AUCKLAND. STATE OF AFFAIRS IN UPPER WAIKATO. (From the " Daily Southern Cross," Nov. 21.)

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 160, 4 December 1866, Page 2

AUCKLAND. STATE OF AFFAIRS IN UPPER WAIKATO. ( From the " Daily Southern Cross," Nov. 21.)

There is a probability of tho Natives under To Orion, To Hum, and Thompson coming in collision with the red-hot rebols under Matutaera and Rcwi. The case stands thus : — Somo time ago, after tho confiscated boundary was fixed, a line was drawn by tho Natives, beyond which Europeans were ordered not •to go. The King's authority was recognisod and upheld beyond the pale. For convenience sake, tho chief, William Thompson, was nominated governor over the land outside the confiscated block on tho east bank of the Waifcato river ; and, by virtuo of his commission, he proclaimed a law that the land should b» leased, and that Europeans should bo permitted to go about without molestation. Tho result of that law has been that much native land has been passed through the Native Lands Court ; many of the rebel chiefs, including Thompson and Te Oriori, have proved their titles before our Judges ; and sevoral runs have been leased to settlers, and a great deal of money has been spent on these runs. On tho western side tho lands wer6 entrusted to tho keeping of Rewi for Matutaera. On this sido of tho nvor the land was closed up, and it was not safe to travel. Mr W. Buckland, To Oriori, and iurvcyor, ventured up a considerable distance on ono occasion ; but our readers will recollect that they were forced to cross over tho river owing to the hostile attitude of the people. Te Oriori possesses a largo extent of land in this district, which is nominally under tho King, but in reality belongs to himself. Ho leased a run, Manukatutacho, to a settler, who sublet it to another. Preparations were made for the survey ; but Rewi warned them off, telling them it would bo war. Tho title cannot be investigated, of course, without a survey, and Te Oriori has made up his mind to go on with it. Accordingly, he has summoned tho Ngatirakawas, and his allies in the Waikato, to uphold his right to his own land ; and has written to Thompson for advico. The King-maker advises To Onori to make good his title : and tho Ngatihauas are to go with him. Whether the Natives will come into collision with each other or not, it is hard to say ; at all events, it is satisfactory to know that Thompson has given a general assurance to gentlemen holding leases from Natives that they aro perfectly safe in settling, and sending up their cattle and sheep. We saw a letter from Te Oriori yesterday to tho same effect. He invited his correspondent to send up his stock, and not to be alarmed about Ilewi's threat- Tho only trouble to bo anticipated;was from Manukatutacho, which Maungatautan, to Orakau ; but he expected that hia friends would assist him with men. He likewise added that his hand was •trong, and that after the issue of this affair there would be no trouble henceforward. William Thompson i» still very ill.