LATEST NEWS FROM TARANAKI.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 14, 7 April 1860, Page 3

LATEST NEWS FROM TARANAKI.

THE WAB WITH THE NATIVES. [JVom the Taranaki Herald.'] JOURNAL OF EVENTS Since Saturday, 17 th March, to the Time of Publication. Saturday, March 17.—A day never to he forgotten in the annals of Taranaki 1 For the first time has blood been shed in war between the races. At about 11 a.m. the report of artillery and small arms assured us that the troops were attacking the newly-erected stockade on Teira s land, aha intense was the excitement of our community on hearing these sounds of strife and battle. How anxiously was intelligence looked for—how many the speculations as every booming sound came travelling- through the air, who were sent to their account as each messenger of wrath was hurled at the doomed works. Groups of people were to be seen in different parts of the streets, and on hill tops, anxiously conversing about the far-off sounds of conflict and war. Strict orders were given to the Militia and Volunteers on no account to quit their respective stations, and it was nearly dusk before we were relieved from suspense by the arrival of a mounted escort with the intelligence that for several hours heavy fire had been kept on the pah, but without any sensible effect. Two soldiers had been wounded, one mortally, J. Sarteii (mounted escort), dangerously. The pah had resisted the attempts to make a breach in it • the guns had commenced fire, first at 800 yards and ultimately at 140, throwing in shell and rockets ; the palisadings of the pah were knocked down, but the (ty>t only buried themselves in the earthworks': the mounted escort had made a rush at the flag Of the enemy which had been knocked down apd hanging oyer the fencing, and in capturing it, J. Sarteu was dangerously wounded; he was knocked off his horse by a bullet six the pah, and-was gallantly rescued by some bide jackets add soldiery in a storm of bullets from the pah’. It was not; known what loss the rebels had sustained, but it was supposed to be Severe. Full particulars of this affair will be seeh in the letter from our Waitara correspondent: * Strong guards of Militia and Volunteers posted round the town during the night, as hostilities had commenced, and it was not known what might be the next steps on the part of the rebels. Sunday.—Everybody on the look out for news. During the day, to the intense dissatisfaction of every one, the mounted escort returned with the intelligence that the pah had been evacuated by the rebels. It appears that the latter kept up a constant fire all night, and in the morning suddenly abandoned the pah, leaving two men for a short time in it, firing, to mislead the troops. The soldier (Corbett) had died; the troops had destroyed the pah, taking 150 men four hours to demolish it. No signs Of natives killed were seen: the pah was found to be very strong, and large caves were inside, Monday.—From information received from a native who had been in the pah during the attack, and who had visited the Ninia pah on Sunday, no natives had been killed, but some were wounded, one having his arm broken, another his face contused from the falling of the palisades. Several of the Ninia natives had gone over to W. Kingi—Karipa, Te Haeana, and about ten others. All the Puke, and Kaipakopako natives had also joined the rebels, showing how little confidence can be placed in native professions. The Southern mailman, who started to-day, stated that he would be stopped on his way to Wanganui and 'his mail burnt. Heavy rain during the day and during Sunday night, Tha Alredfllo compelled to put to sea.

but came in during the afternoon, when she was signalled to proceed to Nelson .for the English mail and the steamer Tasmanian Maid. Information received that a party, of natives, nuraberinff 107, were detached from. W. Kingi s mam body and posted near the Nihia pah for marauding purposes. The natives say they were much alarmed in the pah during the firing of the shell and rockets, and full of wonder at these implements of warfare. They say they will not attempt another pah, for if we had surrounded them not one could have escaped. All the time

the firing was going on, in their alarm they were burrowing under the ground, and could, do nothing else, and; many were hurt with' splinters from the palisading. It was only after 6 am., on Sunday they hastily decamped. The man

who had his arm broken and carried away oy a shot will not live. The shell and canister completely scattered and destroyed their food, the 24-lb. shots ploughing up their breastworks and sending everything into the air; flying splinters obliged them to keep close in their caves. Indeed the rebels themselves state they had no hope of escape throughout the night, believing that they were surrounded, and great was their delight at dawn of day to find the way open for escape down the gully, where no troops were to be seen, and they ran off glad enough of the opportunity to escape! They say they will take good care not again to place themselves in such a predicament! Tuesday.—W. Kingi and party are at Ngatiaparirua, Hapurona’s pah, where they appear to be resting and getting over the effects of the bombardment. A white flag is flying, which means that he does not intend fighting to-day. Archdeacon Govett, Rev. Mr. Whiteley, and n • iiio! nim fn.nflV

