TAURANGA.

New Zealander, Volume XXII, Issue 2318, 4 January 1865, Page 3

TAURANGA.

To the Editor of the New-Zeal.vndkr.

Camp Te Papa, Dec. 33. As I intend writing you more at length by the next mail, I shall on this occasi m content myself by simply stating that we are on the eve of trouble, and that, allow me to assure you, of such a universal and combined nature, that the very thoughts of the future fill our breasts with sorrow an ! regret at what is awaiting us in the womb of Providence. It is now beyond doubt that a powerful concentrated force has been for some time going about and secretly destroying those sacred attachments and devotions to Christianity, and what is still more, those lies of regard and goodwill which always existed between the Natives and the European settlers of this district. The King movement was only a shadow compared to what lias taken place with the Pai Mariri devotees, a newly introduced system of superstition, extending its influences through Taupo and t e whole district of thetßay of Plenty (not including the Arawas) and lately introduced from Taranaki. In my last communication I hinted to you that a portion of the Ngaterangis had embraced this horrible and detestable faith. My having facilities of obtaining information which few have, caused me to unfold toyour readers the objects which those infatuated people are proposing to accomplish : for in fact they are now b come perfectly mad from the effects of the Pai Mariri fanaticism, and the assurances of vie oiy they are expecting from To Hoi and his disciples. The religion which they had hitherto, both Roman Catholics and Protestants, is now totally set aside, and nothing can be performed without first using the Pai Marire as a pass-word which, they are led to believe, protects them from all evil. This is a lamentable fact, which every true friend of of the Maori race must look upon with sorrow and regret, for no one can doubt but that it will, if not averted, produce their utter destruction. Christmas day is a day that will long be remembered in Tauranga. Instead of being a day of rejoicing it proved a day of sorrow and grief, the results of which time alone will be able to untold, for it was on this memorable and sacred day that we became for the first time acquainted with the extent to which this vile serpent has spread his ravages in this neighborhood. Early on Christmas morn three Natives came across from the Matapihi settlement with their horses. On their arrival on the beach, I enquired from them as to where they were going; to which I received an evasive answer. In fact I saw considerable hesitancy in tlieir minds, which led me to believe that a movement amongst them was contemplated ; for on Christmas eve Mr. Burns, who is in charge of one of Mr. ileale's surveying parties at the Puna, had arrived in Camp with intelligence of his Natives having left him and having joined the Pai Marire fanatics, and having actually gone to the mountains. This faet, combined with the absence of Mr. ltice from the Camp, who is always ready and on the alert night and day, keeping a close observation on all that is passing within his district, led me to surmise that these Natives, two of whom were receiving pry from Goverment, were seeking or conveying messages to their friends in the neigbborhood of the Wairoa and Otamaitai. Towards evening these Natives returned, and on arriving in Camp were accosted by Mr. llice, but all his attempts to obtain information was no use. This circumstance led me to follow these choice youths to that portion of the camp where the natives encampel, and there try my best to elicit some tidings of what they ha I seen or heard; but in this I was for a considerable time frustrated, and it was only a stratagem that caused them to divulge the startling fact that the whole bo !y of Tauranga were believers and adherents of the new faith, an I that they were all going to leave that very night on their pilgrimage to the Pai Mariris. One of them actually became so serio:is and urgent as to request me to make flight with them, in order that I might be secured from destruction. After receiving this painful information, I communicated with Mr. Rice, who instantly informed Colonel Greer ; but whilst Mr. Rice was doing so, the whole natives in camp, with one solitary exception, were diligently packing their beds and clothing, and had got them down to the beach, when Air. Rice returned from the Colonel's, and caused the natives not to remove anything from the camp without permijsion. The natives, who had their steed to ferry across, galloped up a distance from the camp, where a canoe was awaiting them, and jjot safely away. Jttaniera Te Hiahia, a native who has been all along in the service of Government as an i- former and guide, was the most obstinate and determined character them, for which he was censured by the commanding officer, who caused all canoes or natives not to pass or repass ; he also took every military precaution which the exigences of case required. Mr. Rice, late in the evening, went over to the Matapihi settlement, and I believe he witnessed a sight that language can never express or pen describe. All was confusion and disorder, it was indeed a true moon-light flight. The iMatapihi settlement was the only one which professed loyalty, &c, to the Government during our last troubles, but I am sorry to say that these very men are now become the most iuvcteiaie worshippers of the Pai Mariri system. The following day, the 26:.h, unfolded to us the sorrowful and painful truth that Tauranga, containing upwards of 100J souls, had all left their homes and their plantations for the mountain fastnesses, an 1 we now found ourselves left in posse sion of Tauranga with the exception of about fifty scattered Natives, including women and children, who have been let behind. All communication is partially closed so that it is utterly impossible to come to any definite conclusion as to what is about to take place. However, there is one thing quite evident, that is if the •' Tohunga" declares war, which there is not the slightest doubt but he will do. the whole tribe will rise en masse and endeavour to dive us into the sea. A boat with eight of these infatuated beings was seen landing the other day at the Matapihi; which caused Mr. Rice to follow them up ami see what they were alter. On his arrival at the settlement he found only ihree of the party there. The others were out col lecting their horses ready to take away, had not Mr. Eice disturbed their repose and frustrated their designs. When asked any questions, they had to pass the usual salutations of hoi ling up the hand and saying Pai Mariri. Nothing at all satisfactory could be obtained from them. Mr. Rice, however, brought them to the camp, where I believe they are at present staying. All this has produced the greatest excitement in camp, and extra duties have been imposed upon our men. The regatta which ought to have taken place on the 26th, was, in consequence of the flight and other circumstances, postponed until the 2nd of January.

