RUMOURS OF PEACE.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 770, 10 March 1865, Page 6

RUMOURS OF PEACE.

We understand that on Saturday a native, bearing a white flag, came down to Waitotara redoubt with a letter to Captain Creagh, commanding there. Unfortunately there was no one at the redoubt who understood Maori sufficiently well to be able to translate the letter, but this much was made out: —Although not signed, it was sent by Hare Tipene, who intimated that he was willing to treat for peace. If the General wished to fight, why did he go to Patea and not come to Weraroa ? But he thought enough of the blood had been shed, and that peace might now be made. The letter was sent to the General. The Maoris had still a white flag flying on Monday last. Brigadier-General Waddy met with an accident last week, by which his collar bone was broken, his horse having fallen with him. The flag to be presented by the ladies of Wanganui to the natives was displayed for the first time on Monday, at the funeral of John Williams. It is of white silk, with the Union Jack at the upper corner, and in the middle a gilt crown, with a wreath of leaves on each side, and the word " Moutoa" inscribed below. It is a very elegant and tasteful present. The funeral of John Williams took place at Wanganui, on the 27th February, and was largely attended. (From the Wanganui Chronicle, of March 4t.) On Tuesday, the 28th February, about 150 of our natives returned, with Mawai at their head. It appears that Mawai left Hihuharama before the rest of our natives on account of his differing from them as to the way they should proceed after the taking of Ohoutahi. He thought that they should keep all the chiefs as prisoners, and proceed at once to Piperiki, and take possession of it. Hori Kingi, his elder brother, with great moderation, refused to take all the glory which

would thus have been gained by his tribe,

and thinking that he might lay the foundation of a firm peace without the degradation of the chiefs, was content with obtaining their promise to come to town, take the oath of allegiance, and give up for ever the king movement, and the hau haw fanaticism. In

proof of their sincerity and good faith, they gave up the wife cf Pehi, and those of seven other chiefs as hostages. These were brought down to Aramaho on Wednesday, together with a quantity of arms, gun 3, patu, paroa, and grand mats, which Avere given up by the

conquered tribes. Yesterday an assemblage took place at Putiki, to receive the honorable Mr. Mantell, and to deliver to him the arms, &c.,that had been given up by the rebels as pledges that they were no longer at war, and that they desired peace. A circle was formed in front of Mr. Mantell, and several chiefs made speeches of congratulation on the occasion. Among them were Hakari, Te Whaka, of Pukieka, Paora, Haimona (the principal warchief), Arama, Matiu, of Koriniti, Aperaniko, of Karatia, Hori Kingi, Mete Kingi, Kemp, &c, &c. Some of them expressed a desire that the Governor should come, and others that they should be allowed to go to Waitotara. Several guns, patus, paraoa, mere-mere, and Icaitalca (mats), were laid down before Mr. Mantell as pledges of peace received from Pehi and his followers! Horomona's dogskin mat was the last trophy laid down. Mr. Mantell then asked what the terms were that had been made with the natives. Kingi was about to reply, when Kemp proffered to do so ; and said that when the white flag came out the firing ceased. The enemy ran out of some of the pahs and were driven out of others. Had those in the large pah not surrendered, Ohoutahi would have been like Moutoa. They had a conference; and Topine wrote asking them to go to Piperiki, where the fight had begun, to confer about terms. They went and had a conference on Monday, which lasted during that night. That conference ended in peace. Mete Kingi said that Pehi having been conquered was willing to submit and take the oath of allegiance. To this they had agreed, and it was for Mr. Mantel! to confirm the peace which they had made. A number of the natives then sang out in chorus, ' Answer me, answer.' Mr. Mantell said that, as far as he was concerned, he approved of what had been done; but as the Governor was at Wellington he had written asking him to come up and say what should be done with Pehi; they had made peace, and it was for them, if they wished it, to recommend to the Governor that Pehi and his followers should be pardoned. He highly approved of their bravery, and congratulated them on the success they had achieved. A general shaking of hands then took place and the meeting broke up. This afternoon the Maoris assembled to receive the flag presented by the ladies of Wanganui in honor of their brave deeds at Moutoa and Ohoutahi. The General in-

tends to make another move towards Taranaki to-morrow. Most probably his destinai.ion is Manawapou. Yesterday a reconnoitring party came on some Maoris in an open pah at no great distance from the camp, engaged in cooking potatoes for their break last. They were near enough to see them plainly thus employed ; but the command to the officer in charge waa not to fire unless fired upon, and the Maoris seemed to understand this perfectly, and were not in the least put about by the appearance of their enemy. A white flag is still flying at "Waitotara.