AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1087, 11 April 1863, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

DISTURBED STATE OF THE WAIKATO

NATIVES. We have dates from Waikato to the 2oth Marc!:, and the news from that quarter is not agreeable.

However, we will narrate the facts, and allow our readers to draw their own conclusions. The Governor determined on building a courthouse and police-station at Te Ivohekohe, and a quantity of timber was sent there, and workmen employed in the construction of the place. This work was undertaken at the request of the chief Te Whero. The Idng natives gave frequent warnings that they would interfere with the work, and unlike our rulers, they made good their word. On this day week 200 natives came down to Te Kohekohe, but deposited their arms two miles off, or thereabouts, and made their appearance to the workmen so far in a pacific manner that they did not carry arms. Takari, one of the King chiefs, was the leader of the party, and he proved his special qualifications for the post of leader. He said if he could induce the carpenters to leave their work, and abandon the place, should he take possession afterwards he would have no quarrel with the Pakehas—his quarrel would be with the Maoris, and he apprehended little difficulty on that score. Accordingly he induced the carpenters to give up work and leave the place (of course under

pressure), and the wily and faithful henchman of

King Potatau the Second took possession of the place, in the name of his master, we presume. A raft was then formed of the timber, which was floated down the Waikato river to Ali (Mauugatuhire), and left there. The carpenters have likewise been sent down the river to Ali.

We believe that the instigators of tin's outrage are three of the hangers-on of Government House— native assessors, and paid by the Government for discharging their duties as faithful justices of the Queen. These men were returning from a meeting up the Waikato, where they should not have been, and we believe it was their report that satisfied the fire-eating legions of Potatau that the place " looked like a pah," and in consequence of previous tlireats, the aforesaid legions dismantled it.

This is an example of truthfulness and promptitude which the Government of the colony might profitably follow in dealing with native affairs. But we must not comment, or Mr. Fenton will complain to the Governor; and the Governor, trusting his subordinate's report, will complain to the Duke of New castle;—and the Duke of Newcastle, having the fear of public opinion before his eyes, will think twice before he recommends thtf supreme power in this colony to gag the press.

We will not comment, therfore: we will narrate facts.

Te Whero was naturally indignant that natives from a distance should interfere with his arrangements, and he posted off to Auckland, and told " the powers that be" that he meant to take back the timber, and have the buildings proceeded with. What the upshot will be, it is not easy to say, but it was only the prelude to more vigorous measures by the Kingites.

On the following Tuesday (March 24) valiant soldiers of the Maori King marched from Mokau to Te Awamutu, and broke open the door of Mr. Gorst's printing office, taking away the printing press, types, &c. Mr. Gorst and his assistant were absent at Mr. Eeid's, of Waipa, when the domiciliary visit was paid; and on their return they found their premises invaded and the light of the ' Pihoihoi Mokemoke' extinguished by the agents of the Maori government, without first civilly adopting the plan of a celebrated Maori doctor, and serving the editor with an ' advertisement. They manage these things better in Maoridom, Mr. Assistant Law Officer.

But to proceed. On Mr. Gorst's return, at eight on the evening of the same day, he found thirty of the soldiers of King Potatau encamped at the gate, and sentinels posted all round the house. On inquiring the reason for these proceedings, the gentleman in question was told that it was to prevent anyone from setting fire to the buildings or stealing any of his property. This is a magnanimous trait in the character of the natives, for which they cannot be too highly extolled. Did they not actually place sentinels around the j premises to guard them from molestation? But this again is a digression, pardonable only from the admiration which contemplation of this act of friendship naturally produced in our mind. The guardians of the pillaged premises threatened to take Mr. Gorst and all his party away, by conveying them down the Waikato to the landing, and leaving them to keep company with the carpenters and their raft. The natives who committed this gross outrage are Ngatimaniapotos, of whom Aporo and Hone Ropiha are the head men. Next morning (the 25th) the mob came up from the gate, close to which they were encamped, and requested Patene and Manuka, king chiefs, to go away and not interfere with them, but let them do as they pleased with the house. This the chiefs refused to do, and the mob returned to their encampment by the gate. But it does not appear that these lawless bands are to go about much longer unopposed. Hone te Papiti was near at hand on the 25th, with a large mob, bent on opposing the Ngatimaniapotos. What turn affairs may take it is hard to say. One thing is certain, that the best-directed and most pacific efforts on the part of the Government, to benefit these people, are of no avail. The law is openly violated, personal liberty is interfered with, and personal property seized without legal process. As there does not seem to be any likelihood of a stop being put to these proceedings, we entertain considerable solicitude for the personal safety of Mr. Gorst and family, and the gentlemen who with them are devoting themselves to the thankless task of instructing and civilising the natives. But it will be all right in time, we have no doubt. We are anxious to know, however, whether the three native assessors have had their salaries increased on account of their eminent services ill the cause of " law and order;" and whether Te Whero has been snubbed for venturing to declare he would resist the doings of the King.—Southern Cross, March 274