TARANAKI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 50, 2 May 1866, Page 3

TARANAKI.

The Natives. —Last week the Waikato contingent which lias been fighting with the Taranakis and Ngatiruanuis against us duriug the last year or so, crossed the Waitara and passed through the Ngatimaru country on their way northward. William King it is said had sent away his canoes for the purpose of avoiding them, so that they had to come more to seaward than they had intended ; they were seen at Whakaironga by some of the Urenui uatives, who recognised among them Tikaokao, Tβ Tapihaua. Wi Hona. (wounded and taken prisoner at Mahoetahi and cured in the hospital), aud others. It appears that they were on their way to a meeting at Hangatiki in the Ngatimauiopoto country, but they stated that it was not likely there would be any disturbance to the northward ; any fighting that was to be would be to the south ; and they gave a caution as to the kai kohura, or, as we should say, murderers who are likely to be active in the Patea neighbourhood. As the latter place is where the Grovevment have just determined to begin the surveys, we trust they will see fully the nature of the responsibility they are incurring. There are only two alternatives — either to fight and conquer the natives who contest our right to settle there, or to withdraw from the district altogether. If Mr. Stafford attempts a middle course he will, as we have said, be iucurring a very grave responsibility, and may possibly have to regret a very grave disaster. — Taranaki Herald, April 21.

The Otago Times, of the 16th iustaut, says:—From a paragiaph appearing in the local columns, there is every liope of a dry dock being shortly started at Port Chalmers. According to the ordinance, the minimum of dock must be 320 feet in length, 60 feet wide, and 18 feet deep. Twenty-four acres are already set aside for the works, and no doubt a larger dock than described above will he constructed. So desirable a work will make Port Otago the best port in New Zealand, and it will then cope with the Australian Colonies in facilities for cleaning the Pa;iama boats, or repairing vessels of a large class entering these waters. Hurricane at Rorotonga.—Capt. Ynnug, of the schooner Neva, who arrived here on Thursday from the islands, reports that a terrific hurricane swept over the island of Roro tonga on the 26th of March last, spreading destruction and desolation almost throughout the entire locality. The devastating effects of the tornado were painfully apparent at the time the Neva called there. Tlio characteristic verdancy of the island was destroyed; the orange trees had been not only despoiled of their fruit, but chiefly torn up by the roots, and large timbered trees had been snapped short off; almost the entire island, which had been a ■fruitful field, was reduced to a desert. The houses and churches had been carried away, or blown down, and the villages laid waste. — Weekly News. It is said between £200 and £300 has been already subscribed in Wangauui to the Patriotic Fund.