JOURNAL OF EVENTS SINCE SATURDAY, 10TH

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, 26 March 1860, Page 1

JOURNAL OF EVENTS SINCE SATURDAY, 10TH

MAJKCH, TO THE TIME OF PUBLICATION.

m Saturday, March 10th.—Several native chiefs signed a declaration to the fact that they swear allegiance to the Queen, and a willingness at all times, if called upon by the Governor, to take arms in defence of her authority, and to protect the lives and properties of Her Majesty's British subjects in Taranaki; that they will not in any way assist or give information to her enemies. First on the list is Poharama or Moturoa, followed by Mahau, Waka, Ihaia, Wiete Ahoaho, Piripi, Manahi, &c. One of these declarations has been sent to Omata and another to Bell Block, and several signatures obtained. This is an excellent plan, and will separate the loyal from the disloyal natives in our neighbourhood, and render themselves amenable to the consequences should they at any time break their oath. Permanent passes, with Royal Arms and V. R. printed on parchment, were given to a chosen few who have signed their names to the declaration. Nothing further heard of W. Kingi's movements—and nothing seen of his natives by parties going to and from the Camp. They are supposed to be building, a strong position somewhere in the neighbourhood of Kairoa. At 4 p.m. H.M.S.S. Niger steamed for Manukau, to coal and bring more troops. His Excellency the Governor visited the Bell and Hua stockade this afternoon.

Sunday.—A muster of Militia and Volunteers paraded as usual this morning at 10 a.m. Monday.—Some town people rode down to the Waitara yesterday, and reported that W. Kingi's party were about building another pah on the Devon road. This requires confirmation. Archdeacon Govett returned to-day from Taranaki, where he had been on the Sabbath, and brought a letter from some of the Taranaki natives asking the Governor to recommend the, Tatariarraka settlers to return, and promising to protect them ; that on second thoughts (which are generally the best) they would not join W. Kingi against the Governor— eating their own words in fact. There is, however, no dependence to be placed upon these natives. They are evidently frightened into a show of submission, and all they said before as to beginning with Tataraimaka, then Omata, and finishing with the town, was, it seems, " waha," — to use a native*, expression,—namely, — " mouth." In a. letter written by Tamati Wiremu, to Poharama, mentioned before, they were going'to do wonderful things, and nothing but an immediate descent upon the whites was to follow any accession of military strength to the settlement. They see that the Government will not be trifled' with, but are fully prepared to resist any aggressive movement on the part of the natives. These remarks apply as well to many of the natives residing within the settled district, who before the arrival of his Excellency were wavering.and to use a native phrase, had " two hearts :" only Ihaia's and Teira's followers, together with Poharama and Manau, were really depended upon for loyalty and faithfulness. Had the Governor remained away and no more troops have been brought into the settlement, most of the natives, generally considered loyal and true, would have fallen out from our ranks and joined the rebels against us. But a strong determination and readiness of purpose on the part of the Government has done wonders. The mounted escort returned this evening from Waitara and reported all quiet. Some of W. Kingi's natives with a flag of truce had applied at the camp on Sunday for permission to inter the body of an old man, the father of Heneri te Whao (Heneri was the man who led

the women in resisting the survey)', at their burial ground on the other side of the river, near its mouth. Permission was granted, and the natives (four including Heneri) are described as being very wretched and sullen, as they would not speak to any they met at the camp. The escort did not see any signs of the pah reported on Sunday about to be erected on the Devon road. Tuesday.—Militia and Volunteer parades going on as usual. The town is very effectually guarded during the night; 25 itien occupy a part of the iron store in Devon?stfeet, and post sentinels up Currie-street,, and theCarrington-road. Another picket is stationed in a\ building near Capt. Bulkefey's residence, who post men at different points from the beach up to Dawson street, and by a cross street near to the Infant school room, where another picket is stationed. The barracks, commissariat, and harbour boats are similarly guarded. Mounted patrols also ride over the country during the night, and the Niger's bluejackets and marines, posted at different stations between Cracroft redoubt and Niger fort effectually, prevent surprise eastward of the town. Several