Last week we had only one small craft anchored in our still waters; but s'ncethen we have had an addition in the arrival of our favourate packet the schooner ‘ Tauranga,’ Captain Sellars, from Auckland; the cutter * Whitby.’ Captain Doughty, from Auckland; the schooner ‘Kiwi,’ from Auckland : the schooner ‘ Fairy,’ from Kennedy’s Bay ; the • Hop-,’ with cattle, from Cape Uunawv ; and the cutter ‘ Tay,’ from Whangamata ; and the * Ilira’ and the • Mavis,’ from Maketu.

WAIKATO HEADS. [from ouu OWN CORKESP INDENT.]

December 31st, 1864. On Wednesday last an inquest was I old at the Court-house on view of the body of a man Found drowned. R. 0. Stewart, E-q.,R.M., acting as coroner. The jury returned the following verdict; "That the body under inquest is believed to be that of Lance* Corporal Middleton, of the 4th Waikvo Regiment, and that he was in the harbor of Port Waikato between eleven and twelve o'clock, on the night of Saturday, 24th December, 1564, accidentally drowned, having fallen overboard from the barge in which he was n passenger, aad the jury are further of opinion that the barges at present in use on the Waikato Rive, ure not provided with proper protection for conveying men, women, and children in a passage of from three .vfotir days. The only vessel in harbour is the steamer ' Gurdagai.' The weather is very showery and unsettled. Monday wo are promised some more sports, so I trust the day may be a fine one.

WAIUKU. (FROM OUR OWN CORRKSrOXDEST.) December 26. CHRISTMAS SPORTS. Rifle Match, for a Silver Subscription Cup va'uo £6 ; with a large cheese, value £2 10s., as a suuond. prize, with sundry smaller prizes. Six shots each, at 100, 200, and 300 yards. About thirty competitors entered the list, and upon the conclusion the first prize was won hy YV. Sandy, scoring fourteen points. For the second prise there was a tie of twelve points, between W. Hedge, and W. Walters, each making twelve points. The :ie was decided by one shot at 200 yards, which was won by Hedge making a bull's eye.

A Cricket Match also formed part of the amusement of the day. But by far the most in'cresting feature was the goodly muster of the popuhui u of the district and neighbourhood, with not a small sprinkling of the fair sex, of which this neighbourhood can make as good a «how as any in the Province ; and various sports, and much social amusement filled up a day's rational recreation, such as we may hope to see repeated for many years to come.