NEWS FROM THE INTERIOR.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 49, 9 December 1867, Page 304

NEWS FROM THE INTERIOR.

(From the Southern Cross, 27th Nov.) The- news from the interior continues to be assuring. Mr Firth has returned to town, after driving his cattle and Mr Buckland’s from Taupo round by Maketu, through the Arawa country. The aukati is not yet removed, but there is reason to believe it will be after Christmas. There is to be a great meeting at the King’s place, as our readers know, early next month, which is to continue until Christmas, at which the affairs of Maoridom will be fully discussed. It is almost a foregone conclusion to open tbe country, and renew intercourse with tbe Europeans. However, the natives must be let alone. They must not see that we are over anxious, and they will come in all the sooner. The Government have not the : least influence oyer the natives, and whatever is to be accomplished must be through those gentlemen who have leased runs, and in whom the Maoris have the fullest confidence. Mr William Buckland has also returned to town from the Upper Waikato. The substance of his information is identical with what we have given before. Tbe Native lands Court at Cambridge was well attended, and would get through a great deal of work.

We saw a couple of specimens of auriferous quartz yesterday, from the Taupo district., At present prospecting is not allowed; and until the natives please to open the district there need be nothing further said about it. We may add, that four years ago Mr W. Buckland assured us of the existence of gold deposits in the locality where these specimens were picked up by the natives. First, let the country be thrown open by the natives, and whatever gold there may be will be brought to light.