TAURANGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 72, 5 February 1864, Page 4

TAURANGA.

I [riIUM A COHRKSI'ONDILXT-] l''ebruary Ist. Everything around us is quint and promises to continue so, though the utmost vilgilance is exercised to prevent surprise. Two redoubts have been built, the Durham, on the South side of the Camp, ill a commanding position in which two 1211). Armstrong guns are mounted, and an old pa facing the liangataua branch ol'the Harbour, 011 the North side of the Camp has been converted into a redoubt which bears the name, of Monmouth in compliment to the gallant 43rd. The ditches surrounding the Institution premises have been converted into rille pits, and every cue has been taken by clearing the scrub and posting outlying pickets to prevent a night attack, the only tiling which there is any occasion to fear. The Camp is pitched in a position strong by nature, being surrounded on three sides by water, "mid with the defences c nstructed under the superintendence of Major Mov id, we can confidently rely upon repelling any force that the Xgaiterangi can bring against us. .There is little fear, however, of this, as they entertain a wholesome dread of the prowess of British trooiis. The contempt for the "English army arising out iif the doubtful nature of thu milittti v proceedings ha« given way to a conviction that nothing can withstand the. "Briton'slevelled steel." liangiriri has taught ;;hem a lesson which has borne its fruit. They dure jiot attempt n collision except with any superior fovce, and that the recent reinforcements of the army viiil hardly permit. Wo hear rumours of peace. Tile isgatimaniapoto are said to have have had enougji of it, arid that they are willing to male terms, lihiv fur this may he true wo have no means a.t present [of judging, but from the altered tonu of Maoris wUo frequent our Camp it seems not improbable. Tiiey had assumed a bounciblc attitude, but now are quiet enough. Those who had retired to I their mountain fastnesses have returned, and a. (irisfc trade is cuiricd on in various articles oi Tiu'Ave produce. Occasion. - !! rumour* of a rising among the tribes to the FMstxeiuil rcach us. hnl nsyct no definite. itifcitSMitioii hsx butii ohte'jio:.!; In eiiurt Vhu luit^rul

excitement consequent upon our sudden arrival has {riven way to a, feelinir of security on tho pai-t of tho Natives who make very great pretensions to loyalty. They do not understand the restriction placed upon them by not allowing free ingress into the Cam]) ; but of tho wisdom of the regulation there cannot be two opinions. Colonel Carey is pronounced l>y the Natives to be a i/mi commanding otlicer, but ont who will not he humhu<!;2'?d by them. The country is splendid, but trees for fuel and fene;n;r. The health of the Camp tfood, and every one in good spirits.

[It is very gratifying to h-arn that Colaiiel Carov is git'lcil with that ran: quality—moral fortitude—by which ho is enabled to keep frinr!!// Maoris, Maori ! spies, and Maori interlopers, outside of his !iuf s. ~\V" | have been told, upon good authority, that some of j those quest i'jnnbl: pitriot?, jackals from the Native i Office, —linve been liaugiiur about his camp, and j cm/rtnft certificates to parties very pos- j siblv as trustworthy as themselves: but, as the iinnumsc majority of the colonists repose no tnm! in the i Native Ollice, its instruments, or its protegees, it j would "live universal satisfaction were (.'olonel Oircv j to send every mail .lack of them to tho right about, j Thev are the bane and the abomination of settlers, j soldiers, sailors—every one.—Ed. X. Z. llkhai.d.l . ; " |