TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 149, 28 July 1860, Page 2

TARANAKI.

(From the correspondent of the W. Independent.") New Plymouth, June 25. Sir, — Taranaki seems a doomed province. This armed neutrality, for it would he a hurlesque to call it war, has not only ruined us as far as worldly prospects go, but is crushing down those self-relying energies for which the settlers, of this unfortunate province have been so often praised. Governor Browne, seemingly desirous of emulating Nero, who fiddled while Rome was being burnt, is passively listening (whilst our fellow settlers are being murdered — our houses plundered — our children and women cut oif by the Typhus fever,) to the crammers told him from the Native department, who, in fact, are the rulers of New Zealand, and with them rests the question of peace or war. The natives, emboldened by our passive neutrality, which they attribute to our timidity, are gradually drawing a cordon round us ; 600 of the enemy headed by the Omata murderers, are watching the camp at Tatara, and have obliged the troops to vacate W. Bailey's house, which they had regularly fortified, and to retire to the other position held by them at Silcock's — the object being to strengthen the force by throwing the two into one. It was not done too soon ; the natives nearly surprised twelve soldiers who were out foraging, and who owed their safety to a friendly native. On Saturday last, heavy firing was heard about two o'clock, at the Waitara. All anxiously waited for the | news, — some thinking it was an attack upon the camp, — others believing it was only the Military discharging their pieces, and practising with the big guns. On Sunday, the Rev. D. Gorvett returned from the camp ; he in- % formed us that Major Nelson, observing a smoke in a raupo swamp, about half a mile from the camp, ordered a party of forty men to reconnoitre. The natives saw them and fired at them, but no casualties took place on our side, save a shoulder belt and pouch shot through. The guns from the camp opened on them, whilst amusing themselves with a war dance, and several were observed to fall, but it is unknown if any were killed or wounded. W. King with the Waikatos have built a large double pah close to the Devon road, overlooking the Waitara : it adjoins Taylor's land, and is distant exactly one mile from the camp. They have not quite finished it, and are busy throwing up entrenchments round it ; it can be seen very plainly from the Hua Fort. Now that all, or nearly all the houses in the Bell and Hua block are plundered, the marauders (who we have found out belong to W. King's pah) have returned to Kairou, distant about four miles. They all got off scot free, for it was only after all the houses had been plnndered, that Col. Gold gave permission to patrol the district, verifying the old saying of "locking the stable door after the steed was stolen." We are now in the midst of winter, and a wetter winter I have not seen for years. The militia are in a wretched state, notwithstanding all that the Superintendent or C. J. Richmond may say. To give you some idea, I have only to state that no barrack accommodation or lodging money has been as yet allowed to all who do not reside in the Omata or Hua fort, or who have not houses in town. The consequence is, that nearly two-thirds of the settlers have no shelter unless they pay for it out of their shilling- per diem, which has also to provide partial board and clothing for themselves and families. Doing soldier's duty, and subject to all the pain and penalties of martial law, we have none of the soldier's privileges, and one cannot help contrasting the attention paid to the comfort of the troops, with the utter want of similar treatment to the militia. : Report says, , that ;eyeiy thing! is to wait for the de-