Rev. Mr. Riemenschneider visited him to-aay, and he was comparatively civil to them. He intimated that he would confine his fighting with the troops at Waitara, providing they did: not burn down pahs on native land, when he would seek revenge—that the burning of the pahs at the mouth of Waitara did not matter, as they were on the ground occupied* by • the soldiers—- . . «« *ii* i Cn Mnwn im V»i a iMa i m

incidentally admitting that he gave up his claim to it ’ Several of the natives were bruised about the face by splinters, &c. .It: .was positively asserted that no natives had-been killed, and they seemed as if they had not sustained a defeat &t Wednesday.—Poharamaand other natives met Mr. M‘Lean this morning at the Kawau pah, and expressed their determination to bear arms in resisting attack and protecting properties. They wished to be supplied with arms and ammunition, and wear a distinguishing dress. The proposal to trust to a native alliance is viewed with the utmost distrust by the settlers, owing to the character of several natives who offer their services. News arrived from Taranaki that the Warea natives had taken and detained the mail for the South, which started on Monday at 1 p.m. Aperahama, chief of the Patukai natives, had forcibly detained the bag. It « hoped that the Niger on her return will be sent down to shell and destroy Warea, as the pah is conveniently situated for the purpose near the beach. W Kingi is still at Hapurona s pahs. The troops should be ordered to proceed and burn them down, viz., Kairau, Ngataiparirua, and Huirangi. A few’rockets would soon doit.- ■- . « A Lft . 4 a Ja•« A* mama Attfll ft

A itur?ui<iy.""Auvmv* ~ J ~ natives from Katare, Hua, and Waiwakaihcr respecting their taking arms in-defending. British authority. Flying rumours from Taranaki that the Tatanakis have assembled at Mokotuna, about twenty-twd miles from town, to join W. King! by way of the town. Some of the friendly natives say they will go through the bush, and if possible draw out the settlers to fight them there, while a body of Ngatiruanuis attack the town! It is said the attack will take place;at dawn of day at different points, and fnehdly natives say that we should be very careful to distribute our men, and hot leave any part of the town unprotected. "As far as they f the Taranakis, are concerned, they have not the least reason to wage war with us, ahd if they do so, it will be pure marauding and unprovoked aggression. The weather stormy and wet, and no appearance of the Niger from ManukaucTor which port she sailed on Saturday week. / Lights were seen off the Sugar Loaves atXjf.m., and shortly afterwards a gun was fired. A boat was sent off, and on her return the vessel proved to be the Airedale. from Nelson, with the English mail. She had a quick run to Nelson of seventeen hours from this, and left again yesterday at 8 p.m. The Tasmanian Maid was to leave this day for this port, to be placed at the service of his Excellency the Governor, sent up by the Provincial authorities of Nelson. The authorities have rented the Kawau pah, and-it is now occupied by out settlers. . ■ , . ..... Friday.—News arrived this morning that the Ratapihipihi natives, Manahi’s people, had suddenly left their kainga and .gone to the rebels! Information was given to Government yesterday that Manahi intended to repeiv.e the Taranaki s at his jplace, on their way through the bush to Waitara, and Poharama wis-instructed'tor investigate the matter, and ordered to bring Manahi into town to bo interrogated,by the authorities, and on Poharama’s messenger arriving at Ratapihipihi, lot Manahi and the rest of his people had fled! Manahi was almost the first to sign the declaration, and had a permanent pass, and for several years has been in intimate intercourse with the settlers, but for years has not enjoyed their confidence. Ratapihipihi is a native reserve within the settled boundaries, and is not more than four miles from town. So much for Maori lovalty! Intelligence came in this afternoon, that Porikapa, chief of Kaihihi, has insisted upon the Warea natives sending on the Southern mail, who had done so. It is very likely, however, that the mail will be stopped further on. Rumour that the rebel natives intended to have attacked the Bell Block stockade last night, but were prevented by Karipi and Haeana who do not wish the fighting to be brought over the boundaries of the Bell district. We have no doubt that had they done so they would have met with a warm reception, for we think we can fire better than they can in our pahs. , . 10 p.m.—Fifty Taranakis are at Oakura (7 miles distant) to night off their way to W. Kingi. They will go through the forest. 1 A gentleman from Waitara, just arrived, . reports nothing fresh. t _ JOURNAL OF EVENTS Since Saturday, 241 A March, to the Time of Publication.

