TE AWAMUTU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 317, 17 November 1864, Page 5

TE AWAMUTU.

JIOR'-: REPENTANT JS' G AT IM AIIU T A. [ino'i nil: OWN ccnni'.si'oxDiiNT.] November 11,156-1. Ix m_v liist communication I remitted to you the intelligence that ii small party of natives were expected hero to surrender themselves. In accordance willi (lie information received, a party of fix natives belonging to the iSgatimahuta tribe made tlieir appearance here this evening, at abonl, six o'clock. Inn ing come from Kopim to-day. Colonel Sir Henry llaveioek, Hart., conducted tliein into camp, he having met them on the road whilst taking his usual afternoon's ride. Un arriving here, the natives (two of whom were mounted on comely-looking nags) were conducted to the Brigade Oi'.Ue, whore they took the oath of allegiance to (lie Queen — administered by Mr. Spencer, interpreter at. this station. Xhe names of the pinrenciercrtf are llorcma, To Xarepe, iiota. To inhau, Iloneraka, and Alohi. They are a iaii specimen 01 the Muori race, and altogether look in 1' re 11\ good condition ; their wearables, too, lire not the worst, that we-have seen. According to the iuforimuioii which hud been previously received, we had expected to have S'.:Cn a party of ii<//U natives. Vuriou* reasons are assigned lor ihe [absence ol the other I wo gentlemen—one naliyo iuiotminy us that they were indisposed ; whist o:i the oilier hau l, another confidentially told ns that they wore afraid to show themselves. The present surrender is decide*.!!,V an imp.o. emi'iit on the last, as these natives have give:: up l.i tue authorities two stand of arms, which, I BiiOiigh oaly Old lliut hicks, are better thu.ii nothing.

After having taken tho oath of allegiance, tlio sextet were marched over to the tents occupied bv the native orderlies, when they soon entered into a"lively conversation with their more civilised countrymen • their eves, too, glistened with a keen satisfaction when a tidy quantum of Government bread and beef made its appearance. These luxuries they will not. enjoy, however, for any length of time, as they nr.. to return to Kopua, to-morrow. Infoiraalion they have but little, and that littl ■ t hey seem very loath to impart; in fact tho produ. - , 0< a noto-book caused them no slight amount. i eonstennhon. A fter using ;L great deal of persuasii * eloquence, they condescended to inform us that eon .■ ol them were present at the battle of Kangarin", coi - erning which engagement they spoke iu a most enhusiastic manner ; they e.-caped during the night, nil were present at several of the subsequent skirmishes in the VVnika'o campaign. On questioning them with regard to the Governor'* celebrated proclamation, tliov seemed quite astounded and would hardly believe that such a document was in existence, so that the surrender of these men imr. not be considered as one of the beneficial fruits of that remarkable production. We understand that the chief Wirehana (who, it will be remembered, surrendered here about two months ago) was chiefly instrumental in inducing these natives to come into this station and testify their aMegianee. It is not at. all improbable that others of the tribe will make their appearance here in the course of a few davs, as 1 understand that there are several others of the Ngatiinaliuta and other tribes (at present to all intents and purposes rebels) still residing in the vicinity of Kopua. Surrenders have been not at all uncommon here during tho last three months, ill which period from foity to fifty natives have testified their allegiance. The question arises, what has become of all thes rt repentant rebels who have taken the oath, but who have iu vi ry few instances given up^heirarms—what has 1 <(•'•<iii .i- <>: them? They have taken the oath and have thi i,' liberty, carte blanche, to go where tli. \ like. Past experience has taught us the value w hieh the noble Maori race place upon an oath,— they have a high sense of honour! "Witness the Kuwuu escapade. Heaven save the mark !