THE NATIVE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 496, 1 June 1861, Page 6

THE NATIVE WAR.

[We re-publish the following from our issue of the 18th ult.]:— THREATENING ASPECT OF THE NA-

TIVES IN THE NORTH. XFrom the Southern Cross, May 7.)

By late advices from Coromandel and the Thames district, we learn that a great deal of. excitement prevails amongst the natives in that part of the country, and that little reliance is to be placed on the report of the pacific intentions expressed by them at the meeting lately held at Waihau. As is usually the case on such occasions, there was an open korero intended for the pakeha ear which was fair and loyal enough, but unless at night time in their whare-koreros, they did not discuss the real object of their meeting until the last two days, and then it was carried on in a language of signs and symbols with occasional words quite unintelligible to any white man there. Their object was to discuss the mode of co-operation With the Waikatos, and to ascertain upon how Ynany of the people they could rely in case active measures should be decided upon. The conclusions arrived at are of course not publicly known, but we are informed that the natives are in constant correspondence with William Thomson, and that on the word being given by him, they are prepared to leave the Thames, and collect in one of the tributaries of the Waikato river. Their subsequent movements would depend upon circumstances ; but the practicability of aggressive measures has been spoken of rather ooenly. Great efforts are being made by the natives in the district to obtain munitions of war, and only on last Sunday week a chief who had taken a very prominent part in the Waihau conference, offered a resident at Coromandel between £30 end £40 for sixty bexes of percussion caps, and expressed himself ready to give ever more if the money was thought insufficient.

. We are glad to be able to say that old Paul remains staunch — but we do not think he has much influence or power to control his followers in this matter.

We mention these facts simply because we believe the information to be correct, and wish the public to be in possession of it. Peace is not yet concluded, and though many good authorities on native subjects believe that the last shot has been fired in this ' unfortunate war, still it is as well to be on the alert, and not to shut our eyes to the fact that we are negotiating — if negociations have commenced — with an unsubdued enemy.