THE SEAT OF WAR.

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 63, 4 May 1865, Page 3

THE SEAT OF WAR.

The folio-wing, published by tho " Wanganui Ckroniclo" of 12th April, from a correspondent, details the latest events : — A sad accident occurred at Manawapou, the other day, by which seyoral lives were lost. Tho surf-boats were employed discharging cargo from the G-undagai, which was anchored outside, and one of tho boats was returning to the shore when it was upset among the breakers, and six men drowned. Two of tho men drowned belonged to tho boat's crew, two to tho Commissariat Staff Corps, one to the 50th, and ono to tho 57th Eegiment. Erom what I can learn tho surf line had not been properly secured to tho boat, and when they got among tho breakers tho boat was brought broadside on, and tho men still holding on by tho Biirf line after it had parted from the boat was tho means of upsetting it. We had another accident in camp just after the convoy arrived this evening from Tongahoe. A man of the 57th Regiment, named Noble, went down to tho river to bathe and got in among tho breakers and was drowned before ho could bo rescued. After tho body was got out of tho water every exertion was resorted to, to restore animation, but without effect j this man was an old soldier, with about twenty years' service.

Thursday, April 6. A reconnoissanco was maclo by the Liout.-Gcncral to-day of the country inland. A largo native settlement, will lots of potatoes and other articles of food in abundance, was discovered about five miles from Camp ; the Natives showed themselves, but did not appear to offer any opposition. Several shells were fired from the Armstrong guns which accompanied the force, which consisted of about 600 infantry and all the cavalry, with detachments of Engineers and Artillery. Something wliich appeared like a work of defence was observed away to our right, and close up to the bush. Tho natives left the village as the troops advanced, and retired into tho bush ; several fires were seen burning, and a number of domesticated animals were seen running about, such as dogs, chickens, &c. The force returned to camp a little after 12 o'clock, each man loaded with potatoes, which will come in very acceptably hero, as the troops have had none since they loft Manutahi. Every one hero sayB that tho General is not going to advance any further, but that immediate arrangements are to bo made for putting the troops under cover for the winter. It is possible that tho General may have a shy at tho enemy's stronghold on tho Waitotara on his retrograde movement. It seems that almost the whole of the Cavalry (local) have come to loggerheads with the Government on the question of their pay and allowances. Upwards of 20 of thorn were to have started for Wanganui to-day, in order to tender then 1 resignation, but at tho request of Captain Percy, who commands them, they remained for the purpose of accompanying the reconnoitring party to-day, and will proceed to town to-morrow. I understand these men offered their services at 5s. per diem, and everything found, with a certain amount of clothing annually ; their offer has been refused by the Government, who are willing to accept then* services at 5s. per day and no allowanco for clothing, and will guarantee them 50 acres of land each after throe years' service. The men laughed at the mention of land, and say the Government, or those who administer it, are a set of humbugs ; many of them have been in the Wellington Colonial Defence Force for the last 18 months, and after tho presont Government breaking faith with them on tho land question, they havo tho conscience to ask these saino men to enter into another engagement to serve three years to entitle them to 50 acres, after many of them having already served nearly two years towards the completion of tho three years requirod to entitle them to this land.

Camp Waimato, April 10. Four hundred men, under Col. Weare, 50tli Eegfc. marchod from Waingyngoro yesterday, and occupied tho village of Wuimate. No Maories were seen, and the place was found to have been deserted some time, although many of the wliares are in good, condition still, and will make excellent stables for the horses. There is a very ugly gully to cross just at this place, which will occupy tho troops some timo to make passablo for man and beast. A winding round tho face of the lull will havo to be cut — at present there ii a rope ladder, by which means people ascend or descend. "No cultivations of any description were found. A few potatoes were discovered in one of their potatoo holes, which were soon disposed of. The potatoo holes are a downright nuisance ; tho ground about any native settlement is actually riddled by them, and it requires the utmost caution when moving about, or very suddenly you may find yourself deposited some five or six feet under ground. The Wanganui steamer was to havo started for Auckland yesterday, but tho surf-boates were unable to go out to her in the afternoon with tho mail, so wo have still the Ahum and the Wanganui riding at anchor opposite Waiugyngoro. This post is three and-a-quarter miles from that camp, and there are somo boautiful level plains extending away for miles between the two camps ; and I daresay tho most of your readers are personally acquainted with tho beauty of the Waimato plains. Tlioro appears to be no lack of fine cattle running on these plains, and I am only surprised that a little more effort is not made to collect them for the commissariat. Certainly they always get as many as they require for consumption by tho forces, but I think it would pay to forwarck on to Wanganui those that were not required by the troops, or collect and send them to the different stations in the rear of this where tho butchers have to drivo cattle from town to supply tbo soldiers. This would deprive the rebels of them, and as they originally took them from the Taranaki settlers, they would havo little to complain of if tho soldiers should return tho compliment. Waingyngoro is not at all a suitable place for landing supplies, as the whole of tho beach is strown over with largo bonlders, and when tho least wind blows from tho sea the surf rises so as to prevent tho boats from working even in moderately calm weather. If a better landing place at Waimato can bo discovered, the boats will bo removed up and the vessels discharged here.