cision to be arrived at, at t^| great meeting of the natives in Auckland, in July next. From the line of policy shown by the ministry or Governor on native matters, I should not be surprised at seeing some sort of a peace patched ; but woe be to New Zealand if it is so. The fire, instead of being extinguished, will only lie smouldering, to break out at a future, but not distant day, with more destructive power. Emigration, which in a great measure depends on the facilities for obtaining land, must, for the want of it, cease ; and the colony, instead of advancing in prosperity, must excede to its former position. A deathblo#mrfs't be dealt to the King movement, which is the head of the land league. The General Assembly must sink all minor questions and demand that the^ar^e carried out in a more vigorous manner, or re-place the Stafford Ministry by another, one not under the fear of the great bugbear of New Zealand, the Native Department. Friday Morning, June 29, 1860. I have re-opened my letter, to give yoia later and highly important information. Would to God that it was of a more cheering character. On Tuesday 26th ult., the Tasmanian Maid took twenty of the 40th regt. to Waitara, and forty more left town, I it being given out that they were to support the detachment at the Hua Fort. On the outskirts of town, they were joined by Capt. Seymour and 60 of his men ; this being observed by a knowing hand, he at once put it down that a move was on the board — that the Waitara was their destination, and not Bell Block, at which place they arrived about 7 o'clock, having' rested at about j twenty minutes at Bell Block. Here, Mr. Editor^ before proceeding any further, I cannot help giving credit to the Brigade office for the secrecy with which they had managed the expedition, and the doing away with that useless paraphernalia of a heavy baggage train, which accompanied them ( on the Warea expedition. To continue, however, it oozed out during the halt at Bell Block, that the new pah built within 2000 yards of the camp, was to be attacked next morning, they hoping to surround it that night. This, we thought, was a step in the right direction, and the harbinger of a more active line of policy. From the knowledge we had of the size of the pah, the force to be sent against it was unanimously condemned as being too small — that although the natives in the pah might not number more than 100 to 150, it was but reasonable to suppose, that the whole of W. Kingi's natives, then known to be in the neighbourhood, would come to their assistance, and succeed in out flanking our party. It was suggested that a combined force, consisting of soldiers, civilians, and friendly natives, accompanied by a rocket battery, should occupy a position at or near , thereby creating a division, it being a splendid position for intercepting any assistance to the enemy, that would be likely to come from the inland pahs. To this suggestion a reply was given, that Major Nelson would take into the field 50 men more than he would require — and £ that the pa to be attacked was smaller than the one previously taken at Waitara. Wednesday Morning, 7 o'clock. The guns opened fire at the pa, at about 400 yards, and a heavy firing from small arms was observed from the Hua Fort. The telegraph between the fort and the town was in constant use all the morning, but, from the efficient manner in which that department is managed as regards secrecy; the inhabitants knew, nothing of the action. It soon became evident, however, that something was wrong, as 150 men consisting of 90 of the light company of the 65th, 40 of the 12th , and 50 1 of the Pelorus crew, with a rocket tube, left for the scene of action about 1 o'clock, and, received on the road an accession to their force of 7Q of the; :12th from the Hua Fort, the whole being

undgy Colonel ,Gold, who, I am informed by an eye witness, ascended the Hua Tower, saw the enemy's flag flying at the' pah, and was told by numerous officers present, amongst whom I enumerate Brigade Major Paul, that they themselves had seen a heavy cannonading and a great deal of skirmishing, and that grave doubts were entertained as to the success of our troops — that the cannonading had ceased about a £ past ten — but the fire from small arms could occasionally be distinguished. The men having made a j short halt, the order to march was given, and it would have pleased you, "Mr. Editor, to have seen the eagerness shown by every one to be at the scene of action, affording assistance, if required, to their fellow-countrymen. .Every telescope at the fort was in requisition, watching their march, and they were finally lost sight of at Muwati, about a mile and a half this side the scene of action. About 4 o'clock, a column of men were seen returning from the direction of the Waitara. It proved, much to our surprise, to be j the party under Colonel Gold, and it was at once set down, amongst various conjectures, that the Mongaraka was unfordable, owing to a fresh. Would to God such had been the fact ; although a fresh was in the river, that had not stopped the ardour of the men — they ■eagerly vicing one with the other, who •should get through first, the tars taking the lead through their natural element, which was about waist high. On arriving at Manopi, the force halted ; Colonel Gold with a few other officers ascended the eminence, (some 20 or 30 feet,) on which that pah is built — -it gave them a good view of Pukekawere, "which was observed to be occupied, but by whom no one could say. The flag was still flying, as was evident to all. lam told that Col. Gold then turned round and said that everything was quiet, the firing had ceased, aud the pah, no doubt, taken ; consequently, no assistance was required. To bear this out, I will observe that he addressed a letter to Dr. Wilson the same evening, stating that everything was quiet, and he did not believe that an action had taken place. Tips •tell-tale letter, I am glad to say, the ! Doctor showed to many of his friends, it evidently being intended as a quietus to the public mind. An order was then given to the troops by Col. Gold to return home ; how it was received, Mr. Editor, I leave you to imagine. Report, by one present, says that the ■order was received by universal groans. Now, Sir, let us look at this strange proceeding calmly and dispassionately. Can your readers believe it, that Col. Gold, the commander of her Majesty's .Forces in New Zealand, who a, few hours before had thought it necessary to march out 250 men for the purpose of sustaining Major Nelson in his attack — could, without even opening a communication with that officer, or ascertaining who were the occupants of the pah, quietly return home, resting satisfied with his own happy surmises. One would imagine that Col. Gold would under the circumstances have evinced more anxiety to become acquainted with the result of the engagement, the general opinion being that our success was doubtful. But no, success or failure was indifferent to him; at least, so his conduct leads us . to suppose — more especially as he refused to allow several volunteers, who came forward in the early part of the day, permission to proceed to Waitara, to procure information for the Brigade Office. Thursday Morning. Early this morning the flag at the pali was observed to be half mast, and a number of persons seen moving in and about it. Up to nine o'clock, a.m., no information had been received — : great anxiety' felt on all hands,; and it was not until 12 o'clock — 26 hours after /the engagement — that the Brigade .{Office received that information which they might have had 1 some twenty-" ; four : hours previous. The despatches <;&om Major Nelson even then were not

