THE WAITOTARA WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1369, 7 March 1865, Page 3

THE WAITOTARA WAR.

The correspondent of the Wanganui Chronicle, writing from head-quarters, camp Patea River, Feb. 22, says : —Nothing of importance has occurred in connection with the head quarters' field force since the date of my last communication of the 17th ult. A redoubt, the largest that has yet been built, has just been finished on the left bank of the .Patea lliver, and a road passable for horse carts made from the river to the camp. We have had an incessant fall of rain since the 18th instant, which still continues. The outlying picquets, under present circumstances, feel this kind of weather very disagreeable, as there are no sentry-boxes or cover of any description for those who are out on duty. The Brigadier-General is very considerate, and invariably orders an additional half-ration of spirits to be issued to the men on being relieved from duty in the morning. Two small craft arrived in the river yesterday with stores for the canteen-keepers—the smallest one of the two got ashore when crossing the bar, but ultimately got off and came to anchor in the river without sustaining any damage. The Gundagai arrived last evening just before dark. She called into Waitotaraon her way down, and brought the soldiers' second blankets and kits, which were left behind at that post when the force marched on the 16th instant. The Alexandra was anchored outside the bar last night, but was obliged to put out to sea this na»rni*g owing to the boisterous state of the weather. The first native of any description that has been seen since the arrival of the troops in this camp was observed this morning on the opposite side of the river—on a hill top about a mile distant. He was mounted, and apparently taking a survey of the camp. Everything seems to be in readiness for another movement, and it is expected that, as soon as the weather clears, the head-quarters' force will proceed in the direction where the rebels are known to be located. Friday, Feb. 24. A party of the rebels was fired at by our outlying picquets yesterday. The object of their presence in the vicinity of camp appeared to be a visit to a small native settlement, perhaps ior the purpose of carrying away something that was forgot when they decamped. One of them appeared to have been wounded from the fire of the sentries; the rebels were mounted. The Storm Bird passed yesterday on her way to town, and dropped two surf boats at this place, which she had brought from Taranaki. Both boats are for the service of this river; the crews also came from Taranaki, and each man has been engaged by the Imperial Government at ten pounds per month. The whole of the force at this camp, with the exception of 180 of the 2nd battalion of thelSthßegiment, who are to garrison the redoubt, struck tents and moved across the Patea immediately after breakfast. I believe the force will move up the river on the opposite bank, and encamp a short distance from here. Of course no one is aware what the next move on the board may be, whether an advance on the stronghold, or another stretch in the direction of Taranaki, although it is the general belief that the troops will not proceed any further in the direction of Taranaki. Saturday, Feb. 25. The main body of the field force is encamped on the right bank of the Patea. A reconnoitring party was ordered to go out this morning at eight o'clock, but was afterwards cancelled. The rebels show themselves in numbers in our front on this side of the river, and are supposed to occupy a village a few miles in advance of the camp. A report was in circulation the other day to the effect that a gentleman in camp had picked up, at the mouth of the Patea River, a piece of quartz, full of gold. I believe this •report.is quite correct, and I have heard the gentleman's name who was the finder, although I am not at liberty to mention it. Tuesday, Feb. 28. The detachment of the 68th Regiment arrived in camp last evening, having marched overland from Wanganui. It met with no opposition on the road. The Prince Alfred landed the English mail here yesterday, and went on to town. H.M. ship Esk is at anchor outside the bar with his Excellency the Governor on board. The Gundagai goes out to bring him ashore this morning, and then proceeds to town. The rebels ihowed themselves pretty freely on the hills a short distance in front of the camp on Sunday morning, and fired at our outlying picket. A reconnoitring party was ordered for yesterday morning, but was put off owing to the arrival of his Excellency. The rebels were again observed early this morning on the ground which they occupied on Sunday. They commenced firing at the sentries, although something like 1800 yards off. I am of opinion that they are constructing a work on the hill in question ; either that, or they have a pah very convenient to us. We can see a large village under the hill which they occupy, and apparently large cultivations. The soldiers are very anxious to get forward to see what is really there, and no doubt they will have an opportunity as soon as the redoubt on this side of the river is almost finished. The Armstrong gun, under Colonel Williams, R.A., was run up to where the advanced sentries were posted, and threw about half a dozen of shell at the rebels, which had the effect of sending them under cover. A large number of cattle were driven into camp yesterday by a mounted party. Some of them were recognised by a settler of Taranaki, who is employed at this camp by the contract butcher, as being kis father's property, and were driven off his farm in Taranaki by the rebels at the time the Taranaki settlers lost so many cattle and sheep. There was a fine bull among the herd,which was shot down by the soldiers and converted into beef. There are a large number of milch cows among them. I may mention that the bar on the Patea river will be a dangerous one during the winter or severe weather, as during the last week the channel by which the steamers first entered the river is totally changed.

The Governor. —His Excellency arrived off the Patea, yesterday morning, in H.M.S.S. Esk, and was landed by the Gundagai about half-past eight. He continued ashore until about noon, when he returned to the Esk, which then steamed away for Wellington.—Chronicle, March 1. The Waixotara.—We understand that on Saturday a native, bearing a white flag, came down the Waitotam redoubt with a letter to Captain Creagh, commanding there. Unfortunately there was no one at the redoubt who understood Maori sufficiently well to be able to translate the letter, but this much was made out:—Although not signed it was sent by Hore Tipene, who intimated that he was willing to treat for peace. If the General wished to fight why did he go to Patea, and not come to Weraroa ? But he thought enough of blood had been shed, and that peace might now be made. The letter was sent to the General. The Maoris had still a white flag flying oil Monday last.—lbid. Brigadier-General Waddt.—This distinguished officer met with an accident last week by which his collar-bone was broken, his horse having fallen with him. He came into town by the Gundagai on Saturday.—lbid. \ The Militia.—We understand that another detachment, if not the remainder, of the 14th regiment is expected here, and that on their arrival the present intention is that the militia shall be relieved from their irksome duties at the redoubts, and we trust, also, from the necessity of appearing every day on parade. Lieut.-Colonel Morant paid a visit to Stewart's redoubt on Friday, heard the grievances of the men and promised to remedy them, and * r .® believe he has been as good as his promise. On ji 8 departure he received three hearty cheers from tne men .—lbid,