NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 505, 31 December 1869, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

(From the Wellington Independent, Dec. 23.) The visit of the Native Minister to Waikato, and hia interview with the leading chiefs of the King party, which we noted in our last Summary, followed as it was by the release of Te J-lura and his fellow-prisoners, has already effected a most marked and welcome change in the aspect of native affairs. The first and a most important evidence of the value o£ the friendly attitude assumed by Rewi and the representative men of the Waikato tribes was given almost immediately after the performance of the act of grace to which we have referred. To use the poetical illustration of Rewi, " The fragment of light visible at the Waikato, like the dawn, has soon spread," and gives the promise of brighter days to both races. In the latter part of November notice was given to the Government that a large meeting was in <voatemptation at the Upper Wangaoui, and a request was made that a representative of the Government should be present. Mr Booth, the late Resident Magistrate of that district, was therefore sent, and on his report of the meeting between the friendly natives and Topia, the leading chief of the Upper Wanganui tribes, the importance of the occasion was at once apparent, and the Premier, the Hon. Mr Fox, started at a moment's notice from the Seat of Govern* ment to Wanganui, unwilling probably to lose bo favourable an opportunity of trying that face to face policy, always advocated by him since the commencement of the Waikato war, and which had proved apparently so successful in the King's country. Supported by Meti Kingi, M.H.8., and a large body of friendly natives, including Major Kemp and his contingent, who had just returned from Taupo, Mr Fox met Topia at bis village — Ohinemutu— on the Wanganui River. He told that chief that the words spoken at the former meetings, declaring His (Topia's) in-

ftention to bring in Te Kooti, and his desire [to work with the Government for the common good of both races, had been most .gratifying to the Government. As a proof 'of the confidence which the Government 'placed in his words, he (Mr Fox) had brought top with him the arms which Topia required for the purpose of capturing Te Kooti. Forty rifles and 2000 rounds of ammunition Hrere then given to the chief, who thereupon repeated his earnest wish to " establish a road or path by which friendly communication might be maintained, and the good feeling be renewed which once existed between the Pakeha and Maori." He also reiterated ,in the strongest possible terms his intention tee capture Te Kooti, and hand him over to Khe Government. " Let Te Kooti be caught; let his name be defiled; let us work together for this purpose." Immediately after the departure of Mr Fox Copia, in conjunction with the friendly latives, prepared to put into execution the >lans proposed for the capture of the rebel Fe Eooti. And it is most satisfactory to earn that the confidence which Mr Fox showed in Topia, by presenting him with munitions of war, is evidently in the minds if our native allies well placed, inasmuch as he friendly chiefs have put the command of he whole expedition in his hands. On the 10th of December, the war party started, numbering some 600 men ; but unfortunately ;he very heavy rains which have fallen since hat date had prevented them from making wany considerable move up to the 20th inst. [it is, however, believed that no further (obstacle is likely to impede the progress of expedition. In the meantime, the moveimentß of Te Kooti are variously reported, but 'there seems to be little doubt that he, with rKereopa (the murderer of the Rev Mr Volkner) are within reach of Topia's force, somewhere about the rough and broken country, intersected by the tributaries of the Wanga nui River. The only fear is that he may have escaped towards the Uriwera country, where be will find friends among that hostile tribe, and a refuge from attack in the inaccessible mountains which form the main feature of that portion of the ißland. Unless Te Kooti has already effected his retreat, he can, ihowever, hardly fail now to be captured. [Including the native expedition led by Topia, ' and our own forces stationed in the neighfbourhood of the Taupo Lake and mountains F-_ S ome 200 or 300 — there can be little less than 1000 men now dogging his footsteps, or disposed so as to cut off his retreat ; and, as .Topia distinctly affirms that in his present action he is confirmed by the King's approval, the WaiHato country would be closed against his retreat. We may, therefore, confidently expect soon to learn that the rebel and his small band of adherents have been completely destroyed.