THE WAR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 133, 7 April 1860, Page 1

THE WAR.

[From the Correspondent of the " Taranak* Herald."]

Camp, Waitara. On Friday evening, March 16, it was reported to the officer Commanding the Forces that Wiremu Kingi's natives had erected another pa on the land purchased from Teira. Early on Saturday morning the LanH Purchase Commissioner, Mr. Parris, was sent to ascertain whether or not it was within the boundaries. It was "found to lje two chains within the boundary, and about four from the Devon line. Soon after it was reconnoitred by one of the mounted, escort, who reported that it •was a very strong pa, with double palisading, ditch, and galleries. - A letter was addressed to the natives by Colonel Gold, ordering them to move off the Queen's land, and warning them of the consequences of refusal. This they would not even receive.

Subsequently, Colonel Gold resolved to destroy the pa with the rockets and the 24 pounder howitzers. At half-past twelve, three companies of the 65th Regiment, under the command of Colonel Gold, assisted by Lieutenant- Colonel Sillery, Captains Paul and Barton, 65th Regiment, and 6 Subalterns ; 6 sailors from H. M. steam ship Niger, under lieutenant Wells, with a rocket tube ; 2 sergeants and 17 men Royal Artillery, with one 12-pounder and two 24-pound howitzers, under Lieut. M'Naughten ; 9 Sappers and Miners, ■under Lieutenant Mould ; and 20 Mounted Volunteers, under Captain Des Ooeux. This force passed along the Waitara road within range of the pa unmolested, when Lieutenants McNaughten and Mould were despatched, with the mounted escort, to find a suitable position for the guns and rocket tube. They fixed upon a little mound at the distance of 750 yards from the pa, from whence, so soon as the artillery and troops reached the position, a fire was- opened, upon which the natives danced a war dance, hoisted their fighting flag, and returned the fire from three faces of the pa. From the pa being placed in a hollow at the head of" a gully, at first a few of the shells and rockets fell short, but the range was ascertained and the practice was excellent, the shells and rockets exploding in the pa, and raising clouds of dust and smoke. After a short time it was found that the distance was too great. The Mounted Volunteers were extended on the right to threaten the enemy's line of retreat, and soon exchanged shots with some natives stealing up the gully to the pa, one of whom was wounded in the back and toppled over. The guns moved to within three hundred yards of the inland face of the pa, and, with the rocket tube, kept up a smart fire, making good practice and carrying away the flagstaff. The troops then took ground to the left, and the guns were fired at long intervals, when the enemy having ceased for more than an hour to reply to our fire, it was supposed he had deserted the pa. "Under tMs : impression two or three of the Volunteers made a dash at the flag, reached the palisade, and were tugging away at it when a volley was fired from every face of the pa ; the two at the palisade escaped unhurt with about twothirds of the flag, but the third, who was galloping up, received a dangerous flesh: wound, fell from his horse, and after crawling. a short distance on" all 'fours, was -galrv lantly carried beyond the reach of the fire by a sailor of the naval brigade and a private of the 65th Hegiment. About this time two privates were also badly wounded, one of whom, I regret to state*, is since v dead. guns soon silenced the fire of the pa, .and finally 1 took up a position

within 200 yards of it. Night now, approached, and the gun ammunition was expended, the skirmishers were called in, and the troops formed in close column) the escort was despatched with the ammunition waggons to the camp, entrenchments were traced by the engineer officer andi the trenches soon formed, where, linder <_.ver of the guns, the weary soldiers laid down"" under arms. During the -whole! of this time the enemy kept up a smart fire from rifles, of which they had several, and musketry, and bullets were flying like hail about our ears. The escort returning/with the ammunition was under fire for ten minutes, the natives at dark having come out of the pa, but providentially escaped uninjured, and having completed their mission were ordered back to camp, and run the gauntlet by creeping slowly along the road under cover of the houses.

The supperless soldiers remained in the trenches all night. Shortly before daybreak the enemy fired three guns and is supposed to have vacated the pah. At early dawn on the 18th the guns and skirmishers advanced nearer to the pah, the sappers throwing up an earthwork in their front, the fire was opened, under cover of which another breastwork was completed within 50 yards of the stockade. The shots soon made matches of. the palisading at the south end, and through the breach Lieutenant McNaughten coolly entered, followed by the troops, who were chagrined to find the pah abandoned. The pah was somewhat in the shape of a capital L, about 110 feet long and thi-ty-three feet wide, the ditches were five feet wide and four ft. deep, covered with a frame work of split timber with about two feet of fern and earth in layers on the top. These communicated with chambers worked out of the solid red earth, and snugly lined with fern. In these fragments of shells, whole shells used as solid shot, and grape shot, were foundscattered about, also two spears, a bugle," and sundry mats, with a supply of potatoes, melons, prepared maize, dried mutton and fish, and other food sufficient for several days consumption.

