TAURANGA. COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES. SERG EANT-MAJOR EMUS SHOT. BURNING OF THE VILLAGES TE IRI, HANGA, WAIWHATAWHATA, AND WHAKAMARAMA. TWO MEN OF THE Ist WAIKATO REGIMENT KILLED. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT .)

On the 12th instant there marched out of camp, Te Papa, to take up a positim on the Wairoa (Omanawa Creek), 120 men of the Ist Waikato Regiment, under Captain Goldsmith ; also 20 men of the same regiment, under Lieutenant Pitt, to occupy a position lower down the stream. On the following day Captain Goldsmith moved some of his men (about forty) across the Wairoa river, and marched them on towards Te Irihanga, a native village. Here some natives were seen, who waved towards the military at the same time a native was obserred much nearer to the advanced guard. No notice being taken of the natives, the advanced guard was fired on, and the sergeant-major of the regiment hit— the ball struck him in the chest, passing out at the back. (Sergeant-major Emus .has since died from the effects of this wound.) Some firing was kept up, for a short time, and one | native is said to have been killed. The men retired |to their camp at the Omanawa creek. The first intimation brought into camp of this unfortunate reconnoitring expedition was conveyed by the arrival of the wounded man. It was said this marching across- the river was contrary to orders. Colonel Harington at once went off to learn the particulars. Thi9 sad affair cast a gloom over Te Papa. Emus was a sergeant in the 68th Regiment, and took his discharge when that regiment left Tauranga for England. He entered the Ist Waikato Regiment, and was soon at the head of the non-commissioned list. He was universally respected by all who knew him. On the 19th, the colonel commanding the militia, Colonel Harington, called a meeting of all the noneffective men of the Ist Waikato Kegiment, his object being to see what numbers of men would volunteer for an expedition being then arranged. On Sunday, the 20th, all the Ist class militiamen in in the district were, by circular, requested to meet that afternoon for muster, also the volunteers of the previous day; there mustered some 140 men. Captain Skeet, of the Survey Department, had under him »s volunteers nearly 30 men. On the whole the muster was satisfactory. The men were ordered to again meet at eleven ths same night for a march. Some of the officers of the Ist Waikato Regiment off pay were requested to resume their rank. The muster at night was well attended— hardly a man absent ; to some of the volunteers of the previous day it pressed rather hard, but the duty was not shirked. In one or two instances substitutes were got (cases unavoidable). The men marched out to the Wairoa, a tramp of some six miles, crossing one very bad ford— up to the middle in water ; rested on the Monday. Mr. Commissioner Clarke, on the same night, started, with some mounted natives, armed with revolvers, together with a party of mounted volunteers (Captain Skeet's party), to ascertain the truth of a report brought him by some natives — that a large house had been erected on the outskirts of the forest, near Kahakaharoa, similar to the one destroyed near Oropi last week, but much larger. The party found the building as described : a large Maori raupo whare, recently built, and which had been lately occupied j in it were found some potatoes. Scouts were thrown out, and the party rested for a while, hoping its late occupants would, appear ; but no such luck. After some time the place was burnt. Mr. Commissioner Clarke, with his natives, returned to Te Papa. Captain Skeet's party proceeded to join the men on their way to the Wairoa. On the following morning the steamer ' Start/ Captain Fairchild, arrived from Wellington, bringing despatches for the Hon. the Defence Minister. He was sharing the discomforts of camp life at the Wairoa at the time. On his hearing of the arrival of the * Stnrt,' he at once came into camp. Unfortunately his letters passed him. Lt soon became the talk of Te Papa that some move was contemplated which might prove dangerous. Several natives were armed with rifles, &c, and sent off to the front. A party of natives (Ngaiterangi), I forgot to say, had left Te Papa the night before (Monday) in canoes for the Wairoa — the canoe 3 to be used in crossing the troops. The next morning (Wednesday), about 1.45, there sounded a bugle in the 12th lines. At once conjectures were formed — and correct. A little after 3, Colonel Haultain commanding, and some two hundred men of the 12fch Regiment, marched from Te Papa, to assist the colonial troops in their very plucky adventure— the bearding of the rebels in their own camps. It was part of a plan of the Defence Minister that the Ist Waikato Regiment, the volunteers, and