IMPOST ANT FROM TAURANGA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 386, 18 June 1866, Page 2

IMPOST ANT FROM TAURANGA.

A NEW FAITH.—ANOTHER WAR THREATENED. (Prom the Correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross.) Camp, Te Papa, May 30. Testeedat morning Mr Insley, an old settler of Maungarapn, came into camp, and for the first time gave us tho sad alarm that war was again likely to be commenced—that our peaceful slumped were again on the ere of being disturbed ; m fact, that a struggle of a far more serious, savage, and daring character than has hitherto taken plat e was now impending ; and, if report was correct, that the natives were flattering themselves that the plans and savage schemes which they purposed adopting would ©very ■vestige of European existence or civilisation which formerly was so happily spread through the length and breadth of this highly favored district. For this purpose large parties of natives were reported to be assembling from all the districts—such as Rotorua, Taupo, Wanganui, Taranaki, and Waihato—in tiie ranges, where large supplies were left by the Pai Marircs when they returned to their homes after their last pilgrimage to the Hau-haus shrines.

Mr Insley had not long been gone from camp, when your humble correspondent men a native, an old offender in rebellion, who called him on one side and began to acquaint him with the impending troubles which are about to full not only on Tauranga, but on all New Zealand. He described the heavens as being dark and overcast, that the elements were gathering thick, and that within a very short space of time the heavens would burst, and all Europeans would be destroyed from the surface of tho earth. Ho then fl.ds was now' being fulfilled. All Europeans at Taranaki had already perished, and he had now Hie painful duty to request me, as an old baud, to flee at once from impending dangers I listened attentively to his story, which was a very long and tedious one, mixed up-with many ridiculous and fabulous tales; and then asked him in the most serious manner, as if giving credence and faith to his story, what length of time would be required before I should sustain injury in preparing to flee. “Oh,” says he, “ delays are dangerous ; flee at the first notice of the approach oi evil, and then you and vour children will bo safe. Flee to Auckland, where there will be no storm, no danger, because that cty was lawfully and universally appointed as the land whereon Europeans may’ safely rest and repose, for it was there To Wherowhcro erected his house and resided to be a protection to all Europeans. ’ I then asked him if these trouble s, which were about to afiiict this district, were to bo at the instigation of the Hau-haus, or how was it to take place, and by whom ? To this he replied that they Lad seen the folly of clinging to Te Ua, the prophet, who had been found to be an imposter and traitor; but that a new prophet had arisen amongst the' Taranaki, who at one word could command the heavens and the earth to yield to his sway and authority, and that it was by him that all Europeans in the Taranaki district had been destroyed. This rebellious and superstitious man had scarce left me, when I was accosted by two others —a man and his wife—who related verbatim the same story; and the earnestness with which they narrated the particulars was such as to convince me that they seriously believed it, for at (he conclusion they urged me to deliver into their charge my children, that they wight protect and defend them, observing that they had facilities for sheltering the little ones which I bad not, for (he storm would not be of long endurance, but that in its results it would bo decisive and effectual. Whilst they were kindly and feelingly telling mo this story, I professed to be much interested and concerned, which gave them great confidence. At times when a passer-by was approaching, they would instantly cease speaking until the intruder had gone beyond tho sound of their voices, when they would again commence their warning story with fresh energy and vigor. After the recital and possession of all this secret and valuable information, I felt anxious to comnicate it to the authorities; but finding Mr Clarke absent with the Hon. Colonel Russel], Native Minister, at Maketu, I refrained from making it publicly known until I should receive a corroboration of its truthfulness. The follow ing morning, finding the p.s. Sturt, Capt. Fairchild, had arrived from Auckland, and hearing that a company of the Ist Waikt.tos, in charge of Lieut. VV ay, were told off to proceed to Opotiki, I at once went into camp to ascertain further information, and I was noLallowed to remain long uninformed. Meeting Arama Kjsraka, a respectable chief of Maungntapu, he at once expressed bis disappointment at finding Mr Clarke’s absence. His countenance expressed feelings of great anxiety ; and having no other individual to w.iom ho could unbosom his cares, he at once commenced with a full and explicit corroboration ot . fho story which I had the day previous received, with the addition also that messengers had arrived from the fanatics encamped on the ranges, requesting deputations at once to proceed there from all the Lupus or families of each sett.emer.t within Tauranga. He further stated that several natives Irom a neighboring hapu had already gone to worship and tall down at the shrine of the new prophet. On hearing this, early as it was, I at once proceeded to the residence of Mr Gill, clerk to tho Civil Coramis sioner’s Court, and laid before him all the information which I had obtained. Mr Gill, With great promptness, despatched a messenger to Maketu, which caused the Native Minister, Mr Ciarke, C.C., and Mr Main, li.M., to return to camp that night; and on tho next day orders were issued that the detachment of Ist Waikatos, who were in readiness embark for Opotiki, should not, doubtless owing to tho uncertainty of Maori afiairs, leave. Since then nothing of importance has transpired ; at least nothing has oozed out as to the numbers of the fanatics, and real intention of the flight of so many Maoris who were only a few days ego associating with us in camp, but why have chosen to include themselves iu the ranks of

