The Native Rebellion.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 177, 7 June 1864, Page 7

The Native Rebellion.

TAUIiANG A. [l'liOll OU Ii OWN COUKESI'IINDKNT.] Head Quarters, May 0. The mail closes so very sharp that one seldom knows when a mail is going until it has either closed or is just on the point of closing. We buried another poor fellow yesterday, who received his dentil wound on the' 2i)th u'lt., which brings tile number up to that are now at rest in ' the.|iiiet churchyard a I Tauranga. j A reconnoitring party consisting of GOO men of the j (iStli regiment, with one Armstrong gun, and tin' i n hole of! lie Colonial .Pefcnce Forces, limit')' Colonel | Greer. <>Nth regiment, loft the Camp this morning, i and proceeded in tin* divert ion where tho rebels are ♦ supported to be posted. The Ceneral and Stall' j Miu'trd in tlio same direction shortly afterwards ; the i party returned to camp about I u'llurk, p.m., after traversing about ten or twelve miles ol'rebel territory without seeing a single rebel. The •juido (a Maori) says they are oil 'to the bush. '1 he troops destroyed tlie W'airoa l\i beloncinu to the rebels, within live miles of our earn]); it was eon- | st flirted nuu'h after the nunc style a» all their light- | ,k pus" are. Two very nice valleys were pa.->cd j through, both were deserted, and all the erops tin-; i up and lvmjjrved ; there are large truets of laud about j these settlements whirh had borne erops in ihe shape j ol' Indian rum, potatoes, Ac., bill all the prodtiee is I sale in the keeping of the rebels. Several horses were : seen running about, but none were driven into eamp. Colonel CJiver, (JSth regiment, assumes eommand of the Tauranui District from ihe sth instant. 'Ihe plan of establishing a chain of military posts from Kast ( oast to Coast begins now toa?sume I a definite form. If a practicable road between l\ag- , i lan and Whata Whata can be discovered, and a t military post established about lmli' way, the chain } would lie enmpleted fr«>m Jwiglan on the- West Coast 1 to Muungatautari, within thirty miles of Tauranga on I (he Kast Coast, and if tin* weather only holds good ■ for another month or so, I question if communication would not he established between this and .Maungatautari, which would complete the entire chain of posts from coast to coast. Awamutu will bo our central position from which the posts towards iuiglan, are Te Hori, .Ngiitiiinpniiri, Whatn Whata, and another post yet to be established between Whata Whata and Kaglan ; those between Awamutu aud Taunmga on the Kast Coast are Ohapu, Pukcrbmi, Maungatautari, and two or more posts yet to be established between Maungatautari and Tau* mnga. 1 suppose it is the intention of the Government to locate the Waikato settlers along this chain of ports which will leave a largo area inside this boundary, which can be disposed of to defray the expenses of the war. ll the Waikato Militia obtain their grants of land on tins boundary line, I think they will have nothing to complain of, as this line is drawn through some of the very best land which has come into our possession. T have seen a copy of the JNVf /.nihurli r of tlie 2nd instant, containing an account of the repulse of the Naval Urigade and troops on the Gate l'a on the 2Uth ult., and such a tissue of misstatements I think never appeared in print. ihe article in question goes on tu describe our new position which was being constructed by the Kngiuccrs, and to clench the matter gives a sketch of Ibis position. Now Mirh a position was never in existence, and as Jor field pieces, &c., ha\ ing been brought forward to prolcet the Kngiiicers, »\e.. is a piece of downright humbug. Jn tlie first place when tin* force moved forward from the old encampment at Tauranga to they pitched their lents was about DUO \ards in front of the Gate Pa, :jo position of any description was thrown up. In the next place, previous to the -Oth, tlie day of the attack, on which day, about noon, Captain Chesney with a detachment of engineers arrived, only a lance corporal and two sappers were stationed at Tauranga, su where the stall'ol engineers came from, I, and every one else about this part ol the world—the correspondent (or (he Arte '/.tuhuid'-r excepted —are at a loss to lind out ; and us for the (iStli regiment charging the pah, nothing of the j sort occurred ; not a man of the tisth uliemi»ted lo storn'j the pull. As I stated before, that regiment under Colonel Greer, formed a complete semi-circle round the rebel position, and from the nature of the ground occupied, i should say lhat Ihe distance Irom think to Hank was something more than three miles. .So if the JVte- 'A ii/iiiii/i r'.i correspondent saw tin; (i.Stli regiment massed behind the pa, as he states, mid beginning to storm it, he saw more than anv one else saw. Hut the Southern 6/v«.v in giving an account of Ihe ajl'air, states that the regiment' reeled and fell baok two or three times trying to carry the enemy's works, lieally, how people can imagine such things, and put them' forward to the public as occurrences that did happen, 1 cannot understand. Jt is the duty of a correspondent lo a public journal, to slate the plain unvarnished truth, which certainly lias not b.ien clone by the correspondents of the Sell' /<■'//<)////(>' or of the ■Simt/irnt Cross. The only work thrown up was a slight brctist-work in each battery, which was done by the gunners and a (iiti"ue party of Ihe -lard regiment, under the superintendence of the Artillery Olliccr in charge of the batteries. The articles in ipicstion have caused some curious remarks, and not a litlcfiin in camp. Another of the wounded Maoris, who had his leg shattered bv a. shell at the lale engagement, was buried this "afternoon, which only leaves one aliveout of those who were taken. The ' Handily,' from Auckland, cast anchor in the bav about 'J. o'clock this evening. She brought a niail with her. There is every appearance of a. coming sfonn ; it has been blowing and Ihrcalcniiif,' ruin all day, ami no doubt we shall have if as soon as Ihe wind goes down. All are under canvas here, with Ihe exception of a few of the Utith regiment, who occupy what lliey call huts, each capable of holding about three tllt'll, with the roof barely the height of a mail. if these were tho huts constructed by the troops at Tauranga for their winter epiarters, they must have had a poor idea of what was meant by the word " whare;" they required some of our old iS'ew Zealand hands to give them a lesson or two in whare architect lire. Some of the huts constructed by the troops at Jiangiriri, Mereniere, itc., are capable of holding twenty men each, and, for appeararce, they would not disgrace even the suburbs of A nckland. 1 only wish the troops had such accommodation hero for the winter ; but. niaterinl for butting sunns to bo very scarce about this locality, and J should imagine if it is found impracticable I" obtain the material necessary for their construction, I licit u quantity of irim will be obtained from Auckland for this purpooe.

