NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 359, 30 October 1868, Page 5

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

The following important intelligence is taken from the •• Hawke'a Bay Herald" of the 1 7th inst :— The express messengers have arrived from the Wairoa district. The first, on Wednesday, brought intelligence that Karaitiana and his party of scouts, yrho left "Wairoa on the last day of September, had not been heard of up to the 13th instant — that fears ■were generally entertained by^the friendly Natires that they had been waylaid and either detained or killed — and that a party of 100 of the latter were about to start for the purpose of learning the fate of their friends. Great excitement prevailed among the relatives of Karaitiana and his people. The second, on Thursday, brought the startling intelligence that definite information had been received of the fate of the party. The latter had been caught by Te Kooti and shot. Te Kooti had been joined by Te Waru, and had entered the Wairoa district, camping at Whataroa, only ten miles from the village of the military settlers, who had been called in by the officer commanding. • The letter of our correspondent has come to hand. It is o§ follows : — " Clyde, Wednesday, Oct. 14. " Lost evening, at 9 p.m., Mr G-. Burton and Mr €h W. Worgan arrived at this township, having been all through the inland districts, and within half a dozen miles of the Lake Waikare. They brought a report, gathered from native sources, that Karaitiana had been killed by the enemy. They returned mainly in consequence of the terror of the two natives who accompanied them, who positively refused to proceed further inland. Messrs Worgan and Burton, however, succeeded in sending on letters by a woman named Heai, whose two children were with the Hau-haus, she must have reached Waihi on the Tuesday, as, to-day, answers have arrived, confirming the news previously brought to town. It appears that Te Kooti's party, to the number of 150, have joined Te Waru at Whataroa ; that they captured Karaitiana's party and shot them j and that the road from Maunga Powhatu ia open — a native form of expression, meaning mischief. " Captain Tuke has sent to warn the military settlers to come in. He has called out the militia and volunteers, and done all that an active brave man can do under such circumstances. The redoubt is very nearly finished, and every nerve will now be strained to defend the place, which may look for attack any and every day. "The Napier people nobly protested against ITraser and his men being withdrawn. I trust they will now urge that means be sent to our succour. In conclusion, I must say that I feel not one whit surprised at what has taken place, although, like Cassandra, I have cried, "Troy is fallen,' without obtaining much attention. 11 The natives are enraged beyond all bounds at the massacre of Karaitiani, Aliita, Rewiti, and Karauria. Te Kooti has made a political mistake. His party must be rooted out of their position, or the district must be abandoned. No time now for humbugging speeches in the House, but action, action, action. With reference to Te Waru, it is just possible he may have been forced to join the enemy." It is stated by the " New Zealand Advertiser" that the Natives of itangitikei, West Coast, positively contradict the report of the King having sent orders to the Hau-baus in that district to rise in October. They have received no communication from him since August, when they were told that the sword was to remain buried. Should the king call on them to rise, it is not probable that more than one-third would attend to his summons, whilst one-third would remain staunch to the Europeans, and the remainder be neutral. The settlers are not by any means alarmed, and do not apprehend any outbreak. About 400 of the settlers are being armed, but are not likely to be called out for drill at present. The Napier Correspondent of the " Daily Times" ■writes under date the 18th inst. : — " Despatches have just (9 a.m.) come in. Two more friendly Natives have been murdered, making six in all the Hau-haus have killed. They were advancing on the township, and were threatening a simultaneous attack on Wairoa and Poverty Bay. A party of Waikato3 had joined them, and their numbers were very large. Captain Tuke writes for immediate assistance, but where it is to come from goodness only knows. The steamer Star of the South is now in port, and I imagine Mr M'Lean will charter her to take up such few men as he may be able to get. He meant to have organised a party of the Eest Coast frieudlies, such as Morgan's people, but time has not permitted. Most likely the women and children will come to Napier. My next news will be, I fear, even of a more painful character than the present."