NATIVE NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 618, 16 May 1870, Page 3

NATIVE NEWS.

The Auokland Evening News of May 7 contains the following : — By the arrival of the Woodstock from Opotiki we have information of the surrender of a number of rebels at Te Kaha. While the cutter lay' there, Captain Baker was informed that sobie fifteen of* Te Kooti's soldiers, amongst' whom were some of tbe late most bloodthirsty of the crew, had shown a disposition to give themselves up. They stopped some miles away from the settlement, and sent on one of tbeir number to ascertain with what feeling they would be received. This man informed the Te Kaha natives that the deserters were completely worried and sick of the life they were leading ; the faith in Te Kooti was totally shaken even in the minds of his most infatuated followers. The few remaining with him do so, not from a feeling of enthusiasm, but because they have a horror of the punishment which

theyithinkawaitsttbenr in the~event--of "their coming in*- Tracesrof the moskaevere depri-- | vntions were visible in the appearance Of the messenger. He was haggard and lank, with shrunken limbs, and almost void of any covering. .He was, indeed, a most woe' begone, miserable specimen of the fancied haughty rebel. , While the Woodßtock remained at TeKaha, his companions did not put in appearance. The-, Tauranga correspondent of the Southern Cross writes as follows on May 5: — Yesterday, I was visited by a friendly Hau-hau belonging to the Pirikakaus, who informed me that the tribe to which he belongs have not only been acting a neutral part, but, through the confidence which they had in Mr M'Lean, had been exerting their influence in removing from the district all tbe disaffected spirits whom Te Kooti had left behind. To prove the correctness of his story, he invited me and other Europeans to visit them, when we could, hear from their own lips the vast confidence^ and high esteem in which they held the policy adopted by the Native office in cementing in the minds of the King's people, of whoiri they form a portion, a better and more satisfactory understanding. I have received intelligence from Te Matata that a number of rebels belonging to the Ngatiware, of tbe Ureweras, have surren dered to Captain Preece at Kangitaiki, and so overjoyed are they with the peaceful prospects held out that one or two of the party have returned to their settlement at Ohikereru to bring the remainder out; and if need be, and the Goverment desire it, they are prepared to follow up Te Kooti, and hunt him out of their country, thereby proving their sincerity in submitting their allegiance. If it was needful, I could recite some touching and ( affecting scenes, which have recently come before ray own observation, of native chiefs who htld been discarded by previous Governments, but who have, since Mr McLean's accession to office, received from him such assurances through which new life and vigour have been implanted in their minds. I met Hori Tupaoa, the old venerable chief of this district — a person who at the time ranked so high amongst all tbe tribes of New Zealand that he was offered the kingship before Potatau waß selected, and which he despised with contempt, still preferring tbe colours of his European friends, whom for upwards of thirty years he had succoured, sheltered, and protected, without any acknowledgment from Government for his services and fatherly protection. The venerable chief, taking me by the hand, said, " I was going down fast to the grave, forgotten, degraded, and despised, but alas ! at the eleventh hour, when it is almost too late — for my physical strength is gone— sfcill my voice, lives, and I will make it known amongst the tribes that, though I have been dead some time to the world, I still live, and there (handing it to me) i 6 one of Mr M'Lean 's letters. Read it ; and let it be known that Tupaoa still lives, and that his latter days shall be, like his early days, spent to assist in establishing peaceful relations amongst the races, and the settlement of the district." Just as lam closing my letter I have met with a gentlemen from Opotiki, who informs me that Te Kooti is without doubt not in the Urewera country, but at Maraetai, with only 30 men, and a great number of women and children. This information has been received from a deserter from Te Kooti's ranks, who has voluntarily given himself up. Colonel St John leaves us to«day with a force of 200 men, and will act in concert with Major Ropata, who is on the trail. The next news we probably may have is that this tormentor of our peace has been secured.