Saturday, March 24.—This morning news was brought that several hundred-natives, estimated by some at 800, and by others at 1,000 (Taranaki and Ngatiruanui combined) are on their way to Ratapihipihi, Manahi’s place— the advanced guard of which, about 70, had already arrived and danced the war dance there. It i 9 reported that they intend to create a diversion in favour of W. Kiugi by menacing tha settlement in that

direction. The Airedale sailed Jor Manukau this afternoon—passengers, O. J wT Richmond, Esq., and Captain Steward. Thia.evening about 9i p. m, cheering and singing ;# as heard on the Devon Line, and shortly afterwards 250 troops from the camp at Waitara marched into..town, with three guns, having been-suddenly sent for service early the next morning. ■■ • . Sunday.—Shortly after 1 a.rt}., 130 Taranaki Rifles and Militia mustered on receiving a'call for the purpose, and with 200 of the,”6stli regiment (several having arrived a. few* hours previously from Waitara) under Lieut. Colonel Murray, marched for Ratapihipihi, the natives having already commenced cattle and sheep killing and committed other depredations in the neighbourhood. The force from unavoidable causes did not leave town until neatly 4, and reach the ground before daylight, as it was the natives were surprised. The Volunteers, led by Major Herbert, formed the advance, and advanced in skirmishing order under Captain btapp within hearing and sight of the natives, before they were observed, An order on no account to engage the rebels in the forest having been issued before the expedition started, the former fell back upon the troops in good order, without provoking attack. The plan for this particular service, was well laid and would have cut off the natives and placed them between the fire of the troops and militia who were to have reached the

enemy by different roads. -■ Monday.—A great many shots were heard this morning at the Ratapihipihi andthe bush, supposed to he the insurgents welcoming others arriving. It is stated that the -Ngatiruanui and Taranaki tribes intend to stay at the rear of the town, they have already commenced building a pah on a commanding hill on Mr. Rurton’s land Mountain Road. They say they will not proceed toWaitara for the present, ; but stay and encompass the town. W. King's people will probably make some movement at Waitara, whilst these Taranaki are supposed to keep our hands full in town, However, the camp is well protected, and- impregnable to maorii attack. It is now very necessary that a strict watch should he kept , and if an'attack'should made at-any point, all the force should not'be-sent to that point, as the natives would-attack from different points. Several. Volunteers and Militia sent out to erect small stockades on different positions, dig rifle pits, and strengthen the Kawau pa. The Tasmanian Maid, with provisions, ammunition &c., steamed to Waitara, which she safely entered. 25 blue jackets were put on board to protect her while she lies in .the river. This little steamer is admirably adapted for the purpose of running to and from the river, and now the communication by land is stopped by the rebels will be extremely useful. fi.M.S.S. Niger arrived to day from Manukaii with 30 of the 65th under Quarter Master Withers. " The Rev. Mr. Wollaston, who came in this evening from the camp, reports .that Sarten is .dead. From the first liis wound was considered mortal as the ball went in near the left hip and was cut out from his right breast, and it was a wonder he lingered so long.- Poor fellow. His life was thrown away. He was a fine, robust, and steady, young man, the eldest son of a large family, and his untimely and has cast a gloom over oiir community. The other day he was to be'seen .active and full of spirits on his horse a voluntary member pf the mounted escort - -and now he is gone to his account the first civilian victim to a:maori bullet. Mr. Wollaston was stopped by a party in am-

