THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 449, 23 December 1863, Page 3

THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.

ADVANCE UPON NGARUAWAHIA. [From Correspondent of "Hew Zealander."] ■Taipouri, December 5, 1863. Yesterday and to-day have been very wet days, so that no farther move has been made. Te Wheoro and some of his men, who, on Thursday last, started in a canoe for Ngaruawahia, have returned this afternoon and bring some interesting intelligence. They say that there has been a great row between Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto about the King flag, resulting in a fight with fire arms ; but I do not hear of any killed on either side. In the end, Ngatimaniapoto retired back, and Te Wheoro brought away the King flag as a present to the Governor. He says Waikato are willing to give up their arms and land as far as Ngaruawahia, provided they are permitted to return to their whares and not be taken prisoners. The flag staff has been left for the General. The t Pioneer ' is now lying about two miles above this in two fathoms of water ; having, I believe, passed all the shoals, she -will now be able to proceed without hindrance as far as Ngaruawahia. It is said that we shall march to-morrow morning, the weather having somewhat cleared up. It is probable that Waikato is subjugated altogether. The question now arises whether Ngatimaniapoto will or will not fight, but I think it is highly probable that the whole rebellion will shortly come to an end and all the tribes hasten to submit. They will find that procrastination will not pay, with an energetic General every day making fresh strides through their country. The whole structure of Kingism is falling to pieces, and Waikato, the corner-stone, having given way, the other tribes will not be long in following their example. The only regret which will be experienced by the European population of this island, will be that those murderous southern tribes of Taranaki, Ngatiruanui, and Wanganui ■will, if they so submit, escape the downright good thrashing they so richly deserve. P.S. — I have learned some few additional particulars respecting Te Wheoro's visit to Ngaruawahia. On arriving at that place he found about 1000 men assembled of the tribes of Waikato, Ngatimaniapoto, Ngatihaua, and Ngatimahutu, each of which occupied one side of a hollow square, through which Te Wheoro passed. On gaining the centre a volley was fired by all pi'esent as a salute, after which he retired to a whare set apart for his especial use, and partook of refreshments, according to the most approved Maori custom. The debate then commenced by a principal chief, who was considered an eloquent speaker, arising and delivering an address of welcome to the visitor, in which he called upon him to behold the remnant of his former friends. Te Wheoro then stood up and returned answer — no doubt coming out very strong and pathetic on the occasion, — and showing the wide difference between his own exalted position, with a gold band round his cap, and theirs with their heads in a very unsafe condition. Neither W. Thompson nor the King were present at the commencement of the debate, but the former having been sent for, made his appearance towards evening. The question was put to Te Wheoro, whether if they gave up their arms and land they would be taken prisoners or not ? to which he answered that he could not say. They then signified their . readiness to do so if permitted to return to their whares and live peaceably, but said, that until such time as they heard for certainty what was to be done with them, they would not give up their arms. A dispute then arose about the flag-staff and King flag. Ngatimaniapoto being of opinion that the flag-staff should be cut down, Waikato objecting ; at last the dispute waxed so strong that the two sides commenced firing over each others' heads I At last the flag-statf was made over to Te Wheoro, but what became of the flag I am not able to say. The Waikatos made over their graves also to the General, with a request that he would consider them 'tapu,' as old Potatau's body was there interred. After this all the natives left Ngaruawahia to ■wait for the answer to their question, as to whether they would be considered prisoners after giving up their arms. &c. Te Wheoro says that there are strong earthworks at Ngaruawahia, in which the enemy would have made a stand if it had not been for his having gone to them there. A black servant of Mr. J. Crispe's, who disappeared from the Mauku a month or two since, and was supposed to have been murdered by the enemy, was only taken prisoner, and has been kindly treated since. He is now at Ngaruawahia. The enemy owned to having lost H at Rangiriri, which is most probably below the actual number, as that number have already been found; they have most, probably made their list of killed tally with the number we have recovered. They also state that 47 have siacedied of their wounds, which is a more likely story than the other. Te Wharepu was wounded in five places and is not •expected to recover, one wound being a most serious one in the back of the neck. Eangiahua, Dec. 6, 1863. Rangiahua is the name of the spot upon which we are at present encamped, and not Taipouri, as I headed my last communication. The latter, I believe, is the name of the large island in the river close by, and of the whole tract of country in its vicinity; but, after all, it matters notmuch by what name I call this place, as, it not being marked in the map, very few would know where to find it. The best way by which I can make the public aware of our locality is, by describing it as about eight miles above Rangiriri, and within eight of; and about the same distance from the pass between the hills. There is a most extensive view from the slight elevation, ■ on which the camp is now pitched, towards the north and west ; in the former direction Pokeno hill is visible in the far distance, and, with a strong glass, Rhodes' Clearing can be distinguished, when the sun is shining upon it.

