AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1264, 16 July 1864, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

By the Airedale wo have our pupers to the Bth inst. We take the following from the correspondent's letters to the Southern Cr<uts, dated July 4 : — TAURANGA. Rumours have been prevalent in camp for this last day or two that the rebels have again determined to try their strength, and are now throwing up works of defence about three miles to the rear of the site of the last engagement.. It is also further stated that Ikihiroa, a chief belonging to Maungatapu, is to succced the late ltawiri as their general. Now this chief Iklhiron was actually assuming a garb of friendship only about three weeks ago—was in our camp and appeared very jocular with a number of our officers, jesting with them in the most familiar manner ; though he was thus professing to he a friendly, still there were parties in the camp who knew that he was acting a double part, and acquainted a certain official with the circumstance, who, in place of his rebuking him for his presumption in daring to come within the precincts of the camp, actually joined in with the other officers in their jests.

This Ikihiroa, or, as he is more commonly called, Tareha, is a person of high birth amongst his tribe, but hitherto hns never commanded much influence amongst his people, owing to his want of principle and determination, lie is considered by the natives to he a perfect model of a handsome chief—very rarely met with in these days ; still he is wanting in those intellectual attainments which at one time shone so conspicuously in the characters of the late General ltawiri and his secretary, Ilenare Taratoa.

He was in the engagement at Te Ranga, and was one of the first who escaped for his life from the pits of destruction which they had only a few hoursmade for themselves. Ilis own immediate hapu suf fered very severely, every person of rank amongst' them being found amongst the slain.

The Maungatapu settlement seems to be totally deserted to what it was a few days ago, many, even since the last engagement, having left to join openly the enemy's ranks; others, who have recently been found out acting a double part, are now concealing themselves in their country villages, lest Mr. Rice should lay hold of them and bring them to task; and there are others who think it unwise to leave until their quarter's Government salary is paid for their valuable services, not only in maintaining the peace and good order of the settlement, but in diligently, and as far as possible, secretly seeing that the enemy is bountifully supplied with fish, biscuit, flour, potatoes, &c.

One of the native assessors called Te Ranapia, belonging to this place (Maungatapu), is the person who nearly broke liis neck in falling from his horse whilst galloping, on the 18th ultimo, to warn the enemy that our troops were marching on thein. This same native was in the camp the day before the engagement, and was cognisant of the fact that the rebels were then on their way to erect defences against us.. In fact, be is paid by our Government to act as a spy for the rebels. This is one way the money goes, in order to pay such traitors as these. The settlement contains a number of the widows of several of those who have fallen; they seemed to be sadly distressed at first, much cast down, but now appear perfectly resigned to their sad and forlorn situation, and are now performing the usual Maori sacrifice for the dead by abstaining from eating food during the daytime; but so soon as the evening sets in they then do full justice to their appetites for the abstemiousness of the day. These women assert that large quantities of food were taken from the mountain pah; also supplies sent from the " friendlies," and secreted on the sides of the ravine at Te Ranga. If sueh should be a fact, it evidently shows that the natives intended making Te Ranga position a permanent one; but thanks to our gallant Colonel Greer, that he has thought that military tactics with a semi-civilized race like these required a change, and for that very reason he is determined to hunt them up, and give them no time to erect pahs and fortifications, which require such a vast amount of life and treasure to take.

