AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume IV, Issue 489, 24 May 1864, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

The following letter from the correspondent of the Southern Cross, gives an account of the expedition against Poturiwhi, and of subsequent events; at the camp. Whatever depressing effect the result of the recent sanguinary encounter between the Imperial troops aud the rebel Maoris at the' Gate Pa, Pukchinuhinu, may have had upon the public feeling in Auckland— throbbing in sympathetic pulsations of condolence with the wounded and mourners for those killed on our side —the enemy appear quite as keenly to have felt their loss, and the abject hopelessness of endeavouring with diminished numbers for a second day to withstand the impending assault upon their stronghold. In seeking safety in flight, therefore, moved by sensations of this nature, it must be apparent they would not be confident of safety from prompt pursuit by placing simply an odd mile or so between themselves and the force surrounding the endangered position so skilfully evacuated during the night. "Whither the Maoris have betaken themselves seems at present unpleasantly tmeertain, seeing that many settlements are spoken of as probable rendezvous for the scattered tribes ; but one thing appears universally acknowledged, namely, that Taurauga, for a radius of several miles, may now be considered free from the presence of those strong in the desire and sighing for the return to the good old times, beforo governors and all that sort of thing were invented in the island. An opinion having been broached that the greater portion of the rebels had fled in the direction of Te Puna, across the river Wairoa, or some of the Native settlements on the same stream, but further inland, au expedition was commanded to start from headquarters yesterday morning in search of the fugitives. The first detachment of the expedition mustered at the cemetery at a quarter to 9 o'clock, and was composed of 100 men of the 68th Regt., under Captain Spratt, and about 40 troopers of the Colonial Defence Force, under the command of Captain Pye, V.C., and Sub-Inspectors Turner and Macpherson. The second detachment assembled at a quarter to 10 o'clock, and was compofed of 500 men of the GSth Regt., under Colonial Grecr; the Naval Brigrado, from the men of war in harbour, and a sixpounder Armstrong gnu. The Wairoa river was crossed near its junction with the waters of the bay : and although a very strong current was running consequent on the ebb-tide, the whole of the horses were got across safely, with the exception of one drowned in mid-stream owing to its feet becoming entangled. The ferry service was performed by boats from the £ek, Miranda, and Harrier, and wanned by Blue Jackets "from the same vessels. Caplain Jenkins had command of this portion of the transport service. About 11 o'clock, General' Sir D. A. Cameron, X.C.8., and staff, passed over the river, and the advance of the troops then commenced along the beach and level land in the direction of the village of Otoumaitai. A friendly native named Tv acted as guide ; Mr. Baker interpreting. The Ist company of the 68th were extended in skirmishing order, the remaining companies forming supports and reserve. The Naval Brigade advanced on the right, and the Cavalry in the rear. When distant from the settlement about 150 yards a divergence was made to the left, and the undulating and narrow native track leading towards the Kainga at Kanaka pursued. After a few stoppages to scrutinize the face of the country around, as well as to permit the infantry to regain lost ground, Te Karaka was reached by about 12 o'clock, a halt was called. After about half an hour's rest during which both man and beast indulged in an apology for a raid-day meal, the order was given for the infantry to remain in the village, whilst the Cavalry accompanied the General in the direction of the Wairoa and Tβ Puna. This was accordingly done : and a brisk ride over a very broken country then commenced. Not a Native was seen, and no obstruction met with on the line of road until the pah at Potariwhi was approached. There were no signs of life manifest about the place and the cavalry were dashing up to the post and rail fence around it, when Lieutenant-Colonel > McNcill arrived with an order from the General that they should halt, until further proof was obtained of the evacuation of the pah by a few horsemen riding simply towards it from - various points. This having been done and not a shot having been fired, the position was quickly entered, and an active search