The white tents in the redoubt at Rangiriri are ,to be seen across the bend of the river. The view, though extensive, is far from picturesque, in consequence of the extreme flatness of the country. Towards the north and east are the Ruapanga range of hills, the spurs of which run down within a. short distance of the camp ground. But, as we are shortly to leave, a longer description of this uninteresting spot is not necessary. This morning we were all on the move ; the tents were all struck, carried down to the landing, and some of them put in the boats. The wind was blowing down stream, and the current running very strong, so that when the boats started they (notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the boats' crews) were not able to make headway. After about half-an-hour of hopeless struggling, it was found impossible to proceed, so the order was given to return and pitch tents. We shall probably start again to-morrow morning, the troops marching overland. I forgot to mention that the Princess Sophia was wounded in the leg at Rangiriri, but is now getting on as well as can be expected. The weather has been fine to-day, with a very pleasant breeze blowing. Rahuipoeka, Waikato, December 7tb, 1863. At 6 a.m. this morning the troops commenced striking the tents at our last camping ground, at Rangiahua, and at 8 a.m. the march was commenced along the Maori track by the river bank. All the baggage was conveyed by boat 9. The distance from the last to the present camping ground is four or five miles, and some idea may be gained of the strength of the current in the river, by hearing that the laden boats took from six to eight hours to accomplish that short dis-: tance. On turning the bends in the river, it was impossible for the boats to make headway against the wind and current, so that where the nature of the ground on the bank would permit, it was found necessary for the crews to tow them along. The spot where we are now encamped is a Hat covered with high fern and tutu, on the banks of the Waikato ; having a small lake, of which I have not been able to learn the name, lying between it and the hills. A native settlement named Wahi is situated nearly opposite, on the other bank of the river, near which there are rather extensive cultivations, but unfortunately they are not on this side. We are now about two miles from the pass between the hills, but, I believe, shall not be able to proceed farther by land, as at this time of the year the track before us is several feet under water. The Pioneer is lying alongside the camp, and she, towing the punts, will most probably transport the troops farther up shortly. I hear that it is intended that this should be formed the depot for commissariat stores, for the supply of the troops farther up the country. The day has been a very unpleasant one for moving, the frequent squalls and the cold wind being very contrary to the general idea formed of a New Zealand December. (From the Correspondent of the Southern Cross) December 8. About 8 o'clock this morning the steamer Pioneer started up the river, having the General and his staff on board. She went as far as Ngaruawahia, which was completely deserted. Immediately on her return, which was in about three hours, the bugle sounded orders, and in a few minutes afterwards it became known that a portion of the troops were to embark at once, and proceed to the occupation of Ngaruawahia. By half-past 1 o'clock the Pioneer was again under weigh, conveying the General and staff and about 400 men, consisting of the 65th, a portion of the 40th, and some sappers. Colonel Wyatt. 65th Regiment, was the field-officer in command, Colonel Leslie being left behind in charge here. I shall date my letter from Ngaruawahia tomorrow, when there will no doubt be something more to write about. HEAD QUARTERS, NGARUAWAHIA. December 0. At length I date my letter from the late head quarters of Maori sovereignty. At a quarter past six o'clock the 'Pioneer' left Rahui Pokeka, with about 200 men of the 40th Regiment, undor Colonel Leslie. The morning was calm, with occasional squalls of rain and wind, and after steaming about two miles we entered the gorge between the hills. The deep channel of the river lies for some distance close alongside the right bank, and down on this side the bills slope to the water edge, while on the other, there is a level flat running all along on which a few whares are scattered here and there. The hills on the right, immediately alongside the river, are destitute of bush and covered with fern, but the jrullies of those on the other side are studded with timber. For two miles the river winds along, presenting the same features on each side as above described, when the beautiful and picturesque dwelling of.Mr. Ashwell comes in view, on the right bank, surrounded with cultivations, and groves of peach trees. The house itself is built with great taste, with the church alongside of it, and several outbuildings and whares immediately about it. The garden gate opens upon the river, and here Bishop Selwyn was standing with three natives, who had been left in charge of the house ; he waved his hat as the steamer passed, and shortly afterwards got into a canoe with his party, and took a course down the river. There were four horses running on the property, and I understand that there are several sheep there also, which have been handed over to the Commissariat for the use of the troops. The name of the place on which the missionary station is situated is Kaitotehe, and just opposite is Taupiri— the highest mountain of the range, which ascends to a peak, and is coverec l all the way up with dense bush. From this point the country on the left becomes flat, but the banks are high and precipitous, shutting out the view from the river, for some distance, of the country beyond. On the right the range continues, but leaves a flat between it and the river bank. The river narrows here very much, and a strong current is the consequent result, buf this is compensated for by

