Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1869.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1029, 9 March 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1869.

Auckland papers received per Ahuriri shew that the state of feeling in Waikato had caused no inconsiderable alarm in the settled districts of that part of the country. The alarm was subsiding at latest dates, aud settlers who had left were returning to their homes, but an under current of anxiety remained, there being no confidence in the peaceful intentions or good faith of Ngatimaniapoto. While, in Auckland, immediate sources of apprehension were disappearing,—in Napier aud the East Coast it is different. We referred in our last to the letter received from Poihipi and others, which has since been confirmed by a communication from a trustworthy settler. The letter of the native chiefs will be found elsewhere, from which we gather that Rewi has made no mystery about the matter, but has pretty plainly intimated his intentions to the Taiipo frieudlies. March having arrived, and, with it, war resolved upon, it is possible the wily Ngatimaniapoto chief may have balanced in his mind the comparative advantages of reentering the territory wrested from the Waikato tribes, or of assailing the comparatively unprotected settlements on the East Coast. But whatever the pro-

cess of reasoning by which he arrived at a conclusion, he has decided, we have little doubt, upon joining Te Kooti on the one hand, and advancing towards Ahuriri on the other. The Government, wo understand, have received similar information by way of the West Coast,; yet they make no sign. We need not say how serious a calamity would be an invasion by Ngatimaniapoto into this or any other settled district, or how strenuous should be the exertions of Government to avert it. The true course, if it could be carried out, would be, on the commission by Rewi of a single overt act, to invade his own territory and give him enough to do at home. It would not take much to turn the whole strength of the Thames diggings in the direction of Rewi's homestead. In the absence of such vigorous measures (which we can hardly look for at the hands of our supine . rulers) surely some preparations, beyond the tardy appoiutmeut of an extra scout or two, should be made. But until Waikato crosses our northern frontier and invests the homestead of a certain distinguished officer (which might happen any hour) we have little hope that anything will be done. In such case no doubt we shall see the redoubtable Tito left $o fbJUow his own bloody courses, and a V new rush" to Titiokura, a perfect sjampede. But it may be too late j infinitely better to anticipate the evil either by prompt measures of self defence, or by bearding the lion in his own den. We now perceive the many advantages attending the plan of Sir George Grey — to establish a regiment in the very centre of the island— had he been permitted to cany it out. It might not yet be too late to place a strong garrison in Poihipi's pa at Lake Taupo. .