TAURANGA. A NEW FAITH. ANOTHER WAR THREATENED, ARRIVAL OF 300 WANGANUI AND TARANAKI NATIVES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2765, 5 June 1866, Page 4

TAURANGA. A NEW FAITH. ANOTHER WAR THREATENED, ARRIVAL OF 300 WANGANUI AND TAR AN A KI NATIVES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Camp Ta Papa, May 30. It is again my unpleasant duty to have to record the fact that the peace which we have lately bitn enjoying is likely to be but of short duration. Yesterday morning Mr. Insley, an old settler of Maungatapu, came iuto camp, and for the first time gave us the sad alarm that war was again likely to be commenced— that our peaceful slumbers were agaiu on the tve of beiug disturbed ; in fact, that a struggle of a far more serious, savage, and daring chaiacter than has hitherto taken place was now impending; and, if report was correct, that the natives vrere flattering themselves that the plans and savage schemes which they purposed adopting would annihilate every vtstige of European existence or civilisation which formerly was so happily spread through the length and breadth of this highly favoured district. For this purpose large parties of natives were reported to be assembling from all the disaffected districts — such as Rotorua, Tatipo, Wanganni, l'aranaki,and Waikato — in the ranges, where large supplies were left by the Pai Marires when they returned to their homes after their last pilgrimage to tht Hauhau shrives. Mr. Insley had not long been gone from camp, when your humble correspondent met a native, au old offender in rebellion, who called him on one side and began to acquaint him with the impending troubles which are about to fall not only on Tauranga, but on all New Zealand. He described th« heavens as being dark and overcast, that the elements were gathering thick, and that within a very short space of time the heavens would burst, and all Europeans would be destroyed from the surface of the earth. He then said this was now being fulfilled. All Europeans at Taranaki had already perished, and he had now the painfu duty to request me, as an old hand, to flee at once from impending dangers, I listened attentively to his story, which was a very long and tedious one, mixed up with many ridiculous and fabulous tales ; and then asked him in the most serious manner, a* if giving credence and faith to his story, what length of time would be required before I should sustain injury in preparing tv flee. "Oh," says he, '• delays are dangerous ; flee at the first notice of the approach of evil, and then you and your children will be safe. Flee to Auckland, where there will be no storm, no danger, because that city was lawfully and universally appointed as the land whereon Europeans may safely rest and repose, for it was theie le Wherowhero erected his house and resided, to be a protection to all Europeans." I then a -Iced him if these troubles, which were about to afflict this district, were to be at the instigation of the flauhaus, or how was it to take place, and by whom ? To this he replied that they had seen the folly of clinging to Te Ua, the prophet, who had been found to be au inaposter and traitor ; but that a new prophet had arisen amongst the Taranaki, who at one word could command the heavens and the earth to yield to his sway and authority, and that it was by him that all Europeans in the Taranaki district had been destroyed. This rebellious and superstitioui man had scarce left me, wheu I was accosted by two others - a man and his wife— who related verbatim the same story; and the earnestness with which they narrated the particulars was such as to convince me tuat they seriously believed it, for at the conclusion they urgeu me to deliver into their charge my children, that they might protect and defend them, observing that they had facilities for sheltering the little ones which I had not, for the storm would not be of long endurance, but that in its results it would be decisive aud effectual. Whilst they were kindly and feelingly telling me this story, I professed to be much interested and ooucerned, which gave them great confidence. At times when a passt-r-by was approaching, they would instantly ceaie speaking until the intruder had gone beyond the sound of their voices, when they would again commence their warning story with fresh energy and vigour. After the recital and possession of all this secret and valuable information, I felt anxious to communicate it to the authorities ; but finding Mr. Clarke absent with the Hon. Colonel Russell, Native Minister, at Maketu, I refrained from making it publicly known until I should receive a corroboration of its truthfulness. The following morning, riuding the p. s. 'Sturt,' Captain Fairchild, had arrived from Auckland, and hearing that a company •f the Ist Waikatos, in charge of Lieutenant Way, were told off to proceed to Upotiki, I at once went into camp to ascertain further information, aud I was not allowed to remain long uninformed. Meeting Arama Karaka, a respectable chief of Maungatapu, he at once expressed his disappointment at finding Mr. Clarkes absence. His countenance expressed feelings of great anxiety; and having no other individual to whom he could unbosom his cares, he at once commenced with a full and explicit corroboration of the story which I had the day previous received, with the addition also that messengers had arrived from the fauat cs encamped on the ranges, requesting deputations at once to proceed there from all the hapus or families of each settlement within Tauranga. He further stated that several natives from a neighbouring hapu had already gone to worship and fall down at the shrine of the new prophet. On hearing this, early as it was, lat once proceeded to the residence of Mr. Gill, clerk to the Civil Commisssioner's Court, and laid before him all the information which I had obtaiued. Mr. Gill, with great prompbness, despatched a messenger to Maketu, which caused the