Taranaki.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 214, 25 October 1860, Page 4

Taranaki.

When the Sea Gull, (arrived here from Taranaki on the 18th iust.,) left, the southern expedition had returned. The three pas taken on the 12th were so situate that 12,000 to 15,000 men would have been needed to •surround them. The Maories retreated into another pa newly built further south, but the despatch received by the Cordelia prevented their being followed up.

[From the Herald’s ‘ Journal of Events.’ Saturday, Sept. 22. —From the South we hear that the expedition is encamped at Puketea, awaiting reinforcements of men and one of the Iris’s heavy guns brought up overland from Waitara to day. Sunday, Sept. 23.—A" private expedition of bush settlers went out this morning to see the extent of injury their homes had sustained from the rebels. The line taken was the Carrington road, across the river HiSnui by the Avenue and Mangorei roads. The houses burnt to the ground are Mrs. .Richmond's (Merton), Mr. W aitts,’ (Upp Mangorei) Mr. Charles Brown’s and Mr. Newman’s, (Carrington road). The whole of the remaining ho'uses have been broken into and plundered, and the contents not taken, including doors and fittings, chopped about and broken. Every well has had meat or dead animals thrown in to render the water unfit for use by the settlers. Cattle were seen in several places, but not a horse has been left by the rebels in the districts visited. The garrison as usual manned the trenches, and were inspected by Major-General Pratt. Monday, Sept. 24. —During the day, Major Hutcliin’s force returned from the South. The detachment that escorted the 8-inch gun from Waitara as fur as the Bell Block yesterday, saw about twelve hostile natives near the Tima pa. They had bullocks and carts •with them. They fired off their guns, but it is probable they did this as a ruse to make it believed that theydid not care about being seen. W. King, we are told, was present at the skirmish the other day at the Huiranga. The rebels acknowledge to 3 killed, but say the guns did no execution in consequence of their being concealed in trenches (not rifle pits). They had made up their minds to die there, thinking that we had come out to annihilate them.

The head quarters of the 40tli regiment, under Colonel Leslie, marched Tuesday, Sept. 25, to Waitara to-day. We hear that they have moved down to make up the companies, when the head quarters will return to town. The camp l>aggage was taken in the Tasmanian Maid. Thursday, Sept. 27. —From Bell Block we hear that some natives were again seen on the block driving off cattle, when a party went out under Capt. Leeson, who engaged them, and drove them 7 off. One house the natives entered had been fired, but the party succeeded in extinguishing it. Our correspondent writes particulars which we are obliged to postpone. He says—“ I understand that a Brigade Order has been issued prohibiting excursions against the enemy without an order from the Brigade Office. If such an order is carried into effect it will be as injurious to the settlers as it will be beneficial to the enemy. There are sufficient delays at present without having to send to town for leave to attack an audacious enemy, who will fire our houses and drive our cattle miles away before a Brigade Order could be obtained. It is to be hoped there is no foundation for the rumour, or the force at Bell Block will be useless, and the enemy more troublesome than ever.” Friday, Sept. 28. We have been informed that despatches have been received from the "War Office, appointing Taranaki a permanen t Head Quarters of H. M.’s Forces in South Pacific, and that General Pratt and Staff are ordered to remove from Melbourne to Taranaki. We regret to report that Captain Barton, 65th Regt., whilst riding past the military hospital on Wednesday evening, was thrown from his horse; and his arm dislocated. So violent was his fall, that the bone of his arm near the elbow protruded through the skin. Sunday, Sept. 30.—The gunboat Caroline, from Manukau with despatches, anchored this morning. ! She brings orders for the removal of the Iris’s blue jackets, who embarked at once on board H.M. S. Niger, and sailed at three p.m. It is rumoured that the battalion iof the is expected in Auckland in the course of the next fortnight, in the celebrated steam transport ship 7/imalaya, An expedition of 1000 men, ini command of Oeneral Pratt, will proceed south on Tuesday, to attack the Taranaki and Ngatiruanui rebels at Kaihibi. Intelligence reached town this evening that a party of the 4th and Naval Brigade, numbering 500 men, under Colonel Leslie, at Huirangi yesterday, filling in the rifle pits and levelling the trenches, were fired upon by the natives. The men were ordered to retire, and not to fire, and were followed l>y the natives as far as Pukttakauere, wounding three of the 40th and two marines. The Light Company of the 65th, under Lieuts. Urquhart.and Whitbread, and 70 men of the 12tb, under Lieut. Richardson and Ensign La Touche, the whole in command of Major Hutchins, 12th Regt., proceeded to the Bell Block to-day, and completed the demolition of the To Puke, Tima, and Kaipakopako j abs, in which the rebels have been located ♦luring the p:-st week, and whence they issued io maraud and burn on Saturday. No natives were seen.

