The Native Rebellion.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 3, 18 November 1863, Page 3

The Native Rebellion.

DIIUIIY. i rnoji oua own cokkespoxdent.] IN'ov. 14, 1803. A iionE disagreeable day than tliat on which T set Du{.tp open raycampaign as your correspoi dent "lit the frojit;"\it would be difficult to imagine. ■: Bain!- rain! rainthu'ougli clothes, coverlets, and baggage, coivej-jting tlie seat of tlie conveyance into sy pool, and treating the netber extremities to. a cold water euro. Starting to the wars in an omnibus certainly has the aierit of povelty, and the team dashed off in a style worthy of a war chariot, and soon bowled us into Otaliuhu. Thore the miseries of a traveller to the Front may be said to commence, ior beyond there the road is a series of holes of uncertain depth and ruts, tumbling in and out of wluch, varied by smashing bounds over the larger holes, form,? the principal feat ure of tlie journey as it appeared to me. It is always pleasant to discover a new sensation, and I s ] lou id . lc i v ; se every one to try that of omnibus travelling in tlie out-districts of JNew Zvaland. The concussion of the bottom springs of t] lo !(P t upon the jaws of the individual conveyed, and bring them together with ri ittle that is both surprising and curious; at tl\ e samc ne is remarkable to observe the effect on the brain Of violence applied to the antipodes, producing. \

dccidcd congestion and temporary unconciousness. The road bordered by the occasional small encampments with tlieir white tents, and the settlers houses -dotted over the lino country, does not give one the idea of war. The picture looks quiet and settled, though most of the houses are in reality deserted, and the Maoris are roaming constantly over the placc, and it is possible and not improbable that some of them may some day pay their respects to that warlike vehicle— the " bus." One is certain to come across two or thrcs friends and well-known Auckland-faces at every stage, giving the scene a familiar and jovial aspect, at dire a ;irinnee with the stem and sorrowful reality. Young orderlies raffling up and down, ollicer.s riding to and fro, parties of soldiers and militia marching between the camps, give the w hole road a lively appearance of excitement and business. It strikes one as singular that the war should be so close to Auckland that you may be in the midst ol it in half a day's journey; and yet. see how quiet and secure and remote from disturbance every thing seems in Auckland. It is a fact though, and a stern one. that the war is at the door of every man in Auckland. I f they wisli to realize it, let them come a three hours' ride any afternoon, —ladies even could do it —and the}- ma}- judge of it, with all its proportions revealed, excepting one which might be unexpectedly unveiled any day, and that is file murder feature. For that great black shadow, "War. and that other great black shadow, Death, are always comrades, and are not far apart even here. War is a bad alternative to either party— to be avoided if possible; but when forced upon one. let us remember the counsel of our immortal Sliakspere: In penre there's nothing so becomes a man A* mild behaviour ami humility; — Kut. when the blast of war blows in our ear, Let us he timers in our ilerire deportment. I arrived at Dnirvlate in the evening, and am detained to-day 113- the want of a convoy, and by the almost impassable state of the roads, but hy to-morrow or Monday I hope to reach the front. 17th. I have nothing of moment to write about. The most extraordinary thing is the inclemency of the weather, which is the only topic of the day. Last night has been the most severe we have had for a length of time. The escort yesterday to tiie front was formed from the Auckland Militia, and was relieved at "Williamson's clearing. On their return to cam]) they found that they were a man short. It seems that they had stopped at a creek to have a drink and a rest, and it is believed that the man must have gone on with the baggage and escort by which they were relieved. A party of six men and one sergeant were sent out in the evening to look for the missing man where they had rested; the}' returned, however, without any tidings. The funeral of a private of the ISth regiment, who died from natural causes, took place yesterday ; the usual military honours were gone through 011 the occasion. A troop of 85 pack-horses arrived here from. Penrose farm, they are intended for the "Waikato country where they will presently be sent. "We have received 110 fresh intelligence since yesterday, and we know nothing of the rebels' movements. The arrival of the oUtli regiment will considerably strengthen the General's hands, they are expected here soon. There was only one case for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday ; a private of the ISth regiment was convicted of stealiug timber from Mr. Rhodes. He was sentenced to one mouth's imprisonment with hard labour.