natives in town to-day with produce—all with passes. At a late hour this evening a note was received from Waitara, stating that a part of the land had been surveyed during the day, and without any sighs of opposition—as no natives were seen. The admirable action taken by the Government, the promptness and determination with which everything has been carried by the Governor and Colonel commanding, seem to have silenced the natives. From this time and for ever the Maori in this province can never say anything more about " driving us into the sea. Maori influence is at an end. What a false and injurious policy was that of former Governors, when natives were succumbed to and actually paid to cease their misbehaviour. It is generally believed thatW. Kingi's party are making preparations to build a pah near the Devon line, as cartloads of timber have been carried to the spot. W. Kingi's brother Matiu left him yesterday, being very " dark" about the troubles, and has gone over to Tamati Tiraurau, Ihaia's brother, at his pah across the river Waitara. Hapurona, chief of Huirangi, a double dealing fellow, has joined W. Kingi with his party. The authorities have requested the natives living along the Devon line to burn the fern and tutu, in order to leave the country open to the camp; a judicious order, as it must in great measure prevent ambuscades along the road. Wednesday.—News arrived in town this evening that the land had been completely surveyed without the slightest obstruction; that not a single native had been seen. ) We do not know what to make of this—whether! they are preparing for some decisive movement shortly, they being no doubt fully aware that the survey was being proceeded with. There is little doubt that in any case the greater part of Waitara' and the adjoining district will fall into the hands of the Government.—a valuable country lying comparatively waste, but in our hands will amply repay the trouble, inconvenience, and expense the bolony.has already been put to. Things certainly are looking brighter, and after all it may prove a bloodless campaign. Thursday. — The inhabitants last night were startled from their sleep by the report of small arms. Several of the Volunteers and Militia turned out under arms; it seems that some loaded muskets were discharged across, the Waiwakaiho, not however with the intention to create alarm. From information derived from, natives it is stated that W. Kingi is waiting the return of the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki chiefs, at present on a Visit to King Potatau. He expects they will return with instructions from his Majesty to assist him in defendirg his non-selling land policy. But in this he will find himself egregiously mistaken. Feiday.—Some natives from Motorua state

to-day that Enoka, one of W. Kingi's brothers, anived yesterday from Port Nicholson; that he had attended several meetings of the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki tribes on his way up, and that they had decided upon joining W. Kingi. So much for the Taranaki address to his Excellency! Only part of Taranaki, however, a't,present agree to take part with W. Kingi. It will be perhaps interesting to state that W. Kingi is one of three brothers, children of a great Ngatiawa chief, named Rereta-whanga-whanga—their mother's name Te Kehu. Reretawhangawhanga and Te Kehu had but three children, boys, Wiremu Ringi, Matiu and Enoka. Enoka arrived at the Ratapihipihi yesterday, and started for W. Kingi's pah this morning through the forest. Ratapihipihi natives, intimately related to Ngatiruanui, should be jealously watched. An open air meeting bf the Taranaki Volunteers, after parade this morning, to nominate additional officers, the force having inreased from 100 to 180 since the recent disturbed state of the Province. The result of the meeting, which had the previous sanction of. the Governor, will be laid before his Excellency. „ v . A report reached town this morning that two stockades Were erected last night by W. Kingi. A correspondent, having^.considerable experience of natives, proceeded on a, tour of inspection, and says that "during last night a part of W. Kingi's ha^ tives erected a strong pah on the south-east corner of the block of land purchased, from Teira. It was put up in the form of the letter L, with a double palisade and covered galleries, musket proof; is capable of containing 150 men, and is at present occupied by about 70, supposed to be under the command of Hapuroria and Hare. To-day they set fire to the fern, pulled up all the surveyor's stakes, and endeavouredio erase the boundary line; in consequence of which Teira set fire to W. Kingi's pah at the entrance of Waitara, which was burnt in a short- time to the ground. Towards sunset they danced a war dance, and their yelling was distinctly heard at the camp about a mile from the spot." Considerable reinforcements of men must have reached W. Kingi to build

this pah in one night. ' Whether it is on Teira's or native land, can make no difference, a3 the object is clearly to mehance hefcMajesty's forces stationed at Waitara. Visitors going to the camp will do well to proceed by the beach, as the natfves are very much excited,!and;will certainly prevent their passing the pah. The mounted escort has been detained at the camp, and the remainder is under orders to march. Lieutenant Blake, R.N., with the rocket corps of the naval brigade, and two twenty-four pounder howitzers, will proceed to Waitara during the night. The natives will be ordered off the block, and if they refuse to go, the troops will attack the pah early to-morrow. 11. p.m.—The guns have just passed, through the town, and the escort has left for Waitara.

Saturday, 9 a.m.—No news from Waitara.

Late in the night, whilst the Harhor boats were busily engaged in taking on board the two how-

itzers and stores, a vessel appeared in the roadstead and fired several guns and rockets. No boat could be sent off until these engaged were despatched to Waitara on the application of the Commander of the Forces. Lieut. Blake and several marines and blue jackets accompanied the expedition. The vessel was the Airedale, with a detatchment of the 65th regiment from Wellington, consisting of 98 non-comissioned officers and men, and the following officers—Captain Turner, Lieut. Toker, Ensigns Pagan and White. Captain Mairis, of the Royal Engineers, and three men, have also arrived. The troops were landed early this morning and have taken up their quarters at Marshland Hill Barracks. D. McLean; Esq;, and Matene Te Whiwi, a chief trom Otaki, are also passengers by the Airedale.