Expeditions now appear to be the common order of the day, in order to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy. A few days ago an expedition, consisting of thirty of the Defence Corps, in command of Captain Pye, and accompanied by Colonel Harrington, Ist W. 11., Major Shuttleworth, 68th L.1., and Mr. Wm. Buckland, left camp for the purpose of reconnoitring the Maori position at Kahakaharoa, which has been always considered impregnable. It is distant about eleven to twelve miles from the camp. It will be remembered by your readers that Captain Pye, some few days previous to the Te Ranga engagement, went within one mile and a half of it, and was able to discern a number of natives standing on the parapet, and the smoke which was emanating from inside evidently denoted that they were preparing food. About two or three miles before the expedition reached sight of the pah, five natives were seen on the ridge of an adjacent liilL On their perceiving our small force they appeared greatly terrified. Mr. Buckland hailed them in Maori, "Tena koe," but no response from them was obtained. They had no guns, but several dogs being seen denoted that they were in search of wild pigs. The position is a most formidable one, and is situated on a neck of land surrounded on its front and two sides by deep precipitous ravines. This pah has .been in possession of the celebrated bounceable chief Pene Taka, who made himself so notorious at the Gate pah. The stillness of death reigned all around the place where so lately the dusky eneipy had been dancing and gesticulating in the parapets to their busy workers "in the honeycombed rifle-pits below, and the blood-red flag, which was the first flag which was visible to us in camp, was flying in the air. All was quiet; the calm peace which prevailed in every heart, was felt to be a reality; that is,that the enemy had deserted, or otherwise they were practising some cunning device, to induce our brave men to approach within gun J shot before they should show themselves on their parapets the same way as they did in the Pukehinahina engagement. About -20 of the Defence Corps dismounted, and Captain Pye dashed forward on his steed, and did not stop till he had reached the top, and lo! he found it deserted. After the corps had readied the pah they instantly commenced destroying the posts and rails and palisading that encompassed it. The houses were quickly in flames, and the lire arising from the palisading, &c., did not cease burning for a day or two. The parapet was twenty feet high, and five to six feet in thickness, and two rows of rifle-pits outside protected the parapet. The victory obtained at Te Ranga must have exercised no slight influence upon their minds in causing them to evacuate so suddenly such a strong and formidable position. There has been sad havoc committed amongst many of the hapus resident in Tauranga during the fight at Te Ranga. For instance, at Oponm, the chief of which was Henare Taratoa, a settlement opposite to Otumaotai, at the western end, the whole male population have been annihilated, not one being left to tell the tale, or otherwise to provide sustenance for the widows and their families. Another settlement, on the opposite side to the Gate pah, have with very few exceptions been either killed oi taken priseners. Tiinqti, an intelligent oluef, wlio was lost in the engagement, was thoir leader. A few days ago, I heard the lamentations of a number of the unfortunate widows, who had just returned from the mountains at Maungatapu, and literally it was a heart-rending sight—in fact, it is impossible to describe the scene. The chief Hakaraia, who escaped with a tew remnants of his tribe, left the scene of strife and war for his once quiet and happy home at Canaan,, a settlement a few miles up the Maketu !*f vel, ~ friendly natives on hearing this immediately new council on the subject, and decided that they must either lay down their arms and take the oath ot allegiance to the Queen, or otherwise that they wwt to consider themselves prisoners. Ilaknraia ft cunning old man, who is getting very infirm, advisert a flight to some distant part of the country, and Hit following morning they started on their journey.

Makktu, .Tune 28. A report readied us to-day. by a native who arrived from inland, to the effect that the Nga ip> - rous had mustered at Qpotiki to the number ot I believp it is all bosh, but, _ twcnts i'; show whether there is any correctness in the, style me,it. Many natives inland i,n>, I anxious to take the oath of alliance, luul * )tl ( ; Dr. Nesbitt, the Resident Magistrate, is going there in the course of a day or two, with the ' j tention of making peaceable and Joyj some of the most savage natives ot New I fancy that tho last aiiair at Tauranga us 'i r sickened them. I send you tho names of natives belonging to the Arawa who are missing * " L '° 6 fight at To Uanga. You can simply state tho nuui hers, or print the name* just as you t,,m £ I am informed that the Ara« asand Ngatiporous were the only ones that stood their ground, and tha is the reason they suilbred so severely. cm the other land, nil bolted utter ™ Waikatos, I believe, were close at hand, but took part in the engagement, William Thompson being ill W It is a curious fact that the whole of Tapitika, who

