EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 167, 26 May 1864, Page 3

EAST COAST.

[KKOil ori£ OWN COHKESPOKDEST.J Cainp, Wairoa, 16th May. At a lute hour last niglit, the 13th, two orderlies arrived iu camp with orders to the officer in command at this post, but which was not known until about 7, n.m., tills morning, when the order of last night concerning the working party was cancelled. Those that wete to proceed to the new site for the second redoubt to put lip, and there was an order given that all of the working party were to proceed to the new redoubt at this camp, aud at once commence throwing down that redoubt, so the destruction of the work of Saturday and Sunday was at once commenced, and in about two hours and a-half the whole work was demolished, and levelled to the ground. There were about 300 meu of the different corps in camp at this work, and in another part of the camp could be seen two companies of the 68th Light Infantry, parading in Held service order, ready to proceed to Tauranga, w liieh they did, commencing their march about 10 o'clock, a.m., and the remainder of the GSth L.1., and ilie Koyal Engineers and Artilleiy, and the whole of the moveable column were ordered to be ready at a minute's notice, to proceed to a native village on the banks of the river we had to cross, to await the turn of the tide on the morning of the 17th. About 9, a.m., it commenced to rain very heavy, and it has set in a very wet day, so I do not think we shall leave this camp to-day ; 100 pack horses have arrived in camp about IX o'clock, a.m., from Tauranga, to convey our baggage to Tauranga, but of course, I cannot say where we are to go after we arrive there, but there are various reports afloat. The ' Alexandra' arrived at Tauranga, with a general cargo of military stores, but there was an order given lor the steamer not to be unloaded/and I hear she is to be sent back again. All of the sailors and Murines belonging to the several ships on station, who were on shore, were sent on board yesterday, and the Artillery were to go on board to-day. The rain is still falling very heavy, and a wet day in camp is very unpleasant to all hands. May 17. Orders were given at 9, a.m., for the remainder of the force in camp to hold themselves in readiness to inarch at half-past 10, a.m., but the tents were not to be struck until the pack horses could be seen approaching the camp, and last night the pack holies were seen coming near the camp, when orders were given for the tents to be struck about 11.'v a.m., which duty did not take long to perform. The whole baggage was put on the horses, except some of the commissariat stores, which there were not enough horses to carry, so the tiSth Kegiment, Light Infantry, moved oil' at o'clock, the pack horses following after. The 68tli received orders to burn the l'erii in different. places as they marched along tlio old Maori track, and they proceeded to the Maori settlement called .Hanua. The moveable column remained on the site of the old Pah Potariwhi until the GStli and ilie Colonial Defence Force, Koyal Artillery and Koyal .Engineers, and pack horses had cleard oil' the ground, when the moveable column, except Captain "Warren's company moved off alter the advancing lone, but Captain Warren received instructions to see that the baggage left on the iielcl was gathered up on the return ol' some pack horses, which was done about o'clock, p.m., when Captain 'Warren brought up the rear as a guard, anil they arrived in camp at Hanua, at 4 o'clock, p.m., when the tents were pitched, and tilings made as comfortable as can be expected in camp life for the ni»ht. The usual duties were told oti' ior the safety ol the camp ; they were composed of 1, 2, 3 and 4, outlaying piquets, and one rear guard for the stores, formed by the 68th Light infantry Kegiment, and moveable column, each piquet remaining on duty until clear daylight,' when the greater part of them come oil" duty", leaving a corporal and three privates from each piequet to do the day duty. The Transport Corps passed over the ford at about 9, p.m., i'or Tanrain'a. The night was rather clondy, and a few smart showers lcll at intervals. Camp Hunua, May 18. This morning a fatigue party was detailed for the purpose of clearing a place for putting up a redoubt at this camp, which is to bo thrown up at once, and there was another party detailed to parade at 9 a.m., when a force of about 150 men, and the Colonial Defence Force, formed up on the parade ground for the purpose of going out to reconnoitre about the old camp wc just left. A'l hands in camp have been greatly disappointed this morni"", as they fully expected that the move was to be continued this day to Tauranga; but, of course we are greatly doomed to disappointment whilst'out on this campaign, which must bo put up with. A convoy has .just arrived m camp from Tauranga with provisions, but they brought no news of a removal from this spot. I think it very likely that the force here will have to remcin until the redoubt is complete. The General and Governor are both away from hero at present. Firewood is about the scarcest tliinir down here. A few Maoris and Europeans are gone out I hear for cattle. The reconnoitering party returned at 1 p.m, hut they saw no trace,of Maoris while out. 100 men aro to bo sent out every morning until further orders, if the weather permits. The convoy returned at one o'clock.to Tauranga; and the Colonel and Adjutant of the 68th Light Infantry went to Tauranga to-day to stay, leaving Major Ryan, moveable column, in command of this post, C'ol. Greer being in command of this district. The'day has passed with heavy showers, and I think I might say winter is setting in very fast. There have" been small parties out all day in different directions foraging for any kind of loot that may be fount], and several small lots of potatoes were dug up and brought in. The redoubt was commenced to-day, and it is intended i'or 100 men. We get a very "good supply of fresh water, better than we' did at some other camps. May 19. 100 men were out to day but returned at 12 j o'clock without seeing any signs of Maoris. They burned fern when coming home. All available men were at work at the redoubt to-day. One company GSth marched out of ramp to-day for Tauranga, en route to Maketu, to relievo the 43rd Light Infantry, and some other companies left Tauranga to-day for the same place. The 43rd, at the Gate l J a, aro to bo relieved by the USth also. The day has been fine, but rather cold winds has been blowing. One or two steamers left Tauranga to-day. The 68th Light Infantry will loiive 100 men iu the redoubt at this post when it is finished. . The Stall* Surgcun of the column was ordered into Tauranga to-day. There has been a new fence put up round a little Mauri burying ground.