WM THOMPSON GONE ON A MISSION OF PEACE TO TARANAKI.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 799, 23 June 1865, Page 4

WM THOMPSON GONE ON A MISSION OF PEACE TO TARANAKI.

TfIERE was a report in Auckland, on June 15, derived from a source likely to be well informed, that William Thompson had left the Waikato for Taranaki, and that he had gone there on a peace mission.

THREATENED FIGHTING BETWEEN THE KING NATIVES AND LOYAL NATIVES OF POVERTY BAY.

The Southern Cross, of 15tli June, says : —

Very important intelligence from Poverty Bay was received by the Egmont yesterday. We give below all the statements that have reached us, from which it will be seen that there is almost certain to be a combat between the King natives and tho loyal natives, the former led by Patara, and the latter by Mokeno and Hcnaro Potai.

A gentleman who came up by the Egmont gives us the following particulars :-— Mr. M'Lean paid a visit to Poverty Bay on the 3rd of June, accompanied hy Bishop Williams, having been requested by the natives ofthe place to mediate iv a quarrel which had arisen out of the erection of the Queen's flag upon a piece of disputed land. The result of the proceedings of Mr f M'Lean was that a large body of the natives who had hitherto been neutral determined to take the oath of allegiance. My. M'Lean then proceeded to Waiapu, taking with him Mokena (Morgan), who had been supporting the Government party at Tauranga. Mr. M'Lean landed near Waiapu on the Bfch instant, and was soon iv communication with the principal natives, with whom Henare Potai had been taking an active part in Mokeno's absence to prevent the approach of Patara into the district. It appears, however, that Potnra had come over from Raukokore with about fifty followers, after the visit of H.M.S. Eclipse to tlr:l r!r.(".\ His intention was evidently to unite himseU' wiih the King natives at Waiapu. The Governnu'iit men, amounting to between 400 and 500 men, expressed a strong determination to take Patara. Tiie friendly chiefs stated to Mr. M'Lean that they were very much iv want of ammunition, and this Mr. M'Lean promised to supply them with. The chief llonr.ro Potai accompanied Mr. M'Lean to Napier to gel the ammunition and 100 stand of arms. The gentleman who supplied us with the above information, and whose opinions is entitled to respect, entertains no apprehensions as to the safety of entrusting arms to the natives led by Morgan.