HAWKE'S BAY MONTHLY SUMMARY. THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 462, 6 February 1864, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY MONTHLY SUMMARY. THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.

It is not unlikely that this mail will take home accounts of another of the rebel positions having beeu taken by assault. Our dates from Auckland are to the first inst., five days prior to that of the departure of the mail ; but those days promise to be eventful ones. The latest intelligence from the front is furnished in a third edition of the Southern Cross of the Ist inst., and shews that General Cameron and the troops, after great labour, had arrived in immediate contiguity to the Maori fortified positious. The New Zealand Herald of the Ist says :■— General Cameron is now in close contiguity to the first rebel position. His inarch, we are told, was difficult, twelve miles occupying twelve hours, owing to fascines requiring to be laid down to enable the soldiery to traverse the impracticable parts of the swamps. As far as we have been enabled to learn, the rebels have hitherto maintained their position. Great apprehension exists that when the time of action shall arrive the business may prove equally, if not more, sanguinary than that of Raugiriri. Such a supposition is, in informed quarters, accounted to be erroneous, because it is affirmed that a different line of tactics will be adopted. No very great period of time is likely to pass away before some conclusion may be looked for. The Southern Cross says : — The following important intelligence from the Front has been courteously supplied to us by the Hon. the Attorney-General, and it is therefore the most authentic account of the movements of the troops that could be published : — News was received by the Government from the Front late last night. The General and troops left the Camp at Te Mamaku, at 5 o'clock a.m., ou Thursday the 28th, and arrived at Te Rore the same day. Some delay took place opposite Piko Piko in consequence of its being necessary to cut a road at, and bridge the Mangoatama Creek, to enable the guns and carts to pass over. The natives mustered in, great ; force at Piko Piko, apparently in anticipation of an attack ; but the troops were too far off for any 'foing -to take place.' It was also

necessary to cut a road to and bridge over another creek, parallel to the Mangoatama, and higher up the Waipa. The troops moved down the left bank of the Mangoatama creek to the Waipa, where they met the Commodore with the Avon. Colonel Leslie then recrossed a creek with a detachment to form a post at Ngahinapouri, and the General moved up the river with the remainder of the forces, — the Avon steaming up the river on their right. It was necessary to cross another creek before they reached Te Bore, and it was nine o'clock before the guns were got across. The troops encamped on a hill on the right bank of the Waipa, about three miles from the enemy's entrenchments at Patuaugi, where the natives appeared to be collecting in force. The troops are employed in constructing earthworks. Another strong detachment marched on the same day from Whatawhata up the left bank of the Waipa, and encamped opposite the General. The General, on the 30th (Saturday) was at Te Rore. The natives at Patuangi had not given any trouble beyond firing a few shots at the pickets. The progress of events up to the 22ud ult., is thus recorded in the letter of our own correspondent: — January 22, 1864. The position of affairs in this Province has not been very materially altered since my letter of a fortnight ago. The visible steps made towards the suppression of the rebellion have not, on the whole, been very striking ; but this is, of course, no proof that they have not been important, or even numerous. The truth is, that the war has now reached perhaps its most difficult stage. The natives know their strength as they are now situated, and it is very difficult for the General to bring his force to bear upon them at all. That he will do so shortly I have no doubt, but, from careful enquiry aud some knowledge of the particular part of the country, I conclude that his movements cannot be rapid, and that we need not look for a great en- ! gagement for ten days or a fortnight to come. The great failure of the means for commissariat transport is the graud cause J of this hitch, although there are others not : so generally apparent. At the actual | front, which is not less than 105 or 106 j miles frora Auckland, the troops, with. General Cameron, have again and again j been reduced to a scanty fare of hard bis- ' cuit and rather indifferent salt pork, eked out by private speculation in native potatoe and kumei-a grounds. From some unexplained cause, however, the potatoes, &c, are very late this year, and the marvel is, that, dependent so much as they j have been upon very green and unripe vegetables, the troops have not suffered more than they have. Their suffering in the way of illness has been very slight indeed, and I understand the general health of the troops on the river is admirable. The campaigning, however, is by no means of that kind suited to feather-bed soldiers, and I have heard a man, who had gone through the Indian mutiny, say that he had never suffered half the privation he has done at head-quarters on the Waikato. The 'Pioneer,' as I think I mentioned in my former letter, is unable to go up the Waipa owing to her too great length, and she was employed in bringing up stores to Ngaruawahia — which, by the way, is generally transformed amoDgst the military now into 'Niggerywire' — and