THE NATIVE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1636, 14 March 1866, Page 6

THE NATIVE WAR.

—♦ — ] THE Wj;ST COAST CAMPAIGN. ( (From the Wanganui Times, Feb. 6.) J On Friday or Saturday last a few of our i men, principally Kupapas, left the camp near , Waingongoro, with the intention of captur- £ ing horses, having a brush with the enemy, 1 or enjoying any other bit of diversion that j might turn up. During the excursion they ] fell in with the enemy in considerable force, j and a sharp action immediately commenced. ) Eight Hau-haus were left dead on the field, ] but from the paucity of men on our side, j although we held the field and gained a com- ( plete victory, yet the enemy were able to carry ( off their wounded. The loss upon our side , is, we regret to say, rather severe. The brave \ Aperahama, a chief of Nguhapu (Efisign , N.C.) was shot through both thighs. Two ( Kupapas were killed; one of them was Wi i Pekapeka, who was wounded at the battle of , Moutoa, and for his brave conduct there re- j ceived a gratuity from the Government. , One Kupapa named Piriti was taken prisoner. It will be seen that the losses on ourside were insignificant, as compared with that of the enemy, and that wherever our men meet them, no matter how few in number, or how numerous the enemy, victory invariably declares on our side. This is the first campaign in which the enemy has been taught this salutary lesson. We also learn that a small party of mounted volunteers who had accompanied General Chute on his great march, started from Waingongoro on the return march, in order to ride into Wanganui in advance of the main body. They reached that town on Monday last, and were enthusiastically received. General Chute and Dr. Featherston were expected to arrive on Wednesday. We take the following item of local intelligence from the Chronicle of the 2nd:— On Thursday the people on this side of the river had occasion to wonder at the more than ordinary shouting and yelling at Putiki, our native settlement. On inquiring as to the cause of the excitement, it turned out that natives were exercising the rights of hospitality to a number of friends who had come down the river and looked in upon them quite unexpectedly. These friends in fact are so notable as to demand public notice, being no less than a number of rebels from Taupo, with the chief Hare Tauteka at their head, who probably at this juncture have begun to think that discretion may be the better part of valour, and came in to tender their submission to our liege lady the Queen. Accordingly yesterday afternoon, Major Drurie, in the absence of Mr. JBuller, who had not then returned, went over to Putiki, when Hare and twenty-six of the Ngate Pehi tribe took the oath of allegiance, as interpreted and explained to them by the Rev. R. Taylor. We hope the fidelity of thesenatives may now be relied upon. Hare professes himself willing to join the Native Contingent, or in an/ way in which he may be asked, to make himself useful in helping to re-establish law and order among the rebellious tribes. The party are accompanied by their wives and children—quite a host of them. They travelled from Taupo, and took the river some fifteen or twenty miles below Pipiriki. The Wellington Independent, of Feb. 8, says:— Last Sunday General Chute had reached Waingongoro, on his return march from Taranaki. Our information of progress, although scanty, speaks of continued success following his energetic tactics. The much talked of stronghold at Warea was sought out and occupied on the Ist instant. It was unfortified —for why should the Maoris fortify an almost inaccessible inland position, seeing that they have had undisturbed posses sion of the country for years, with free license to shoot every man who strayed a few yards beyond our camp. Our loss was one man killed and four or five wounded, but that of the rebels was, as usual, unknown; there were only four bodies found. Information has been circulated amongst the neighbouring natives, giving a day or two to the rebels to come in. It rests entirely with themselves to say whether they do or do not propose giving the General a little more work to do. They must be pretty certain by this time that his offers of clemency are' not those of a man who is obliged to make a virtue of necessity. They know well enough now that the General's willingness to receive their submission is not an excuse for his incapacity to hunt them out and punish them. Te Ua, the Hau Hau high priest appears to have submitted to the Native Contingent, and is to be sent down to the head-quarters. This is the man who a year ago wrote the celebrated song, ascribing the lizard-like sea coast march of General Cameron to his incantations; but now both his own glory has departed and Ichabod is written on the hopes and aspirations of his deluded folio wersi All their known strongholds have during the past four weeks been taken and demolished, their dwellings, pahs, and cultivations burnt and uprooted, their horses and cattle driven into camp, and not fewer than two hundred of themselves killed and wounded. All honour to General Chute and the ! troops whom he has so successfully fired with his own determined spirit. They have in four weeks redeemed the character of the service, and showed us what might have been accomplished had the spirit of this better soldier than " the best soldier Lord Clyde ever knew" been earlier evoked. In a few more days his return to Wanganui will have nominally finished the campaign; though it will depend much on the pluck of the officers commanding the scattered posts as to whether the war is to be entirely finished this summer. If for the next few weeks they emulate the General in seeking out the whereabouts of stray parties of rebels, and chastise them in person and property, we shall hear little of them afterwards. But, while we render most cheerfully the honour due to the General and his troops, we must not for a moment forget that the Civilian Rangers and friendly natives have formed an equally active and meritorious portion of the field force—on the West as on the East Coast the colonial arm has shown itself one on which we need be afraid at any time to lean. Nor ought we to omit the obligation the colony is under to Dr. Featherston for the self-sacrifice he has made, as he has ever been willing to make, for its benefit. Although thoroughly knocked up by the bush march to Taranaki, and desirous of the rest which the steamer afforded for returning, he readily .gave way to the request that he should continue in charge of the contingent during its homeward progress to Wanganui. It has been felt from the commencement of the campaign that the conduct of the Native Contingent would do much to make or mar its success —that it has tended so much to make that success what it has been, is owing, in a very large degree, to Dr. Featherston's presence and influence. His return to Wellington may be looked for daily, the forces having reached Waingongoro last Sunday as already stated.

