NEW PLAN FOR TERMINATING THE WAR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 30 March 1870, Page 5 (Supplement)

NEW PLAN FOR TERMINATING THE WAR.

£5,000 OFFERED FOR THE CAPTURE OF

TE KOOTI.

The Southern Gross learns that on the Ist March, Te Pokiha (Fox), Marsh, and others of the Arawa chiefs who are at present in Auckland were definitely informed by the Hon. the Native and Defence Minister, that henceforth the system of maintaining* a native force on pay for the pursuit of Te Kooti will be discontinued, but that the Government will be prepared to pay a lump sum of £5,000 for the capture of Te Koobi, alive or dead, whether it be accomplished in a short or long period. To this proposal the Arawa chiefs very strongly demurred, representing that the friendly natives would not be willing to continue fighting without daily pay, and that they would not consent to attempt the capture of Te Kooti on the mere prospect of receiving £5,000, if successful. They urged the difficulties of the Urewera counky, and the great risks attendant on an expedition after such a wily foe as ToKooti, ' and on the whole appeared decidedly disinclined to accept the proposal. At present it appears highly probable that the Arawas will decline to assist us any longer, unless kept on pay. It would •no doubt be a very pleasant thing for them to be kept on pay ad infinitum, but, unfortunately, the resources of the Colony are not equal to maintaining a large army of natives in the position of pensionei's, in order to preserve their neutrality. Moreover, the suspicion is rapidly gaining ground, that the sj^stem of keeping up a large standing army of natives is a mistake, and that so long as it is continued the natives would — all other things being equal — rather not hurt Te Kooti, who it must be confessed, has been a great source of profit to them. We are glad to learn that the Government have taken this bold step, for it is one which we feel sure will have the approval of the majority of the colonists. Whilst on the subject we may state that the report that the Government had in contemplation the entire disbandrnent of the European forces in the Colony, is a mistake. We believe the ceasing to employ the Armed Constabulary only extends to future operations against Te Kooti in tho Urewera country, the natural difficulties of which are so great as to render pursuit by a European force a matter of extreme difficulty and hazard, independently of the heavy expense it would entail. Moreover, complaints have been made by the Arawas that their acting- in conjunction with European forces impeded their movements against the enemy. We believe there is some probability of a larger sum boing offered to the Arawas than £5,000, should that bo shewn to be inadequate.

Civir, Service Appointments. — The West Coast Times is responsible for the following paragraphs : "It is rumoured tha: Captain Malcolm, so well knowu on tho West Coast in connection with the Harbor Steam Company's vessels, will succeed the late Mr. Balfonr as Marine Engineer. Wo miderstnnd that Mr. Seed, at present Inspector of Customs, is likely to be appointed permanent Under Socretary ia the Colonial Secretary's Office."