AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume IV, Issue 448, 6 April 1864, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

Since the date of our last news from Auckland the troops have advanced in the direction of Maungatautari, the position to which the Maoris retired after their defeat. A general account of this movement is thus given in the Weekly Neves of the 26th :— For some days we have been expecting to hear of a renewal of operations at the Front, but no positive intelligence of any movement was received till last night, when a letter (which will be found among our Litest war news) dated on Wednesday, reached town from Pukerimu, seven miles from the Maori position, at Maungatautari. General Cameron and staff", accompanied by Commodore Sir William Wiseman and Colonel Carey of the 18th Regiment, returned to the camp at Te Awainutu on Wednesday, 16th instant. No movement took place next day, contrary to the general expectation in the cunip. Doubts having arisen whether the enemy were in force at Maungatautari or had retreated further southward, Mr. Hay, interpreter, and a small escort, left camp on Friduy to reconnoitre. If it appeared that the rebels were going to make a stand at Maungatautari, the assault on their position was arranged to be made by two divisions—one advancing from Te Awamutu under General Cameron, and the other from the camp at Ngaruawahia. To strengthen the latter body 100 men of the 70th regiment, and 22 troopers of the Colonial Defence Corps left Te Awamutu for Ngaruawahia on Friday last. The troops marched from Te Awamutu on Tuesday moruing, and having made a detour to avoid a large swamp, met the force from Ngaruawahia, at a place about nine miles south of Kirikiriroa, at ■which settlement the Ngaruawahia expedition had encamped on Mouday night, having begun their march that morning. The combined army then went on to Pukerimu. The Avon and Koheroa, with two Hats a7id a cutter, accompanied the troops from Ngaruawahia, and were anchored in the Horatiu, half a mile from the camp. Only a straggling Maori was seen during the inarch ; but we presume it has been ascertained that Maungatautari is still occupied by the rebel army. The troops comprising the expedition from Te Awamutu were —620 men of the 50th Regiment, 520 of the 70th Begiment, 190 marines and sailors, Captain Jackson's company of tho Forest Rangers, G5 of the 54th Regiment, and 20 Royal Artillery and Engineers. No guns were to be taken. The detachment to march from Ngaruawahi wua ex. pected to number 400 men, with several guns. The combined forces would then number about 2,000 men Above a hundred men of the 65th Regiment and some of the Waikato militia were to garrison the camp at Rangiawhia ; and the 40th Regiment, with Captain Yon Tcmpsky's company of Rangers, were to be stationed at Kihikihi. Colonel Carey, with the 18th Regiment, and a detachment of the 65th was to be left in charge at Te Awamutu. We may expect hourly to have details of the advance, or to hear either of an engagement at Maungatautari, or of the retreat of the natives from their position on the advance of our troops. The correspondent of the Southern Cross, in a letter dated Turekiniei, March 23rd, gives a description of the inarch of the troops and of the rcconnaisance which followed. He says : — The advance of the troops commenced on Monday morning, along the banks of the Horatiu, and Kirikiriroa was reached about three o'clock the same afternoon. The troops remained there for the right, and during their leisure in the afternoon were fortunate enough to find abundance of potatoes to add a valuable contribution to the commissariat supply, with abundance to spare. In the evening a fatal accident, by drowning, occurred to Ensign Martin, of the 80th Regiment, whilst batliing in the Horatiu. He is said to lmve been a good swimmer, but is supposed to have been seized with the cramp, and although every effort was made to save him, by others bathing near at the time, he was carried away by the stream, and drowned. His body had not boen discovered when the troops left Kirikiriroa, on Tuesday morning at six o'clock, for the purpose of joining General

Cameron. Two jMuoris were seen near Kirikiriroa. | The Avon and Kolurou, with two tlats and cutter in tow, reached Kirikiriroa. the same evening as the troops, having started with the baggage at half-past eight o'clock. One of the boiler plates, or bolt holes of the Koheroa burst shortly after the start, and a i delay of about four hours took place to remedy the damage. On Tuesday inoraing steam was again got j up. aud Kirikiriroa was left behind, the live vessels j arriving safely opposite this place about six o'clock in the evening. Commodore Sir W. Wiseman, liart , was in charge. Thursday, March 24. Yesterday moruing, at TO o'clock, a reeonuoitering expedition started from this place, under command of the General, for Maungatautari. The expedition was composed of detachments from the following regiments :—soth, 70th, marines and sailors, Royal Engineers, Forest Eangers, and Colonial Defence i'orce. The road from this place to Maungatautari: runs in an easterly direction, almost parallel with the I river, though at a distance