Monday, Oct. I.—-The IFonga Wonga. from Manukau at the anchorage this morning. Sh 1 rings Auckland papers to the 29th ult., from which we learn tm.t the second battalion of the I4th Regt. in command of Sir, James Alexander, was to leave Cork on the 14tb

August. The Volunteers and Militia mustered to-day. After the duties were concluded lots were drawn for the distribution of the presents received from Canterbury and Wellington, and three hearty cheers given for the lady contributors. At 11 a. ni., the head quarters of the 40th, and companies marched into town from Waitara, leaving 230 at the camp under Major Nelson ; and shortly afterwards the Tasmanian Maid came up with 26 men of the Aaval Brigade and the baggage and camp equipage. The 40th encamped again in the Market-place, and the blue jackets at Mount Eliot. Fort Niger, vacated by the marines of the Iris and A’iger, is occupied by a company of the 65th, in charge of Tinsign Muttit. JVe are told that on Saturday the rebels, who were ac times within 150 yards cf the rear-guard during the retreat, kept up a well sustained fire, ami were checked for a short time by a few volleys from the rear-guard, who were compelled to fire in selfdefence. The following are the names of the wounded :

Royal Marines.—J. Strange (severely in leg): J. //arriden (severely in thigh). 40th Regt.—Corporal O’Connor (flesh wound in arm); Private T?obt. Jones (do in shoulder); Private John Nestor (do. in leg).

About 30 head of cattle were driven into camp by the mounted escort. It is supposed the rebels had some wounded, as they were seen afterwards from Puketakauere on the ground with bullock carts. The northern mailman came up in the steamer fromWaitara. He reports all quiet at Waikato, and did not hear of any intended movement to joinW.King’. Tuesday, Oct. 2. —The Wonga Wonga, with Commodore Seymour and Mr. Parris, left this morning on a ornise along the coast. At the parade this morning of the Militia and Volunteers, it was notified that the expedition to Kaihibi would start to-morrow morning, and that 80 of the Militia and Volunteers would take part in it. The names of 76 rank and file, 4 sergeants, and 2 drummers of the Afilitia and Volunteers for the southern expedition were posted at 1 p.m. The Wonga Wonga returned at 2 p.m. The Wonga steamed along the coast as far as JTarea> and at Kaihibi and its vicinity natives in numbers were seen, who fired their pieces at the steamer. Signal fii’es were lighted at different points on the coast for a considerable distance. The weather gloomy and wind setting in from the eastward.

Wednesday, Oct. 3. —The expedition postponed for the present. During the day the wind increased to a gale, and the rain poured down incessantly. - Thursday, Oct. 4.—Weather clearing. At the parade this morning tbe following Brigade Order was read to the militia and volunteers by the Adjutant. New Plymouth, Ist October, 1860.

“ Colonel Gold cannot give up the command of the forces in New Zealand without expressing to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men over whom he has had the honour and pleasure of presiding, his high sense of the soldierlike and satisfactory manner in which they have performed their duties under no ordinary circumstances of difficult and danger. He thanks them, one and all, for their support and the manner in which they carried out his orders, and bids them adieu with fervent wishes for their welfare and happiness.” Saturday, Oot. 6. The Wonga Wonga started at 11 this morning to reconnoitre the coast towards Warea, and returned at 4 p.m. Weather fine.