the depth of water which, from what I could catch from the leadsman's cry, was never less than seven feet. Beyond Mr. Ashwell's is another missionary station at Hopu Hopu, where there is a very pretty little church of raupo, with a few whares just about it. Steaming along on our course past these different places of interest, with the flat country on the left and the hills on the right, the flagstaff at Ngaruawahia soon became visible, and at halfpast eight o'clock the steamer was alongside the landing-place, and the journey at an end. The settlement is on a level flat, at the junction of tl\e Waipa and Horotiu rivers, the former on the west and the latter on the east side. Directly opposite the point, at about fifty yards from the beach, stands the flag-staff, fitted in true seaman-like manner, with top mast and cross-trees, and large enough to make a good mizen for a good-sized barque. The blocks and running tackle, which adorned it on former days, had all been removed when the troops came up ; but now, the British Ensign flies from the masthead, telling of the downfall of Maori kiugiteiam and the triumph of British arms, and the supremacy of our beloved Queen in the heart of the rebel country of the Waikato. The bones of King Potatau the Ist are here reposing in their last resting place, which is a small wooden building, about 12 by 10, with a balcony in frontornamented in the modern gothic style of European architecture ; there are two small windows in the building ; inside is the coffin, in the head of which is a small pane of glass. The palace of the ex-king is near the beach, and is built in the good old Maori style : it measures about 40 feet by 20 feet, is beautifully thatched, and lined with small reeds tastefully tied together. Over the.porch in front are specimens of Maori carving, also down the sides and along the bottom ; on the apex of the roof is a carved god, as also at the bottom of the front pillar. The centre pillar which supports the roof in the inside is also decorated with a grotesque carved image. The whole building, however, appears to have been neglected. Besides the King's, there are several well-built whares — amongst them the printing office, the runaoga, and houses of his ministers. The press has been taken away, and, in fact, everything that was worth anything ; nothing but heaps of rubbish being strewed on the floors. The number of whares, in all, is about 40. A great deal of land on both sides is in cultivation, being planted with potatoes, Indian corn, &c. The potatoes are not very large, but still very acceptable. In the way of fortification, the Maoris have not been idle, for round the banks for some distauce facing the river, on both sides, are rifle pits, and on the banks of the Waipa is a redoubt in a half-finished state, but still sufficiently advanced to show what a formidable construction it would have been if time had been allowed to carry out the plan. It is 30 yards square, and surrounded by a ditch, which is cut diagonally, with a parapet behind corresponding in shape. The inside is cut in the same way all round, but is only partially dug out. The pits inside the parapet communicate with the outer ones by passages cut through underneath. The works at Eangiriri and the half-finished redoubt here go to prove the talent of the Maoris for constructing defensive works, bahind which they have proved themselves no despicable enemies. The situation and scenery around here is very pretty. Towards the east and south the eye finds room to roam over a large tract of level country, with the high summit of Pironghia in the distance ; and reversing the aspect, you have the range of mountains from the north running away along the opposite bank of the Yfaipu, and divided from you only by the stream, which is about fifty yards wide. When the General arrived yesterday with the troops, he found a letter requesting that he would not destroy the whares, and hold sacred the grave of Potatau, which has now a sentry posted on it. December 10. The friend!} r chief. Te Wheoro, who went up to visit the General of the Maori forces, Te "Wharepu, who is dangerously wounded at Moerangi, returned about 10 o'clock last night, and brought with him the grand-danghter of that chief. The sending of this girl, lam informed, signifies, according to ancient Maori custom, entire submission ; and, taken as such, we may therefore conclude that the war in this portion of the Waikato is virtually at an end. The dates from Ngaruawahia extend to the 17th insk, but little of importance is recorded. Te Wharepu, who was suffering from five wounds, died on the 16 th. and was to be buried on the 17 th.