TITOKOWARU'S LETTER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2700, 8 February 1876, Page 2

TITOKOWARU'S LETTER.

+ The Post continues to falsify history, innocently and absurdly enough as the following will conclusively prove : — Titokowaru the erst- while rebel chief, has sent the following letter to Colonel McDonnell, who had been asked by Titoko's people to visit them. Titoko has evidently a lively recollection of howColonel McDonnell fell upon and defeated him in the war days of 1868-9, and feels a wholesome dread of his ancient adversary. The following is the letter, kindly supplied by Colonel McDonnell : " Omoturangi, 6th December, 1875. "To CoiiOnel M'Doknell. — Salutatations to you and all your people ! Now, do not be amazed or troubled, but you had better 'remain where you are, and uot visit me personally, in case you come in the same way you used to, and then I was destroyed in consequence. lam exceedingly good now, and as pure as the white snow ; but lam not quite sure of your being the same, but rather is not your goodness like unto the blue sky with dark clouds on it ? So, friend, better remain, lest I be treated by you as in the days that are past. This is all from "TITOKOTVAKU." Titokowarn's letter exactly confirms the impression in the mind of almost every settler on the Coast, that. Colonel McDonnell's conduct was principally the cause of the war. How can such a letter be " enigmatical ? " Jt is no' more than the expression of an honest fear that if the Colonel were again sent into the District, another war would be the result. But the Post explains the matter by a complete reversal of history, when it says :: — •' Tito has evidently a li /ely recollection of how Col. McDonnell fell upon and defeated him in the war days of 1868-9, and feels a wholesome dread of his ancient adversary." Truth-loving- Post ! What of Te Ngu'tu o te Maim — of Von Temps ley, aiid the slaughter of the officers-Wliat of retreat, mutiny and disaster? Titokowaru swept the Colonial forces before him like chaff before the wind, and McDonnell retired beaten, with his men thoroughly demoralised. Titokowaru refers to tho origin of the war, and simply means that he was goaded to fire the first shot. The Post probably writes for the populace of the City, for its " facts " will not bear much investigation out of it. It stated in a previous issue that Colonel McDouaell had beeen invited by Titokowaru's people. The letter proves the utter incorrectness of the statement. Yet our contemporary has the unblushing hardihood to recommend that such a man should be sent to .negotiate ! *