TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 153, 18 December 1863, Page 3

TARANAKI.

•POUT O K O . [From the Herald's Correspondent.] 4th December, 1863. ATo were quite taken by surprise on Wednesday last, by the arival of a convoy from Town having in charge a quantity of entrenching tools, Ac., likewise a reinforcement of 1 officer and 4 rank and file for the Royal Engineers stationed at St. Patrick’s .Redoubt is to be enlarged from the rear face, which is to be thrown down ; and the reason for the alteration is that accommodation is to bo made for more men. Colonel Warre, C. 8., accompanied by Lieut. C. M. Clarke, D.A.Q.M.G., arrived at the camp shortly after the convoy, and made a reconnaisance of the ranges and surrounding country. A party of the Otago Volunteers, under Capt. J. G-. Corbett, T. M., paraded at Robert at II a.m. on Wednesday and proceeded to the Oakura Redoubt. On arriving there a flag of truce was planted on the parapet on the left front angle, and some copies of the account of the fall of Rangiriri, the native loss, &c., printed in Maori by the Government, were laid close to it. On the completion of this duty the party returned to Fort Robert. ]S T o natives were seen. An anxious watch was kept in the direction of the Oakura Redoubt yesterday, but no Maories were seen to approach the Redoubt, who were no doubt afraid of it being a trap. The unfavorable weather which has set in to-day has prevented my seeing the Redoubt day, so that I am unable to give you any information concerning the fate of our flag of truce and its accompaniment. Rebels were reported to bo heard yelling in the direction of Touet’s house yesterday. Nothing else of any moment occurred during the week. Native. —Two Maori women came over from the enemy on Thursday to the Poutoko natives now living at the Institution. They report that Kaitake is ‘filled’ with Wanganuis, who are still bent on revenging the death Hori Patene, and are intending to make a grand attack shortly. From this somewhat premature return of the southern natives, it will bo seen that the thistling which had just been actively began must be suspended for a while, as it will no longer be safe for any but large parties to go about the bush ; indeed they express a bone of catching the Bushrangers unawares, aud murdering them all. The latter must therefore keep their weather-eye open. It is probable, however, that after another such skirmish as that on the 2nd October, we shall have another chance of dealing with the enemy almost as formidable as the Maoris themselves, — i.e., the Scotch thistles—but in the meantime the utmost, caution should bo used.

A correspondent at the camps says in a letter of yesterday’s date : —“ The rebels hare got on their legs once more, and seem to bo preparing for another fight. They have been busy for the last three days lighting large fires both on the ranges and on the Tataraimaka block they are burning the bush off the side of the ranges—for what purpose I am at a loss to conjecture. Last night fires were observed close to the Oakura Redoubt, which left no doubt that the enemy were lurking

about in that direction. Two horses (one the property of Mr, Honwood) which strayed away from Poutoko a few days ago were seen to bo picketed on the ranges this morning. The mounted orderly, who arrived in camp at about noon to-day, brought a report from tho Omata Stockade to the effect that firing was heal'd in the bush in tho direction of Ratapihipihi, and Dingle’s and Elliot’s farms, probably natives shooting cattle.” The Bushrangers went down to the Mangoraka opposite Sentry Hill, yesterday, Capt. Mace and the mounted men going by Mahoetahi to Sentry Hill at the same time. No natives were seen, but several fresh tracks near Kaipakopako. Afterwards several shots were fired at (it is supposed, for the range was so great it was difficult to tell) several rash and imprudent young men who had gone down there for cattle. We hoar that our old friend, and Mr. Fitzgerald’s village Hampden, William King, is back agiin at Mataitawa.— Herald, Nov. 28.