THE WAIKATO.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1782, 6 April 1863, Page 6

THE WAIKATO.

We have dates from Waikato to the 25th March, and the news from that quarter h not agreeable. However, we will narrate the facts, and allow our readers to draw their own conclusions. The Governor determined on building a court-house and police station at Te Kohekohe, and a quantity of i timher was sent there, and workmen employed in the construction of the place. This work was undertaken *t the request of the chief Te Wheoro. j The King natives gave frequent warnings that they i 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 arm* two miles off, or thereabouts, and made their appearance to the workmen so far in a pacific manner that they did not carry arms. Talcari, 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 abnudon the place, should he take possession afterwards, he would have no quarrel with the Pakehas — his quarrel would be with the Maoiis, 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 henchmau 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 Ai (Maungatawhiri), and left there. The carpenters have likewise beeti sent down the river to Ai. We believe that the instigators of this 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 fiora » 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 liko » pab," and in consequence of previous threats, 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 j complain to the Duke of Newcastle ; and the Duke of j Newcastle, having the feai of public opinion before j hi* eyes, wilt think twice before he recommends the supreme power in this Colony to make an attempt to gag the Press. We will not comment, therefore : wo wilt narrate bets. T« Whero was naturally indignant that natives from a distance should interfere with his arrangements, sud 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 (the 24th instant), the valiant soldiers of tho Maori King marched from Mokau to Te Awamutn, and broke open the door of Mr. Gorst's printing office, taking away the printing press, types, fee. Mr. Gorst and his assistant were absent at Mr. Keid's, of Waipa, when the domiciliary visit was paid ; and on their return they found thoir premises invaded, and the light of the PihoUioi 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 itxertitiment. They manage these things better in Mftoridom, Mr. Assistant Law Officer. But to proceed. On Mr. Goiit'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 potted all round the bouse. On inquiring the reasou for these proceedings, the gentleman in question was told that it was to prevent any one from letting fire to the buildings or stealing any of his property. This is » magnanimous trait in the character of the natives, for which they cannot be too highly extolled. Did they not actually place sentinels wound the premises to guard them from molestation 1 But this again is & 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 Uke Mr. Gorst and all his party away, by conveying them down the Waikato to tho landing, and leaving them to keep company with the carpenters »nd their raft. The natives who committed this gross outrage are Ngatimaniopotos, of whom> Aporo and Hone Ropiha »re the head men. Next morning (25th) the mob came up from the gate, dose: to which they were encamped, and requested Patene 1 Manuka, King uhiefs;'to go »w*y, and not interfere with them, but let them do as they pleated with the' house. This the shiefs refuted to do, and the mob returned toitheir encampment by the gate. ■ • , But it does not appear that these lawless binds aro to go About much longer unopposed. Hone te Papiti' mi near at hand on the 25th, with a large' mob, bent >n opposing the Ngatimaniapotos, What turn affaisr nay take it ift'hard to say. One thing is certain,; that .he best-directed and most pacific .efforts on th» part of* ;he Government, to benefit these people, att^ofi no avail, the I*w is openly violated, personal liberty is interored with, and personal property leized without legal

process. As there doei not seem to be any likelihood of a stop being pub to these proceedings, we entertain considerable solicitude for the personal" safety of Mr. Gowt and family, and the gentlemen who with them are devoting themselves to the thankless task of instructing Mid civilising the native*. But it will be nil right in time, we have no doubt. We aro anxious to know, however, whether the three native assessors have had their salaries increased on account of their eminent services in the cause of "law and order 5" and whether Te Whero has be»n snubbed for venturing to declare he would resist the doings of the soldiers of the King.— "Daily Southern Cross," March 27tb.