WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 691, 16 January 1865, Page 4

WELLINGTON.

COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES AT WANOASUT.

The Advertiser of the 14th inst., in a; Second Edition of the day's issue, publishes the following letter from its Wanganui correspondent :— Our little town during the past two weeks has been unusually active ; steamers con-! stantly arriving with troops, guns, and the auxiliaries of war. The soldiers have all been marched out, with the exception of some five or six companies of the 57th, to Waitotara, the whole force numbering some j 1700 men. On Saturday last a detachment of some 500 men, accompanied with Armstrong guns, proceeded to the Kai Iwi pa; but, on examination, it was found empty, and the party then proceeded back to camp. On Tuesday orders were given that the Wanganui Cavalry were to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to the Waitotara, taking with them a day's provisions. Accordingly, yesterday morning, about eight o'clock, the whole of the Cavalry and Lancers proceeded out to the military camp at ELai Iwi, where they fell in, and, after a short stay, accompanied by a force of about 500 men, proceeded on a search for the Waitotara pa, and, after a short time, succeeded in discovering its whereabouts. Immediately on nearing the rifle-pits Natives were seeu rushing about the place, and all of them seeming bent upon getting into the pa as soon as possible. When within about 500 yard*s of it, our cavalry were received by a volley from a party of Natives stationed in the rifle-pits round the pa, and they afterwards made their appearance to the number of about 300, dancing the war dance, barking like dogs, and shouting " pai marire" at the top of their voices, and seeming in the greatest possible state of excitement. Fortunately the distance was too great for the bullets to do any harm, and the Natives seeing that the cavalry made no attempt to advance ceased firing, but were evidently prepared to fight should opportunity offer. Col. Waddy, accompanied by various officers of the staff, accompanied cavalry, the troops remaining some three miles behind; after remaining some time to take observations, the cavalry and soldiers returned to camp, after having been so far successful in discovering the whereabouts of this long-talked-about fortification. It is situated on the top of a steep hill, being as usual backed by bush for escape. There a great many whares round the pa, and it has the appearance of great strength, having trenches dug round it. Colonel Waddy thanked the cavalry for the assistance they had rendered in finding the pa, and stated that their services would not be required until the General arrives. The first shots have now been fired, and there is no knowing what mischief will follow. Every one in this district has been long expecting this, and are anticipating that some hard fighting will follow. Only the other day a Native (owning some 2000 acres of land at Waitotara), remonstrated with Hare Tipene for his obstinacy in insisting that the troops should be reisisted on crossing the Waitotara, being afraid that his land would be confiscated, j but he was told that there must be fighting lif they attempted to cross the disputed land; and should the Natives be defeated, they would fall back and build another pa, and fight till tney died. They are evidently prepared for the struggle, and things certainly look threatening; but, for God's sake, if there is to be more bloodshed, let there be no more of the wretched bungling and useless loss of life that there has been already in the North. The settlers here are preJ>ared to a man to do their duty, but tbey ook forward with trembling to the same scenes being enacted as has heretofore been the case. I think it is unlikely any further I attempts will be made by the troops until' the arrival of General Cameron, by the Storm Bird.