THE WAIKATO. [From the Southern Cross, July 13.]

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 60, 28 July 1869, Page 4

THE WAIKATO. [From the Southern Cross, July 13.]

In our issue of yesterday we gave a telegram from our Alexandra correspondent stating that Te Kooti, with 300 followers, was at Tokangamutu. Another telegram received in town on Sunday night states that of Te Kooti's followers sixty were armed with breach-loaders and revolvers, and that his attitude was very domineering. A telegram received late last evening states :—: — " Tamati Ngapora has sent a letter to Mr. Seavancke, R.M., announcing the arrival of Te Kooti at Tokangamutu. Waikatos profess to be ignorant of the object of Te Kooti's visit. Ho has requested that tho heirlooms of the Potatou family, greenstones, &c, should be given up to him. The request is being considered, but will probably not be acceded to. The Waikatos are reported to be very anxious, but quiet and prepared." This intelligence, so far as it goes, is anything but reassuring; but it is some comfort to know that everything that is possible under tho circumstances has been done to prevent a surprise of any of the settlements. The redoubts are garrisoned and provisioned, and a vigilant look-out is being maintained along the whole line of frontier. In addition to this, the Waikato river Bteamer employed by the Government has been put in a state of thorough efficiency; and we believo a party of the Naval Volunteers will be sent up to-day as a reinforcement to her present crew. To attempt to dethrone Tawhiao would require more daring than even we should think Te Kooti to be possessed of. The King party, as is well known, is very powerful; and well-informed judges estimate that, in cafee of emergency, Tawhiao could muster 1,500 men in two days. As we pointed out some time ago, however, the danger is that Te Koof.i may be joined by Reihana, Te Kaokao, and some other desppradoes, whose followers would swell the ranks of the turbulent, and ultimately bring such a pressure to bear on the peace party as would compel them to yield, and to remain passive spectators, if they did not join To Kooti's ranks. Those who out»ht to understand tbe temper of the King party tell us" that their object is to detain Te Kooti, to prevent his doing further mischief; but, before we can feel any confidence in these professions, wo must feel assured that Tawhiao's party, if they really desire peace, are sufficiently powerful to enforce their own behests. There is no doubt that Te Kooti's successes have elated him nnd his followers, and it is not likely that they will now settle down into men of peace at the mere bidding of Tawhiao, whose peaceful attitude hitherto may possibly have somewhat lowered him in the eyes of the warriors. Te Kooti's demand, that the heirlooms o£ tho Potatou family should be given up to him, certainly bodes no good ; and his assumption of the title of " The sent of God to declare His power to the world, and also to tho men of sin" (in which category, of course, all pakehas are included), shows that he has no intention of halting in his career.