LATEST FROM TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, Issue 783, 12 May 1860, Page 4

LATEST FROM TARANAKI.

ARRIVAL OF THE AIREDALE

NEWS TO MAY 3bd,

REINFORCEMENT .OF THE NATIVES

FROM THE WAIKATO TRIBE

By the arrival of the Airedale from Wellington and the Northern Provinces,,we have full details of the progress of affairs in Taranaki up to last Thursday week, which we sub-

(From the Correspondent of the 'Nelson Examiner,' April 28.)

The forces which started on Friday, the 20th, for the south, halted and encamped at Tataraimaka, and remained there assisting, and protecting the Tataraimaka settlers who went down to herd cattle and sheep, and to thrash out their grain crops. Without waiting to see these crops placed in safety, the expedition broke up on Thursday, the 26th April, and proceeded to Wareatea, a native settlement on the Bank of the Hangataliu river, a large mountain stream about twenty miles from town. About a dozen natives, with arms, were seen on the approach of the advance party, but they did not wait, or attempt any annoyance, but made off at a smart pace. The Cordelia, steam corvette, and the Tasmanian Maid, had been ordered down southwards, and a boat was sent ashore there, and found a good landing place on a sandy beach at the river's mouth. A little above Wareatea is a mill, known as Komane's mill. Here was a quantity of oats and wheat (about 300 bushels in all), partly in bags, the property of a settler in New Plymouth. This grain was put in carts, carried about the neighbouring ground, and scattered. The machinery of the mill was disabled and the huts and pah cut down. On the following day, Friday, the 27th, the force moved forward to Warea, seven or eight miles further from town. The advance guard was received on its arrival by a volley from perhaps a dozen muskets, in or near the pah. The guns were oh this brought up, and three 24-pound shots discharged at the pah y and as there was no answering fire, the forces were moved on, and entered the pah, which was empty. The village and pah were then set fire to.

The rocky nature of the shore prevented any boats landing, and the Cordelia was signalled to return to the New Plymouth roadstead. The Tasmanian Mai,d remained a little longer.

The existence of a new and strong pah inland of the Warea pah had been reported, and it was commonly believed in town that this pah was to be attacked. A mantellette, a sort of shield for covering sappers, when at work, had been constructed and sent after the troops, and the original force had been increased by the light company of the 65th Regiment; < The new pah was discovered without difficulty. It is situated on a hili two and a half miles inland from the old pah. In front lies a swamp, and in the rear the light bush which everywhere in the Taranaki country forms the ragged skirt of the dense forest. The position is evidently strong, and until the 'tapu' shall have been removed from ground that affords cover, it may be said to be absolutely secure from our troops. The forces encamped on Friday night at and around Mr. Riemenschneider's house (the Wesleyan Missionary). , On Saturday morning the order to return to Tataraimaka was given. In the mean time many cattle and horses belonging to the natives had been collected (it is said several hundred head), and it was intended to drive them back into the European settlement. Enquiry was made after a mill which is believed to exist on the stream that.runs past Warea. A small number of civilians attempted to discover this mill, and explored the banks of the stream for more than three miles without success. The broken land and scrub made it seem imprudent to send a large party on the search, and it was not further prosecuted. The troops were already beginning their march home, when a small party of horsemen, who were out looking for cattle and reconnoitring, were fired upon whilst crossing a swampy bottom in which one of the horses got entangled. A number of soldiers were despatched to their relief, but failed to get hold of any natives. .

At Wareatea, on their return, the main body was fired on by from seventy to eighty Maories, placed out of musket range. The fire was returned, and one or two natives are said to have been hit. They would not, however, stand to meet our men, who advanced on them, but did not overtake them. The greater part of the captured cattle were abandoned for want of a sufficient number of horsemen to herd them; a few valuable bullocks and a dozen horses only being* secured. The forces arrived again at Tataraimaka on Saturday evening, with no further incident that can be recorded. -

The Tasmanian Maid dropped anchor off the town soon after dark on Saturday. April 30. 7 The Victoria, steam sloop, has arrived from Melbourne, with about 150 of the 40th regiment.

Colonel Gold, and the greater part of the southern forces, returned to town this afternoon.. A portion remain in Tataraimaka, where it is said block-houses are to be erected. The district is declared "safe.j the farmers may return." We hardly share this confidence of our commander.

Northern news reaches no later than the 18th inst Great excitement still reigned in Waikato. It is said by a good authority, if the "mana" of the land is in question in this war, all Waikato will rise/ In any case we may look for a number of allies to W. Kingi from the district.

The reports of the Waireka affair among some of the Waikato people are very unfavorable to the chances of quiet., It is believed to have been a success of the natives; the English loss to. have been seventy killed. I have no time to comment, if indeed the report I have given needs any. M.