As it is positively known that there were not less than eighty men in the pah when it was attacked, it may be assumed that the casualties were not inconsiderable. :

The troops once inside, the palisading was soon down and in a blaze, but from the wood being green it was found extremely difficult to destroy the underground work. The remnant of the flag. was appropriated by the gallant 65 th, and with it flying and band playing they returned to the camp at. about half- past four.

Wiremu Kingi has not troubled us since, it is said he is satisfied he cannot cope with us by building and defending pahs, and therefore intends, so soon as he receives reinforcements, to commence a predatory warfare. The tigers are in excellent health and spirits, and under the able command of their gallant leader, will give a fair account of any force they may encounter.

This _day the boats brought a timely supply, and it is to be hoped that the Commissariat will take timely warning, and keep up an ample supply of provisions at the camp,' recollecting that tigers invariably growl at feeding time.

Where all gallantly, performed their duty, it would be invidious to particularise individuals, but I cannot refrain from mentioning the praiseworthy behaviour of the civilian drivers, who without the least hesitation, although exposed to a continual fire, drove wherever directed. ■

Poor Corbett, the soldier who was. mortally wounded during the attack on the pah on Saturday, was buried outside* the camp on Monday last, Colonel Gold reading the burial service. ..

We" extract the following, leader from the Taranaki Herald of the 24th, on the subject of the recent operations at the Waitara, expressing the feelings of the Taranaki'settlers oh the subject. "

" A collision between the races, to avert which so much effort was made, has taken

place, and it must not be disguised that the result has disappointed every one. For some time, for years, native affairs in Taranakihaye been a standing menace to our government who, wisely no doubt, have borne much rather than subject the community to the alternative of War. The position latterly assumed by the natives, rendered an appeal to arms -inevitable, and very, complete arrangements were made by the Governor" to meet it. Not only was the garrison strengthened, -but the Commander of the Forces accompanied His Excellency from Auckland to assume the command. The expedition reached the disputed land at Waitara without a blow, the natives apparently overawed by superior force, retiring, and the land was surveyed without opposition. Beyond a partially erected stockade that was abandoned to our force, there *,vas no show of open resistance. It was even being rumoured that the mission had succeeded, when lo!. the fortified pah reported in our last issue,. was raised in one night within the boundary. A contact being therefore inevitable, it was both humane and politic to make short work of it, and nip rebellion in the bud. The formidable demonstration to a certain point, as we have seen, had answered its end, it remained to employ it well. Everything gave indication of a short and decisive struggle. The rebels, strange to say, had erected their pah in an open plain, advantageously situated for the movements of artillery, and where they were likely to be cut off. 400 of the gallant 65th in camp — another hundred from Wellington had that morning timely reinforced the town garrison. The troops were supported by royal engineers, artillery, and about. 2s. of the Niger's men, and whilst on this latter we feel assuredthat no one vviH regret more than the gallant captain himself, that he was absent with his ship during the engagement. Amidst a continuous fire from artillery, rockets, and small arms, the pah was silenced and surrounded. The rebels gave themselves up for lost. Crouched underground to avoid the withering fire above, they could offer little or no resistance. Nothing apparently remained for them but submission or death. But it was decreed otherwise. During the night the besiegers impatient for their prey were withdrawn, and, one hundred rebels walked out unopposed and unwatched at dawn of day.

'' The inexplicable proceeding has more than frustrated the published views of the government, and those indicated by the press of the colony, which are in unison. Moral influence and physical display having in turn failed, it was of the highest importance to teach the natives a salutary lessen, and no risk to our forces, if it ever occurred to those in authority, was too great, or vengeance too severe for such a

purpose. At present no more can be said than that the quarrel is assuming greater proportions, which we add with, mortification and regret. The Taranaki tribes have defiantly interrupted Monday's outgoing Southern mail, and with Ngatiruanui are making their arrangements for embarking in a. struggle which should" have been fought and ended where it began."

