THE GOLDFIELDS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2658, 7 April 1868, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

By the N.Z.S.N. Company's s.s. Storm Bird we are in receipt of later Auckland papers, from which we extract the following items of news : — His Excellency the Governor met «n exceedingly loyal reception, and on stepping on shore, was presented with several addresses of welcome by the Superintendent of the province, and representatives of all the local bodies. Of these, perhaps the moßfc interesting was one presented by the natives, to which his Excellency made the following reply : — Friends, I have listened to your loving welcome to me, as the representative of our sovereign lady the Queen, and as the arbitrator for both races in this land. It has made my heart glad to hear the words of peace and good- will to eaoh other which are in the addresses that have been presented to me alike from Europeans andL natives. It will be my care to cultivate that feeling, that it may be a bond to hold both people together until they become as one race. Your word is good,— that the man who labors to produce the fruits of the earth should be held in honor. Be you strong and industrious to rival the Europeans on this point, so that both races may grow together in wealth and strength, and the land may bo filled with blessings. The Maori should supply the pakeha with corn, vegetables, and other fruits of the earth; and the pakeha should in return supply the Maori with articles of commerce > which he requires for his comfort. I have considered your word with regard to Te Hura and his companions in prison. The evil of these is great, and the law after long deliberation has appointed punishment to each according to the measure of his guilt. The decision of the law must be respected ; ; but repentance of sin and good condupt whilst i under sentence, will bring light into t&0

OTise of darkness, seeing that the Maori and European are equal before the law, the mercy of the Queen may be evoked by each, and when deserved will surely be extended alike to the dark skin and the white. And now, oh my friends, it is my earnest hope that peace may, through the blessing of God, be maintained in this land. Let it be for you and the chiefs of Few Zealand to to aid me in this good work, so pleasing to God and advantageous to man. From your loving friend, (Signed) G. F. Bowen, Governor. His Excellency has held a levSe, which was largely attended, and purposes visiting Sir George Grey at Kawau, whither the Hon. the Premier, Mr Stafford has already gone. STOPPAGE OF THE BOAD FEO3I TAtTBANGA TO PATATEBE. — SEIZUBE OF MESSES BUCKLAND AND FIRTH'S CATTLE. The Southern Cross says :— We regret that tho attempt to drive the mob of, cattle, belonging to Mr William Buckland and Mr Firth, across country from Tauranga to Patatere— already noted in our paper— has been unsuccessful. Some time ago we gave an account of the stoppage of the cattle by Hauhaus, when in charge of Mr Buckland's stockman. It was believed, however, that Mr Buckland had sufficient personal influence to enable him to pass the cattle through. At all events, he made the attempt, and the entire mob have been taken forcible possession of by an armed band of Hauhaus. Mr Buckland has returned to town. There were 190 head of cattle—- 110 being the property of Mr Buckland and 80 belonging to Mr Firth. The cattle were placed under the charge of the old chief Hori Tupaea, and other influential chiefs, and they travelled over ground belonging to Tauranga natives until reaching the verge of Mr Buckland's run at Patatere. At this point, between 40 and 50 Hauhaua, armed to the teeth, made a sudden descent upon them. One cow was shot and the rest confiscated, until a meeting could be held to decide what should be done with them. They are at present confiscated in favor of Tana (William Thompson's son and successor), who has declared all roads on his land to be stopped — in accordance with instructions from the Maori King. There •were two Europeans (Mr Buckland and his servant) and twelve natives driving the cattle across the ranges. Hori Tupaea was sent back to Tauranga greatly affected — crying bitterly — because he had induced Mr Buckland to hand over the cattle to him, saying that " Then they will be my cattle, and if they touch them they touch me." Upon arrival at the run they were to be handed back to Mr Buckland. The Hauhaus treated him like a child. The leaders of the Hauhaus were Hakaria, from Tapapa, and Wiremu Houmu, from Kruanui, Patatere. The ungrateful rebel Houmu had been receiving rent for the past two years from Mr Buckland for a part of the very run on which the cattle were to be depastured.