the new sect. Emissaries are at the present moment within the precincts of the camp, endeavoring to poison the minds of the welldisposed natives. Colonel Hamilton, the commanding officer of this district, is ready for any emergency; and if the Maoris should make up their minds to have another stand fight, or otherwise to threaten and annoy the settlement of Tauranga, they will find in the colonel a brave and determined leader who will stand no trifling or parleying. In fact, with the force that be has under his command, they will be sufficient to teach the disaffected portion a lesson which they will not easily forget. With the exception of a little anxiety as to the intentions of these fanatics, rdl is quiet within the camp. Sturt left this place on the morning of the Toth, having on board the Hon. Colonel Russel]-, Native Minister, Colonel and Mrs Lyon, Mr Gwynneth, district surveyor, aud Mr Blake, tract surveyor, arrived at Opotiki the same day, and on the following day took on board No. 4 Company of Patea Rangers, in command of Lieutenant Chapman, and the whole of the cavalry force in charge cf Lieutenant Macpherson, who, it is said, proceed on to Wanganui. From information which has been received by the arrival cf the cutter Bella, Captain Faulkner, which left Opotiki at the same time as the Siurt —the 27th instant—wo loam that the enemy is still lurking in the neigh borhood of the camp, and that tho once friendly native Te Rakaraka is at their head. They are supposed to muster about 300, aud have smt messengers to tho friendly natives to clear out from tho position which they now hold, and which was very recently set apart for them by Commissioner A. J. Wilson. If this should prove true it appears very premature on the part of Colonel Russell to reduce the small force at that station. Tho force who now remain are more or less ensconced in respectable huts, built by themselves, or at their own expense, and are living entirely upon fresh meat. Some time ago it was a rarity to get a taste of fresh meat, but that was remedied by the timely arrival of a cargo of sheep by the Sturt; and since then a herd of cattle, which have been collected from the neighborhood of the Euaatoki, by Major St. John, have arrived, and being prime cattle, ai*e to bo sold to the Commissariat for the supply of tho force. The nature of Colonel Russell’s visit to Maketu has not altogether been made known. It was said that his object was to cut down tho M. : ori assessors who draw annually very heavy sums from the colonial chest, and otherwise to reduce the Government expenditure in inland districts; whether such lias been tho case is not exactly known, hut one tiling is certain, that the valuable services of Dr 11. R. Hooper, as native medical officer, have been discontinued, and his duties have been thrown upon the shoulders of another Government officer, which will greatly assist iu raising his stipend. Though Dr Hooper has been thus treated, no will not be forgotten, for ho carries with him the good-will cf all the natives in the extensive district over which his labors extended. It is to be hoped that the Government will not cast off altogether the services of this gentleman, who for many years lias faithfully and diligently performed tho duties of medical officer at llangiawhia, Taupo, and Maketu; but will, as an acknowledgment for such, appoint him to some other district, where ho may still be employed in the service of Government, and useful to tho natives, by whom he is highly respected aud esteemed.

r lhe Queen’s Birthday passed off with great eclat , —the review of tho whole force, consisting of the Ist battalion of the 12(h Hegiment, and the Ist Waikato Kegiment, under the command of Colonel Hamilton. The troops were paraded in the paddock adjoining the residence of the Ven. Archdeacon. Brown ; and after the saluting had ceased, three hearty cheers were given for the Qneen, the example being set by tho com--mending officer. The line then broke into open column of companies, and marched past in slow and quick time. Other evolutions' also took place, after which the concourse dispersed. The Fortune is fast loading with potatoes for Maketu, being a first instalment intended for seed for tho Arawas. May 31. In my communication of yesterday I omitted to state, in reference to the paragraph in my last report touching tho manner in which the mail by the Sturt had been left on the beach, that I have since discovered that Captain Fairchild is in no way culpable; that gentleman having handed it over to the custody of a passenger, in order to its safe delivery to Mr INorris, tho postmaster of Tauranga. In this passenger Captain Fairchild felt lie could place every reliance, having known him for some time, and as a resident at this place. His reason for doing so was the urgent necessity of the Sturt’s proceeding at once, without even dropping her anchor, to Opotiki, in order to meet the tide there ; thereby precluding Captain Fairchild landing at Tauranga. I feel this explanation is duo to Captain Fairchild, whose kindness and courtesy are proverbial both at tiiis place and Opotiki. Had Capt. Fairchild’s wishes been conveyed to our respected postmaster, there is noc the slightest question that it would not have been allowed to remain there a minute, and all tho unpleasantness and mischief that has resulted been avoided.