Sunday, Oct. 7.—The steamer Airedale, from the Manukau, anchored at 12 noon. Abe brings Auckland papers to the 3rd inst. It is'rumoured that Governor Browne has tendered his resignation in consequence of Sir G. C. Lewis’s despatch on the war ; and that an attack upon Auckland by the Waikatos was apprehended.

Monday, Oct. 8.-—Ropiha visited Mataitawa on Saturday, where a party of Wi Kingi’s allies, the Puketapus are located, with a permission from the District Commissioner (Mr. Parris) for Matiu, the brother of Raniera, the Assessor, who has expressed his desire to join the friendly natives, to accompany him back again. Ropiha 'returned this morning, bringing with him not only Matiu, but six other rebels, with four women, who, for reasons best known to themselves, have come over to th e friendly side, and amongst them Hoera Pirere, or Big Joe, Manahi’s brother, who, it seems, has come over in a fit of vexation occasioned by some quarrel with his southern friends. On the receipt of the intelligence that Big Joe was one of the party, Mr. Parris requested a number of friendly natives, with Tahana and Raniera at their head, to proceed to the spot where the rebels were (on the edge of the forest near Smart’s farm), and bring him in by force if necessary, and make him prisoner. An eye-witness, who could see the proceedings from the pa at Waiwakaiho, saw Raniera’s party advance. On nearing the bush they fired their pieces in the air as a token of amity, which was returned by the rebels. Others were seen to join and salute each other, firing off more guns, and after the lapse of an hour or more the whole were seen to join and salute each other, the whole were, seen to leave the bush and come towards the friendly pa at Waiwakaiho. Firing was still kept up during the march, and on crossing the Waiwakaiho bridge all the women from the different pas congregated and set up the most dismal howling imaginable, taken up afterwards by the men. 'When the rebels arrived at the pa, Big Joe was seen to be the leader, marching past with great coolness and audacity, and on coming within a few yards of the resident natives, they also took up the howling,which was kept up by both sides without intermission—some of the old hags vying with each other who could howl the loudest—for two