were killed at Tauranga, and To Mineti, of Ngatirangiwewehi, also killed there, joined the Malcehi natives in their pursuit of Ngatiporou, unci fought with the Arawaa at Matnta. The natives account for It. in this way : They say that Ngatiporou came not only to attack the pakc'ha,. but also the Arawa, and seeing their tribe in danger, they joined the Arawas against, the rebels, hut the fight at Tauranga being solely against the pakeha, they took up arms on the side of the king. { must mention, however, that none of those natives had been supplied with either arms or ammunition by the Government, June 29. A working party of thirty men under Ensign Way, 3rd Waikato Militia, protected by a covering party 'of thirty men under the command of Captain Oakley, 68th Light Infantry, went out to Waihi to finish filling in the ritle pits, and returned about twelve o'clock, having completed the work. The Mavis arrived here in the afternoon from Tauranga, with crtminissariat stores. She brought six hogsheads of rum—a welcome arrival to the soldiers, who had not had any since Sunday last, and then only half allowance. There seems to be great mismanagement somewhere, as the troops are also out of firewood, having been obliged to obtain wood from where they could, the contractor having none on hand. The Maoris are very busy strengthening their pah. They, have made it smaller. It is too large altogether. It would take at least 1000 men to defend it properly if it was attacked on all sides at once. June 30. A party of natives (about fourteen or fifteen) came from Tauranga to-day with the intention of buying provisions, as they are not, I believe, allowed to purchase at Tauranga. I am informed it is the intention of the officer commanding to prevent them obtaining any supplies hei'e, but whether he will carry out his intention I am not aware. We are now obtaining a little fine weather, but it )$ still very cold. In the evening the natives of Maketu addressed the officer commanding, requesting him to prohibit the storekeeper from supplying provisions to the Tauranga or other tribe ; to which request the Major acceded, and informed them that lie would direct that no supplies of food should be sold to strangers. Two messengers arrived this morning from Te Awa-o-te-Atua. They state that the«Ngatipouri, to the number of 1,000 men, are mustering at Te Kalia; that 800 of the Wakatohea, from Opotiki, are going to Rotoiti and Rotorua to fetch the women and children of the rebels Ngatipikiao and Rangiwewehi who fell at Tauranga ; and that the Southern tribes are anxious to know whether the Arawas intend making another excursion to the southward ; and whether thej will appoint a day on which the great fight shall take place. They also come to warn their chief Tukehu, of Ngatiawa, not to return home by the coast, but to take the inland road. Tukehu, a friendly chief of the Ngatiawa, residing at Rangitaiki, is one of the natives who are proceeding to Auckland to have an interview with the Governor ; and the impression of the native messengers was that he started long since, and their intention was to remain here until his return from Auckland; but as they have found him here, I presume they will at once return to Rangitaiki. Mr. Buckland and Mr. Purvis" arrived this morning from Tauranga. They report that the troops started early this morning to attack the rebels at Te Wairoa. After remaining here about two hours they returned to Tauranga.

