NATIVE MATTERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1295, 16 October 1880, Page 2

NATIVE MATTERS.

Ax esteemed correspondent has put us in possession of the following reliable items of native news :—: — The latest native news is rather important. You will remember that it was reported about ten days ago that the natives living on the Maungatautari and Pukekura blocks were about to leave that country. Well, the story is quite correct. Tawhiao has ordered them to go to Hikurangi, and the result will be that before long there will be a general clear out, though I suppose a few will remain for a time to watch their crops, but they are not to plant any more. Tawhiao's motive is to remove people from localities where there is any risk of a collision with the pakeha* and he is to be commended for wishing to live at peace with us; but I believe that the whole thing has originated in the determination of Maclean, Jackson and Co. to occupy Horahora. I think that we are getting over the period when a little Maori bounce was sufficient to impede settlement. I am satisfied that under the Grey policy this would not have been brought about. It would have been tai/ioa, tailioa ! Te Ngakau has quite subsided. I think that he has ceased to be the bugbear of Maungatautari. Tawhiao is planting largely, to make provision for the expected accessions to the population of Hikurangi. About next month he will go to Upper Whanganui to meet Topia, not to Lower Whanganui to see Kemp as Southern papers inform us,

At Geelong the flood was the heaviest known since 1875. It was also very disastrous in Gippsland. Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria have participated in the rainfall.