WAIPA AND WAITEHUNA.

Marlborough Press, Volume II, Issue 104, 27 December 1861, Page 3

WAIPA AND WAITEHUNA.

[From the Southern Cross, November 19. J Some time back William Toetoe and his party proceeded to Mr. Cowell’s residence ; on the Waipa and demanded his guns, &c. Mr. Cowell remonstrated with them on the injustice of their demand, when Wm. Toetoe came forward with his tomahawk to attack Mr. Cowell, who said— ‘ Throw aside your tomahawk, and come on.’ Another native hereupon rushed in between* them and prevented any farther personal violence. Subsequently the natives took Mr. Cowell’s guns, and also a gun belonging to Mr. R. W. Dickson, a gentleman residing in Mr. Cowell’s house. Walking off with their plunder, they proceeded to another settler’s and demanded his firearms. They were disappointed, however, for the firearms had been secreted before their arrival. I enclose you particulars regarding a more recent outrage on Mr Chitham, as it was communicated to me; and Ido believe that if things are allowed to go on as at present, without check on the part of the government, loss of life must be the inevitable consequence. The natives are acting in such a way that unless the settlers receive protection they will be compelled to leave this district. The affair at Chitham’s took place either the day Bishop Selwyn left, or the day after. As follows :—“ I saw Cowell yesterday, He tells me that Bishop Selwyn has been at the Awa Matu, and that he says we will have no war.. I however, doubt this very much, as he at the same time said that the governor would insist on having the road opened to Wellington. This the natives will not agree to; in fact, when the Bishop mentioned it to them some of them called out “ emaru pu.” A party of some fourteen natives headed by Wm. Toetoe, havebeen ill-using Chitham and his son. They were both knocked down, kicked, and even jumped upon. They have taken a bull and horse with them. The bull, it seems, has been running at Rangiawahia, for which. Toetoe made a demand a chare of £5 which Chitham refused to pay because William had previously told him they would make no charge as the bull was of use to their i cows. , This is the European’s story. The New Zealander says, a party of Natives called upon the Europeans, and requested payment for a bull which had been running on their land : a dispute arose, and the European took up an axe to clear out his visitors from his dwelling ; the Natives rushed upon Chitham, and threw him down; when his son showing fight as well, was seized also and thrown down, and after being kept down a little while, both were released with no further injury, as I have heard. The European has appealed to the Kaiwliakawa against the unjustness of their claim, and judgment has been /.ronounced against the natives, on the fact becoming known that they had agreed to permit the animal to run with their cows in exchange for his services. We may mention for the information of such of our readers as arc not aware of the fact, that the native chief William Toetoe has appeared in the august presence of royalty, having been presented to the Emperor of Austria, by the commandant of the Novara, on the return of that frigate to the German waters. How far his savage habits have been changed by the imperial presence and lengthened intercourse with polished Europeans, may be learned from the aforementioned facts.