TAURANGA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2992, 12 May 1870, Page 4

TAURANGA.

» The correspondent of the " Southern Cross" writes from Tauranga sth May. 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 the disaffected spirits whom Te Eooti had left behind. To prove the correctness of his story, he invited me and other Europeans to visit them, when wo 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 tho King's people, of whom they form a portion, a better and more satisfactory understanding. I hava received intelligence from Te Matata that a number of rebels belonging to the Ngatiware, of the Ureweraa, have surrendered to Captain Preece at Rangitaiki, 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 bo, and tho Government desire it, they aro prepared to follow up To Kooti and hunt him out of their country, thereby proving their incerity in submitting thoir allegiance. If it was needful, I could recite some touching and affecting scenes, which have recently come before my own observation, of native chiefs who had been discarded by previous Governments, but who have, since Mr M'Lean's accession to office, received from him such assurances through which new life arid vigour have baen 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 the tribes of New Zealand that he was offered the Kingship before Potatu was selected, and which he despised with contempt, still preferring the colors 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 — still 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 me] is one of Mr M'Lean's letters. Read it ; and let it be known that Tupaea 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 I am closing my letter I have met with a gentleman 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 voluntax'ily 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.