I'urnkutu and his gang. Hone te One wa»th» convenor. Amongst the principal speaker* were Hone te One, Wetini Mahikai, Eewene te Haho, Kiwihuatabi, Hakopn^ Kotuku, and Manuhi. All. the speakers condemned the acts of the King party, and< wound up the meeting by pasting the following resolution, which was to be signed by the people, and forwarded to the Government. Eor thi». purpose, eighty-four did actually sign the resolution, which, was to the followiug effect :—" That they were willing tO bocome sold'ieis, either to protect the settlers in this district or go in pursuit of Purukutu's gang, and.urged upon, the Government to grant their request."