for loot was commenced in the few whares in the pah by some of the troopers. The natives had, however, made an effective clearance of almost everything portablo, leaving simply the cracked bell at the whare-karakia, to be carried away by sacrilegeous hands, and an old axe, with a few kits and mats. The flagstaff was still standing, but the coveted king flag had been carried away to brave the battle and the breeze at some more formidable position. It was the opinion of the guide that the place had been deserted about ten days. The whnree though few in number, were larger than commonly met with in the interior of native strongholds, and evidently constructed with an eye to durability as well as comfort. There were no dwelling places formed in the trench or rifle-pits similar to those formed in other positions which have fallen into our possession since the commsneement of the present war. The stronghold itself was not of any very great extent, but appeared to have been constructed with consummate care and skill in all its details, forming what might be very aptly termed an admirable fighting pah. It could have been well manned by a comparatively few men, when compared with the formidable yet straggling earthworks at Paterangi and elsewhere ; and the concentrated resistance must for a short time at least have offered no inconsiderable obstacle to any opposing force appearing against it. The site had, however, natural defects, which do not appear to have been noticed by the Maori engineers when the work was in progress of construction —or recent engagements in which their confraternity may liave been actors, have proved to them that some means of escape were not presented in the event of troops besieging the pah. The ever-desirable swamp was not in this instance offering a means of escape, at least from one side of the pah no bush lent its umbrageous shelter to any side, or even corner of the place, but all was clear and open ; and although the country around could not be said to be as level as a" bowling-green, still it was fit for the evolutions ot cavalry. In the event of the pah beiug surrounded—and there was no natural obstacles to prevent this being easily accomplished —the inmates must have surrendered, without hope of escape. It may have been the result of a cautious weighing of such like reasons as these, that compelled the rebels to seek elsewhere after the expenditure of more labour, that protection which the

position in question did not, pn^Tk^^^ pah crowned the summit of 72!$ ■ The not very high hill, and w, s S" ' and might be termed i he Jn £?*»* ° f work. The main structure L v " 70 or 80 yard. lon, by 15 or 20 JJJ * ** siou to tins npprars afterwards to W i««l- Aneby a rather rude kind of flunking JX **» *ade, about 30 yards in length. There w °" c co ">« in the interior of the main portion of ,1 n ° CXcaT atio a " for the protection of the occupant, i? ** J* 008 ** * branch portion tl.i. h.,.1 UtK&JSS* \2 forming the parapet. The trench fiS?- t0 wh &t • ness and general appearance, would wnL. " be termed a riile-pit-und V M ft tru "»fi% about the position. The efficacy, howZ, dv « and rail fences to resist attempted aaaani? ° f P°« hilly recognised by the engineers S T*** the undertaking; for in tliis instancef^fS? ° C - ■ entirely round the entrenchment Th- r **' simply a post and rail one, but the second wSJi ** placed on the edge of the rifle-pit, and dfflfi the hrst fence about a yard and α-half w, 6 * ,1 wattled with hedge stakes. Was d °»dj Whilst the General was making hU oW.»of the Burroundiug coimtry, the Defence S2 ** the Btaff officer, themselves were bueO^mrfJ ,11 *- throwing down the fences, and tCSaHS* * * levelled with the ground beforo iltS'ofV* stair was hauled down by none other 2? Kat.ve guide, Tu. The pa at To Puna be seen through the telescope, and appeJSI 2?* five mile, in a bee-line, but [he WairoTrS fift ran at the foot ot tlwjiill at Poiuriwhi would • to be crossed. A heavily wooded range of Lilt, r"* few miles beyond Te Puna. On the £ro*£, -> * the river to Potariwhi the settlement of lit - f with its extensive corn mill, was noticed- but " living soul seen about. From the number of JSL! in the village it must have boasted of a soniowW largo population ; and the regularity in position ■»! uuilurniitv in sue of the houses must have stamnedif as a model settlement. All, however, was desert*? and the General having concluded hia reconniuWl of the country likely to become next the eoeneof active operations, the order to retire was given • and " v light having been applied to one or two of tk whares m the pah, the parly