Not Wanted at Taumarunui.

The Government pathfinder and his men had a sullen, ominous reception when they marched into the village square at Taumarunui, weary and wet. Not a word of welcome was uttered. They pitched their tents in the kainga where the large town now stands, and waited until the Hauhaus would design to speak to them. After several hours the chief Ngatai (this was the leader of the Moffatt execution party) and some others came out and ceremoniously greeted the visitors. Ngatai said he would protect the surveyor and his companions while they were in Taumarunui, but they could not go on any further, as the Rohepotae was closed to them by the Kingite aukati. For two days Rochfort waited in his camp. Meantime he had written to the nearest chiefs who were enforcing the aukati.