TAURNGA. ARRIVAL OF 300 WANGANUI AND TARANAKI NATIVE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 76, 21 June 1866, Page 3

TAURNGA. ARRIVAL OF 300 WANGANUI AND TARANAKI NATIVE.

ANOTHER WAR THREATENED. A NEW FAITH. [From the correspondent of the Southern Cross.'] Camp Te Papa, May 30. It is again my unpleasant duty to have to record the fact that the peace which we have lately been enjoying is likely to be of but short duration. Yesterday morning Mr. Insley, an old settler of Maungatapu, came into camp, and for the first time gave us the sad alarm that war was again likely to be commenced — that our peaceful slumbers were again on the eve of being disturbed ; in fact, that a struggle of a far more serious, savage, and daring character than has hitherto taken place was now impending ; and, if report was correct, that the natives were flattering themselves that the plans and savage schemes which they purposed adopting would annihilate every vestige of European existence or civilization which formerly was so happily spread through the length and breadth of this highly favoured district. For this purpose large parties of natives were reported to be assembling from all the disaffected districts — such as Rotorua, Taupo, Wanganui, Taranaki, and Waikato— in tho ranges, where large supplies were left by the Pai-Marires when they returned to their homes after their last pilgrimage to the Hau-hau shrines. Mr. Insley had not long been gone from camp, when your humble correspondent met a native, an old offender in rebellion, who called him on one side and began to acquaint him with the impending troubles which are about to fall not only' on Tauranga, but on all New Zealand. He described the heavens as being dark and overcast, that the elements were gathering thick, and that within a very short Bpace of time the heavens would burst, and all Europeans would be destroyed from the surface of the earth. He then said this was now being fulfilled. All Europeans at Taranaki had already perished, and ho had now the painful duty to request me, as an old hand, to flee at once from im» pending dangers. I listened attentively to his story, which was a very long and tedious one, mixed up with many ridiculous and fabulous tales ; and then asked him in the most serious manner, as if giving credence and faith to his story, what length of time would be required before I should sustain injury in preparing to flee. " Oh," says he, " delays are dangerous; flee at the first notice of the approach of evil, and then you and your children will be safe. Flee to Auckland, where there will be no storm, no danger, because that city was lawfully and universally appointed as the land whereon Europeans may safely rest and repose, for it was there Te Wherowhero erected his house and resided, to be a protection to all Europeans." I then asked him if these troubles, which were about to afflict this district, were to be at the instigation of the Hauhaus, or how was it to take place, and by whom ? To this he replied that they had seen the ftlly of clinging to Te Ua, the prophet, who had been found to be an imposter and traitor , but that a new prophet had arisen among the Taranaki, who at one word could command the heavens and the earth to yield to his sway and authority, and that it was by him that all Europeans in the Taranaki district had been destroyed. This rebellious and superstitious man had scarce left me, when I was accosted by two others — a man and his wife — who related verbatim the same story ; and the earnestness with which they narrated the particulars was such as to convince me that they seriously believed it, for at the conclusion they urged me to deliver into their charge my children, that they might protect and defend them, observing that they had facilities for sheltering the little ones which I had not, for the storm would not be of long endurance, but that in its result it would be decisive and effectual. Whilst they were kindly and feelingly telling me this story, I professed to be much interested and concerned, which gave them great confidence. At times when a passer-by was approaching, they would instantly cease speaking until the intruder had gone beyond the sound of their voices, when they would again commence their warning story with fresh energy and vigour. After the recital and possession of all this secret and valuable information, I felt anxious to communicate it to the authorities ; but finding Mr. Clarke absent with the Honourable Colonel Russell, Native Minister, at Maketu, I refrained from making it publicly known until I should receive a corroboration of its truthfulness. The following morning, finding the paddle-steamer Sturt, Captain Fairchild, had arrived from Auckland, and hearing that a company of the Ist Waikatos, in charge of Lieutenant Way, were told off to proceed to Opotiki, I at once went into camp to ascertain further information, and I was not allowed to remain long uninformed. Meeting Arama Karaka, a respectable chief of Mungatapu, he at once expressed his disappointment at finding Mr. Clarke's absence. His countenance expressed feelings of great anxiety ; and having no other individual to whom he could unbosom his cares, he at once commenced with a full and explicit corroboration of the story which I had the day previous received, with the addition also that messengers had arrived from the fanatics encamped on the ranges, requesting deputations at onco to proceed there from all the hapus or families of each settlement in Tauranga. He further states that several natives from a neighbouring hapu had already gone to worship and fall down at the shrine of the new propuet. On bearing this, early as it iras, lat once proceeded to the residence of Mr. Gill, clerk to the Civil Commissioner's Court, and laid before him all the information which I had obtained. Mr. Gill, with great promptness, despatched a messenger to Maketu, which caused the Native Minister, Mr. Clarke, CO., and Mr. Mair, R.M., to return to camp that night; and on the next day orders were issued that the detachment of Ist Waikatos, who were in readiness to embark for Opotiki, should not leave, doubtless owing to the uncertainty of Maori affairs. Since then nothing of importance has transpired ; at least nothing has oozed out as to the numbers of the fanatics, and real intention of the flight of so many Maoris who were only a few days ago associating with us in camp, but who have chosen to include themselves in the ranks of the new sect. Emissaries are at the present moment within the precincts of the camp, endeavouring to poison the minds of the well disposed natives. Colonel Hamilton, the commanding officer of this district, is ready for any emergency ; and if the Maoris should make up their minds to have another stand-up fight, or otherwise annoy the settlement of Tauranga, they will find in the colonel a brave and determined leader who will stand no trifling or parleying. In fact, with the force that he has under his command, they will be sufficient to teach the disaffected portion a lesson which they •will not easily forget. With, the exception of a little anxiety as to the intentions of these fanatics, all is quiet within the camp. The Sturt left this place on the morning of the 26th, having on board the Honourable Colonel Russell, Native Minister, Colonel and Mrs. Lyon, Mr. Gwynneth, district surveyor, and Mr. Blake, contract surveyor; arrived at Opotiki the same day, and on the following day took on board So, 4 Company of Patea Bangers, in

