RUMOURS OF PEACE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 30, 11 March 1865, Page 6

RUMOURS OF PEACE.

We understand that on Saturday a native, bearing a white flag, came down to Waitotara redoubt with a letter to Captain Creagh, commanding there. Unfortunately there was no one at the redoubt who understood Maori sufficiently well to be able'*to translate the letter, but this much was made out :— Although not signed, it was sent by Hare Tipene, • who intimated that he was willing to treat for peace. If the General wished to fight, why did he go to Patea and not come to Weraroa ? But he thought enough of blood had been shed, and . that peace might now be made. The letter was sent to the General. The Maoris had still a white flag flying on Monday last.

Brigadier-General Waddy met with an accident last week, by which his collar bone was broken, his horse having fallen with him. The flag to be presented by the ladies of Wanganui to the natives was displayed for the first time on Monday, at the funeral of John Williams. It is of white silk, with the Union Jack at the upper corner, and in the middle a gilt crown, with a wreath of leaves on each side, and the word " Moutoa " inscribed below. It is a very elegant and tasteful present.

Escape of tee Maobi Pkisonebb at Wangahti. — By the Wellington papers received on March 3, we learn that the Maori prisoners captured by the friendly natives the other day, have been permitted, to escape. The Advertiser says : — " The inhabit' ants of Rangitiki are sorely afraid they will take dire retribution on their goods and chattels. We would have imagined that the escape of the prisoners from the Kawau would have taught the authorities a lesson to be more guarded ; apparently it is not so, and the effect of the late engagement, in which General Mete Kingi so gallantly distinguished himself 18 rendered null and void. Taking a hundred and fifty prisoners for the mere pleasure of letting them escape is not the way to terminate this wretched apology for a war."