part of the militia should early in the morning cross the Wairoa, and attack the natives at Te Irihanga, where Sergeant-major Emus was shot a few days previous. It was understood that the rebels who took the survey instruments, &c, of Mr. Henry Graham's party, on the 31st of December last, were lodged at this place. . The men, early in the morning, under Colonel Harington, of the Ist Waikato Kegiment, moved aorossthe Wairoa river, and proceeded on their march to Te Irihanga. The natives, said to be about 25, *ere ready prepared for them, but they soon fled. A stand was made for a time, and many shots passed from the rebels. Here private Ward, of the Ist Waikato Regiment, fell mortally- wounded. The village, once in the hands of our men, was soon m ashes, and the crops completely destroyed. During the march from the Wairoa to the village, the men of the 12bh Regiment had crowed the river Wairoa about 8.30, and marched up to Minden Heights, where they had a view of the village of Te Irihanga, witnessing the engagement, with the destroying of the place. Perhaps a better account of what was destroyedcan be given by them than by those engaged at the village. About fifteen whares were burned, and several acres of corn and potatoes destroyed. This village was the residence of Penetaka, a native of much influence for evil among his neighbours, and one often in trouble. He was a principal at Te Ranga, and one of the party who threatened to murder any European found surveying on confiscated land ; be was also the leading man in the taking of Graham's surveying instruments and stopping the survey at Oropi. The militia and volunteers were seen to move through the bush, from the village just destroyed, to the settlement of Waiwhatawhata ; it was thought the natives had fled there. Colonel Hamilton, on observing this movement, gave orders for the men under him to more down the hill, so as to have the rebels in the rear. By the time the men of the 12th reached this place (Waiwhatawhata) the men under Colonel Harington were in possession, the natives having fallen back on Whakamarama, an extensive cultivation about one mile distant. This villaaejwas destroyed, also the crops— several acres of ripe Thedaygettine spent, and all satisfied with one day's work, the I2bh Regiment returned homewards —they must have walked some twenty-five miles from home to home. p The men under Colonel Harington returned by another route— crossing the clearing of Whakamarama. When the advanced guard (Lieutenant Turner's parly) reached th« head of the clearing, at this place, a heavy fire was opened by the rebels from some growing corn. Lieutenant Turner at once extended his men in skirmishing order round the right side of the clewing ; the volunteers and natives, under Captain Skeet and Mr. Gundry, also ikirwas here .bob (since dead). The natives were driven back through the bush; several man wot leen to fall, but tfie nature of the ground allowed them to be carried away. The men under fire behaved admirably. This engagement was the warmest of the day. The standing corn here was very fine— about thirty acres— some of the nnest seen this year ; it was fired several times, but was not sufficiently ripe to burn. Everything capable of demolition was destroyed, including the houses; and the men marched to their quarters at tne Omanawa Creek. During this last attack many narrow escapes from death were made. The wounds were all of * wigM nature. Mr. Gilbert Mair had a narrow escape. Thii gentleman arrived from Maketu on Monday evening, and went out with the 12th as interpreter; on Colonel Hamilton leaving the ground, he joined tno militia party, and, being pretty well mounted, was in the front. His horse was killed under tim-two bullet wounds in the neck, and one of^iis saddlestrap* was cut by another ball During the whole day, not more than thirty rebel nativeTwere seen. It is said that five were lulled— two at Te Irihanga, and three at Whakamaram^ The men under Skeet (volunteers) and the men of the Xsjb olwa *&&* came

into camp this evening. They deserve well 1 of the country for the manner in which they turned out. In no ewe daring thb late war, even in AuckUnd, were the militia called on for service at so short a notice (a call on a Sunday to muster, and march the same night). The calling of civilian* out on an emergency may be very well, and no one in Tauranga would, I think, object ; but in luch times as theie it behoves the Government to make other arrangements for the safety of the district, and the locating of the military settlers, than to expect the civilian population to piotect them. Other expeditions are on foot which have not yet developed themselves ; but from the a*pe..t of native affair* in this district, it is evident that a fierce conflict is likely to ensue.