JO URNAL of events since Saturday, 1 1th March,

; the time of publication Saturday, March 17. — A day never to be forgotten in the annab of Taranaki. For "the first time has blood been shed in war between the racea. At about 11 a.m., the report of artillery. aiid small arms assured us that the . troops were attacking the newly-erected;. stockade, on Teira's land, and intense *was_ the excitement of our community on hearing, thosesounds.of strife and battle. How anxiously was intelligence looked for — how many the speculations as every booming sound came travelling through the air, who were sent to their" account-as, each messenger of. wrath was hurled at the doomed works. Groups of people were to be Been in different parts of the streets, and on hill tops, anxiously conversing about the fafeoff sounds of conaict, a.nd war. Striot-orders'%ere given to the Militia and Volunteers on- no account to quit their respective stations, and it -was nearly du9k before we, were relieved from suspense by the arrival of a mounted escort with the intelligence that for several hours heavy fire had been kept on the pah, but without any sensible: effect. Two sbldiers had been wounded, one. mortally, .J.,Sarten, (mounted escort)

dangerously. The pah bad resisted the attempts to mate a breach in it ; the guns had commenced fire, first at 830 yards and ultimately at 140, throwing in shell and rockets ; t the palisadings of the pah were knocked down, but the shot only buried themselves in the earthworks ; the mounted escort had made a rush al the flag of the enemy which had been knocked down and hanging over the fence, and in capturing it, J. Sarten was dangerously -wounded ; . he. was knocked._Qi£.hia-liaE»9-by a bullet six yards from the pah, and was gallantly rescued by some blue jackets and soldiers in a storm of bullets from the pah. It was not known what loss the rebels had 'sustained, but it was supposed to be severe. Full particulars of this affair will be seen in a letter from our Waitara correspondent. Strong guards of Militia and,, Volunteers were posted round the town during the night, as hostilities had commenced and it was not known what might be the next step on the part of the rebels.

Sunday. — Everybody on the look out for new?. During the day, to the intense dissatisfaction of every one, the mounted escort returned with the intelligence that the pah had been evacuated by the rebels. It appears that the latter had kept up a constant fire all night, and in the tnornig suddenly abandoned the pah, leaving two men, for a a short time in it firing to mislead the troops. The soldier (Corbett) had died, the troops had destroyed the pah, taking 150 men four hours to demolish it. No signs of natives killed were seen : the pah was found to be very strong, and large caves were inside.

Monday. — From information received from a native who bad been in the pa during the attack, and who had visited the Ninia pa on the Sunday, no natives had been killed, but some were wounded, one having his arm broken, another Ms face contused from the falling of the palisades. Several of the Ninia natives had gone over to W. Kingi — Ivaripa, Te Haeana, and about ten others. All the Tima, Te Puke, and Kaipakopako natives had also joined the rebels, showing how little confidence can be placed in native professions^ The southern mail-man, who started to-day, stated that he would be stopped on his way to Wanganui and his mail burnt. Heavy rain during the day and during Sunday night. The Airedale was compelled to put to sea, but came in during the affemoon when she was signalled to proceed to S"elson for the English mail, and the steamer Tasmanian Maid. Information was received that, a party of natives numbering 107 were detached from W. King's main body and posted near the Ninia pa for marauding purposes. The natives say they were much alarmed in the pa during the firing of the shell and rockets, and full of wonder at these implements of warfare. They say they will not attempt another pa } for if we had surrounded them, not one could have escaped. All the time the firing was going on, in their alarm they were burrowing under the ground and could do nothing else, and many were hurt with splinters from the palisading. It was only after 6 a.m., on Sunday, they hastily decamped. The man who had his arm broken and carried away with a shot will not live. The shell and cnnnistei* completely scattered and destroyed their food, -the 2411). shot ploughing up their breastwoi'ks and sending everything into the air ; flying splinters obliged them to keep close in their caves. Indeed, the rebels themselves state they had no hope of escape throughout the night, believing that they were surrounded, and great was their delight at dawn of day to find the way open for escape down the gulley, where no troops were to be seen, and then ran off glad enough of the opportunity to escape ! They say they will take good care not agaiu to place themselves in such a predicament-