obtained through the exertions of the authorities, but by two of the settlers who had volunteered on the previous day, (W. E. Hulke, and John Kelly, jun.,) and who had again volunteered to proceed to Waitara. Their services, however, were declined; but, who nevertheless, under the pretence of looking after a stray horse, managed to reach the camp, and brought back the melancholy information that the loss on the side of the troops was 30 killed and 31 wounded, 5 of them dangerously so. Amongst the killed the name of Lieut. Brookes appears, and in the list of wounded, Capt. Seymour, who was shot through the leg. The rest of the wounded, with the exception of about eight, are slight. The attack was made in a masterly manner ; the two flank companies of the 40th acting as skirmishers ; the sailors and some others protecting the guns, which after an hour's firing, effected a small breach ; before it could be improved, a large number of natives from the inland pahs poured down to the support of their comrades, and succeeded in turning our flank, a hand to hand conflict then took place ; cases of individual valour were numerous, but from the overwhelming force brought against them, and receiving no support from the town, Major Nelson was under the painful necessity of ordering the troops to retire, which was effected in first-rate order — succeeding in bringing in with them their wounded but unable to give a soldier's grave to their dead. Had Major Nelson been informed of Colonel Gold's advance, he would have held his ground and a victory been the result, as previously to the arrival of W. King's men, the day was his own — or even had the diversion as proposed taken place, a different result would have been obtained. With these facts staring Col. Gold in the face, with his previous defeat at the Waitara, the unfortunately mismanaged affair of Waireka, and the Quixotic expedition to Warea, the sooner he resigns his command the less likely we are to have a repetition of such disastrous occurrences. The first result of this unfortunate failure is the withdrawal of the troops from Tatara, and the abandonment of that once flourishing district, to be again overrun by the 600 savages, which you will see by the early part of this letter are hovering round it. The steamer is reported in sight — I must now conclude, trusting if spared to give you other information, I hope of a more cheering description, and an account of a successful attack on the Puketakauere pah. Monday, July 2, 1860. The Airedale is in sight. The troops have evacuated Tataramaka. The natives burnt many of the houses prior to their leaving, and Green wood's, with the rest, this morning; they are now building a pa at Oxenham's farm at the commencement of the block, and have 4000 sheep, 150 cattle, besides horses in their hands. From 200 to 300 of the Lower Waikatos joined W. King last night, and early this morning the natives were- busily engaged in repairing and strengthening the pa attacked by Major Nelson. Messengers have jbeen sent north and south with the news of their victory. They state their loss to be only five killed and twenty wounded; amongst the killed is W. Kingi's brother. You must not be surprised if you hear shortly of the Hua and Omata forts having been evacuated and blown up, their inmates retiring on the town. I assure you it is now becoming a very serious affair. The authorities here — or rather the head authority, Col. Gold — is. panic struck. The present indecision shows it. Instead of supporting Major Nelson with more men, and enabling his men. to regain their lost laurels, nothing is to be done until the arrival of larger guns. If Nelson were well supported, we have every confidence • that he would soon finish up the natives. His plan of operations was splendid and well carried out ; but Gold afforded him no support to meet the reinforcements sent by W. King to the help of those