hours. When Maori mode of greeting had subsided; tubbing noses and more crying commenced, which ended, all sat down, when Mr. Parris, who had ridden into town when the party had crossed the bridge, came up and addressed a few words to them, at the conclusion of which Big Joe. stepped forward and iaid his musket at Mr. Parris’s feet, and was followed by the rest, and the muskets were taken possession of by* a policeman. Not a word was spoken by the rebels during the whole affair. About this time a party of military arrived under Lieut. Chevalier, 65th regt., when Mr. Parris requested Big Joe to follow him. Big Joe, apparently knowing all about it, got up, cast a look at the military, coolly took off his cartouche box, handed it over to a native, and placed himself between a file of soldiers with fixed bayonets, and marched into town apparently under the impression that it was a mere matter of form. As the party approached the town, numbers of the townspeople were on their way to see the niuiderer Manahi’s brother, the notorious rebel Big Joe, and by j|the time the party readied the barrier in Devon street there was scarcely room to get through the crowd, who were groaning and hissing at the prisoner. Joe, however, never winced, and maintained his bold and defiant look. He was then lodged in the gaol and* ironed. The other six rebels and the four women are left at large at Waiwakaiho ; why the whole were not made prisoners of war is not stated, and we shall be glad to hear why, the whole of them being rebels in arras agaiust her Majesty’s authority, one only was captured. It has not the merit of conciliating the natives, who, finding us so ready to ‘ rub noses’ with our enemies, impute the act to cowardice. It is scarcely necessary to state that Hoera has been with the rebels since the outbreak. Tuesday, ,Qct, —Weather fine. The expedition to Kaihihi left town this morning between 7 and 8 o’clock, and will .encamp tonight at Tataraimaka. The force comprises the following :—Major-General Pratt, C.B. (in command), Lieut.-Colonel Carey, Capt. Pasley, R.E., Lieut. Forster, A.D.C., Dr. Mouat, C. 8., Col. Mould, R.E., Zieut.Colonel Sillery, D.Q.G., Lieut. A. King, A. D.C , D.C.G. Jones, D.A.C.G. Chislett; Capt. Strover, R.A., Lt. McNaughten, R.A., and 36 royal artillery; Capt. Mould, R.E., and 32 royal engineers; 157 men of the 12th regt., under Major Hutchins, Captain Miller, Lieuts. Lowry, Muir, Lieut, and Adjutant Richardson, and Ensign La Touche; 218 of the 40th regt., under Capts. Have, Messenger, and Shawe, Lieuts. Gibson, Hobbs, Clarke, Ensigns Dudgeon and Morphy, Quartermaster Barnes ; 328 of the 65th regt. under Captain Strange, Lieutenants Bailie, Urqubart, Whitbread, White, and Talbot, Ensigns Pagan and Butler, Quarter-master Withers, AssistantSurgeon Neill; Staff /Tsst. Surgeon Grace, Acting Asst, burgeon Murray ; 26 of the Naval brigade, under Commodore Seymour, Lt. Battiscombe, Midshipman Wadlow, and Asst. Surgeon Edwardes;B2 of the militia and volunteers, under Captain and Adjutant Stapp, Captain Richmond, Lieuts. Hirst, /Webster, Hammerton, Jonas, McKellar, Ensign Standish ; 14 of the mounted escort in command of Capt. Des Vceux ; 150 of the Native corps in charge of Messrs. Parris, Good, Carrington, and Wills.—(lt should be stated that many of our friendly allies held back for some time this morning in consequence of the rebel Hoera having been consigned to durance vile, but the whole were eventually prevailed upon to stick to their colours, and they overtook the expedition on the road.) Total rank and file, 1043, exclusive of bullock drivers and servants. One 68-pounder gun, and three 24- : pounder howitzer, and 50 carts laden with ammunition and camp equipage and baggage accompanied the expedition, and the Wonga Wonga, with extra ammunition, left during the afternoon to communicate with the forces on the land. It is thought there may be some 1 fighting ; the Ngatiruanui are reported to have - come up.to reinforce the Kaihibi rebels, and Wi.Tako, with men from Wellington, Otaki, ] Rangitikei, &c., to have joined. Wi Tako was 1 at Pnngairere, about ten miles beyond Warea, i last week. This chief has been preparing for I this for some time, having sold all his property > at Wellington. Firing was heard in the forest this morning in rear of the Hua, and as the i garrison has been much weakened by the de- i parture of the military to the south, every precaution has been made against an attack. Persons residing outside the Jines are to sleep in town; no trbops are to go outside the lines; and inlying piquets are again told off, to be under arms during the night, and to parade at 4 o’clock in the morning until further orders. Wednesday, Oct. 10.—One of Mr. Rundle’s lads, riding out to Wawaikaiho this morning, was advised by the friendly natives at the Henui not to go on, as a war party, with Wi Kingi at their head, were at Waiwakaiho. It appears, however, that there is no ground for alarm. From personal inquiries we have made of these jfriendly natives we learn that after Hoera- was taken prisoner by the military, a woman started off from Waiwakaiho to Mataitawa, and informed the rebels that Hoera ,was taken to.be shot, and Matiu and the rest to be lodged in prison. Thirty natives, headed by Ihaia te Wharepa (Wi Ivingi never stirred jfrom his place), immediately left to come for w tu, and on reaching the Hua (or behind the Hua), detained three who.:were out in the hushj - who would no doubt have been butchered but for the following circumstance : When Matiu and the others surrendered, two natives, named Hone and ■ Tarurutangi, who accompanied them, remained in the bush to hear the issue of the surrender, and were communicated with by Heta, who went and informed them that Matiu, &c. were safe and with their friends, and that; Hoera was only'