Tuesday — William King and his parly at Ngafcaiparivua, Hapurona's pah, where they appear to be resting and getting over the effects of the bombardment. A -white flag is flying, which means that he does not intend fighting to-day. Archdeacon (3-ovett, Rev. Mr. Whitely, ; and Rev. Hri Biemenschneider visited him to-day, and he was comparatively civil to them. fie intimated that he would confine his fighting with the troops to Waitara, providing they did not burn down pahs on native land, when he would seek revenge, — that the burning of the pahs at the mouth of the Waitara did not matter astheywere on the ground occupied by the soldiers-rfincidehtally admitting that ho gave up his claim to it-! Several of the natives were bruised about the face by splinter &c. It was" positively asserted/ that no natives had been killed, and . they seemed as if they had not sustained a defeat at alt

' /Wednesday— P oharaiha ana "other natives met Mr. McLean this morning at the Ka wan pah, and expressed, their determination 'to bear arms in resisting attack and protecting properties. They wished to be 4 supplied' '■with' arms-and' ammunition and wear a distinguishing dress. The proposal to trust to a 'native alliance isviewed with the utmost distrust by the settlers owing to the character of several natives who offer their services. News arrived from Taranaki that the - Warea natives, had taken and,detained the mail for the South, which started on Monday at 1 p.m. -Aperohama, chief of the Patukai natives had forcibly detained, the bag. It is hoped that, the Niger onher refcurtt. will be sent down to shell and destroy Warea, : asr the pah is conveniently situated, for the^gu^pQse near, the beach. ■ Kingiis still at Hapuvopa'k^li. The troops should be ordered to prooeed;andl>urn them down, viz.; Kairau,,Ngataiparirua^.anii|luirangi.. A- few rockets would soon /&odb.^jf v ]..i£ t :, Another meeting'to;day.or' { Headiy^

natives from Eatere, Hua, and Waiwakaiho, respecting their taking arms in defending British authority. Flying rumours from Taranaki that the Taranakis nave assembled at Mokotuna, about twenty-two miles from town, to join W. Kingi by ■way of the town. Some of the friendly natives say that they will go through the bush and if possible draw out the settlers to fight them there while a body of Ngatiruanuis attack the town. It is said that the attack will take place at dawn of day at different points, and friendly natives say that we should be very careful to distribute our men, and not leave any part of the town unprotected. As far as they, the Taranakis, are concerned, they have not the least reason to wage war with us, and if they do it will be pure marauding and unprovoked aggression. The weather stormy and wet, and no appearance of the Niger from Manukau, for which port she sailed on Saturday week. Lights were seen off the Sugar Loaves at 7 p.m., and shortly afterwards a gun was fired. A boat was sent off, and on her return the vessel proved to be the Airedale, from Nelaon, with the English mail. She had a quick run to Nelson of 17 hours from this, and left again yesterday at 8 p.m. The Tasmanian Maid was to leave this day for this port to be placed at the service of His Ejceelleiicy the Governor, sent up by the Provincial authorities of Nelson. The authorities have rented the Kawau pah, and it is now occupied by out-settlers.

Exiday. — News arrived this morning that the Rutapihipibi natives, Manahi's people, had suddenly left their kainga and gone to the rebels ! 11l formation was given to the Gro vernment' yesterday that Manahi intended to receive the Taranakis at his place on their way through the bush to Waitara, and Poharama was instructed to investigate the matter and ordered to bring Manahi into town to be interrogated by the authorities, and on Poharama's messenger arriving at the Ratapihipihi, lo ! Manahi and the rest of his people had fled! Manahi was almost the first to sign the declaration and had a permanent pass, and for several years had been in intimate intercourse ■with the settlers, but for years had not enjoyed their confidence. Eatapihipihi is a native reserve within the settled boundaries, and is not four miles from town. So much for Maori loyalty ! Intelligence came in this afternoon that Porikapa, chief of Daihihi, has insisted npon the Warea natives sending on the Southern mail, who had done so. It is very likely, however, that it will be stopped further on. Rumour that the rebel natives intended to have attacked the Bell Block stockade last night, but were prevented by Karipa and Haena who do not wish the fighting to be brought over the boundaries of the Bell district. "We have no doubt that had they done so they would have met with a wamn reception, for we think we can fire better than they can in our pahs.

10 p.m. — 3?ifty Taranakis are at Otakura (7 miles distant) to-night on their way to W. Kingi. They will go through the forest. A gentleman from "Waitara, just arrived, reports nothing fresh. — Taranaki Herald.

Latest Intelltg-ebtce. — The hostile natives were in force within a short distance inland of the Oraata Block-house, on Saturday afternoon, and had danced a war dance there.