NORTHERN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume VII, Issue 230, 10 August 1867, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

The following summary of the latest northern news, is taken from the Wellington Independent : — Paul Tuhaere, native member of the Provincial Executive, recently returned from a visit to the Waikato. Paul did not- attempt to open negotiations with the King party. Mr Firth and Mr C. 0. Davis had left Auckland for Matamata, to attend the native meeting which is to be held at Peria.

The Southern Cross states that active steps have been taken to open up the Thames District for gold digging. Access can now be had to the Kauaeranga land, but as arrangements have not been completed with the natives, it would, says the Cross, be useless for Europeans to go down m the meantime. Mr Mackay left town on Tuesday morning with Taipari for Kauaeranga, to make arrangements to open up the district. Should he consider it necessary, he will engage an experienced number of miners to prospect on the part of the Government. The Cross thinks it highly probable that a payable goldfield has been discovered. A considerable number of persons had started from Auckland for Kauaeranga m open boats. It was feared the proceedings of those people might cause a collision with the natives. The Auckland people were rather excited, as at a public meeting some of the speakers were for rushing the place and the Maoris at once.

The Herald states that the washing of two loads dirt produced three pennyweights. A still has been seized near the Whau Blockhouse m full working order. Several kegs of spirits were also found.

The Herald of the 29th ult says that a native letter had been received by a gentleman m Auckland stating that when the s.s. Taranaki left Tauranga it was there reported that a party of nine, composed of five Europeans and four natives, while on their way from Napier to Taupo with cattle had been intercepted and murdered by a band of Hauhaus at a spot near the end of the Tarawera and the commencement of the Uriwera country, on the Kangaroa

plains. We (Wellington Independent) think this story very doubtful, because the later Tauranga papers, to 2?th ult., say nothing about it. Mr John Kerr is a candidate for election to the seat m the House of Representatives for the Pensioner Settlements, vacant by the resignation of Colonel De Quincey. A destructive fire took place m Napier on the morning of the 21st ult., by which the Albion Hotel, and three other buildings were totally destroyed.