The Taranaki Herald, of Feb. 17, has the following:— We reported last week that a pah, said to be Tautahi's, had been attacked and taken by a mixed force of troops and Bushrangers ; but we were not then able to give the particulars. It appears that on the 6th instant, a force consisting of 150 men of the 43rd, under Captains Livesay and Talbot, and Lieutenant Longley, with Captain Corbett's company of Bushrangers, Captain Harris in command, started from Tipoka at 9 p.m., and proceeded along the beacli to the southward till they came to the Moutoti stream; here they turned inland and went up to Ngatoto, which was found deserted. They went on through the bush to Hukanui, also deserted, and then still further inland to Piripiri, the place they were seeking, which was reached about 1.30 on the morning of the 6th. Captain Corbett and some of his natives were ih front, and when they got to the foot of the hill on which the whares stand, a dog began barking, having no doubt heard them ; but the natives appeared to be incredulous of danger, for one of them came out and abused the dog for making such a noise. It was now deemed prudent to wait till dawn just before which one of the friendly natives (Etariki) crept up

to the whares, and came back reporting that he'had heard the natives snoring. At dawn the advance was made, Captain Livesay's company taking the left, Captain Corbett's the right—the other companies acting as supports. There was a little firing fro.m the whares on the left (which were lower down than the others) as the troops advanced, but the natives bolted from the ones above, completely surprised apparently, and without having had time to pick up their guns; one of them was shot while escaping by Captain Corbett himself, and more would have been killed if the supports and some of the rear of Captain Corbett's own company had not, from the dimness of the light we suppose, taken those in front for rebels, and opened fire on them, forcing them to take cover, and wounding two. Two Maoris were Baid to have been shot near the whares on the left, and two more in the bush, making (if the statement is correct) five killed in all. After destroying the whares and crops, the force proceeded through the bush to the southward for about a mile and a half or two miles, when they came to another pah, Nga-ariki-erua, which was palisaded in front, but had no defences to speak of behind. The rebels were heard here shouting the words pai marire, with unintelligible gibberish in the intervals, at the same time firing off their guns, but they did not get their courage up to the sticking point, and retreated without offering serious opposition. One of the whares here was found fitted up as a blacksmith's shop, with forge, bellows, anvil, aud tools complete. The place was destroyed entirely, and the crops partially, and the force returned by way of Te Manihi to the camp at Tipoka. On the following day, the 7th, Captain Harris with some of the 43rd and the bushrangers, proceeded to Ngatoto, where the whares were destroyed and some of the crops, but the rain coming on, Captain Harris retired, leaving the work unfinished. On Friday, the 9th, word was brought to the camp at Opunake that W. Kingi, Matakatea, and Heremaia, and 40 or 50 of their followers, had gone over to the enemy. The news was hardly credited in the camp, and a letter was sent up to them to ascertain the truth, but Heremaia on receiving the letter rammed it down his gun and fired it off, which was his only answer, at the same time informing the messenger (Tamati Kaweora) that he would be shot if he came again. On Sunday an old Maori woman is reported to have given information of these natives and others having laid an ambush at Te Namu for the purpose of off small parties going from the camp. In consequence of this Captain Livesay with some 43rd and Captain Mace's mounted men went up to Nukuteapiapi (Matakatea's place inland) for the purpose of destroying it. Shots were exchanged without any effect, the natives retired from the scene and the place was burnt. On Monday last, about the middle of the day, Captain Mace and the mounted men came into town, having been to Wangtnui and back. They went on as part of General Chute's force as far as Waingongoro, and then asked leave to go on to Wanganui by themselves, which was readily granted, General Chute, we believe, having expressed himself very much pleased with the services they had rendered. They left Waingongoro (Waimate) on Monday