KAIRAU.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 188, 27 April 1861, Page 1

KAIRAU.

Saturday, March 16. — Very heavy firing on our side to-day. Another 68 ib gun brought up from No. 6, and placed to right of No. 1 redoubt. Four of our men met with casualties, one of whom died soon afterwards. About three, p.m., the enemy came up through the bush in the rear of the right of No. 7 redoubt, and fired several volleys on our skirmishers. They were driven back by shot and shell from the guns. Sunday, March 17. — Very heavy firing all day. Last night the enemy tried to remove our sap rollers, but the shells attached to them burst, and

killed and wounded several of them. • One of the •Maoris lost both hands, aid another both arms. The men on guard in JNo. 8 redoubt said that the sou.id, after the explosion of shells, seemed like a dy' * moan passing away into Bpace. A good deal o,t blood was found on the spot in the morning, j-freyeral shells were fired- from No. 7radoubt, when men were roused by the explosion. In the ??' .fcernoon, Lieut. M'Naughten, of the artillery, was saot through the wrist and body as he was""laying' the cohorn mortar at the end of the second parallel, ciose to the rifle pits on the left front of the pah. He did not think he was mortally wounded, and his death is deeply regretted by the men. It was exactly one year since he opened fire on the L pah, and a braver or more meritorious young oliicer was not in the service. He had been at Waitara all through the war. He was, we hear, son to Sir E. M'Naughten, of Bushmills, County Antrim. Late this evening, when quite dark, several shells were thrown into the pah. We could see them rise, turning over and over, and, after reaching their highest point, coming down very quick, the fusees emitting a bright light. The Armstrong guns are beautiful instruments, and in such nkse order, each gun packed and screwed tight in a case, besides being covered over -with grease, and the ease tarred and. felted. We hear that every shell costs from seven to eight shillings each ; they are of an oblong shape and made to burst into forty-nine pieces. This day we visited Matarikoriko, and got a view of Maraitawa (Wm, Kmgi's residence) through the telescope. There are three dusters of huts or whares on an elevated plateau or flat, one of these standing on a small eminence, the others ciose to the edge of the plain with a steep descent to the river ; all are banked round and stockaded. On a hill to the left is a large plantation of Indian corn. We understand that the Waikacos are still more to the left in a valley. Hataitawa is fully four miles from. Pukerangioi'a, our present point of attack. Monday, M.ireh 18. — Tnis morning the enemy hoisted a red Hdg on. a high sloping hill to the left, behind the pah, fully 1,800 yards from No. 7 redoubt. The artillery began to practice at it ; the third shot struck at the foot of the staff, and the flag was immediately hauled down. Yesterday, the 57th were in the trenches, and a greatnumber being Irishmen, and Sunday being St. Patrick's Day, they, asked their Major to allow C*k v to rush the pah. He asked the General, but the latter wouid not accede to the-requoat. We understand also that the 40th and 65rh some dnya since had agreed to rush the pah, and this having transpired, these regiments are not allowed now to work together in the trenches. This evening, about half-past four, the enemy came up in force through the bush again, in the rear of our right, firing volleys on our skirmishers, about 20 men of the 40th Regiment. It was thought they were about to attack the camp, and all were quickly under arms and ready to render support. The firing was very heavy at one post, and of about ten men who were there, eight were either killed or wounded, including an officer. The enemy came forward shouting loudly ; our men were quiet, and kept their ground, not allowing the enemy to cross the bottom of the ravine. After a little they retired, and were heavily peppered by shot and shell on their retreat. On our side two officers were wounded, three men killed, and six wounded. Next day we heard the enemy in this affair had twelve Killed and eighteen wounded. The attack was made because the Naval Brigade, while planting a 68 pounder in battery, had defiled two chiefs' graves. Tuesday, March 19 — This morning a flag of truce was hoisted to consider proposals of peace brought by some Waikato chiefs and Mr. M'Lean yesterday in the Victoria. Wednesday, March 20.— T0-day the Waikatos went off, firing farewell volleys. They were short both of ammunition and provisions, and they turned back between Waitara and the White Cliffs, three other parties coming to join them. A number of W. Kingi's natives came to-day to No. 6 redoubt, where they Have been feasted. One fellow in his cups boasted that the Maori was as good as the Pakeha, aud they wouid not give up the land. Thursday, March 21. — To-day there is a meeting in No. 6 redoubt of Maoris and Messrs. Parris and Hay, Native Commissioners. Colonel Leslie read a letter from Mr. M'Leau, to his men on parade, to the effect that at Puketakauere, on the 27r.h June, there had been HOnatrves killed and 160 wounded, many, of whom afterwards died. Friday, March 22. — To-day- a lot of potatoes were brought into No. 6 redoubt by Wm. Kingi's men as presents to the soldiers, and they said they had plenty more. We have been told by those who have visited the desurted huts of the Wai-. kato3, that they seemed to be wretchedly poor and miserable hovels. It is rumoured that since the war broke out about 1,400 of the enemy have perished either by disease or wounds. fcaturday, March 23. — Nothing particularly worth noting. Sunday, March 24. — To-day the Governor arrived, bringing more guns and ammunition j the Governor was to embark either on Monday or Tuesday on board the Victoria. Great numbers of visitors to the camp to-day, many of whom rode overland. To- day a few settlers visited one of the farms in the bush, and found a great number of cattle lying dead. One house had been left standing for a sleeping place for the enemy on their journeys between Waitara and Omata. The shooting of the cattle was downright wantonness and destruction, aud we trust that those

Southern natives may be well punished. All the time they were at Waireka there was no effort made to attack them, and it might easily have been done ; 1,000 men could have marched from Waitara .to Waireka in five hours, been joined by others from town, and with the crews of the ships of war lying in the roadstead, have attacked and cut them up. The thing had been urged on the General, but perhaps he ipsy have been of opinion that,'&s the settl^^^f^t^naki" hav ef&ceri a e'ora grievance to him and his staff, the quietest wayto revenge himself was to allow the Southern natives to do as they liked, and keep the town in continual alarm, while he had the excuse of the Waikatos to keep back. He drove the Maoris into the bush, instead of enticing them into the open country; and, when they came out into the open country, he let them be there unmolested. There has been no dash or skill in all the war ; a fire is seen at night within a mile of a camp, close to a clump of trees ; instead of getting volunteers to steal quietly up and either give them a volley or take a few prisoners, no notice whatever is taken of such, parties, for the officer in command lia3 his hands tied. . ' ■ . . .