THE EAST COAST.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1852, 22 March 1869, Page 3

THE EAST COAST.

(From the Southern Cross, March 15.) Considerable excitement was caused in town on Saturday evening on the arrival of the s.s. Tauranga from the East Coast. All sorts of rumours, more or less exaggerated or wide of the mark, were afloat. However, we regret to say that it is impossible to shut our eyes to the critical state of affairs on the East Coast, the desperado Tβ Kooti, with a considerable number of followers, being again, in

the field. He has, it appears, attacked the friendly natives with the same remorseless fury as characterised his attacks on the Europeans. He has already besieged and captured Hohaia's pa at Eauporoa, killing several of its garrison; attacked a fortified house and killed all its defenders but one, and destroyed the settlement of Whakatane. The loss he has inflicted on the friendly natives is variously stated, but taking the most reliable account, I it is about twelve, while his own loss | is reported to be forty-five. So far, therefore, he has not gained very much, but at present we do not exactly know the amount of the injury he has inflicted. There is, however, one view of the matter which contains something of consolation in it. His attack on the friendly natives will unite them against him as one man, and, though he may at the outset gain some successes, it is not difficult to foresee that he will bring certain destruction upon himself and his fanatic followers. Wβ stated some days ago that Rukuraku and fifty followers had been taken prisoners by Te Kooti. At that time no intelligence of the kind had been received by the authorities in Auckland, and the correctness of the report was doubted. The news brought by the Tauranga, however, mainly confirms it, the fact being that Rakuraku's party joined Te Kooti by arrangement, this show of being made prisoners being a mere ruse. On Tuesday, the 9th insfc., Te Kooti, with a party of about 200 men, proceeded to the pa occupied by Hohaia, which, as we have stated, is called Eauporoa, on the Whakatane river. The garrison of the pa observed their approach, but as they displayed a white flag they were taken for Arawas. They contrived to get close to the pa under cover of a large house, situate about thirty yards outside, and several women and children who were outside called out to them " Haere mai, haere mai." The garrison had, however, been on guard, and as soon as the attacking party had got sufficiently near they were recognised; and a tremendous volley was fired at them from the whole face of the pa, and twelve fell dead. Te Kooti's men returned the fire, killing Hori Tunui, a leading chief, and a woman, who were outside welcoming them. The Ngatipukeko (Hohaia's people) then rushed outside and drove the enemy away, killing eight more of them. The Hau-haus took shelter behind the house, and had a JcaraJcia, after which they commenced sapping up to the works. For three whole days the siege was continued until the sap had approached close to the palisades. The besiegers then threw ropes over the palisades, and pulled down a portion of them, producing a practicable breach. They must have been greatly taken aback when they found confronting them a ditch and parapet. Te Kooti probably having suffered heavy loss, and being short of ammunition, proposed a parley. The gallant defenders of the pa had been two whole days without water, though the river flowed at the very base of the hill on which their pa was built, within twelve yards of them, and owing to the inferior nature of the Government cartridges they had great difficulty in keeping their guvs from fouling. When the parley was proposed they ceased, and the fighting chief of Hohaia's party, Te Mehana, replied to Te Kooti, who said he meant no harm towards them, and would offer them the option of either making common cause with him or remaining neutral while he attacked the Arawa. He presented Te Mehana witii a new revolver as a pledge of his friendship. The fighting chief accepted the revolver, but said no truce would be made unless Te Kooti and his party removed to the other side of the river. The Ngatipukeko, a hapu of the Ngatihaua, expressed their determination to continue the fighting, notwithstanding they were short of ammunition, unless the besiegers would cross the river. No sooner had Te Kooti's party retired, than the de-j fenders of the pa sent away their women and children towards Richmond, situate at the junction of the Eangitaika and Tarawera rivers. To keep Te Kooti in check, twenty picked men were placed on the side of the pa, towards the opposite bank ot the Whakatane river. The remainder of the garrison then left the pa, following the woman. Seeing his mistake, Te Kooti again attempted to cross the river, but whilst doing so his men were so exposed to the fire of the garrison that they were compelled to seek cover. Te Mehana and his twenty picked men then retired, forty of Te Kooti's cavalry pursuing them. Shots were exchanged, but the progress of the cavalry was much impeded by the bush, and the pursuit was only continued a distance of five miles. One of our informants states that there were a number of horses in the pa, upon which Tβ Mehana and bis men escaped. However this may be, they succeeded in reaching Matata with the loss of one horse. Too much praise cannot be given to theae plucky fel-

lows for the gallant defence they made. Their gross number could not have exceeded 100, of whom 80 were [under Te Mehana and Hapariri, 60 of whom were Ngatipukekos, and 20 Ngatiana under Hori Kawakura. All of these men were at one time in arms against us, but having been beaten, their land was confiscated, one half of it being given back to them as an act of grace. Ever since they have remained staunch. On the 12th Major Mair went with a party of men to reconnoitre Te Kooti'a whereabouts. On seeing the approaching force Te Kooti sent out his cavalry to meet them, and on Major Mair's party preparing to receive the attack, he supported the cavalry with his infantry. Major Mair judged it advisable to retire, and accordingly returned to his former position in the pass between the hill and the Whakatane river. Mr Mair's present force is said to be 200, about equally composed of Maoris and Europeans. Te Kooti's force—from the reconnaisance made by Major Mair— is estimated at about 300, 70 of whom are cavalry. It is probable, however, that he will be reinforced by 150 Whakatoheaa who were in the bush. Mr Pitcairn's body was brought in on the 6th to the Arawa pa. Captain Simpson left Tauranga on Friday morning last, with 70 men as a reinforcement to Major Mair. Te Kooti was observed from the decks of the Tauranga gallopping about on a grey horse, within 700 or 800 yards of Mr Mair's position. He was attired in a red shirt, with boots and breeches, a sword is suspended from his side, and no fewer than four revolvers are placed in his belt. His men were firing at Major Mair's position, while mounted orderlies were riding about in all directions, saluting their chief, and receiving orders in regular military fashion. The " Southern Cross " says: — At whatever price Te Kooti has achieved success, there can be no doubt that he has achieved it up to the date of our latest news.