LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3232, 8 November 1881, Page 3

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

[irS*! TEI/EQRATH.j

(FROM QUR SrECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Pcngarehu, November 7.

The night passed quietly. This morning began with strong weather and heavy rain. The men in most cases were under canvas before nightfall, but some corps were left without tents, and are now (2 p.m.) seeking shelter where best it :an be found.

At Manaia Capt.' Somerville, of the Wanganui Cavalry, has been patrolling frequently, and from what I can learn he has performed most efficient service. Major Atkinson left camp this morning, so doubtless the promised proclamation will soon be published, but it is unlikely that any movement will be made in this inclement weather. I heard of one amusing report! by the officer in charge of the Guards which arrested the straggler to whom I referred to in my last. It stated that there is nothing particular to report, except that a man found wandering on the road was brought in by the sentry. On enquiry it was found that he was a special correspondent, and he therefore made him a prisoner. I may say a policeman's life is not a happy one, but what is that to a y^-correspondent at the front. At a meeting of gentlemen representing the press of the colony there it was resolved to present a respectful letter to the officer commanding the district asking permission for the free access of correspondents

to the camps, and it is to be hoped it will be met properly. . , Dr. Driver was despatched to Rahotu this morning on receipt of a telegram stating that an officer of the Wellington Naval Brigade was ill of sunstroke. A report obtains currency that a reconnaissance party was sent last night to search for defences in the interior. Lieutenant Fitzherbert left for Wellington to-day on leave of absence. The Wellington Navals and the Wanganui men were on the alert last night at Rahotu, but nothing occurred calliug for their services. November 8. Heavy rain continues, and the position of the troops is not a comfortable one. A notice rus been posted in Parihaka calling upon the natives to disperse forthwith. The Wanganui natives hay*>. crossed the river Waitotara, which runs through Parihaka, to their own mharcs. Tbe Armstrong gun is placed on the hill overlooking the meeting place. A redoubt will be thrown up, and the hill has been christened Fort Rolleston. Both Mr Bryce and Mr Rolleston are in camp, and will experience the delights of a soaking day under canvas. The volunteers are" in good spirits, and it is satisfactory to hear songs of all sorts as one passes the different tents. The sentries have a rough time of it, and the officers on picket to enable work this wet weather. Three chains of sentries extend along broken hills and gullies, and the duty of visiting these entails considerable toil. Of course in such weather tents come to grief occasionally. About noon tbe canteen tent collapsed, causing considerable damage, and shortly after tbe tent occupied by Lieutenauts Goring and Blundell, of the Wellington Guards, (succumbed, and as the last named had 1. been on picket all night, aud was doubtless enjoying a sleep on a mass of wet canvas, it would act as a refresher. Later on tents arrived for the Nelson battalion, and the site of the camps was changed to a hill side on the left of Parihaka. There can be no doubt the volunteers have been tried and found willing and enduring. It must be stated that on Friday night they were paraded at Rahotu at eight o'clock to see that every man was complete. On Saturday morning they breakfasted at four, paraded at half-past, and marched at five, arriving at Papara about seven. They were halted for a short time, when Major Pitt advanced with tho Nelson and Thames men co take up position on tbe hill overlooking Parihaka from the left. To arrive at the locality ordered, the men had to go through rough scrub and bush, besides climbing Maori fences, and this in heavy marching order. When the advance wa3 sounded at 11 all closed in, but' until past noon the volunteers were in marching order, a period of nearly eight hours. Add to this that the guards sentries had to be provided for on Saturday night, and all will admit that our volunteers have behaved well, and have proved that the volunteer service is to be relied upon in case of emergency. I havo kept from mentioning how your correspondent was enabled to report the proceedings of the arrest as an eyewitness, after being refused permission to be near the scene of action. It was known that some correspondents and civilians had proceeded to the bush in the early morning, and it being absolutely necessary that the proceedings should be reported for the satisfaction of the public, I succeeded, after considerable difficulty and toil, in getting into a position which gave a complete view of all the movements. This position might have been easily conceded at first. Te Whiti, Tohu, and Hiroki, are still in tbe Pungarehu block-hou?e, and will proceed via Opunake to Wellington by the Hinemoa expected to-day. A strong escort will acccompany them. The natives have read the recent proclamation, and should the tribes not separate it is probable that their chiefs will be arrested. The substance of the proclamation, which is in Maori, is that all are to return to their own neighborhood. Those natives who have a claim on the confiscated land must leave tbe settlement of it to tbe Government. It is not likely that the Maoris will disperse. 9 15 a.m. Word was sent at nine o'clock to the natives at Parihaka to disperse, but no answer was received when the A.C. at once proceeded to empty the whares. The Waikato natives all assembled in the meeting place. A company of tbe A.C. is now clearing the ivhares in the centre of the village, walking amongst the Maoris. A good number of guns were found, but no resistance was offered, the people sitting without a word. • The volunteers are under arms, tbe Nelson battalion covering the assembly, and the A.C. surrounding the village. The Native Minister had three correspondents found in the settlement sent to tbe rear under escort. Te Whiti and Tohu are in the blockhouse at Pangarehu. Hiroki is in a tent in irons, and secured at night. A quantity of arms of all sorts have been found and passed out. The chiefs will probably be arrested, and the whares destroyed. 11 a.m. The constabulary have finished tbe centre of the village, and are now on the south side of the river. Two hundred and fifty stands of arms have been collected so far. Some meres brought by the search party were returned by order of the Native Minister. Amongst the arms found are a number of breech guns, Enfield rifles, and one revolver. Noon. Captain Gudgeon conducts the search. Amongst the arms are fifty rifles, and a large haul of Enfield ammunition, shot, powder, and shot belts, have been made. The arms are now being sent to Punga« rehu by wagon. The troopg have been dismissed for lunch, and fall in again at one o'clock. Tito kowaru's men are not here.