there transhipped to the 'Avon,' which brought them up at least to Whata-whata, from which place an eight-mile laud transport reached the extreme front. Now, however, the 'Pioneer' is laid up, having broken an important part of her machinery, which will take some time in mending-, aud consequently the 'Avon' has to come down to Rangiriri, for the stores, which are now conveyed by cart so far. The 'Koheroa,' which will be in working order in another week, will no doubt do more than supply the loss of the 'Pioneer,' and restore the transport to more than its original goodness ; but, meanwhile, a good deal of delay is caused. There are at this moment fully 1,500 men and teams at work as a commissariat transport corps (or 'Moke' corps, as they are familiarly called), and yet the greatest difficulty is experienced in getting up goods. The extraordinary wetness of the season is probably as much to blame for this as anything else, as the roads cannot bear the combined strain of excessive rain and excessive traffic. Between Drury and the Queen's Redoubt, Pokeno, there are not a few terrible holes of the worst kind in the military road, which, a few months ago,

looked as if nothing could prove too much for its beautiful aud substantial formation. The 'Koheroa' is to tow four flat barges, each capable of containing 25 tons of goods, and thus, without sinking her more than 15 inches, she can be made available to a very great extent. The daily convoy from Drury does not amount to more than I 50 tons, although there are often 70 or 80 ' drays in the convoy. — The township at Waikato Heads is now surveyed off, and is ready for sale as soon as Government think fit to set about it. Meanwhile, the surveyors are busy at Ngaruawahia, where a considerable town is being laid off at the point. Probably both will be sold together when they are ready. I am sure high prices will be obtained for both ; although I quite thiuk that at the Heads is the most promising investment. — Great efforts are going to be made, I understand, to push oil' the Railway scheme — the Council having voted mouey for its prosecution, and £1000 for au extended survey as far as the Waikato river. There are two places where this can be managed, and, indeed, true economy will eventually point to the management of both lines. The one which should be first tried for is that which meets the river in the neighbourhood of Camerontown and a short distance from the new township. This need not involve a line of more than 38 miles from Auckland, while the other to Ngaruawahia must involve one of at least 70, probably 80 miles. — The Raglan expedition has now all but joined the main body with its road encampments. The distance was but sixteen miles, and the road is ail but cut through. When it is, no doubt au attempt will- be made to supply the troops with food, &c, from the coast. — The day before yesterday another expedition left Auckland for Tauranga (Bay of Plenty.) It consisted of about 400 men of the 68th, and 100 men each from the 43rd regt. and 3rd Waikatos. The whole is under command Of Colonel Carey, whose curious position as major of his own regt. (the 18th) and full colonel of the senior army rank in the Colony, seems to be considered a good deal iv his selection for the command of all these expeditions. It is not unlikely that the company of the 3rd Waikatos may be a pioneer corps for the whole regiment, who are likely to be settled somewhere not far from Tauranga, if my information is correct. What duty the 600 men of the Tauranga expedition are to perform is still only matter of conjecture ; but I should imagine one of the first steps will certainly be the cutting of a road through the ten miles bush which alone divides the Tauranga district frora the plains at the head of the Piako river. If more men could be poured in at both these points, when Colonel Pitt's two regiments are filled up the island might be crossed by an armed line of posts from Raglan to Tauranga almost in a straight line, passing close by Whata-whata. — Our principal arrivals here since my last have been the 'Australian,' s.s., from Rangoon, with some 290 of the 68th on board ; the 'Chariot of Fame,' ship, from England, with detachments principally of the 18th, 70th, 57th, and 40th regts., numbering in all 500 rauk and file. These were followed by the ' Light Brigade,' ship, with detachments of the 68th and 43rd regts. ou board, completing the complement of the 43rd, and bringing up the numbers of the 68th to about 360 men. There are as many more of this regiment on board the 'Armenian,' which put in damaged to Adelaide, and left that port 18 days ago, being now overdue and anxiously expected. — The sitting of the Council is nearly at an end, and I suppose they will be prorogued in anpther week at ail events. They have got through an unusual amount of business this session. — The native accused of the murder of Droomgould, at Mauku, has, after a very tedious examination, been committed for trial at the assizes. Ido not fancy evidence will be producible for his conviction ; at least, enough was not brought at the preliminary examination to do more than establish amoral certainty that he was of the party who committed the crime. All is perfectly quiet at the North, and no feeling seems to have been excited by the capture of Ruarangi. Several large land purchases are being made there, which, when completed, will give us about 100,000 more acres for settlement. A few days' later intelligence having caShe to hand by the steamer * Star of the South,' we subjoin the principal items: — fubthee A_a_rvAi.s OF THOOPS. On the afternoon of the 22nd, the steamer /'Armenian,' from Rangoon,, via Adelaide, arrived in Auckland, with 1 officers and 348 men of the