Our correspondent write* * day later, and says :— Events of the most momentous nature hare passed since my last communication. We were then on the brink of *n outbreak ; vre are now in the midst of it, and with it its attendant horrors. it was not difficult for an observer to notice that for iom« time past matters here have been drifting v> this end ; indeed, our only wonder is that hostilities were not forced long ago. Had this been done when Mr. Commissioner Mackays life was threatened by the Pirirakau section of the Ngaiterangi, on the settlement of the Te Puna purchase, the struggle would have been a short one ; but now that these hostile border natives have large cultivations back in th« bush, ripe for gathering, where it is impossible for forces to follow, the struggle may be a very oostly and laborious one, before they are brought to acknowledge the Queen's laws. It is very little use, however, to moralise on what ought to have been done. We have no«cr war at our very doors, and if the Waikato Militia Regiment, stationed in this district, is not strong enough to reach the bush fastnesses into which our enemy hides himself, let us employ our native races to drive him oat. Let all who harbour them pay . the same penalties that an Englishman would be made to suffer, did he harbour a murderer or a felon. These half-and-half neighbouring Maori villages are only * ©over to the rebel, and they would be better destroyed. The acts of the military the last few days have been a move in the proper direction, and the Defence Miniscer deserves the thanks of our settlers for the way in which he has directed their operations. Be has himself shared the hardships of camping out with the men, and has added not a little to their comforts. Th« movements of the military and militia I have elsewhere recorded. These movements are in the-o-salves important, and might perhaps only be the first step in a war which may end in the extermination of all opposed to the Queen's authority. It is understood that telegrams have been received from Canterbury, via Wellington, by the 'Sturt,' ordering Colonel Hamilton, of the 12th Regiment, to co-operate with the colonial forces in quelling the disturbances. To the great credit of Colonel Hamilton, who received this order only at 1 a.m. on the 23rd, he had a force of 200 men on the march at half-past three the same morning. Engaged in assistiag u» during the past week were some thirty native* belonging to Tauranga — some who fought against us at the Gate Pa and Te Banga. They proved themselves well worthy the confidence Mr. Commissioner Clarke placed in them when putting r«fles into their hands. They were in the front when work was to be done, and in destroying the rebel cultivations were most valuable. Also, when the troops moved out, we had in camp six Arawa natives ; they at once volunteered to go out. They also did good service. The moral effect this native assistance will have on the minds of the Hauhau rebels cannot be estimated ; but if it were known generally than any opposition to the Government would be at once put down by an armed native contingent, we should hear of very few such affairs as those which have stopped all progress in this settlement during the past twelve months. It is said that the notorious Hakaraia (who since his escape from Te Rang*, has lived in the bush at Tepuki, near to Maketu, and which place, by-the-by, has been the principal hotbed of sedition since that time) has at last consented to lead his brother Hauhaus to victory, and to give to them Te Papa. He is at the head of the present disturbances, and has located himself near to Tailmata. This old man has still interest in some of the native kaingas, and is working hard to drive them from their allegiance. He has used to some of them very threatening language, should they refuse to join him. The crops destroyed by the military on the 23rd, at the rebel villages of Te Irihanga, Waiwhatawhata, and Wbakamarama, together with the known cultivations at the Taumata and at Kabakabaroa, are said, on very competent authority, to have been «apable of supporting six hundred men for a twelvemonth. Why, it may be asked, have such extensive cultivations been made this year in the fastnesses of the forest, unless for the purpose of supporting men in rebellion ? We know, from experience, how much the native prefers his cultivations on the coast, or where he can barter it to the European ; but in the case referred to, this produce could not be carried to market to trade with us. The carriage alone would prevent it. Ihe planting in places inaccessible to European troops is only part of a well-laid scheme of the Hauhau leaders — men who have outraged all society, who are shunned by the more intelligent of the Maoris, and who dare not show their faces to a European. Writing on the 24th, he says : — The funeral of the unfortunate men killed in action by the rebel natives took place this day. They were interred in the cemetery aide by side other brave men ; as might be expected, every one that could possibly pay respect to the dead did so in this mournful occasion. The procession left the hospital at 6 p.m., the band of the 12th Regiment attending. Among the the mourners were Colonel Haultain, the Minister for Colonial Defence ; Mr. Civil Commissioner Clarke, Colonel Hamilton and officers of the 12th Regiment, Colonel Harington and officers of the Ist Waikato Regiment. Much sympathy is felt for the widow of Ward, who has left a family of four children. Ward was out on duty as a volunteer when shot. He was a man belonging to Capt. Eraser's company, in the Ist Waikato Regiment ; but when his company got their fifty acres they went off pay, and he,being a married man with a family.could have declined falling in as a first-class militiaman: he went out as a volunteer.

