NATIVE NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3150, 17 March 1871, Page 3

NATIVE NEWS.

«. ROPATA'S EXPEDITION. The Napier " Telegraph" of the Ctli says : — Advices have been received through Captain Porter from Ropata, from Mangapowhatu, the centre of the Uriwera country, dated the 18th oi February. Ropata had learned that Te Kooti was at Papuni, not far from Lake YVaikaremoana, and near the site oi Whitmore's engagement with the escaped Chatham Island prisoners, on the Ruakituri, where Messrs Carr and Canning were killed. Ropata's men fuund out the whereabouts of Te Kooti from an old woman, who was found alone in a clearing, and who, mistaking Ropata's for Te Kooti's men, enquired for her daughter, who was with Te Kooti. From her particulars of Te Kooti's hiding place were obtained, and at the date of Captain Porter's despatch, the expedition was about to start in search of it". The woman's evidence had been corroborated, tracks having been found, made by Te Kooti on his late return from Mangapov.'hatu, where he had been visiting. Captain Porter says that the expedition has strong hopes of capturing Te Kooti, unless he be previously warned. The next news of Ropata will probably come through the Wairoa. The same paper of the 9th says ; — Upon the return of the expedition from the Bay of Plenty to Mangapowhatu, they came across and capcured three men whose tracks had been followed during the firtt march up from Poverty Bay to the Bay of Plenty. These are the men formerly referred to who were seeking, and unable to find, Te Kooti, and who left the written messages for him, mentioned previously. The expedition could obtain no reliable information from the Uriwera, with regard to Te Kooti, except that he was at or near Papuni. They accordingly made their way there, the march of six days being entirely through dense bush and over endless ranges. The march entailed much suffering and privation, as for several days the men existed upon wild cabbage and thistle. Being weak from want of food, and finding no cultivations, the expedition pushed for the nearest point for supplies, aud came out at the Reinga on the Wairoa river. During the march eleven people were taken, refugees of the Uriwera tribes, living in ones and twos. Capt, Porter came overland to Napier to communicate with the General Government Agent, and to receive instructions as to the future conduct of the expedition. He started for Wairoa last night, in the Napier, with supplies. a " rum go." The Auckland correspondent of the " Hawke's Bay Times" writes that a queer state of affairs prevails in Upper Waikato. For three months his Maori Majesty, the Princess Sophia, and the king's councillors have been almost constantly intoxicated on rum, purveyed from Raglan to the Royal precii. cts. This you will perceive accounts for the excitement that prevailed at Tokangamutu when friendly chiefs went up to demand the surrender of Todd's murderers. WAIROA. The Clyde correspondent of the 11. B. " Herald" writes under date of the 2nd:— Since my last the Government have taken prompt action, and Renata has been apprehended. The natives manifested their usual desire to play fast and loose in the matter, but without avail — a domiciliary visit of constabulary and arrest of delinquent proclaiming the ultimatum of the authorities. I have good reason to believe that the presence of Rewi and Kuare is also desired at Napier, and have no doubt but that they will find it necessary to accede to the somewhat imperious invitation of their lioa aiolia, their resident.