AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume IV, Issue 487, 21 May 1864, Page 4

AUCKLAND.

We have our files from Auckland to the 13th inst. The only news from the front is of an expedition against a pah erected by the Natives at a place called Potariwlu, a few miles frem tho Gate pah, which, when the troops reached it, was found to bo abandoned. Another expedition was talked of, but had not started at the date of our latest intelligence, and its intended destruction was not known. His Excellency the Governor was expected at Tauranga, but hod been detained in Auckland in consequence of negotiations for peace being commenced by some of the Natives, respecting which we take the following paragraphs from the Southern Cross of the 11th : — One hundred rebel Natives we are informed have, within the List few days, given up their arms, and are now quietly located at Kihikihi. They are portions of various tribes in the Waikato who have been fighting against our troops. Since the fight at Oraliau the names of all the principal natives who were in the pah have been obtained, and the number of those who escaped unhurt was 120. Sixty Natives arc now at Kopua (the Rev Mr Reid's), about eighty miles up the Waipa from Kihikihi. They are principally Ifgatikairos, ani ore said to be ready to lay down their* arms, and are only waiting to hear from the Governor. A number of influential and friendly chiefs waited upon the Governor yesterday for the purpose of requesting permission from his Excellency to visit Thompson and tiie rebel chiefs serving under him.

Amongst those present were Waata Kukatai, of Waikato, and Paul, of Oraki, and they explained that their mission was one of peace, and that their reason for taking this course was that they believed that their rebel countrymen wished for peace, and onlyg required a little persuasion to lay down their arms. Permission was granted to them to proceed on their journey, and they then stated that before they started it would be necessary to call a meeting of their several tribes or hapus to get their consent. This, doubtless, will be but a formal matter, but it does appear that our allies have begun at the wrong end, and that they should have held their runangas first and then submitted their proposition to tho Governor. However they have received full liberty to start for tho Front as soon as they like; but whether thenmission will turn out as William Naylor's did or be a success remains to be seen. The same journal of the 12th inst., adds : — The friendly chiefs who propose to pay a visit to the Front, for tho purpose of inducing their rebellious countrymen to submit to the powers that be, assembled outside the Native Office yesterday, and were evidently in high confab upon the subject. There were representatives from almost all the friendly tribes north and south around Auckland : and mustering in small groups, they were addressed by their respective leaders. It wes understood at the close of the day that they had fully come to the determination to start on their mission as soon as possible. Paul, of Oraki, Waati Kukutai, and several other influential chiefs, were amongt those present. After the Runanga was over, Mr. Fox, with whom they had had an interview, acquainted the Governor with their decision. The Herald of the 11th inst. says: — In our yesterday's issue we gave our readers the reason of his Excellency's delay in visiting Tauranga, a Cabinet Council having been convened on Tuesday, to consider the proposal of the friendly chiefs Waata Kukutai, Paora of Orakei, and others, to go to the Waikoto and reason with the misguided rebels in arms. As we then stated, this movement has been set on foot by the rebel chiefs Wm. Thompson and Mohi of Pukaki, who were anxious to know the particulars of the treatment they might expect from the Government if they sur- ? rendered. The Governor having obtained the Banc-' tion of the ministry that these-negotiations should be opened, permission was granted.

We also then stated tho course which tho Government intends to pursue with regard to tho Maori prisoners confined on board the hulk Marion. They will be retained as prisoners of war only, so long as the war continues—they will then be set at liberty without any further punishment, aud a portion of land will be given to each as a future maintenance. So pleased were they on hearing of these merciful intentions towards them, and so pressed were they with uniform kindness that has been shown them in their captivity, that they asked to be allowed to send two of their number as a deputation to the rebels in arms, to remove, if possible, the false impression which has been circulated amongst them (by the Philo-Maori party, we have reason to know) that the intentions of the Government towards them if they laid down their arms are not to be trusted. The two Maori prisoners, to whom permission was at once accorded by the Government, landed from the hulk yesterday afternoon, and proceeded to the front this morning. The Soutliern Cross of the 13th says :— Reihana and Hapimana, two of the prisoners who were captured at Rangiriri, and who have since been imprisoned on board the hulk, were brought on shore yesterday, on parole, and are to proceed to the front to-day, with Mr. Monro, of the Native Oflice. Wo have not been informed of the object of then* visit, but it may be readily surmised —viz., to tell their rebellious countrymen how kindly they have been treated while on board tho hulk. Both of the prisoners seemed quite overjoyed at their release. They have been in confinement since the action at Raugiriri, and they were selected by the prisoners themselves as the most suitable of their number to represent them. Both of them belong to Waikato, and one of them is well known at the Native Oflice. Both of the prisoners look very healthy, which is a proof of tho good treatment they have received. The friendly chiefs, who are to act as peacemakers, have made final arrangements to start on their mission; but Mr. Monro and his two captives on parole do not go with them.