68th, being the remainder of that regiment. This steamer, says the Weekly News, has been described as " without exception the dirtiest vessel both externally and externally, that we ever recollect boarding in this harbour." Her machinery, interior arrangements, and victualling, all appear to have been uniformly bad. So weak andaofective were her boilers, that it was not considered safe to work the engines beyond 36 horsepower, or lOlbs of steam to the square-inch, 60 horse being her estimated power. The troops were disagreeably crowded between decks ; and there was a want of those stores coming under the description of medical comforts, which are provided in all properly regulated troop ships. No wonder, looking to the crazy state of the machinery, that this vessel has been 85 days from Rangoon, and no less than 17 from Adelaide, where she lay for 16 days repairing damage. — On the 27th, the ' Sea King,' auxiliary screw, arrived from Woolwich with troops and military stores, after a passage of 71 days. She brings Colonel Barstow, R.A., Col. Williams, R.A., several other I officers of the same corps, with other officers at--1 tachcd to the Regiments already serving here ; 185 non-commissioned officera and men of No. 1 Battery 4th Brigade Royal Artillery ; 79 noncommissioned officers and men of the military train ; together with six 12-pounders, and six 6-pounders, Armstrong guns. ARRIVAL OF THE T_ mtANGA EXPEDITION. The Corio, in company with H.M.S.S. Miranda, had a smooth water but wet and rainy passage down. Both reached Tauranga about noon on Thursday, the _lst ult., entering the port without the slightest difficulty— Miranda picking up a capital berth in 5 fathoms, well up the harbor, and Corio fetching her way close up to the mission station at Te Papa. All the troops were landed, without difficulty or opposition, during the course of the day : Corio first discharging her own, and then relieving Miranda of her contingent. Col. Carey forthwith established his head-quarters at | the mission house, and the troops pitched their camp in the beautiful clover fields of Te Papa. On Friday, the 22nd ult., the guns, with the ammunition and commissariat stores, were safely landed. The natives not only offered no obstruction, but hoisted the Queen's and the white flag every direction, bringing pigs, poultry, potatoos, and other supplies to a satisfactory market, and stating, with commendable courtesy, that they had been expecting the arrival of the expedition for several days. Of course all this is perfectly intelligible, and in consistent keeping with native policy. These greetings, however, hut ill accord with their actions at the Wairoa, and will of course be taken for what they are worth, and no more. We are happy to learn that the harbor of Tauranga has been greatly improved. Its position is admirable, and the impediments which circumscribe its entrance channel are, as we all along believed they would prove to be, easily remediable. The beauty of the country, the fertility of the soil, and the many advantages presented to successful colonisation have elicited the cordial approbation of that part of the force to whom other settlements and provinces of New Zealand are familiar. They pronounce Tauranga to be the most charming spot they have ever visited, arid are quite delighted with their present location^! aNew Zealand Herdl'if. x ' ' ' " . .. ATTACK ON THE ESCORT. ; . Yesterday news came to town that the escort to the Queen's Redoubt had been fired on at the Razor Back, and that two men of the 18th Royal Irish had been wounded. The particulars, so far as our special correspondent has been able to learn them, are these. The escort, from the Queen's Redoubt, under the command of Lieut. Hobbs, of the 40th Regiment, and consisting of thirty men, and the transport of fifty-two carts and fifty men under Lieut. Lowry, left the Queen's Redoubt at the usual hour in the morning. The escort was preceded by the ambulance cart, containing men who were in delicate health, and a small party of soldiers on foot. No opposition was encountered on the way, nor was there any appearance of Maoris seen until the ambulance cart and pedestrians had passed the bridge at the Razor Back and Mandeno's hill. The advanced guard of the escort, which extended over two miles, then appeared, and while one of the men was on his knees drinking in the stream, a volley was fired from behind the stumps on the clearing, by a concealed foe. One ball passed through the hand of tho man who was drinking at the stream, and another wounded a man in the leg. Both of the wounded men belonged to the 18 eh regt. The two officers in charge, Lieuts. Hobbs and Lowry, with Lieut. James Hay of the 3rd Waikato (on leave of absence), rode up to the place of attack ; and displayed great presence of mind and coolness. Lieut. Hobbs moved on his convoy without allowing it to fall into any confusion. The natives fired eight shots from the right side of the road, coming from the Queen's Redoubt, and about twenty shots were returned. Four natives only were seen decamping. It is manifest, therefore, that the assailants were few in number. The fact is, that half-a-dozen resolute men could worry the life out of any number of regular troops passing along the Great South Road ; and the men in question, having^delivered their pieces, took themselves off in double-quick time. A message^was sent back to Col. Chapman, commanding the Northern district, who despatched reinforcements to the scene of the attack. Intimation of the