TAURANGA THREATENED.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1033, 23 March 1869, Page 3

TAURANGA THREATENED.

fyjlOJl OUJR O\TO COEBESPONDENT.] The greatest excitement and alarm were created here yesterday by the intelligence that an attack on the place was imminent, as a letter to that effect had been received from Hakaraia, who was then in our immediate vicinity. Mounted orderlies were at once despatched to warn all the out-lying settlers of the threatened danger, and by night j the whole population of the district was | concentrated. Cartloads of furniture and husehold effects continued to arrive during the afternoon, and towards nightthe greater portion of the women and children were safely located in the redoubt. The whole of the militia were called out, and every precaution was taken that could tend to secure the safety of the place. A chain of strong picquets were posted round the settlement, so that if any attack had been made timely warning would have been given. The night passed over without any alarm, and with daylight confidence was restored. The greatest anxiety, however, still continues to be felt, and it is thought that an attack from some quarter is inevitable. Hakaraia and Rewi are known to be at Canaan, in our immediate vicinity, with an armed force, ready for any mischief. The great body of the Ngaiterangis, amongst whom we may be said to live, are thought to be playing into the enemy's hands, and our position, regarded from any point of view, is one of extreme danger. The following notice was posted up during the day : — Aiiy women and children wishing to go to Auckland, can have a free passage by the Tauran&a, today, at five p.m., but the Government will not provide for their maintenance in Auckland. Philip Habington, Lieufc.-Col. Commanding District. A considerable number of women and children are accordingly availing themselves of the opportunity of getting up to Auckland, till matters here are settled one way or the other. It is to be hoped that the Government will see the necessity^ of at once despatching troops to our aid, for without reinforcements the place could not be held against a numerous force. A message was despatched to the Pai's Pa blockhouses with orders for the garrison to march in to town. The greatest excitement prevails up to the time of writing, and it is difficult to foretell what form affairs will take. From a private letter received by a friend of mine, from a gentleman at Taupo, I learn that great uneasiness is felt by both the Europeans and friendlies attending the Lands Court. The rebels are said to be within twenty miles of them, in force, and from the tone of the letter in question it appeared doubtful if the proceedings would terminate without bloodshed. [BBOM A COBRBSPONDENT.] Taueanga, March 16. The last authentic news I sent you was, that Te ' Kooti was at Whakatane entrenched ; also Major Mair, with 90 Europeans and 120 natives. It appears that Te Kooti was afraid to attack Major Mair, and the Major not strong enough to attack Te Eooti ; consequently Te Eooti retired and is followed by Major Mair ; and if a junction has taken place between Captain Simpson with Fox and the Arawas who left Te Papa, and Major Mair, there will be, with recruits by the way, about 400 on Te Eooti 's heels. Meanwhile Tauranga is threatened by Kereopa and Hakaraia, who are supposed to muster about 300 men. The natives at Maungatapu and Whareroa are hurriedly building pas, whether for us or against remains to be proved — at all events the Civil Commissioner, Mr. Clark, does not feel himself justified in arming the socalled friendlies, Kakuraku's disaffection teaching a lesson. Matters were in such a state at Tauranga this morning that Colonel Harington thought it advisable to offer a passage in the Tauranga steamer to such women and children as would like to leave. Consequently, about 75 women and children availed themselves of the offer, and have gone up in the steamer, also Capt. Skeet in charge, who has gone up for reinforcements. This gentleman has offered to raise 60 men of the Volunteer Engineers ; this corps, from experience, we know would do good service. Hel p we must have in some shape or other, and this is not the time to stand idle through ideas of economy — the first expense being the least. We hope therefore soon to see Capt. Skeet back with his men. (FBOM ANOTHEB COBBEBPONDENT.) As important events are transpiring here, I send you this letter, which contains some information that may be acceptable to you. The detachment which has been stationed at Pai's Pa has been withdrawn, and Colonel Harington, I am credibly informed, has determined to hold tho peninsula from Tauranga to the Gate Pa. All the out-sei tiers have been warned to come in, and tho militia and Volunteer Cavalry have been placed on pay. At present I think the Colonel must have his hands full. Capt. Skeet has been sent up to Auckland to endeavour to raise volunteers, and it is thought he will be able to induce a number of the men formerly under his command as Volunteer Engineers to join him. A deputation of the inhabitants has waited upon the commanding oflicer, requesting him to solicit Dr. Pollen to use his influence with the officer commanding the Imperial troops to allow a company

of the 18th to come here. Reinforcements are urgently needed here. • The Arawas evidently mean mischief against the enemy, and it is believed they will yet be able to assist us in settling our long-standing account with Te Kooti. It is also confidently believed that Major Mair will be successful. The natives here may, it appears to me, bo divided into two parties. Some are evidently loyal, wiiile others I should be inclined to pronounce doubtful. A great many of them express their utmost anxiety to procure arms and ammunition, but the Government appears to be disinclined to issue arms to natives whose loyality is at all doubtful, after the recent experiences. (PHOJI AN OCCASION AX CO-RESPONDENT.) Maketu, March 16. This settlement is now crowded with women and children. All the men have proceeded to Whakatane except a small number, and the place is in a very defenceless condition. The women complain of their unprotected state, and in consequence it was deemed advisable to place on pay about 20 natives who were about to proceed to Whakatane. These will receive 2s. a-day, and will be stationed here so long as their services may bo required. (EEOM A CORHESPONDENT.) Whakatane, March 16. I On Friday night last Te Eooti made an attack on Major Mair's position. They came down from their position near the mill, and occupied the hills, with the evident intention of cutling,qff<the communication with Ohape and Ohiwa. Te Eooti Was unable to carry his intention into effect, though his party kept firing until about midnight. They were evidently short of ammunition. On Saturday morning we had another visit from Te Kooti, who with a large number of followers approached to within 200 yards of our position. He evidently disliked the look of it and returned. Major Mair has since discovered that Te Eooti and his mob have all cleared out, retiring towards Puketi, which is situate up the river, near the mill. On proceeding to that place it was found that the Hauhaus had destroyed everything they could lay their hands on except a few stacks of wheat. A reinforcement of Arawas arrived here on Saturday. On Sunday morning Major Mair, with the whole of the force stationed here, went out in order to ascertain the direction in j which Te Eooti had retired, and it was found that he had gone by the road leading towards the Rangitaiki river. On the return of. the party, I found that a letter had been received by the people of the Paharakeke pa from Te Eooti, warning them to stand out of the way whilst he attacks the Arawas. I understand that Major Mair concluded from this that Te Eooti designed an attack upon the loyal chief Tekehu, and that orders have been issued to Simpson's and Fox's people to proceed to Parowai round the fqpt oi Mount Edgecome. i — — „