bush on the road on his return,,and his sacred Calling alone saved him from'‘the tomahawk. 5000 Taranakisand Ngatiruanuis are reported at Hauranga, aboiit : nine miles 'from town-, who intend coming on to-morrow as far as Jury's hill, and there erect a large pah. Tuesday.— lntelligence brought into town that W Kingi’s natives are about building two large pahs one on Teira’s land, and 4he other outside the boundary. They' are to be hear one another, and to be built of puriri, and made, they imagine, impregnable to our guns. About 5 p.m. to-day intelligence was brought into town of the most wanton and savage murder at Qmata, of three of our fellow-settlers. From information we have E alle to glean, Mr. 8. Epr4 Mr. H. Passmore, and Mr. S. Shaw, were on their way to different parts of the block, when, after passing the Omata Inn. they were shot down by natives concealed behind a furze hedge, and afterwards tomahawked! Mr. Ford was going to see some «heep at Mr. Grayling’s farm, jahd had that morning ridden out to Moturoh With Mr. .George, and purchased six of his bullocks., Ford alone proceeded, and on passing fbdOmata stockade was warned not to go on by several persons. Mr. H. Passmore was driving: out his bullock cart for puriri fencing. His bullocks were both shot in the head, and the yoke. taken off and ; thrown into, the hedge. Shaw accompanied Passmore, and was believed to have been going

to his farm to milk his cows.: -Information was given to the men at the stockyard hy W. .Gilbert, who had seen a body lying bn the road as he was going along the road, ..and' galloped back and gave the intelligence. A party .then proceeded .to recover the bodies, and on* [arriving at the spot of this fearful tragedy,.'found the three bodies lying within a few yar,d?r breach oth|r,| and a native in the act-of taking off Mr. Ford s' coat. They fired at the native*.but missed him, and heran off. They found all quite dead. In deed, with the exception Ford and were both shot through evidently struggled for some time., Passmore and Shaw were, both tomahawked .jabput the head. This fearfal and cruel murder has filled every heart with sorrow and. commiseration for the bereaved. Mr. Ford is &• settler of many years standing and has a large family dependant upon him. He carried on an *xtensive native trade, hence, no doubt, his apparent indifference in going to where he knew armed natives were stationed. Passmore is a married man without family. Shaw is also a married man and has left a widow and two children- to deplore his untimely and dreadful end. Two. boys, named Pote and Parker, are missing, and great fears are entertained for their safety. Wednesday.—News just come into town that the two boys Parker and Pote have been tomahawked "by the Maories, one with his hand Cut off with a tomahawk. Theßey, Mr. .Brown, who is still at Omata, some miles from town, found the two illfated lads in the bush' in their gore 1 The bodies were all brought into the military hospital, and the horriblfi sight awakens feelings of the keenest revenge!, and a desire that the savage perpetrators of the brutal murder? and all leagued with them “should their dark deeds with their lives. No.lOyotrtpany of the 65tb, commanded by Colonel Murray, 25hlue jackets under Lieut. Blake, and 102 volunteers and militia, proceeded to day to rescue Mr. Brown’s family and others. Before the depar- , ture of the volunteers they were drawn up and addressed by the Governor ip a few choering , , words on the nature of their duties, and the hope*

he placed on their giving a account themselves/'The -alarm. signal .»’***% gf ■ — the firing of two guns from MarsW Hill, which brought all thi Inhabitants into town 60 blue jackets with their gallant captain and a 24, inch rocket tube and rockets landed abcmtttus time from the Niger, and encamped on Mount Eliot. Not Very long' after the departure 01 me volunteers a messenger ar * iv ®* £„!jby the that they were attacked m great 5, Sbels o?M„jdr Loyd* »»1 , M “ 8 ” farm, whereupon the Niger s _ . . • rocket tube immediately Parted Jom in the pntraeeraent Report after report came as the aay :SsS“,'.o how the nn Soon intelligence arriVed that t..ergeani Fahey ttfthe militia was killed, a * the Lieut Biake, R. N.. severely volunteers were hotly engaged and were run ning out of ammunition and weresurroundeduntd succoured by the soldiers and sailors ~ that many nTtiZ Zrl killed, but no other easily on he nart of our brave hand of colonists. Ihe excite £t was unexampled, the relatives.and connexions of those hotly engaged With a savage SasisuEfaTaissSCantain Cracroft, after firing a few rockets xhto uapwm mtinri rift nn Jurv S