attack was likewise officially conveyed to Auckland, from the Queen's Redoubt. We have pleasure in speoially noticing | the steady bearing of the men. Although the majority were militiamen, not the slightest confusion occurred. We may mention, as somewhat singular, that Lieutenant James Hay, although in the Colonial Force, has beeu under fire four times since the war commenced. It was owing to his pluck and knowledge of the country that the success at Kerikeri is mainly to be attributed, — Daily SotetJiem Cross, Jan. .29. THE POSITION OF THE ENEMY. Advancing by the line of the Waikato, Gen. Cameron drove the rebels before him beyond Ngaruawahia. At this place the Waikato river divides into two navigable streams, the Waipa being on the West and the Horatiu on the East. Between these rivers ia an extensive fern plain, abounding in swamps, but in its present natural . state, and without roads, totally unsuited to $tw

operations of cavalry. Having command of the river, the troops are at all times able to advance by water, but on land the best line of advance is invariably by the maori tracks through the country. When the General advanced on Ngaruawahia, it will be remembered that the natives abandoned their unfinished works there, and retired inland.. The troops then advanced along the line of the Waipa, as far as Whatawhata, and after establishing a camp and military depot there, a further advance of about six miles was made on Tuikaramea, an old but insignificant settlement belonging to Wi Nero's tribe. This is our advanced post. It is on a bend of the Waipa, and about ten miles from the Pikopiko, the nearest fortified camp of the rebels. The right flank of the army is protected by the occupation of the line of the Waitetuna and Raglan, the communication being open and safe between the head-quarters and the right wing. A reference to the map will show the strategic importance of establishing this communication with Raglan and the West Coast, as it prevents an attempt to shift the scene of the strife from the comparatively open ground of the delta to the wooded ranges which divide the Waipa valley from the Waitetuna, and extend northwards, with more or less regularity, to Paparata. The natives are mainly posted several miles inland from the Waipa, and about ten miles in advance of Tuikaramea. Their defences altogether consist, so far as we have accurate information, of five fortified pas. The nearest of these is Pikopiko, situated on a piece of sloping ground on the main track from the Waipa to Awamutu and Rangiawhia, and about a mile beyond Heather's station. This is an exceedingly strongly fortified place, and besides the earthworks, is likewise defended by heavy palisading. The covering approaches to the position are rifle-pitted. Those who know the country will recollect a small river, the Mangaotama, which falls into the Waipaabout a mile and a half below Smith's station. A swamp extends inland from thence for some distance, •which is divided by a narrow ridge of slightly elevated land from a small lake, and anothw swamp. Over this strip of dry land, the old Maori track from the Waipa passes;; and the Maoris have made the best of the position by strengthening it to check any advance into the country beyond. Such is Pikopiko — a skilfully chosen and strongly fortified place, protected on the right and left by swamps, and approachable in front only by a narrow way ; which has been made as unsafe to an enemy as possible. It might be possible to turn the rear of this work -by passing over the Mangoatama river, and rounding the swamp on the enemy's proper left through the scrub, as the ground is hard ; but little would be gained by that movement strategically. Pikopiko is one of a chain of defensive works commanding the two approaches to Awamatu and Rangiawhia from the Waipa (our base of operations), the others being Paterangi aud Ngapo. The better to understand their connection, therefore, and the importance of a combined movement which would embrace theai all, we may state that Pikopoko and Paterangi ;> /would form the base of a triangle, looking at , them, from Pironghia, on the Waipai and Ngapo . -"would, be the apex. If therefore a landing be *•*■ _nade further up the river, the army would still -encounter the formidable works of Ngapo and Paterangi, as both upper and lower tracks meet at the Paterangi hill. From thence the tracks unite. Turning the rear of either position, therefore, nearest the Waipa, would not open the road into the interior. Isolate Pikopiko, and Paterangi and Ngapo remain ; isolate Ngapo, and Paterangi and Pikopiko remain, because their supplies and communication with the interior would not be cut off. But it is not for us to discuss the means by which these places should be taken. The plan of attack, whatever may be determined on, will be doubtless, the best possible under the circumu stances. Ngapo is an old pa, which has been newly strengthened, and is the weakest of the three posts ; Paterangi is likewise also an old pa, and is in a commanding position, about eight miles from Rangiawhia. A fourth pa at Rangioatea or Ruakotara, about four miles from Rangiawhia, may be included in this line of defences, as the four pas would form a parallelogram, looking at them from Pironghia. But although Very strong, and protected by swamps and almost impenetrable scrub extending to the Mangapiko, it need not necessarily be included in the movement to reduce the three first- mentioned pas. It will be seen, therefore, that the work' before General Cameron is the most serious he has yet encountered in this country.— Daily Southern Cross, Jan. 27.