Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1868.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 989, 20 October 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1868.

CRITICAL STATE OF THE WAIROA. In Saturday's issue of the Herald we chronicled the murder of Karaitiana and his party j also, that the Hauhaus, joined by Te Waru and his followers, had entered the Wairoa district, camping at a place called Whataroa, 10 miles distant from the military settlement. The military settlers had been called in, and an early attack on the part of the enemy was looked upon as a matter of certainty. We shall now continue the narrative of events, as gathered from the limited materials at our disposal :— HAUHAUS ADVANCE TO MARU MAKU. Early on Sunday fresh despatches were received from the officer commanding and the Resident Magistrate, dated on Saturday, to the eftect that Te Kooti had advanced upon Maru Maru, two or three miles beyond the military settlement ; that his party was advancing upon the town by the right bank of the river, while Te Waru, at the head of his own people and a number of Ureweras, was approaching it from the other side ; that a large party from Waikato were co-operating with Te Kooti ; and that part of their scheme was a simultaneous attack upon Wairoa and Poverty Bay. Much anxiety was expressed for reinforcements, and urgent requests forwarded for a steamer, in order that the women and children might be removed. THE " STAB OP THE SOUTH " CHAPTERED. The " Star of the South " had arrived from Auckland the day before ; and, immediately upon receipt of this intelligence, Mr. M'Lean— acting upon his own responsibility, for the telegraph was not at work — chartered her for conveyance to Wairoa of such assistance in men as he might be able to obtain, and such supplies as were wanted. ASSISTANCE OP KEGULAH. TEOOPS NOT TO BE HAD, Mr. M'Lean is understood (but in this we can only speak from rumour) to have communicated in course of the morning with Capt. Wray, the. officer commanding the detachment of the 18th Regiment stationed in Napier, to ascertain whether he could, upon the emergency that had arisen, render any assistance. That officer — who would, we are quite sure, be very willing indeed to give the natives in arms a taste of the Snider — expressed regret that, without orders, he could not move a man of his force. His Honor then sent for the chiefs of Heretaunga, and, not without difficulty — for they objected at such a time to leave their own pahs defenceless— arranged with them thajLLP-P mow »*"ntH frw-rftfftfy for embarkation next morning. ABRIVAL OP THE ST. KILDA. At a very early hour yesterday morning the St. Kilda, Colonial Government gunboat, arrived in the anchorage. Her arrival was most opportune and gratifying. She brought a member of the ministry, the Hon. J. C. Richmond, as well as a small addition to the force (12 or 13 men) already serving under Capt. Tuke. The fact of Mr. Richmond being on the spot would give him an opportunity of seeing that the threatened danger was a reality, and that no measures but those involving energy and promptitude would serve to avert from the northern district utter destruction. THE ENEMY IN THE MILITARY SETTLERS* TOWNSHIP. Early in the morning further despatches from Wairoa reached the authorities, written on Sunday the 18th. Owing to the near approach of the fanatic army, and the impossibility of defending two positions, Capt. Tuke had evacuated the block house, and fallen back upon Clyde — taking with him the military settlers, who thus, in all human probability, saw the last of the smiling fields which their industry had created. Soon after, the enemy forded the river at Maru Maru in the very heart of the settlement ; crossed the Scamperdown Creek, and took position on a hill called Waingongoro, commanding to some extent the right bank of the river. Information had also been obtained that Te Waru, having collected his force ot Waikaritaheke, was now somewhere among the hills, not far distant ; and that a third party intended coming down the river in canoes —the object evidently being to organise a simultaneous attack from different quarters. The approach of one or more of the enemy's war parties was hourly expected, and every preparation was being made for their reception, but the number of defenders was small, and their training very indifferent. The resident friendly natives kept to their pahs, on the side of the river opposite to the township, to be ready to defend their own homes ; but Ihaka Whanga, who was at Clyde, had Bent for his people to join their pakeha friends at that place; and Paora Rerepu, of Mobaka, was doing duty with 30 of his men.

DEPARTURE OF STEAMERS FOR WAIROA.

The Spit, yesterday morning, was a busy scene. Arms, ammunition, and stores were being shipped ; and our natives allies — about 120 in all, under Tareha, Renata, and Henare Tokomoana — were assembled ready for embarkation. As both steamers were in the roadstead, some little delay occurred through the necessity of employing boats and lighters ; but, at two precisely, the Star of the South (having on board the native allies and the stores) and the St. Kilda (carrying the Hon. J. C. Richmond, His Honor the Superintendent, Capt. St. George, and S. Locke, Esq.) steamed for Wairoa in company. Capt. St. George will for a short time give bis assistance to Capt. Tuke, the force at present being very imperfectly officered.

INTENDED MOVEMENTS,

Both vessels would reach Wairoa last evening. Unfortunately neither is of sufficiently light draught to enter the river, and, a souther having set in yesterday morning, the work of landing may prove hazardous. As, however, the gale had not long been blowing, fchesea may not have had time to get up. " - The Star of the South,

after discharging passengers arid enrgo, will (>hould the officer enmmnnding think it needful) take on board the women and children, and steam baci to Napier, where she may be expected : to arrive this day. Mr. -Richmond and Mr. M'Lean intend landing' at the same time. They will afterwards re-embark on board the St. Kilda, (at least such was their intention); and steam up the coast in order to get the of the" Ngatiporou, our old allies under Mokana and Ropata. An effort will be made to secure the services of 300 of these people— the same who, it %ill be remembered, danced the, war dance, two years ago, in front of the Militia office. Mr. Richmond, we understand, fully approved of every step Mr. McLean had taken, and, before his departure, left a telegram for Mr. Stafford, asking him to send for 100 trained men from the West Coast force, and to forward them without delay. THE SITUATION. . It cannot be denied that the situation is very critical. Most likely the attack will have begun yesterday morning. So far as the actual safety of the residents is concerned, we have little fear. There is a good earthwork, which, as a place of refuge, may be deemed impregnable. It does' not, however, command any part of, the township, and will be of no use as a protection to property. There are 100 to 150 Europeans, all armed, but, unfortunately, nearly all untrained. They have one great, advantage — that of possessing a really good officer in Oapt. Tuke, and one in whom e\ery one has perfect confidence. Last evening, if relief did not actually reach them, they would know that it had arrived, and their spirits would be supported. We fervently hope that this rising will be " nipped in the bud," otherwise troublous times are in store for us. But we have perfect confidence in the administration of Mr. M'Lean, whose return from Wellington, with the needful powers, was most opportune ; and it is also exceedingly fortunate that the arrival of Mr. Richmond should so greatly have strengthened the hands of His Honor. Further news will be looked for with intense anxiety.