night, the sth, reaching Wanganui the same night at ten o'clock, though delayed for two or three hours by the tide at the Whenaukura. Stayed till Thursday, when they started homeward again, arriving at Patea the same day. The next day came on to Waingongoro, the plains about which place are fairly swarming with horses and ca,ttle. On Saturday they arrived at Opunake, and on Sunday took part in the attack on Nukuteapiapi as already mentioned. On Monday they came into town, bringing with them about 20 horses taken from the enemy Vcoun try. At a late hoar last evening, we received the following particulars from the Mounted men who have returned to town, of the operations, under Colonel Synge, 43rd L.1., against W. Kingi Matakatea, and Heremaia's natives. On Thursday a force of about 300 men of the 43rd L.I. marched three and a half miles inland of Umuroa, and destroyed a village, from which th« natives decamped on the approach of the troops into, the bush which surrounds it. The natives kept up a smart fire from the bush, which the troops returned. After burning the whares and destroying the crops, the force returned, and were followed by the natives to the edge of the forest, where they succeeded in wounding two men—Private Miles, severely in hip, and another man in the ancle slightly. Col. Synge's force is returning to Warea, and, it is said, thence into

town. On going down at three o'clock in the morning from Warea, the mounted men saw two Maori dogs on the beach beyond Tipoki, and, on returning on Thursday, about 10.30 p.m., saw a light, and several dogs rushed out of the flax, between the Marchioness and Warea. No doubt, on both occasions, the rebels were close by, and were probably preparing to lay ambuscades, and it was fortunate that they failed in their object, as the mounted men were only eight in number. The same journal of the 24th says:— 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, whose 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 thsm, 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 Taranakis 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 ()punake 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 nland, he saw three of the " wild men"- running down to intercept him al 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 certainty not the language of despair or submission.

We think, therefore, we are not wrong iu saying that the wAr is not over. Natives who come down some miles to the sea shore to lay ambushes not very far from our camps may bfe conquered, but they at least do not kmw 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 war. The people have showed their appre elation of what he had done by the welcome they gave him; but they knew perfectly well, and did not disguise the fact, that tne 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 tie 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. What Wanganui thinks of it.—ln vino Veritas. We doubt it. The Governor and magnates of Wellington treated Major-Gene-ral Chute to a complimentary banquet the other day and indulged in much fine speaking on the occasion. All the gentlemen, whose names were introduced, seemed the verj pink and pearl of honour and ability, and each was better than his neighbour, from the Governor down to the drummer boy. _ Everything wore couleur de rose. It it is a pity the picture has another side. All honour to the brave, and General Chute is a brave and experienced officer; but to speak of the recent brief campaign as having either brought our warfare to an end or to the beginning of the end is simple after dinner talk, which, harmless enough on most occasions, can hardly be harmless when dealing with such an important subject as our relationship to and with the natives. The outsettlers in the north-western district of Wanganui do not see very much on which to congratulate themselves. It was only this day week, when realizing the unprotected state in which the giving up of redoubts in their vicinity must leave them, that they addressed an emphatic memorial to his Excellency, praying for sopie measure of protection from a defeated but by no means a powerless enemy. The recent campaign, not followed up by some effective measure of occupation and defence, makes the difficulties of the situation greater than they were before it began. What the rebels have lost in strength they more than make up for in bitterness of spirit, and the circumstances are really critical.— Wanganui Chronicle, Feb. 24.