MR FIRTH AND TE KOOTI The following is from the Southern Cross of Jan. 18 : During yesterday telegrams of a highly im portant character were received from Mr J. C. Firth, who for some days past has been on his run at Puketutu, on the Waitoa river, near Matamata. It would appear that on Saturday last Mr Firth received a letter from Te Kooti, in which the latter stated that he had heard of the terror which his presence in the neighbourhood had inspired, both amongst the Kupapas (Queen natives) and the Euro pean settlers. He, however, desired them to allay their fears •, that there was no real ground for alarm, as he would not disturb the peace which was made at Puketutu by Wil liam Thompson, whose friend “ Hohaia ” (Mr Firth) had been. Yesterday Mr Firth reported that he had received a second letter from Te Kooti, who desired him to come and see him at Thompson’s monument. Mr Firth intimated his intention of going at all hazards, but we believe the Government have very prudently refrained from in any way acquiescing in the step which Mr Firth pro poses to take. Of course it would be diffi cult to pronounce with any degree of cer tainty as to the object which Te Kooti has in view, but we think the circumstances in which he is placed afford a clue. Despite the fact that Te Kooti is just bow “ master of the situation,” be is almost surrounded by hostile forces. The King’s territory is vir tually closed to him ; should be retreat into the Rotoroa country he will place himself near Colonel McDonnell, and in a position where he would be more easily captured by a force of Arawas; and should he retreat down the Ohinemuri Peninsula his escape would be rendered extremely difficult. Suppose, how ever, that he should attack Tauranga, which, to our mind, is most unlikely, here he would be met by Major Fraser, an energetic and skilful officer, whose prestige amongst the natives is very high, and who has a large force of Europeans and natives under his command, with two men-of-war to co-operate. An attack on the inner defences of Tauranga by Te Kooti would mean suicide. 