Since the date of our last Monthly Summary no event of any public importance has occurred worth reporting. The natives at Tauranga do not appear to be showing themselves again ; but the Ngatiporous and other East Coast natives threaten an almost immediate attack upon the tribes at Malcetu, whose services in our favour during the war have been very great. There is a detachment of the 68th L. 1., and of Waikato Militia, stationed at Maketu, together with a gun detachment of the Royal Artillery, and one Armstrong field gun. Judging from the past, therefore, we should say that the rebels will meet with a warm reception if they again venture across the Waihi. It is to be regretted that Beckham, the old fighting chief of Maketu, should have fallen, as his example and experience would have been most valuable in case the rebels carry out their thrGftt It appears that the "fanatics" have again theatened Wanganui. We apprehended little from this threat, as both the friendly natives and Europeans are in a complete state of defence. The de- , fection of Wi Tako must likewise help to turn the scutes-in.oitr favour. From Hawke's Bay and Tarahaki there is nothing to report. We do not apprehend a rising in the former province. Considerable excitement has been created by the terms of Mr. Cardwell's dispatch, but although unfavourable to the colony, it has not affected the value of property. It is shrewdly guessed that the new Colonial Secretary wrote as certain gentlemen in this colony suggested to him; and the result is that Sir George Grey has received a dispatch which is as contradictory as its author appears to have been ignorant of his subject. We shall see whether Mr. Cardwell is prepared to go the length of suspending the Constitution Act, which must be done before Sir George Grey can do all that he has been instructed to do; 'and we shall likewise see whether the colony will submit to such arbitrary measures. We have had responsibility in native matters forced upon the Colony by the Duke of Newcastle, and withdrawn, or attempted to be withdrawn, by Mr. Cardwell, hissuccessor, within a twelvemonth. We have had a solemn national compact deliberately broken; and all because a number of gentlemen here, who have a mania in favour of Maori independence, and an abhorrence of the establishment of law and order, ha\e got the ear of the new Minister. We have elsewhere discussed this dispatch, and the position of his Excellency in regard to the Colonial policy, and need not, therefore, advert to these questions further. There have been no fresh military movements to report since the issue of our Summary. The ships of war remain on the station as then noted. The weather has been moist, with high winds. A good deal of wet is still required for the country to ensure lasting pastures in the spring. Pleuro-pueumonia prevails, and is exciting considerable attention. We understand that the work of military settlement is being gone on with. Ngaruawahia will be sold early in August. The name of the new township is to be Queenstown. The surveys at Tauranga and elsewhere are being proceeded with. —Southern Cross, July 7.

Military Settlement. —We understand that the work of military settlement is being gone on with. Ngaruawahia will be sold early in August. Hie name of the new township is to be Queenstown. The surveys at Tauranga and elsewhere are being proceeded with.—Southern Cross, July 7. The Maori Prisoners.—We understand that his Excellency the Governor has withdrawn from the guardianship of the prisoners in* the Marion hulk, and once more the expense is cast upon the colony. Of course the colony willingly accepts the responsibility and the expense, hut it requires an apology or explanation for the singular conduct which was calculated to throw odium upon the responsible Ministers as a set of cold-blooded wretches, who desired to kill the native prisoners by inches. We don't want his Excellency to make this apology personally; let him do it through the New Zealamler, which was inspired by himself or " familiars " with regard to this subject some little time ago. We have been over-forbearing hitherto with the antics of his Excellency and his irresponsible advisers, but it is now necessary, for the good reputation of the colony, to keep a strict watch upon them. —Ibid, July 5. Plkuho-Pnicimonia.—It was stated yesterday at the meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society, that cattle in ail advanced stage of the disease known as pleuro-pneumonia were constantly slaughtered «t the yards at Newmarket. As the genlleman who made the statement related what he had himselt seen, and is also an expert in the matter, there can be 110 doubt hut the fact is as alleged ; the question now arises, whose duty is it to prevent a practice so to the public health? There are lew facts better established than that the flesh of cattle effected by plcuro-pneumonia is dangerous m octtfiin cases fatal—to Imni(Ui life. So virulent is the disease in its lust stages that there are well-estab-lished instances of men having died from a wound indicted accidentally on the hand in skinning a diseased animal. Professor Gamgoe, of Glasgow, declares the diseased meat to be wholly unlit for human food ; i\nd even dogs and fowls die if they eat any part of the carcase of a beast that has died of the disease. There is ground for considerable alarm In the practice, and wo call attention to the statement.-—lbid, July 6. Tun Siirin-Y of Hay.—Large quantities of liay are now being landed on the wharf, niaduup in small trusses, and marked as if exported from London. Those who have been in the habit of seeing trussed hay prepared for export in Melbourne or Sydney can hardly fail to be struck by the inferior quality of this hay for food as it now is. The hay may have been good when made up for export, and we do not say that it was not good, but as an article of food for horses it 'is now as nourishing as wooden nutmegs, and equally as valuable as an article of export. '• Carrying coals to Newcastle" is not a bit wiser than bringing hay from London here.—-Ibid.