TAURANGA. (FROM THE "TAURANGA ARGUS," MAY 10.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3058, 15 May 1867, Page 5

TAURANGA. (FROM THE "TAURANGA ARGUS," MAY 10.)

A month has elapsed since the 12th Regiment left Tanranga, during which time there has been little in the fighting world. The apprehension naturally felt by the inhabitants on their withdrawal has been gradually wearing off, although the rebels are still in the neighbouring hill*, and their fires can be seen plainly at all the various villages that have been destroyed by the military settlers. They are evidently divided into small parties, and scattered around, thus showing the utter folly and uselessness of attempting to attack them with any success, even were we in a position to do so. It is also evident that they have no inclination to act oh the aggressive, although they have had abundant opportunity for so doing. What their ultimate aim or bopei*, it is impossible to conceive, for they cannot but be conscious of the utter hopelessness of resisting, or how much better it would be for them to settle down quietly to agricultural pursuits, and trade with thepakebas. The war, as we have before remarked, is become chronic, and there will be outbreaks and surrenders to time indefinite It is just three years since the Hauhau or, as it was then called, Pai Marire religion m*£e its appearance amongst them, since which time it has flourished and spread among the different tribes. This new religion, in a manner, renewed their latent propensities to cannibalism, and caused them to commit deeds of horror that would otherwise never have been recorded against them. It is something dreadful to consider the utter barbarism into which this new faith threw them, and, which seems worse, coming as it did after a period of apparent Christianity. They must, however, be losing faith in their prophets, whose confident assertion that the pakehas would be driven into the sea has not, nor is likely to turn out true. No doubt, as their faith in them diminishes, the possibility of submission will increase. Both of these desirable ends, we are sorry to say, seem impossible at present, but a change may be at hand that will restore peace and prosperity to the district.