MAUNGATAWHIRI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 60, 22 January 1864, Page 3

MAUNGATAWHIRI.

[ritOM UUII OWN" COIIUE-sroNllENT.]

January 19. A large number of bullocks caiuc down from Meremore yesterday morning for tho purpose of talari" on tho remainder ot the barges that have been built in Auckland for this camp. Tho stores, etc., for "Wangamarino can be and are carried overland now, as the .junction on the road has been eficcted. THis is a great acquisition to us, as it mil greatlv assist the naval transport corps. Regular convoys ;nr now fonned from Queen's licdoubt to the Jfaungatawhiri, and arc carried across the Koliei ca ranges by the bullocks; verv stron"* convoys go up and down daily now. The transport corps have a most arduous task to perform before the convoy gets about a couple of miles on' its way: somebody * call or dray is sure to tumble over anil delav all tne rest oi the convoy. There has been a most excellent arrangement made by these in command of the transport at Driiry. The "horses had to travel all the way to Queen's licdoubt without getting a drink ot water, but now at tho third bridge, near to j\lai- • tin's post, a number of water troughs ha# been erected, and a l'orce pump has been fitted up with a long suction pipe. The troughs are about 12 in number, and about t> feet long by 12 inches wide; each ol them is raised about 'J inches higher than the other, and as tho water is pumped up from the creek it flows from the one trough to tho other, which ensures a constant supply of clear pure water; the poor dmnb animals will feel the benefit of it, as it is a great distance to travel during a very hot day. A great number of militia is expected to join at Queen s lieuoubt shortly; all tho posts are to be* strengthened, as there lias been a general order issued' stating that- troops of the regular army and colonial forcesaretobe immediately employed in making roads. This seems to bo entering- into it"with spirit, as road surveyors are to be selected from the men who thoroughly understand the nature of the work; but it is to be hoped the colonial government- will give more than nine penee per day. It is the most advisable plan to put tho men on peace work, and then they can always en-aue a suliicienfc quantity of work being done. Parties of the colonial defenco force arrived here having along with them a number of horses belonging to the enemy I presume. The men caught tliem, who came across country. Some of tliem seemed good, but I do not know whether tho men will get leave to keep tliem or whether they will be put on the strength of the force. In tho regular army when tho men tall in with anything belonging to the enemy it has to be handed over to the Commissariat Department, and they never receive a farthing for their trouble. Mr. .•.IcLean, who has the canteen at Queen's Redoubt, lias been prohibited from selling liquor to tile soldiers, and the soMiers are prohibited from purchasing anytliing irom liiiu under the penalty of sevcro punishment, as he has been selling drink to the troops at the advance posts, where its sale is strictly prohibited. It is necessary that some restriction should be put on tho keepers of canteens at tho advance posts to ensure that men are at all times perfectly sobor, and can be put under anus at any hour, as wo do not . know the moment when a man may be required. The river is beginning to rise a little higher with the last few days' rain, and it is.to bo hoped it will rise high enough to allow the ' Lady Darkly' to float. The new steamer is daily expected up here, and there is plenty of stores in readiness for her. It is most astonishing how steamers ever got up this creek, as ■ the bends are so sharp that it must have been with great care that they were got round without, running ashore. Two more of the Auckland boats arrived on the load this evening, and one of them is now up to the clock, and will be launched to-morrow ; it seems a capital strong boat, and is very creditably made; she will cany about 20 tons, which will greatly assist us ok tin; w.-iw

fiome of the engineers have begun to make a new wharf or landing place below tin! bridge. They tire driving in very strong piles and Lacking it well up with fascines and clay ; this onglit to have been done long ago, but, however, better late than never. "While this work is in operation all boats arc now loaded above the bridge where the ' Avon' used to anchor. jMore .stores are being liuilt, and largo quantities of galvanized ircu and timber have been forwarded on ior that purpose. There is a great amount of business done here bv people keeping stores : some." knowing ones " knew what they weie about when they opened shops here. Jlr. Kay's business is getting so extensive that he is getting an addition made to his already large premises. Everything can bo bought hero, from a needle to an anchor. A number of.cutters eame sailing tip this afternoon, and after having their cargoes on board set sail down creek again. A large canoe arrived this morning, paddled down from Xgaruawahia by men belonging to the colonial defence force ; they bad a sick otlieer on board belonging to their corps. After the officer was hauled he was conveyed on to the General Hospital, Queen's Redoubt.

.Moiv men iiiive arrived for tlie naval brigade. Alter they amued here. no touts liiid been provided for them »s their arrival was unexpected, and it was amusing sts well as interesting to sec how thoy managed to erect shelter for themselves for the night. They piled Home trusses of hay together, covered them over with galvanized iron that was lying there, dug a trench round it, aiul made themselves quite comfortable. This shows what can bo done at a pinch, and it is a very good lesron in campaigning. A temporary post is to be erected between Meremero and Kangiriri, and part of the men stationed there arc to be employed in making roads.

Mr. McLean's boat arrived from llie front late tliis evening. Xothing of any importance going on when they left, only that the General had removed his head quarters farther down. They brought down two men ot' the Goth regiment, who are going to be discharged. One of the Maoris who was wounded at Kangiriii died at the Queen's Uedoubt this morning in great agony. His name was l'e Inoma (or Philip); he was a native of Wm. Naylor's tribe, and had run away from them. The deceased could never agree with his fellow prisoners, who arc in hospital here. They seldom or never spoke to one another; they do not give any reason for their conduct towards him. He appeal's to have been about Ga years of age, and liad a very largo scar on the side of his head which had been inflicted by an axe, and the half of his ear was cut away; he got those scars in one of the native "battles about 28 years ago. It seems that ho knew the man who indicted the wounds, and so strong was his spirit for revenge that ho followed the man continually night and day, and shot him 7 years afterwards. Ho will be inton ed to-morrow in the Pokeno churchyard. The other Maori prisoners seem to be quite contented, and play at draughts all day, and are capital hands at the game. They are very much afraid of being sent to Auckland, as they expect that those who arc now there will be hung. Amongst the others left is a native name Etere, an independent Maori. It seems he is a very extensive land owner, and has a deal of cattle; his property is near the Raglan side of the country. It appeal's that he was employed in driving down potatoes to Xgaruawahia, and as ho was retiuning home a party of Thompson's tribe rushed on him and made him prisoner, and compelled him to bear anus against the pakeha. Ho is a very intelligent fellow, and can lead and write very well. His right ann has been amputated. .The natives seem very tamest in their devotions, and never forget to say grace before partaking of their meals.