TARANAKI. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2020, 6 January 1864, Page 3

TARANAKI. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT .)

There is not mucli to leporfc since the expedition to Karaite. The natives are evidently gathering Ninth and South, and have already done a little hftiug at Bell Block, but only on a small scale. They have not yet made their pomised attack which was to have come off at Christmas, but perhaps they think Twelfth night more suitable. In the meantime we are caspged with au enemy almost as sei ions — the Scotch thistle. As-hoittirae ago while the coast was clear, comparatively small parties went about cutting this weed, but that would not be safe now, and therefore the experiment is to be tried of temporarily inci easing the two companies of Bush Rangeis to 75 men, and letting them do the woik ; the land owneis of course ,give them wages in addition to their daily half -ci own. Such a force as this could take caie of itself against any reasonable number of natives, and in any event when in the bush, could hold its own until lelieved fiom town. The woik is a veiy important one, and a good deal of it yet lemains to be done. Mr. J. Watson, who foi more than 20 years has been ITarbour Master heie, almost. ever bince the foundation of the settlement, ha* resigned his office. The leasoti was, I believe, the Council's refmal to increase his salary which was only £200 a-year, though it is almost a certainty they cannot get nearly as competent a man fot that amount.