galloped quickly }>*& £ Karaka, where the infantry were rejoined. SerenJ articles of loot were here picked up by the eoldW in the shape of pigs, fowls, articles of domestic tu* and two or three barrels having painted on the ends the ominous word 10 G. B., —and what else could this mean but ten gallons ruin? On the.jnarch homewards being resumed the expedition returned to" camp by way of the Jluria village, and created the ford over the Waikiriau—head-quarter being regained about four o'clock. At the lluria village, aud near other settlements, patches of ground had been sot apart for the cultiv£ tion of the tobacco plant, but most care appeared to have been bestowed on the crop at the first named kaiuga. And a word anent these tobacco cultiutions. It may be in the recollection of some of the older readers of the Cross why the Katives commenced the work of producing their tobacco ,in preference to purchasing the prepared article from pakeha traders. William Thompson wag sapient enough to discover two or three years ago that the duty paid upon tobacco used for Native consumption, alone would be no inconsiderable sura at the termi-- - lie tion of a year; and he very wisely made the resolve to induce all hie bretheren to commence growing the artielc —thus hoping to impoverish the Queen, and render her less able to cope with them in war when it might bo declared. The cultivated patch of tobacco was not of very -great extent at iluria, but great care had unmistakably been taken to render the plant every assistance to hasten and improve its growth. A thick ti-tree hedge had been planted around the plot of ground close enough to keep out of the spot any rude breath of wind, as well as anything possessing powers of locomotion in the way of flesh or fowl, liable to injure the plant. The determination of the Natives to do without spirits may. also be looked upon with some degree of suspicion, as' arising in the same way as regarded tobacco/ from a desire to deprive the Queen ot so much revenue, and make her poor indeed. Bnt when the prohibitory measures were taken to prevent the Maoris from being supplied with spirits, a great revulsion took placo. It was felt by the Natives that if then Iran - some hidden virtue in alcoholic liquor, rendering it i proper beverage for Europeans, itmnstequallybegnod for them ; and co in many districts the Maori* themselves became dealers in that which thej had previously contemptuously rejected. There may be some difficulty in determining at the present moment whither the rebels have betakenthemselves. The pu at Te Puna has been- signified as most probably their present abiding place, with supports at Perio, acrss the Wairere. There an also other settlements on the Wairoa where thejr may hire betaken themselves, namely, Te Buauilri and Tfr Kaiaino, at the head of the river. The chief Bewin'l village, TeKaho, is situated due sonth from Tauranpr and it is said, he is himself there. Since the affair at the Gate pa four of (he woundea soldiers have died, and two native prisoners. Aioldier named James Elkerton, 43rd Begt. hu also died iv hospital, but from disease and not gunshot wounds. The names of the four deceased, were George EobujJ, , James Audley, and James Madden, all of the . .Regiment, and Patrick Macdonald, 68th Begiment There are three wounded prisoners still in oar iundi, the most unfortunate personage being the win Kawiti, the recognised political agent oftj»*oC and prime mover of the rebellion in tlue district , Bl ; is wounded in botb legs, and a portion of the nf» member below the knee has been amputatedl sJßOtwf unfortunate. man was brought into hospital vjt adventure which resulted in hi. falling into oar heew may already have appeared in the public printi, »» if not it is certainly worth recording. One aw* - wounded soldiers was rotiriug after the attemjnM assault on the Gate pah, when Bawiti daabedout oj the pah and commenced the pursuit He T°r" quickly have overtaken the poor fellow, and dlBW" 1 his doom would hare been sealed, ha* Mackinnon, 5.0., who was on the ground, imminent danger of the man, »nd •■"SL ing a soldier's riile, levelled and fired **_•?: pursuer. Bawiti received the ball in h» leg ■»."£■._ to the ground. He was afterwords picked dp DTow force aud brought into hospital, wueretl {f e Doctor did all he possibly could to K P aaib V^ t done but auch a short time before. case presents features of no very great . to the renowned Wolsey's upon dieiuiMal and certainly more truthful as regard. """"fcJTT amongst hie enemies—for a euperabumlanceot t ing comporte not with the dignity of* leoe**"" warrior. «*■