THE 'PIONEER' AT RANGIRIRI. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Queen's Redoubt, October 31.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1965, 3 November 1863, Page 3

THE 'PIONEER' AT RANGIRIRI. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Queen's Redoubt, October 31.

I hate already informed the public of the successful trip of the colonial iron-clad gunboat ' Pioneer' np the "Wailcato to Eangiriri. As I did not happen to bo on board, I could not supply those minute details, which I know would bo interesting to the public; but I am enabled to supply my lack of knowledge through the courtesy of a gentleman who was on board, and who communicated the following facts to me. The ' Pioneer' started from the Bluff at halfpast nine o'clock on Thursday morning last, under the command of Commodore Sir W. Wiseman. The General and his staff, with the colonels of regiments, were on board. Commander Mayne, 8..N., was in the turret, with the pilot, Mr. Chandeler, a settloi 1, who deserves credit for tho skilful manner in which ho discharged his very onerous duty. As thoro were some critical places in the river, with which Captain Charles Heaphy, who was on board, was familiar, he was requested by tho General to take his place in the turret, and give the commander*tho benefit of his local knowledge. Commander Sullivan was likewise on board. Proceeding blowly up tho rivor, tho ' Pioneer' passed Meremere, under fire from the enemy's guns. _ No attention was paid to them, tho soundings of the river being carefully noted by Captain Greaves and Mr. Heaphy. The enemy opened fire from three guns —a heavy gun from an embrasure in the upper line of rifle pits, and two smaller guns in position, close to tho old landing. Between 500 and 600 natives showed themselves, or demonstrated their presence by firing from tho rifle pits; and judging from the extent of the works to bo defended, an equal number must have lain concealed. The' Pioneer' passed so close 88 to enable tho party on board I to get a good view of the enemy's position in reverso. She steamed onwards, past JKohekohc, and several Maori settlements temporarily abandoned on both sides of the river. Tho lowest soundings gave a depth of six feet of water, and the gun-boat drew three feet. On reaching Kuarua, on the Eastern bank, the ' Pioneer' was anchored for a few minutes, and Colonel Sir H. Havelock and Captain Heaphy went ashore, and examined* the village. It was deserted. They found and brought away a box full of political letters. One of these enjoined the men at Tuakau not to sell land to the Government. The letters were principally addressed to the Chief Mini Bapa. They likewise brought away some native-made gunpowder, a bullet mould, cartridge mould, &c. Several very fine horses were seen straying about the cultivation. The cultivations wore seen to be extensive, and the breadth of potatoes, which appeared to be a good crop, was considerable. The ' Pioneer' again resumed her course up the river, and at Tapaina, on the Western bank, an old woman was seen to get into a canoe, and paddle rapidly away. No attention was paid to this circumstance. Two canoes were seen, and agnin Colonel Sir 11. Havelock and Captain Heaphy, with a few sailors, put ashore in a boat. Pigs, dogs, and geese, —all apparently most domesticated animals —were seen strolling about, and at the water's edge. Tho canoes were taken in tow, and hoisted on to the deck of the steamer. I should explain hero that in the rear of tho village, in the vicinity of Tupakihi, near the entrance to Wanghapae, there is high land overlooking the i%iver; and as soon as the canoes weiegoton board the natives opened fire on the vessel .from this high ground, with small arms. The bullets came slanting down on the deck, but forkinately did no damage. During the fire the vessel was going over a very ugly shoal —about the worst on the whole river, and the lead line was cut by a shot, and the lead lost. Soundings were taken all the way np. This critical point was Jtassed rapidly, and the ' Pioneer' soo.n got in ront of tho Horahora cultivations on tho Western bank, Here there are large groves of peach trees and extensive cultivations. The formidable position of Bangiriri now came in view on the Eastern bank, and discovered several long lines of rifle pits. Although not by any means so formidable as Meremere, in a strategic point of vievr it is more important. Tho land is low and undulating, and tho natural difficulties arc not so great as they are at Meremere. It will be recollected that the New Zealander, tho organ of the .peace party, endeavoured to throw discredit on the statements which appeared in the Daily Southern Ckoss regarding these works. As usual with that newspaper, they had " the best authority " for stating that the rifle pits were no rifle pits, and that the natives had only taken tho trouble of putting up a rather large stockyard for their cattle. This was a pi*oof of their pacific intentions, it was more than insinuated; but the writer in. the New Zealander wilfully misled the public. The rifle pits at Eangiriri then existed, as they do now. The natives communicated all over the country, and up the river to Ngaruawahia, by means of signal fires, on the ' Pioneer' showing herself near Eangiriri. Having made a good reconnoissance of the position the head of the gunboat was put about, and those on board bade adieu to Eangiriri for the present. The trip down the rivor was devoid of interest until the steamer arrived off Meremere, when steam was shut off, and the vessel allowed to float close in to the enemy's works, for the purpose of taking soundings, and to enable gentlemen on board to make a sketch of the defences of the place. This was successfully accomplished. As soon as tho ' Pioneer' floated close to their works, the enemy came down and manned the rifle-pits within range. Tire was opened on us, and a rifle bullet penetrated the funnel, another bullet lodging in the casing of the funnel. At tho same time the heavy gun was fired from the upper embrasure, and n 7-lb. weight tore through tho bulwarks, breaking a large hole in tho iron plating, and lodging in a cask of beef, the hoops of which were started by tho concussion. The enemy has strengthened his position of late, by erecting lines of palisading close to the rivor, on the right and left, and for a short distance in front. They havo likewise built apa on the crest of the hill. The king is now living at Eawitu, three miles above Eangiriri. Looking at Meremere, as seen on each side from the river and land, I believe it i 3 agreed on all hands that it is a position which cannot be taken without considerable loss, even with tho most skilful disposition of our troops. General Cameron is just now engaged in carrying out a series of arrangomonts, which will havo tho effect of rendering success certain, and of reducing tho loss of men on our side to the minimum.