HAWKE'S BAY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1969, 13 October 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

HAWKE'S BAY.

WAIKATO EMISSARIES,

"William Thompson" the " Kingmaker" was said to have visited this Province on the 251h ult., for the purpose of inciting the natives to rebellion. In a Herald extra of the Bth inst, this report is however, contradicted. Our contemporary says: —

William Thompson's visit to this Province, as reported in the Herald of Saturday last, and reprinted in yesterday's sunm ar\, turns out to be a myth. We did not give publicity to the alleged visit until we had applied to the best source at command for information ; but it would appear that false statements had been made to the authorities and credited by them. The fact remains undisputed, however, that emissaries, direct from Waikato, possibly men of consequence, are now, or were very lately, on a visit to the principal chiefs in the vicinity of Napier.

The same journal continues: —

Mysterious warning of intended risings upon certain days Continue, however, to be received from time to time ; and although no great reliance is to be placed upon information of this kind, the unsettled state of the native mind throughout the country, coupled with the fact of the great Waikato chief haring recently been engaged in working upon the excitable feelings of the tribes in the vicinity of Napier, is such as to prevent any relaxation in the efforts of the local authorities to place the province in a position of self-defence. The stockade near Waipawa will be finished in a few days. It will then be occupied by a company of H.M.. 14th Regiment and a troop of the Colonial Defence Force. Another stockade will be erected without delay somewhere in the n«rthern boundary — probably at Petaue — but the precise locality has not yet been indicated. A troop of the Defence Force will remain for the present at the late camp of instruction, Maugaone—a convenient position for intercepting any band of VVaikatos or others who ma) feel inclined to make a raid into the district. And, last, but not least, the greater part of the ablebodied population have been armed with the En field rifle and trained to its use. These preparations have been conducted as mere measures of precaution, and care has been taken to explain this to the natives. The ordinary routine of industry has not been interfered with either in town or country, and the majority of the settlers believe that the firm front shewn will discourage the turbulently disposed and obviate the necessity of any appeal to arms. On the 2nd inst., ihe house of Mr G. S. Cooper was destroyed by fire. Colonial Defence Force. — A detachment, consisting of 12 men, of this force, is now stationed in town — all mounted and armed. It is under the command of Sub-Inspector awd Acting Adjutant Hudson — in his absence that of Corporal Maunsei). The A troop, 50 strong under the command of Inspector La Serre, is expected to leave for Waipawa on Monday next. We believe that the carbines of this troop are all breach-loaders. The B troop will remain at , Peka Peka|soms time longer. — Herald 7th inst,

The Uriwevas have again been heard of not however, in this province but as on their way to Waikato. Intelligence has reached town that 300 men of this tribe, led by Te^Heu Heu and Te Raugi Kaitipuaki, have lately taken themselves off to the seat of war. We are satisfied that nothing will better please the old General than to have a few thousand of such ruffians to deal with. — Ibid.

Sheep Shearing. — Now that shearing time approaches, the natives at Pa Whakairo have held a meeting on the subject, and resolved to fleece the pakeha to the tune of 50s per hundred — such being formerly announced in the Waha Maori of ibis morning as their terms of business during the approaching season. We tru^t that the wool groweis will be able to dispense with the services of these greedy gentry. — Ibid.

A Phenomenon in Nature. — Mr Atkinson, of Eskdale, Petane, observing that one of his cows had a difficulty in calving, got assistance and rendered her all the aid he could, but without avail. Seeing there was no chance of saving the cow's life, they killed her and made an after examination, when they found a fine red calf, evidently at maturity, with two beads and necks full size and all the other parts perfect. — Ibid.