LATEST NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

By the s.s. Lord Ashley, .vhich arrived on Thursday, we have our usual files fiom Auckland and Napier to the 3rd and 6th iusts. Dr Knight, the auditor of public accounts, with Mrs Knight and family, and the Very Rev Bishop Poinpallier, were passengers to Wellington. We subjoin from the papers received a resume of the intelligence. AUCKLAND. — HOSTILE RUMOURS. The Southern Cross of the 2nd inst publishes the following rumours, which do not, however, appear to be of much consequence- — • It seems like old limes to refer to " the Front" again as the scene of danger; for we haro been so accustomed to look upon \Vaikato as completely conquered, that a further outbreak has appeared, if uot impossible, highly impiobable. Intelligence, however, has reached Auckland which we cannot shut our ears to, and which, without wishing to create unnecessary alarm, we feel in duty bound to make our readers acquainted with so far as it lies in our power. Ie is this, that William Thompson, Rcwi, and the King are in the neighborhood of our most advanced outposts, and have threatened to recomvnence hostilities in Waikalo. Alexandra is named as the source from which this news comes, and it is reported that so much credence is given to it by the military authorities there and at Te Awamutu that preparations had been made to receive the enemy at any of the outposts or settlements likely to be attacked. We must say, however, that while the news has a serious aspect, it does not coincide with reports received from other quarters, in proof <<f which we have only to refer to those of a pacific nature from the Thames, and which will be found elsewhere. We may add, too, that communications have been verj recently received from William Thompson which go to disprove his hostile iutentions; but it is nevertheless quite possible and prob.ible that this arch intriguer may be playing a double game, and that, seeing that the General's attention is now fully occupied with the Wangauui rebels, he deems this an opportune moment to strike a blow or at least to create an important diversiun. IMPORTANT NATIVE MEETING. The same journal gives an account of a native meeting, held at Kauaeranga, at the mouth of the Waiho (Thames), the former mission station of the Rev Mr Lanfear. Ahout 1200 natives attended ; all the Thames and Coroinandel natives, and some fugitives of Ngatiporou, being present. The meeting commenced on the Bth February, and lasted nntil the 15th, during which time there was, as usual on all native gatherings, a gieat deal of feasting. During the entire proceedings the natives conducted themselves in an orderly manner. The influential chiefs Kitahi te Tanewha, Pateue Puhata, Moauanui, ltawiri te Ua, Turaia, Ngakapa Whauaunga, Llaira Tipa, Pita Taukaka, Tamati te Otalu, and several others were present. At the serious part of the business a line was drawn dividing those who were for peace from those who were for war. All the natives, with the exception of four, remained on the peace side ; the lour who stopped acioss the line qualified their declaration of war in this way: They said that so long as W. Thompson remained at peace they would remain quiet, but that as soon as Thompsou left for the war they would follow him. The resolution of the natives was to this effect, that on no account would they leave their i own district to join in the war against the , Europeans. If the troops came into their dis- • triet, and attacked them they would fight ; but L not otherwise. One point of some importance I gained was (ho open and abject submission ol i' our old acquaintance Taraia, " the lust, of the ■ cannibals," ,vho has given more tivnbln and 1 anxiety t> tin. 1 authorities dining this c.isis than 3 any othei chief in the Thames district. Taraia , laid himself at full length on the ground before

i the Civil Commissioner, in token of submission, 1 The influential chief Ngakapa Wliiunniiga, * who led th e rebe'lious portion of the Thames 1 natives, expressed his determination to abide by the law in the future. He handed over to Mr i Mack-ay the dogskin nvit sent by Wi Tab) to t William Thompson as a lobe fnv the Maori 1 King. T!<iis dogskin mat played a very impor- ' taut part in tbe election of Pobitau the Fiist ; ' and it is said, and we believe with truth, that it was fringed with foreign fur, supplied by a <ren- ■ tleman who has held the highest Executive fj office in the province of Wellington for years > ! past. The mat is now without the fur, having passed through several hands hefoie being laid at the feet of the Civil Commissioner, in token of its possessor's submission to the Q-ieen. W. Thompson presented the mat from Wi Tako to the Kin? elect, who gave it to Witinei T.iiporu'.u, who was killed dining the first Taiunaki war, we believe in the assault on No 4 redoubt, Wetini leading the W.iik.itus on iliat occasion. On the death of Wetini, the a) at reverted to Ngakapa Whauanngii, who, on the breaking out of the war in Waikato, joined the rebels to avenge his kinsman's death. Ngakapi was some' time ago a decided wnr advocate, and openly expressed himself that, as soon as war began in the country, he would join in the fighting. He now says that lie has had quite enough of it ; that ho' lias lost his bind in Waikato, and is content that this should be so; but that he will not bring war into his own district. Ngakapa is for peace, therefore, because he liuds war a losing game, and this is perhaps, the best guarantee we could have of his loyj'l'y. About fifty of the P.ii Marire professors were present, and seemed rather uneomfot table at first. It did not appear clearly what they wanted, but Mr Mackay told them that lie had nothing whatever to do with their religion or their souls, so long as they conducted themselves properly. He explained to them that there were two laws, — the l.iw of God anil the law of man ; and his duty was to see that they did not transgress the latter. They might hold what religious notion they preferred, so long as .they did not break the law; and on matters of faith they would he talked to by missionaries or othei ministers of reigion. After some discussion it was resolved by the fanatics that they would practise ttieir parirau karakia (wing; religion) in peace in their own distiict, and that they would not leave for Wanganui to join the fanatics in that locality. Mr Mackay put it plainly to them, that if any transgressed the law, he would have the offender arrested, tried, and punished. The natives agreed to allow a gold prospecting party of Europeans to go through the Thames district; and then, should the prospectors be satisfied of there being a payable gold-field, they will make terms with the Government for working it. On the whole, this native news is important and assuring, ''.'here were about one-third of the entire of the Thames natives engaged in the Waikato and Tauranga campaign ; and all of those, or nearly all, who survive, have surrendered. From the results stated we should say that Mr Mackay deserves the approbation of the authorities for his successful dealings with the natives. DTbCOVEKY OF GOLD AT RAGLAX. The Southern Cross of the 2nd inst, says : — " Gold has been discovered in the district of Raglan, and under such favorable circumstances as to cause a claim to be made for the reward offered by the Provincial Government. Our authority for this is Mr R. Todd, district surveyor, Riglan, who under date Febniaiy 10, makes a formal report of the discovery to his Honor the Superintendent, and on behalf of the discoverer, a native, requests information as to whether a reward will be paid. Mr Todd, it appears, wrote in the first place to the Colonial Secretary, forwarding a specimen of the gold, and he now writes to the Superintendent in such terms as to lead to the belief that he is fully convinced of the value of the discovery. It would appear, however, that the old appropriation as a reward for the discovery of gold has lapsed, and that, therefore, no clpim can be made successfully for it. Hid Honor the Superintendent, however, has informed Mr Todd that if the discovery is a genuine one, he will endeavor to secure the payment of a portion of tin! rewaid offered, and he invites that gentleman to furnish him with further particulars ou the .lubject."