NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3160, 29 March 1871, Page 4

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

An Auckland correspondent of the «• Lyttelton Times" furnishes the following : — March 15th. . Since it became evident that late sensational news has no foundation in, fact, Maori affairs have not greatly interested this community. Even another attempt to stop the Thames Tauranga mail last Friday did not disturb our equanimity, simply because hardly a night passes without the public being informed by the " Evening News" or the " Thames Advertiser," that the Native mailman has been stopped, threatened, and maltreated. And as, in spite of so many desperate escapes, the mail has generally arrived safe and punctual to date, it can scarcely cause surprise if the cry of ." wolf" has ceased to scare us. Moreover, as the Thames-Tauranga mail service was voluntarily undertaken by friendly Maoris at their own risk, the agreement being " no mail, no pay," the stoppage question is generally looked upon as one that will gradually right itself, if left to the Natives themselves. After three week's inspection of the Armed Constabulary posts, and the frontier line of lower Waikato, the Defence Minister returned to Auckland at early dawn on the 7th instant. During his absence ho organised a scout party

to watch the confiscated boundary. The force is commanded by Major Jackson, a Waikato settler, who was formerly a companion in arms of the lamented Von Tempsky. Shortly after Mr M'Lean reached Hamilton, Rewi and other leading Maniapoto chiefs wrote to request an interview at Kopua, which is some distance bouili of Alexandra. The request was granted, and those chiefs met the Defence Minister two days before lie started on his return to this place, Kewi came alone and unarmed, the other chiefs followed later. There were two interviews — one in public, the other strictly private. Gentlemen present at the former say Rewi's demeanour was frank and friendly without apparent effort. He and the other chiefs expressed abhorrence of Todd's murder, and explained how they and many of their people, to avoid being unjustly implicated, withdrew from Upper Waikato immediately the outrage became known to them. After such an unsolicited expression of their sentiments, it certainly is difficult to see huw the Defence Minister could ask them to pursue Ihe murderers, without evincing distrust of Kewi and his friends. Those who best understand the Maori character, can imagine what effect such a demand would have. I believe, upon good authority, it is quite Tie that Rewi told Mr M'Lean he and his people were half inclined to accede from the King, but required time to make up their minds', 1 because Tawhiao and his followers are guests of itfgatimaniapoto, li\i lg, in fact, upon Kewi's land. AU the chiefs present at the interview stated that Todd's murder was an isolated murder, not known to Tawhiao or the bulk of his followers until several days after it was perpetrated. Interesting information leaked out during the liewi-M'Lean interview, respecting the policy of the Maori King's advisers. It appears they seek a pretext — no matter what-r-which may enable them to resuscitate their expiring influence. They will not assist to capture Todd's murderers, believing that lukewarm and fanatic Kingttes alike will rally round Tawhiao or any other leader who may have it in his power to represent invasion of Upper Waikato for rendition of criminals as a deliberate design to exterminate all Maoridom. The private interview with Kewi lasted several hours. I hoar the Defence Minister is satisfied with the result. Nothing more is publicly known of what took place, as none but the principals were present. Time is said to have dealt groatly with Rewi, since his ever memorable and gallant defence of Oraicau pa, and his miraculous escape after being sorely wounded. At present he is by far the most important of Maori chiefs, not excepting Tawhiao ; for Rewi can muster at any time 700 fighting men. The rest of the acts of Rdwi, are they not written in the book of " War ill New Zealand," by the Hon. the Premier? The mailman, who was reported murdered on the 15th, was seen yesterday presiding at a feast of potatoes and pip is.