in. the pa. A feint made on the pa— a large skirmishing party to cope , with theirs — an attack on their rear, any or all of which a reserve could have accomplished,, would have given a complete finisher to the rebels engaged at the late fight. July 7, 1860. The Airedale came in again this morning. She returned to Auckland last Monday, for two 68 lb. guns, instead of going south, the mail being sent on by the Tasmanian Maid. The 25 wounded men brought up by the Maid are doing well, and the medical officers are unremitting in their exertions. No movement of the troops has taken place since the Waitara affair. The natives dance their war dance daily, and Major Nelson favours them with a ball now and then. The last eight days have been splendid weather, frosty nights with fine sunny days. Perhaps now these wonderful guns and 101 rank and file are come, Col. Gold may be induced to take the field, at all events Nelson won't be kept under much longer. Report says that the head-quarters of the 40th are on board the City of Hobart for New Plymouth, if so good bye to Gold's command. It is now proved beyond doubt that had the reserve under Colonel Gold gone on, many of those wounded and left for dead on the field, would have been saved instead of being deliberately killed by the natives,)! in fact three poor fellows came into camp during the night. As lam now writing, the Bri- , gade Office have warned all persons at Omata against going out of gunshot of ! the stockade, as there are 700 to 800 natives collected this side of Tataramaka, and intend fighting to-morrow or the next day. They have driven off all the sheep, cattle, and horses in the neighbourhood. Mr. Clarke, of the Commissariat, with a settler (Mr. Tate), have gone to Nelson for the purpose, as report says, to bring provisions, cattle, &c. This looks very strange. Government refused to allow the settlers to ship produce or cattle at the commencement of the war, and would not buy them themselves. Instead of buying cattle they might as well receive ours, and at the same time help , themselves to the 400 or 500 head between here and the Waitara. I conclude hastily as the Airedale is under steam. H.

[feom another correspondent.] July 7, 1860. I send you Heralds and NeAvs which will, in one shape or another, give you nearly all the information of any worth. I need only say, that all is at present quiet ; we are besieged on both sides, and at last the authorities are thinking of fortifying the town. I only refer to the fearful affair of the 27th, (when we lost Lieut. Brooke and twenty-nine men of the 40th in a few hours,) to tell you that it has since transpired that the greater portion of the men left on the field were only wounded, and that during Thursday and Friday after the fight, Wi Kingi sent out his young men to search through the fern, and tomahawked them in cold blood! This is the most horrible part of the affair, and makes one's blood curdle to think of it. You will see in the papers that Col. Gold during the engagement was within a mile or two of Major Nelson, and did not march to support him I It was a second "Waireka affair, only more horrible in detail, and had Col. Gold done what any other, man would have done, our wounded at least might have been recovered. As it was they were left in the hurry of the retreat to be tomahawked, even some of the men whose wounds were dressed on the field. ■ The natives all insist that they lost only five killed and twelve wounded. Surely this is false — if true, ours was a fearful defeat. * - . S.

(From the Herald, July 7.) The Airedale just arrived in the

anchorage, brings 104 men of the 65th Regiment, and Royal Engineers and two officers. By her also comes the Band of the 65th Regt., as duty men ; the instruments, however, are to come by the Victoria. Two 56-pounder breaching guns, with ammunition, accompany the troops. Despatches from the Colonial Secretary recommend to the Commander of the Forces that all privates in the Militia above 50 years of age, and Others whose family exceeds five persons in all, should have the option of prolonged leave of absen3e. Should the Commander of the Forces approve of this arrangement, a free passage to Nelson and a fortnight's 1 rations on arrival, will be allowed to all who avail themselves of this liberty. His Excellency the Governor has forwarded to the Superintendent a cheque for £50, towards the relief of necessitous persons.