♦ The following appeared in our second edition on Saturday : — (JROM THE "Ti.TJRA.NOi. AIMJUS.") On Monday, as the transport- boat -was on her road back, after delivering her cargo up the Wairoa, she was fired at by a party of armed natives, a ball from one of the guns grazing Hobb'a (coxswain) shoulder-blade bone. As soon as the boat's crew got out of Maori range they peppered into them, but with what result they could not aicertain. On Saturday afternoon notices ware stuck up all over the town that a hundred volunteers were wanted, and to attend at the Militia School-room at 3 p.m. There was a pretty good show, but owing to the shortness of the notice not as many as there would have been had proper time been allowed. On __ Sunday notices were served on all the tingle men and volunteers to parade in the Monmouth Redoubt field at 3 p.m. to answer their names. There was a pretty strong muster of the civilian and militia population. After the roll had been called, Colonel fiarington informed them that he should require their presence at the tame place at half - past eleven o'clock p.m., for actual service, in order to march to Waiwbatawhata, so as to join those already out there. They were on the ground punctually to the time appointed, as was also Captain Skeet, with the whole staff ofjhii assistants, the greater part of them being mounted. The militia and volunteers, some 120 strong (this being the third party that had gone out, in all, tome 230), under the command of Colonel Harington, assisted by Captain Eraser, Lieutenant Turner, Ensign Curtis, Captain Skeet ; Lieutenants Home, Hunter, Hallowes, Pitt ; Captain Smith, and Ensign Coates — several of the latter being already out at the Wairoa, with a portion of our gallant Ist , Waikato Regiment, they having volunteered in the first expedition, an account of whioh we gave in our last issue— arrived at the Omanawa about daylight the next morning. The first day, Monday, all the necessary precautions in case of a surprise were taken by Colonel Haringfcon, and a sharp look-out kept by our men, they being only too eager to have a brush with the rebels. Colonel Haultain, the Hon. Defence Minister, accompanied the expedition, and paid every attention to remedy the want of tent accommodation, there being a good number of the volunteers and others O who could not obtain that and had, therefore to lay out in the fern. Dr. Henry was also out with the men, and paid assiduous attention to all the cases brought under his notice. > ' Mr. Clarke paid a visit to the spot on Wednesday morning, returning with the Hon. the Defence Minister and Mr. Jordon in the afternoon. The second day, Tuesday, it was determined by Harington to attack' and burn the settlement of Irahanga the first thing that morning. Colonel Hamilton, with 240 men, and the following offi-

oert of H. M. 12th Regiment— Captains Sillery, Crawhall, and Lowry; Lieutenants Philips, Morris, Triphook, Dooner, and Cooper ; Ensigns j Gibb, Bolton, Onslow and Ward; Dr. Manley, V.C., and Lieutenant and Adjutant Foster— left at three o'olock on Tuesday morning for Minden Peak, which they reached about ten a.m. The Irahang* village was attacked and burnt, and everything that was of any use to the Maoris waa destroyed by our men at seven o'clock, they having crossed the Wairoa by boat at one a.m. The rush made by the friendlies for loot waa instantaneous after L the village was taken, and everything in the shape of poultry, geeie, pigs, &c, was seized by them, but not before one poor fellow belonging to the Ist Waikato Regiment lost bis life, being struck by a bullet as he was cheering his comrades up a steep ascent, when the rebels fired a volley into them, killing Ward and wounding one other man named Michael Madden. The body of Ward was brought into Te Papa in the 12th boat, and arrived here about eight p.m., and conveyed to the dead-house. The deceased leave* a wife and several children with many friends to deplore his lots. While our men where partaking of the good things that were seized from the foes, such as fowls, pigs, potatoes, &c, they received a volley from the fanatics. The next settlement taken was that known as Waiwhatawhata. This was bravely taken in a rush by the Waikatos, Volunteers, and Militia, and razed to the ground. The 12th Kegiment left their position on Minden Peak for Te Papa about three o'clock, arriving here about 12 o'clock, after a, fearful heavy march of thirty-five miles, saturated with water nearly the whole time. About an hour after the 12th Regiment left it was determined to attack another settlement to the right of Waiwhatawhata, and known as Whakamarama. As our men approached the settlement they w«re fired into by the Hauhaus. A close fire then commenced on both sides, and wai kept up for half-an-hour; but the denseneas of the bush rendered it very difficult to get » tight at the rebels, so that our gallant fellows might have "potted" * few more. We are informed on good authority that several of them were seen to topple over and were carried off by their friends. But we regret to have to record the fact that another of our daring fellows was shot in the groin and has since died. His name is Stevenson, and his body was brought in. by boat and placed next his brave comrade Ward. II; would be invidious «n our part almost to particularise the acts of bravery that have reached us. The cool gallantry and courage of Colonel Harington was to be seen I here, there, and everywhere encouraging his brave band. The cool and determined bearing was notod of Captains Fraser and Tovey ; Lieutenants Home, Hunter, Turner, and Hallowes ; Ensigns Coates and Curtis ; Captain Skeet with his troop of engineers; and, last but not least, the volunteers, militia, and men of the Ist Waikato Regiment, who have given another proof of the stuff they are made of in this brilliant affair. When we heard the brave old 12th were going out we wera highly gratified, knowing very well if they could only get a crack at them they would have riddled some of the rebels. But vre are thoroughly convinced that the gallant colonel, together with his officers and men, feel thoroughly disgusted in having to return after a march of thirty.five miles without having a chance of knocking a few of the fiends over. The crews of the transport boats are deserving of the greatest praise, they having worked night and day unceasingly in conveying stores up and down the Wairoa for the use of the troops — Corporal -Robinson, 12th Regiment, being no less than fourteen hours at a stretch with his crew in the boat ; Hobbs, Ist Waikatos, and his men, together with Cook's party, working like horses. The much-respected sergeant-major of the Ist W.R. died on Wednesday afternoon from the wound he received in the first skirmish. He was attended in his last moments by Dr. Merrett, owing to the absence of Doctors Manley and Henry, who were with the troops at the front. Before joining he belonged to the 68th Regiment. Since his connection with the Waikatos and the civilians of Te Papa, he has won golden opinions for himself, and his untimely end is deeply regretted by every one here — not only as a soldier and a brave man, but as a bona-fide settler lost to the place. Mr. Mair had a very narrow escape, his horse being shot under him, no less than two bullets entering the neck of his horse, and a third (as his horse fell dead under him) striking his cap off. We have only given in the above what we have heard from reliable authority; but we shall give full particulars when we are in possession of our special correspondent's letter. The following men, together with Lieutenant Turner, were highly complimented by the Colonel for their gallant conduct in following Lieutenant Turner when he called for volunteers to scour the bush after the natives had fired on the troops while partaking of their kaikai ; — Sergeants Rose and Muir, Corporal Herbert, privates Rattigan, McMillan, McMahon, Dickson, Grattan, Luttrell, Baillie, and Burslem (non-effectives) ; Privates! Johnson, ProTost, and Grantham, Ist W.R. ; Sergeant Sandes and another (surveyors). We have been favoured by Captain Simpson with the following latest intelligence :—: — 200 rebels, under Hakaraia, have arrived at Uropi. The ' Sturt* is under orders to proceed to Maketu for 200 Arawas, and on her return to Tauranga. it is expected she will proceed to Opotiki for 100 militia. Hakaraia had taken upon his position in an old pa, which was being strengthened by breastworks and riflepits. Natives are in great force throughout the district. Major St. John and Mr. Wilson had just arrived from Opotika. Ist and 2nd Class Militia called out. It is supposed that martial law will be proclaimed. Volunteers and non-effectives, under Captain Fraser, behaved gallantly in the last fight. The Militia and Volunteers were t» proceed to Uropi on Sunday (to-morrow). The Maoris in the last engagement proved themselves good shots. It is rumoured that the Arawas will not fight against the Hauhaus. Captain Percival arrived by the ' Wellington' with back-pay for July, August, and September.

When the steamer left Tauranga there was a report juit circulated that the Hon. the Defence Minister had authorized the organisation of 200 Arawas, for the purpose of clearing the bush at the back of Tauranga of all Hauhaus and their confederates ; also of destroying rebel cultivations. Mr. Mair, E..M , will have charge of this contingent. A better man could not be selected. It was he who led the Maoris at the capturing of Fulloon's murderers. These men will probably be the saving of some thousands of pounds to the Government, and of closing what otherwise might be a moat protracted struggle;

The ' Wellington ' was detained twenty-four hours waiting the arrival of the Panama mail ■teamer, but there were no signs of it when she left.