' command of Lieutenant Chapman, and the whole of the cavalry force in charge of Lieutenant M'Pherson, who, it is said, proceed on to Wanganui. From information which has been reneived by the arrival of the cutter Bella, Captain Faulkner, which left Opotiki at the same time as the Sturt, the 27th instant, we learn that the enemy is still lurking in the neighbourhood of the camp, and that tho once friendly native Te Rakaraka is at their head. They are supposed to muster about 300, and have sent messengers to the friendly natives to clear out from the position they now hold, and which was very recently set apart for them by the Commissioner, A. J. Wilson. If this should prove true it appears very premature on the part of Colonel Russell to reduce the small force at that station. The force who now remain are more or less ensconced in respectable huts, built by themselves, or at their own expense, and are living entirely upon fresh meat. Some time ago it was a rarity to get a taste of fresh meat, but that was remedied by the timely arrival of a cargo of sheep by the Sturt; and since then a herd of cattle, which have been collected from the neighbourhood of the Kuatoki by Major St. ' John, have arrived, and, being prime cattle, are to be Bold to the Commissariat for the supply of the force. The nature of Colonel Russell's visit to Maketu has not altogether been made known. It was said that his object was to cut down the Maori assessors who draw annually very heavy sums from the colonial chest, and otherwise to reduce the Government expenditure in inland districts ; whether such has been the case is not exactly known, but one thing is certain, that the valuable services of Dr. R. R. Hooper, as native medical officer, have been discontinued, and his duties have been thrown upon the shoulders of another Government officer, which will greatly assist in raising his stipend. Though Dr. Hooper has been thus treated, he -will not bo forgotten, for he carries with him the good-will of all the natives in the extensive district over which his labours extended. It is to be hoped that ths Government will not cast off altogether the services of this gentleman, who for many years has faithfully , and diligently performed the duties of medical officer at Rangiawhia, Taupo, and Maketu ; but will, as an acknowledgment for such, appoint him to some other district, where he may still be employed in the service of Government, and useful to the natives, by whom he is highly respected and esteemed.