Continuation of Journal of Events to July 7. 1860. • [From the Twranaki SeraldJJ Sunday, July 1. — A beautiful morning, the first fine day we have had for weeks. The Tasmanian Maid anchored at dusk from Waitara. We have received the following list of natives killed and wounded in the action on Wednesday : — Killed — Matiu Waeroa (Kingi' brother) Hori Korupe (Kingi's follower) Honi Kirtahanga (Huirangi) Torua (a Waikato chief) Wi Ropata Wounded — Hapurona (chief of Huirangi) Haimona Rohua Nepetarima Tamihana te Arohi Kaipakopako Hakopa te Wahao There are various statements made as to the number of killed in the fight. A native from W. Kingi's, arrived at Puketotara, states that they have lost five killed, and twelve wounded, and that they had found and buried 78 soldiers ; but the probable truth is, as already stated, that their total loss in killed and wounded is upwards of 200. This in no way clashes with the above list, as the natives would speak only of natives of note, the rank and file (or inferior men) being, for obvious reasons, omitted. Another of the wounded soldiers died yesterday. We much regret to hear that the bone of Captain Seymour's leg is fractured. The Puketotara natives report that the wounded men left on the field were searched for during Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and dispatched by the enemy. Thirty Waikatos, of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe had reached Pukehoe on their way to Wiremu Kingi, and 300 were at .the White Cliffs. Monday, July 2, — The overdue Airedale was in sight this morning, and anchored about 11. She has been bar bound in the Manukau by the late weather. She brings intelligence of Potatau's death from influenza and old age. Captain Stapp returns in her. A* Tataraimaka the Taranakis are burning the settlers' houses. The Airedale, instead of going south, left this evening for Manukau with despatches, and the Tasmanian Maid is to take the English mail to Nelson. The Maid went down to Waitara with ammunition and two 24-----pounder howitzers, &c. Another child, the third, of Mr. R. Foreman, died to-day. Mr. Foreman himself is very ill. This afflicted family have lost in the space of a few weeks, the mother and three children .' William Underwood, 12th Regt., one of the sentries at Fort Stapp last night, fell over the cliff in going to his post. In falling his rifle went off, and the ball went through his hand. He is progressing favorably. Tuesday, July 3. — Every building at Tataraimaka, except the chapel, is burnt to the ground. The Tasmanian Maid came up from Waitara this morning, and brings up 25 of the wounded, who were removed to the hospital. The water fortunately a dead calm, and the sun warm and cheering. 60 Waikatos are reported at Puketauere. Weather fine. The Militia and Volunteers were served with clothing ; each man received a blanket, blue shirt, guernsey, and a pair of boots, sent down in the Airedale. The other articles of necessary clothing will follow, not too soon, as both Militia and Volunteers have been compelled hitherto, from some unexplained .omission of some one, to provide themselves/ Many from this cause have gone on night duty insufficiently clad at.- this severe season of the year. They have lost everything from tk©

war, and to purchase winter clothing was out of the question. 1 100 rifles were likewise received from Auckland — longer in the barrel than those used by the Taranaki Volunteers. The Tasmanian Maid sailed for Nelson Vi'ith the English mail, and some passengers. Wednesday, July 4. — Weather squally and wet. The rebels at "Waitara have fenced in the two pahs with strong palisading, and appear to be "busily engaged in strengthening their position. From Tataraim|||a the rebels have retired to Kaihihi, to winch place they have driven all the stock belonging to the settlers of that district, consisting of sheep, cattle, pigs, &c. They will remain at Kaihihi till the Ngatiruanui tribes come vp s and then have a grand feast. Afterwards, they will come lownwards. Thursday, July 5. — A boat went down to Wai Sara this morning with Mr. Parris. It is reported, we cannot vouch for the truth, that the troops inarched from the camp before daylight on Wednesday morning to attack the rebels' pah. Three fires ■were lighted at the friendly pah, supposed to be signals to the rebels, and this would accoifnt for the dispositions of the enemy wneu Major Nelson made his attack. The Kp::ii.ini;i.nui and Taranaki tribes consider they have driven the troops from Tataraimaka, and have taken possession of the block. 'Xinsy s; ; ;V they will not make peace on any ler'ri.- ; and, as their King's flagstaff was cut 'down at Warea, they are determined to luve the Queen's at Mount Elliot. It -\*ill be remembered that during Katatore's lie ilie Ngatiruanuis andTaranakis threatened to cut down the same flagstaff, and were only prevented from coming up to do so by the firmness of Katatore, who threatened to oppose them. The "News" of to-day states that — "news came into town yesterday of the revolt of the friendly natives at Tataraimaka, who have gone over to the enemy in a body." We have conversed every day with natives from the Poutoko an-d Hauranga settlements, and in consequence of the above, have put the question to them, and can positively say that the report has no foundation. The boat returned from Waitara this evening with Mr. Parris. Mr. R. Brown is not improving. The natives came out of the pah yesterday and danced their war dance. Msjor Nelson fired three shots into the pah from the camp. A native dressed in a soldier's coat, (no doubt ane of the 40th,) ■was very conspicuous. We are glad to say that the wounded in the hospital are progressing. Friday, July 6. — It will give great satisfaction to our people to hear that Col. Gold, in company with Capt. Mairis, R.E., and Major Herbert, commanding Militia and Volunteers, has decided upon entrenching the central portion of the town. Should the enemy never carry out their threat, the •work will, vre are assured, be confidently undertaken by all classes — the safety of the women and children, who still crowd the town, being our chief care. The Tasmanian Maid arrived from Nelson this evening, bringing papers to the sth inst. There is no news of any particular interest.