of about half a mile from j the Iloratiu. The upper pa, crowning the spur of a ridge connected with the Maungatautari range, can be seen along the entire road, and thus forms an unmistakeable beacon for those journeying in the direction of the rebel position, even if the well used cart track had not been in existence leading straight to the pa. The road traversed proved an excellent one the entire distance, being quite level and clear from impediments in the shape of swamp. Not the slightest opposition was offered to the advance of the troops, and doubts began to arise whether the reports in circulation that a determined stand was to be made at Maungatautari were not fallacious. As the position was neared sufficiently to distinguish the dark outline of Maoris moving about on the parapets, it soon became apparent from the number of rebels showing that the two pas were well manned, and if it had been the intention of the General | to assault the place an energetic resistance would be offered. Wtcn the troops had reached within about twelve hundred yards of the lower pa, a halt was called, and for a few minutes they remained stationary at the bottom of the gentle slope of the hill. The Maoris then hoisted their blood-red pen-nant-shaped flag, aud fired a few defiant shots. The Hag appeared to be the same which floated such a short time ago over the rebel fortications atPatcrangi; but on this occasion no flagstaff had been erected on which to tack their colour, and it seemed to be temporarily fastened to a short pole which only permitted the flag to be seen over the tall post-and-rail fence. After being exhibited for about five minutes, the flag was then hauled down, a brief war dance was gone through by a few chiefs on the parapets, and then all seem prepared for action. But it was not the intention of the General to make any demonstration of an onslaught upon that occasion, and the mystified Maoris peered over the parapets, and watched with wonderment ihe movements of the troops. The several detachments composing the expedition were disposed of in the following manner: 50th Regiment as skirmishers, supports, and reserve to the right of the position ; cavalry to the right and left ; Forest Kangcre, centre ; marines, sailors, engineers, and 70th in reserve. Half-a-dozen Forest Rangers, under the command of Ensign Whitfield, were directed to proceed up the elope of the liiil, in the direction of the higher pa, so far as safety would permit, and to ascertain the nature of tbe ground. They advanced within about 400 yards, and were repeatedly fired upon. The General and staff afterwards rode up to the furthest point rushed by the rangers, and were also fired upon, but fortunately none of the shots took effect. When satisfied with the reconnaissance, the bugles sounded the recall for the skirmishers, and after a brisk march the camp was regained about four o'clock. On the troops departing, the rebels iired a great number of shots, and danced about the parapets in great exultation. A large number of horses were driven up by the troopers of the Colonial Defence Force. The redoubts are apparently of immense strength, though not encircled by so many rifle pits as were found at Paterangi and Pikopiko. The post and rail fence around both redoubts has a further protection in the shape of hedge stakes, closely wattled together, and raised from, the ground about a couple of feet to permit those engaged in the trenches to fire upon any advancing foe. Inside of the lower redoubt, and in the centre, is constructed another redoubt, if possible of greater strength than the outermost one. At nine o'clock on the some Wednesday morning the Koheroa cast off from her anchorage near the camp, and steamed slowly up the river for the purpose of ascertaining how near stores could be carried to the rebel pahs. They travelled safely a distance of about four miles, when further progress was barred by a rock met with in the middle of the stream. This would be distant from Maungatautari about three miles. The Avon and Koheroa afterwards returned to Ngaruawahia for the purpose it is stated of bringing up a nuuiber of 10-inch mortars. The two 40-pounder Armstrong guns are also to be brought up, and Monday is talked of as the day of attack. Two redoubts are in course of construction by our troops on the river bank to protect the stores landed from the steamers. The Maoris must hove advanced pretty near to the camp last night, as footmarks were observed this morning a short distance beyond the picket lines. They had evidently driven away a number of bullocks from camp which had been brought over from Te Awamutu the previous day, and as a necessary course the troops were placed on salt junk to-day. The Ngapuhi chiefs from Mononui, with their guide and mentor, Mr. Wliite and Mr. Mainwaring, arrived at Te Awamutu to-day, and are expected here to-morrow. They must surely before this feel convinced that the pride and glory of the Waikatos is greatly on the wane, and it must be hoped their report on return to their native district will effectually quiet any rebellious feelings in the breasts of their dusky brethren, so hard to convince of the fu- : tiiity of resistance to pakeha supremacy.

