THE NATIVE WAR. TARANAKI.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 58, 14 May 1864, Page 3

THE NATIVE WAR. TARANAKI.

fjFBOM OCR OWN COBEE3PONDENT.]

New Plymouth, May 18

It is old news to refer to the slaughter of natives (for no other word suits the occasion), at Sentry Hill, on the 30th ultimo, nor should I do so except that the present mail carries home news of the disaster at Tauranga. Intimation of an attack on the position had reached the authorities, and was discredited, the redoubt being the strongest in Taranaki, if not in New Zealand. Led on by the prophet Tamati Teito, who had promised them an easy victory (as we learnt afterwards), a body of 300 men advanced boldly upon Sentry Hill in broad daylight. A shell bursting among them occasioned a momentary bait ; but onwards they came until the lire from under cover of the redoubt compelled them to turn back, with as many killed and wounded as they could carry away. It is estimated that not less than 100 natives were killed and wounded in this memorable attack, numbers being carried away, in addition to the thirty-five who fell into our hands. The attack was made on the Saturday, but not being followed up, the natives were engaged up to Monday morning carrying away killed and wounded. Taranaki has not gained much hitherto by casualties on the native side, which were chiefly confined to natives belonging to other parts of the island, but this time we have got rid of immediate neighbours, who have been concerned in most of the outrages and barbarities committed in the district. Parenga Kiugi, a most turbulent chief and irreclaimable savage, was amongst the slain, with a handkerchief of one of the victims of Ahuahu around his neck — coming to his death with a halter, as it were, about him. One native had the rifle of another Ahuahu victim at his side; a third, a soldier's coat. There was also amongst them Manahi, a principal in the first murders committed in Omata village, in 1860. Many others were recognised, the chief belonging to Ngatiawa, Taranaki, and Ngatiruanui. It would be interesting to get full particulars of the native loss. The natives continue at Manutahi and Mataitawa from which place the attack was made. Nothing has occurred at any of the other outposts, though the greatest vigilance is exercised at all. The Prince Alfred paddle steamer brought from Auckland, a few days since, a cargo of timber for a blockhouse, on the Wairau flat, which was landed on theOakura beach. This is satisfactory evidence of the determination of the Government, to occupy the enemy's country in earnest.

I regret to add that great sickness prevails in New Plymouth. In addition to typhus, scarlet fever has at length got a footing, and, though in a mild form, occasional cases of a malignant nature have occurred, and terminated fatally.