WAIEARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2218, 13 June 1865, Page 2 (Supplement)

WAIEARAPA.

THE HAU HAU FANATICS. (l'K(iM OtlH OWN' CORUKSPONDKNT.) Masterton, May 13th, 1865. Since my last communication, nothing of any importance lias taken place. The Hau Haus have been seen by different settlers, travelling back and forwards between pahs, but retaining their adjudged side of the .Ruamahunga. A file of fanatics, escorted by armed ICingites, under We Waka, wero seen crossing the hills towards Ngairo's kainga. They made a slight demonstration by shaking their guns iv a menacing attitude towards Messrs Niehol, Watson, and some other travellers who happened to be passing, but otherwise they did not misconduct themselves. The Kingites have unanimously accepted the new religion, and in their several pahs are practising the rites to their heart's content. A number of thorn were observed the other day, kneeling down round a flaxbush with rather a tall stem, which acted instead of a pole ; talking gibberish and gesticulating iv tho most fervent and approved Hau Hau style. It is expected that the Defence Corps will be stationed here for some months, if not permanently, but nothing is definitely known as yet. It is intended to have a largo semi-completed house of Mr Woodroofe's fitted up to receive them. Tho building is central and commands some excellent forty acre paddocks. If Mr Ward had not boon able to secure the house for this purpose, it had been intended to " billet" the men with the settlers but though individually and collectively a most respectable and well ordered body of men, yet such an unlookod for contingency would necessarily inconvenience the regular residents, and constitute a fruitful source of invective on the devoted heads of tho Hau Haus. Sergeant- Major Jievell, brother of Mr Revcll, Resident Magistrate at the Hokitika diggings, lias been acting as drill instructor for the Volunteer Cavalry. Yesterday, under Captain Leatham's direction, tho Defence Force, joined them in a ride- up the Opaki plain. Their combined appearance, fully armed, would doubtless have an excellent effect on the natives. I undert stand that there remain only ton loyal natives who have not accepted fanaticism, this, in itself, is a serious fact, and proves conclusively thnt thcnormal and fundamental truths of Christianity have never been effectirely engrafted into the Maori mind, otherwise their effect would not be so evanescont and the present unfortunate struggle of races might never have formed a subject for future histoiy. The missionaries conduct is not so much the subject of blame as a casual thought might infer. They are really tho sufferers from deception. Essentially superstitious, tho natives greedily accopted the forms of religion without understanding or inwardly digesting tho doctrines which were inculcatod. They evince the same facility in accepting the Hau Hau faith, and. will with, equal ease disencumber taernselyea of its pernicious yoke. Some of the

natives state .that a number of fanatics at Wanganui and Eangitikei have become converts to Christianity and abjured Hau FTituistn. The eleven fanatics or priests are followed by upwards of forty adherents, they are now at Ngairo's pah, according to the latest information. Tho Defence Corpa I magazine came up from Featherston last night. A fact of some importance to bankers and the mercantile interest has come under my j notice, namely the circulation of spurious I Bank of New Zealand notes, Auckland ; branch. They are very dirty, obviously to deceive enquiry as to their being genuine. They have no signatures whatever and no date. The matter requires the serious attention of the Bank authorities, as they evidently have been suiTeptitiously placed in circulation. , A report has reached me that some King- | ites have arranged a plan to burn the Wrtio- | Lane bridge. The infoi'mation has been given ito Mr Ward. On enquiring from the native i whether Ngntuez^o, whose kianga adjoins the bridge, would not protect it, he stated that it would take place in the night time.