THE WAR IN TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1631, 8 March 1866, Page 2

THE WAR IN TARANAKI.

(From the Taranaki Herald, Feb. 24). The people of Wellington seem to think that the war in this part of the country is over, as they have been congratulating General Chute on having "in a few - weeks brought to a close on the West Coast an expensive and ruinous war." The Taranaki natives and their allies, however, wfyose opinion ought to go for something in the matter, appear to think that war is not over yet; and as they are acting up to their opinion, we suppose we may venture to say that the people of Wellington are for once mistaken. On Saturday or Sunday last as two friendly natives, Hona and Hamuera, were coming along the coast road from Opunake, and when they had got to Te Namu, about a mile this side of the camp, they fell into an ambush composed of the Taranaki and Waikato natives, who fired upon them, missing them, but killing one of their horses ; they were then taken and marched off inland. The Waikatos under Tapihana (who distinguished himself here in 1860 by burning and plundering, and in 1863 by being one of Kawau prisoners,) wanted to take them to their Pai Marire post at Waikoakou and kill them ; but the Taranekis objected, saying that they should have been killed when caught if they were to be killed at all, and that now they should be let go ; and when the whole party got to Nukuteaiapi, the Taranakis being reinforced, prevailed, and they were let go.

On Tuesday night, or rather early on Wednesday morning, a native, one of Hone Pihama's, arrivee at Rangiuru (near the Poutoko). He had started from Opunake with letters at seven o'clock the previous evening, and reports that he saw two fires at Kapoaiaia, near the wreck of the Marchioness, lighted just after he passed, which, of course, was in the night. Early yesterday morning, another native (Mohi Tara) arrived with dispatches from Capt. Horan, who had taken up a position on the coast at Whitiora. Mohi left Whitiora at nine o'clock on Thursday morning, and in passing Tipoka, he got timely warning of the presence of the enemy by a dog rushing out at him. It was moonlight, and looking inland, he saw three of the " wild men" down to intercept him at the crossing, but he got away safely by turning to seaward of the road, and riding hard. They fired their three shots at him, but without effect. Captain Horan, on the same day on which he occupied Whitiora, went some distance inland and into the bush, and destroyed three kaiagas (Ahuataraua, Papakino, and Whakapoka) and such of the crops as could be got at, but none of the enemy were to be seen. A letter also, received at Opunake from one of the Ngatiruanuis, states that " the pakehas had gone back to Wanganui, taking a great many horses with them, but no men (i.e. they had killed none); and Ketemarae and other places which had been taken by the General were now re-occupied by them." This may be exaggeration, or even falsehood, but it is certainly not the language of despair or submission.

We think, therefore, we are not wrong hi saying that the war is no? over. Natives who come down some miles to the sea shore to lay ambushes not very far from our camps may be conquered, but they at least do not know it, and they will undoubtedly go on fighting until they are convinced. General Chute's march up from Wanganui was, taken altogether, the best thing, perhaps, in a military point of view, that has occurred during the war. The people have showed their appreciation of what he had done by the welcome they gave him; but they knew perfectly well, and did not disguise the fact, that the end of the war had not been reached, and eould only be reached by persistence in the course which had been so successfully begun. We are aware that officers commanding at outposts have been ordered to assist each other and harass the enemy in every way; and no doubt those among them who are capable will keep their own district pretty clear; but for a systematic following up of the slippery enemy and for the finishing of the war, one in supreme command is wanted. As we suppose General Chute may be expected here before long, we will not say more now, but it is impossible to avoid anxiety at seeing the summer slipping away, the sixth year of the war all but completed, and the enemy still ready to fight.