WANGANUI.

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

WANGANUI.

(From the Taranaki Herald, May 4.)

A correspondent (whose information is authentic), writing on the 2°.th ultimo, says : — " Rewi, the Waikato chief, and Anaru, a Ngatiawa, and some other natives from your province, have come down to Waitotara to see Abraham and the Ngarauru tribe about the land sold to the Government between Kai-iwi and Waitotara rivers, and have persuaded them to return the instalment of £500 paid to them by Mr. M'Lean. Abraham and his people have agreed to do so, and to give over the land in question to the king, and, with the exception of Pehimana's immediate hapu, have given in their adherence to King Potatau II; The Wanganui natives are very angry in the matter, and threaten to seize the money for themselves should the same be brought into town for the purpose of being returned. A war party of some three or four hundred Ngatiraukawas and Ngatiawas were on their way up to Waitara the other day, from Manawatu and other parts, and were stopped on hearing that peace had been made. They are only waiting to join the first party who may engage in hostilities with the Government, be they who they may, Ngatiruanuis, Waikatos, or other tribes. The Ngatiroukawas were going up to avenge the death of Paora. The natives up the river; and to the south, in fact, in all parts, are now ntaunch Eingites, and ignore the existence of the Queen altogether ; and should war break out again in consequence of the Waikatos refusing to lower their flag and give up their, king, the whole of the king's adherents are certain to rise all over the island.

As far as Wanganui is concerned, I believe we are safe, so long as we, here, give the natives no cause for attacking us. We are most in danger from the natives south of Rangitikei, as they are rank kingites, are in a very unsettled state, and refuse to submit to our law ; and attend Court or anything else. We hear that Ngatiruanuis refuse to accede to the Governor's terms ; they will return the plundered property should peace be made, but refuse to compensate your ruined settlers.

(From the Chronicle, April 25.)

Intelligence has come into town which accounts in some measure for his Excellency's statement, that if the Ngatiruanui did not ask Eeace he would have preferred his terms to aye been kept secret. A party of 15 Waikatos, headed by the chief Rewi, have come down to Waitotara, and report that the Ngatiruanui do not accept the terms, as they intend to join the King natives. Did the Governor not wish the terms known in case his leniency should encourage other tribes to rise ? These Waikatos have come down to ask the Waitotaras to return the £500 given them in May, 1859, as an instalment of the purchase money of their land, so that the land may belong to the King. It is probable they have other objects in view, but they have not transpired. It appears from the intelligence they bring that the Waikatos are determined to stand by their King, so that we may expect that all their adherents throughout the island, and these are the great majority of the natives south of their territory, will rise to their assistance. How that assistance will be rendered it is impossible to say. The natives in this neighbourhood may remain quiet, and be content with sending men to the Waikato country ; but we ought to be prepared for the worst. Especially so if the report be true that the Kingites have intimated their intention to hold the Government natives as enemies in the coming struggle. The Government should now do what it ought to have done long ago — put forth a proclamation, stating that the land of every native that takes up arms against the Queen will be confiscated ; and follow up the proclamation by instantaneous and energetic action against the Waikatos. On such energy depends the safety of the other settlements.