Native Minister, Mr. Clarke, C.C., and Mr. Mair, K.M., to return to camp that night ; and on the next day order* were issued that the detachment of Ist Waikatos, wao were in readiness to embark for Opotiki, should not, doubtless owing to the uncertainty of Maori affairs, leave. Since then nothing of importance has transpired; at least nothing has oozed out as to the numbers of the fanatics, and real intention of the flight of so many Maoris who were only a few days ago associating with us in camp, but who have chosen to include themselves in the ranks of the new sect. Emissaries are at (he present moment within the precincts of the camp, endeavouring to poison the minds of the welldisposed natives. Colonel Hamilton, the com- ; manding officer of this district, is ready for any ! emergency; and if the Maoris ahould make up their minds to have another stand fight, or otherwise to threaten and annoy the settlement of Tauranga, they will find in the colonel a brave and determined leader who will staud no trifling or parleying. In fact, with the force that he has under his command they will be sufficient to teach the disaffected portion a lesson which they will not easily forget. With the exception of «> little anxiety as to the intentions of these fanatics, ail is quiet within the camp. The ' Sturb 1 left this place on the morning of the 26th, having on board tne Hon. Colonel Russell, Native Minister, Colonel and Mrs. Lyon, Mr. Gwynnetb, 'district surveyor, and Mr. Blake, contract surveyor; arrived at Opotiki the same day, and on. the following day took on board No. 4 Company of Patea Bangers, in command of Lieutenant Chapman, »nd the whole of the cavalry force in charge of Lieutenant MacPherson, who, it is said, proceed on to Wanganui. From information which has been received by the arrival, of the cutter 'Bella,' Captain Faulkner, which left Opotiki at the same time as the 'Sturt ' — the 27th instant- we learn that the enemy ia still lurking in the neighbourhood of the camp, and that the one* friendly native Te Bakaraka is at their head. They are suppoied to muster about 300, and have sent messengers to the friendly natives to clear out -from the position which they now hold, and which was very recently set apart for them by j Commissioner A. J. Wilson. If this should prove true it appears very premature on the part of Colonel Russell to reduc« the small force at that station. The force who now remain are more or less ensconced in respectable huts, built by themselves, or at their own expense, and are living entirely upon fresh meat. Some time ago it was a rarity to K«t a taste of fre«h meat, but that was remedied by the timely arrival of a .cargo of sheep l>y the 'Hurt;' and since then a herd of cattle, which have been collected from the neighbourhood of the Buaatoki, by Major St. , John, ihaye .armed, and .being prim* 'cattle, are to bt told to tk«; Commifiarial for the

supply of the force. The nature of Colonel Russell's visit to Maketu has not Altogether been made known. It was said that his object was to out down the Maori assevsors who draw annually very heary sums from the colonial chut, and otherwise to reduce the Governmeut expenditure in inland districts ; whether auuh has been the ea c is mot exactly known, but •ne thing is certain, that the valuable service* of Dr. B. R. Hooper, as aatiro medical officer, have been discontinued, aid hit duties have beeu thrown upon the shoulders of another Government officer, which will greatly assist in raising his stipend. Though Dr. Hooper has been thus treated, he will not be forgotten, for he carries with him the good-will of all the natives in the extensive district over which his labours extended. It is to be hoped that the Government will not cast off altogether the services of this gentleman, whe for many years has faithfully and diligently performed the duties of medical officer at Rangiawhia, Taupo, and Maketu; but will, as an acknowledgment for such, appoint him to some other district, wber* he may still b« employed in the service of Government, and useful to the natives, by whom be ia highly respected and esteemed. The Queen's birthday passed off with great 6clat, — the review of the whole farce, consisting of the Ist battalion of the 12th Begiment, and the Ist Waikato Regiment, under the command of Colonel Hamilton. The troops were paraded in the paddock adjoining the residence of the Yen. Archdeacon Brown; and after the saluting had ceased, three hearty cheers were given for the Queen, the example being set by the commanding officer. The Hue then broke into open column of companies, and marched past in slow and quick time Other evolutions alto took place, after which the concourse dispersed. The 'Fortune' is fast loading with potatoes for Maketu, being a first instalment intended for seed for the Arawas. May 31. In my commun : oation of yesterday I omitted to state, in inference to the paragraph in my last report touching the manner in which th« mail by the * Sturt ' had been left on the beach, that I have since discovered that Captain Fairchild is in no way culpable ; that gentleman haying handed it over to the custody of a passenger, in order to its safe delivery to Mr. .Norris, the postmaster of Tauranga. In this passenger Captain Fairchild felt he could plaoe every reliance, having known him for some time, and as a resident at this place. His reason for doing so was th« urgent necessity of the ( iSturt's ' proceeding at once, without even dropping her anchor, to Opotiki, in order to meet the tide there ; thereby precluding Captain Fairchild landing at Tauranga. I ifeel this explanation is due to Captain Fairchild, whose kindness and courtesy are proverbial both at this place and Opotiki. Had Captain Fairchild's wishes been conveyed to our respected postmaster, there is* not the slightest question that it would not have been allowed to remain there a minute, and all the unpleasantness and mischief that has resulted been avoided.