THE WEST COAST.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 38, 12 May 1869, Page 7

THE WEST COAST.

EXPEDITION TO THE "WAITOTAEA. FOURTEEN MAORI VILLAGES DESTROYED. An expeditionary force under Major Noake, that went up the Waitotara, has returned, having been for more than a week in tho bush, hitherto unexplored. The very fact, however, of a largo force of Volunteers having plunged into a forest, commonly reputed by the Maori as being impenetrable to the European, and emerging at a different point, cannot fnil to exercise a salutary effect on the native mind. Tho Kai Iwi troop of Volunteers started on Wednesday, the 31st March, from Nukumaru, with four days' provisions and a blanket a piece, and joined the Veteran Volunteers at Weraroa, and Wairoa Volunteers and Patea Rifles at Perekama. The force, which numbered 157 of all ranks, started on their raid and succeeded in destroying the following nativo villages :— Te Rua Pounamu, about four miles from Wereroa by land, belonging to Hare Tipene. Te Roa, a cultivation of Hare Tipene. Te Auroa, belonging to Teretiu, about three miles above Te Rua Pounamu. Pukewharaiiki (Rahira), about seven miles from To Auroa. Poukai (TaraihanaMotomoto). Painoa (Hare Tipene's), about six miles above Pukewharariki. Pukakau (Hare Tipene). Wharckowhiti (Wiremu Patene). Te Puao (Wi Pateno), eel-weir. Te Maire (Kirihipu). Te Eringa (Kirihipu) ; this pah is built on a flat beneath the old iighting-pah called Maumanga, and ia about nineteen miles above Wharekowhiti. Piraunui (Pehiinona), six miles above Te Eringa. Taopu (Tipone Taukiwha), eel-weir, a mile and ahalf above Piranui. A hut exists further up the river at a place called Ngamatapouri (Tikiku), but we did nofc go so high up. The loot taken by the expedition was sold, and realizod £150, which was divided among the men.