it had gallantly stormed the maon pa on uury * hill and had killed many of theipmatesand captured the flags. About eight the sailor* came in bringing into town *?£' and were heartily cheered by the people, lbe volunteers were said to he surrounded by the maoris in Jury’s house near the beach, and great gars were entertainedfor theirsafety indeed it was supposed at one time they were all butchered, aa . it was said they had no ammunition. Immense excitement prevailed in town. A volunteer force of soldiers, blue jackets, and militia weredes-.. patched about 11 p.m., but they had not long gone when great cheering announced that the forces had met each other. Bight , about face •was the order given, and the whole reached town amidst the roars of applause that-greeted them from .all. sides. Jt was calculated’thfct at least 60 or 60 natives were shot—iddeed it-Wa&flifljcalt l to say how many, as in many ravmci and gullies they were lying thick,, The nfles told upon them, and throughout the engagement good practice was made on the darkfoe, and the lashed bodies in the hospital gave sternness and determination to each man engaged against them. The casualties on our side are— . , L , Naval Brigade.—Lieut. Blake, wounded sov^rcly* 1 corporal of marines killed 3 blme jackets wounded 65th regiment.—2 soldiers wounded Taranaki Bifles.-Lieut Hammerton wounded. Privates F, Rawson, do., J, Hawken, do., W. Messenger, do., P. Inch, do., W. Bayly. do. MiHtia.—Sgt. Fahey, killed, W. Oliver, wounded.

And thus ended the battle of the Waireka. Many were the narrow escapes experienced by the Rifles, some had balls through their clothes, another had the slings of his nfle cut in two, another had his bayonet nearly doubled by a ball. During the whole engagement the bullets from SeTnU -ere flying f the n»«™ were in swarms estimated at 800. ' Ibese were, completely routed and sustained great loss and allowed the gallant band of make a good retreat after darknessi set in. The voluntem-s were ably commanded by Captain SS. We speak the feeling of the entire corps when* we-say that no danger could be considerg too ereat with such a leader. A great piajonty of the females and children slept m the barracks to-night. Few of the inhabitants, in town however thought of retiring to rest until all had re* turned from the engagement, and it, was nearly 2 a.m. before the town gradually quieted. A few. of our friendly natives accompanied the voluntor" and .Bern Her, of Moturo. sho two 'natives dead. The wounded were all brought into town. The number engaged. m this memorable affair were Maoris 800, British. All those engagedjin yesterday’# “ Action sav that, what with those killed in the pa by the bluejackets, and nativeskiliedm action 100 or 150 natives must he horade combat. This morning great firing of guns was heard at the S Sfmp, and great howling and yelling Thev have also built another pa in the rear of the stockade on Jury’s Hill, and seem prepared for war. The enemy had been occupied the most part of the day picking up their killed and wounded; which took fourteen carta to carry away. All the principal Taranaki chiefs had been killed in the action yesterday. The enemy had all retreated td their home* to bury their dead-being thoroughly routed, and paralysed by their fearful Josses—so effective was the fire of our rifle?-., .... * Friday.—At four a.m. this morning too Harbour Master reached H-M.S. Niger witlr-a lette? for (Captain Cracroft from His Excellency the Governor: In half-an-holir steam was' got up the vessel on her way. to Wares,, abreast of which she anchored, a mile and a quarter off shore, at nine o’clock. At this time there was ;, a heavy sea running with a high .surf breaking on the beach, rendering it quite impossible to land a party in the boats. Scarcely had the .steamer anchored before a volley of musketry from the pah announced that the Natives suspected the object of her visit. At 3 minutes past nine Big Ben delivered bis_opening address and the ten inch shell accompanied by a 24 pounder rocket fell five or six yards from the point of the pa. The second rocket went slap into the middle of this pa,’ and from the cloud of smoke raised it was first believed that it had set fire to the whares, but it failed to do so. Shell after shell established free ventilation and provided chimneys at the smallest possible expense to the rebel proprietors, who, by this time, were supposed to have retreated to the war pas on the north side of the river, and the 24 pounder broadside guns threw shot and shell into them with beautiful precision, the captains of the guns being stimulated by a reward of five pounds to the marksman who should floor the flag staff. Several shots were within * few feet of the mark. The distance being" too great to set fire to the pa with the rockets, it iflaa deemed to expend more shells,. ;It is said that it was .the original..intention of Ngatiruanui and Taranaki to go toWnitara, hut Manahi induced them to make the town their object of attack; and it hadhappened that Manahi’s traitorous conduct has been the means of our defeating them in-a few hours which it would have : taken : perhaps- months to have accomplished if they hud gone to W, K-ipgi. It is also said that the rebels have plundered the houses of the settlers • since their arrival,- and the survivors from'.the . battle have gone‘back laden with spoil. At Waitara aU is Kinei’s party baa been busily engaged erecting a strong pah in the both ait M&t&itawaj