taken prisoner by the Pukeha to await his trial. Heta returned again to Waiwakaiho, and Hone and Tarurutangi started off to Mataitawa, and met the taua (Ihaia te t Wharepa’s party) who had the three white men, explained matteis, and all returned home to their kainga. No natives, therefore, are prowling about. We also learn that in Colonel Leslie’s retreat at Waitara before the natives on the 29th ult., Horopapera, Hapurona’s son, was killed by the fire of the rear-guard, and is buried. This is stated to have been their only casualty. Thursday, Oct. 11. —In some extracts we have made from the New Zealander and Southern Cross , it will be seen that the Waikatos have determined on makiug another raid upon us. We may, therefore, shortly hear of the arrival of 400 or 500 Waikato rebels at Waitara. “ H.M.S. Iris and Fawn are preparing for sea,” says the New Zealander, “ for particular service.” 4 p.m.-—Two of the mounted escort have just arrived from Kaihihi with despatches, and report that the troops are hotly engaged with the rebels ; the former have taken up a position at 200 yards. Five of our force are wounded, including Capt. Pasley, R.E., in leg, Sergt. Howatt, R.E., is severely wounded in groin ; the rest slightly wounded. 6 p.m.—The Wonga Wonga has just arrived from Kaihihi. A crowd of people assembled on the beach when the boat landed. She does not bring any later intelligence than that brought by the mounted escort. A cor respondent writes:

“Oct. 11,1860,

“ Time will not allow of my entering into details, consequently you must be content with a rapid sketch of events. On Tuesday evening we reached Bayly’s farm, or what was formerly known as Fort Strange, where we camped. The next morning, with beautiful weather, we marched as far as our present head-quarters, which are situated half a mile in rear of the first, or bush pa, on the north side of Xaihihi. On this day (Wednesday), after the tents had been pitched and entrenchments thrown up, a reconnoiteriug party was sent out and many shots exchanged with the enemy. No casualties on our side; the enemy’s unknown. This morning (Thursday), a party of engineers, with fatigue parties from the various corps, with covering parties, went out to approach by entrenched lines and traverses, and form a platform for the heavy gun ; the position chosen for w’hich will command the other two pas in the neighbourhood ; the smaller guns within 200 yards of the pas. Much firing on the field of battle. We hear that the 8-inch gun and 2 24* pounder howitzers had opened fire at a distance of 200 yards, and that the shot from the former was doing great damage to the pa. Friday , Oct. 12. —The Cordelia steamed down to Kaihihi this morning at 5 a.m. and returned at 10. She did not communicate with the shore, hut reports that the troops were in action, and that a pa appeared to be in flames. Ii.M.C.S. Victoria from Wellington this morning, with Colonel Wyatt, who assumes the command of the 65th vice MajorGeneral Gold, and the I.C.R.M. steamer Lord JForsley, with the mails for England, from Nelson. The Victoria left at 3 p.m. for Kaihihi with Colonel Wyatt, and the Cordelia at the same time for Manukau with Major-Gen. Gold. The return of the Victoria or the Wonga, which left with ammunition and provisions this morning, is anxiously looked for. Mr. Drummond Hay and a native came in to-day from Waitara overland. No news. TheWaikatos had not arrived, but were daily expected in strong force. 6 p.m.—Two of the mounted escort have arrived from Kaihihi, with the satisfactory intelligence that the pas, three in number, have been taken to-day and destroyed by the troops* the rebels having vacated them the night before. The pas are described as being very strong, but were not proof against the 8-inch gun. The loss of the enemy is not known; blood w r as found in one of the pas. The wounded in yesterday’s skirmish are all progressing favourably. The forces will return to town to-morrow, in consequence, it is said, of a despatch received by the General from Auckland by the Cordelia regarding the descent of the Waikatos.

Saturday, Oct. 13. —A messenger from the forces south reports them at Tataraimaka on their return to town.