LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

Marlborough Press, Volume VIII, Issue 31, 31 July 1867, Page 6

LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

REPORTED GATHERING OF REBEL NATIVES AT ROTORUA. (From the Southern Cross, July 15.) By the arrival of the steamer Tauranga from Tauranga, the very startling news was brought that a large body of Waikato rebeis had gathered in the Rotorua district, and had stopped communication on the road between Rotorua and Maketu. It was said that the rebels numbered some hundreds, and that they were determined on sparing no person who fell in their way. They had, it is said, received their commission to fight direct from the King. On the inquiry as to how the above news reached Tauranga, we learn that it was brought there on the day the steamer sailed, from Maketu, by Retreat Tapsell, who had got it from the Rotorua mailman. So far as we can learn, no official communication has been received from Mr Clark, at Tauranga, or Mr Mackay, who is at present at Maketu. We may say at once that we quite disbelieve that part of the story about the shutting up of the Waikato and Rotorua road. The track through the forest from Patatere, over which the rebels would have travelled, enters the Rotorua district behind the old pa of Puraku and from that place to the nearest point of the Makatu road is twelve or fifteen miles, passing close to the loyal settlement of Kaikaitahuno and the pa of the Ngatipikiao at the Rotoiti. As to the fact of the gathering, we have little doubt that at all events the numbers are greatly exaggerated. We have no news from Waikato tending to confirm the statement ; indeed, what we have heard is rather of an opposite character. Perhaps the report originated from the Ngatitengakaus and Ngatirangiwewehis having come back to Rotorua from Patatere, with not the most distant idea of fighting. At all events, the friendly Arawas in that district are quite able to take care of themselves. We have no doubt that in a very few days we shall learn the real facts of the matter from Maketu.