The following letter from the Southern Cross correspondent narrates the events that hare happened since the troops were establised at Puxekinui:— It would appear that the rebeli arc about to adopt a different line of conduct to that pursued whilst the head-quarters were stationed at Te Awaniutu—a respectful distance thus being kept between the troops aiid the wily foe. The General, hewever, having advanced seventeen miles nearer to their stronghold, and there fixed his encampment for the present, having, in fact, advanced within rifle distance, and recounoilered their pas, the'too close proximity

J becomes decidedly unpleasant to (hem, and an j attempt is to be mado to neessitate the retirement of c;ir troops by harrassing our eonvovs and orderlies ; loriunmieatir.g with the base of supplies. No tidings i j have yet-been received of the steamers being fired j j upon, but yesterday an iimbush was laid by the j j natives for the orderlies leaving this place for Nga- j ■ ruawahia. The orderly on duty yesterday was sergeant > j Kendrii/k of the Colonial Defence Force, raid who leftthis place for Nguruawahia about ten o'clock, lie • was accompanied by a settler named Carter, who had ! paid a 'vi.-ii to his brother, who is eomieeted with the , Defence Force. Walker's late homestead had been j passed in safety, and a distance of about four miles , reached, wlien in passing between the thirth and fourth gully a great number of natives showed themselves and fired a volley at the horsemen. It is said the .Natives numbered about 100, and when first seen were only J .1 few _\::rds distant. Neither of the horsemen were ; ! injured by the shots, but not so the animals v.hi/h 1 they bestrode. The one ridden by Sergeant Keui drick was pierced in seven or right different places by bullets, and Carter's horse was shot near the withers, causing it at once to fall to the ground. Ser- j geant Kendrick's horse, although wounded in so many places, still continued standing, and Carter, on the fall of his horse, ran up and scrambled behind Sergeant Xendriek. A Native at tin's moment allowed on the road, and made a few steps in pursuit of Mr. Carter, carrying in his hand a tomahawk, but further progress was quickly stopped by his receiving a wound from Kendrick's revolver. The wounded horse wae left behind, and Kendrick and Carter, after riding a> short distance, until considered out of danger of pursuit, then got off the horse and led him along. On reachiug the turn of the road leading to Te Awumutu, that direction was taken, it being considered impossible to proceed so far as Ngaruawahia with the horse in its maimed condition. Te Awamutu was reached in safety. The Natives appear to have considered . the horse too worthless or too much injured to be worth taking awny, and so left it where it feJl. The , convoy, however, coming the same evening from Te , Awamutu, fell in with the animal and brought it to . camp. A detachment of the 70th Regiment have . been sent away this morning, for the purpose of oecu- . pying a position chosen near the spot where the t ambush was laid. About 30 of the Forest Hangers under the* eomi niand of Captain Jackson, started on a reconnoitriug expedition yesterday, across the river If oral in, and . tending towards the I'ukemoremore ranges. The L country traversed was as level as a bowling green, , and may be said almost to vie in extent the far famed ! Lincolnshire fens. Immense tracts of ground appeared , at one time to have been in cultivation, and at the , present day the natural herbage affords abundant ■ food for cattle and horses. Convenient patches of ■ bush are met with every few miles, and which would [ afibrd ample timber for building and fencing pur- -, poses, when these rolling prairies shall be turned to ! good account by the occupation of the military : settlers. "William Thompson's own settlement is i pleasantly backed by a moderately dense piece of > bush, and small belts are met with up to the village , of Tcaoa "VVaikato, near to which the Rangers adl vaneed. It wan at this place that a herd of thirteen i head of cattle, young and old, bulls, bullocks, and f cows, were met with, and these were driven (into 5 camp to inuke aniencs in sone measure for the oxen f driven away the other night by Maoris, and which , will by this time have doubtless done good service for 1 the rebel commissariat. Another expedition by tbe 1 Rangers has been undertaken in the same direction - this morning.