y v . '.'I ' 11 ' arrived this morning, aud will "''rp, Auckland as soon as she is unloaded. '• ,'. e ~cl\ 'her is very unsettled, and has been since s the first of the month. It is very much colder here i. ! . ln 11 . ls u '' e Waikato, owing, I dare sav, to its u being in so close proximity to the sen. I' ® lullc litul no I'ivine service for tin 'a;l two Sundays, owing to (he unfavourable state of the • weather. - o "'doubt, under the direction of Captain Chesney, K. Iv, has been constructed on the site of the oid !• Y l ' -iV'v " ""dcrstand, be occupied by the \\ aikato Militia who are present stationed here. I MX the sign of a Maori (rebel) about this district . since they escaped from the Uato Pa. They seem to i have (alien log-hail for- . llu j j s V erv questionable ii ever they place themselves in such an awkward s posit ion agam. Uj ward of 800 hcuvi shell were thrown at the Gate Pn, which must have made the occupants feel very uncomfortable during (he operax 'ion, ami ] think the next place where the Maoris in this part ot the country will shew a front will be in some place u here thev imagine if to be impossible for us to get heavy ordnance, but they might even in this be mistaken ; at all events it is quite evident they have evacuated the position on the clear ground in rear (t| the tuite I'a, which was occupied bv them previous to, and for two or three days after the attack ; or, if they have not done so, tliev use no tires, as not a particle ol smoke has been observed for the 1 last four or live days,—but no doubt we shall move [■ forward and satisfy ourselves on this point so soon as ) the weather permits the General to do so. May 10. Some of the 13rd regiment are being removed from the front to head epiarters camp. 200 men, in- | eluding the Militia, are lelt to garrison the redoubt constructed on the site ot (lie Gale Pa. A rumour was going in camp yesterday that the head quarters as well as some ot the troops, are to be removed from here, and (bat operations in this district will be suspended for the season. The ' Falcon' is expected in to-day, with hisKxcollcney the Governor, who, I dare say, will arrange i matters at once with the General relative to future operations. 1 sec from the papers that (he people about Prury and southward ol thai post are beginning to get frightened of the rebels paying them a virir since our j reverse at the Crate I'a ; bill 1 think they have no I cause to he so, although it is certainly adopting the wisest course to be ready to give tlieni a proper reception should they honour any post in that locality i 1 with a visit. The colonial gnu-boat ' Sandfly' has had up steam all Ihe morning, in anticipation of the arrival of the ' ' Falcon.' The • Alexandra' sails for Auckland this evening, I and as the mail is advertised to close at one o'clock, and it is close upon that hour now, I shall also close. May lllli. The ' City of Melbourne' has got aground in rounding the mountain at the entrance to the Bav. As if was high water when she went ugraund, it will be necessary to unload her where she now lies, in order toget heralloat ; as she rests on a sandy bottom, 1 presume it do her no injury. The trip before last, .11.M.5. '.Falcon,' got aground at the same place, but with the aid ol the ' Sand Fiy' managed to get oil'again almost immediately. A sirong rcconnoitcring parly under the General, start to-morrow morning, at at quarter before six o'clock. Tho parly will consist of Ihe Head Quarters ot the titith Kcgimetit, made up to 500, under Colonel Greer, the moveable column under Major .Kyan, the whole of the Colonial J)efenco under Captain J'ye, and one Armstrong gun, under Colonel M lllianis, It.A., with a detachment of Engineers under Colonel Mould, U.K. The force carrying one day's provisions rooked, with them, and the Commissariat J>cpartincnt carry a second day's rations for ihe iorcc ; so it they should remain out longer than i/wo days, lhey will have to send back the transport horses to bring up provisions lor I hem, as the whole of the available transport will accompany Ilia four. The men carry their great coats and blankets, and a limited number of tents arc lo be conveyed by the pack horses. 'J here is also a ipiantity of intrenching tools accompanying the force, so you see we are prepared for any thing that may occur, but it is the belief here that a good many miles will be required 10 be t ravelled over before we come in contact with the rebels. Jiv the way, there is a sunny little spot now only a few hundred varils from the encampment, it is surrounded with a high white-thorn hedge, and sundry rows of 1 rcc.- ; ;-ome of ihe men who have been down here since the troops first arrived, tell me that there is a church and an Archdeacon's residence within this enclosure, which 1 am inclined to believe as being correct, from hearing the tolling of a bell somewhere within this sacred cnclor-ure the other day, when the remains of one of the rebels who died from the ellecis of wounds received in the late affair, was being removed to the ccinetry for interment. \\ hat 1 wish lo remark is, lliat I have been here nearly three weeks, and Divine Service has never once been performed by ihe Venerable Archdeacon, or bv anv one else, to I he troops in the district. Now, 1 know from personal experience, that there are numbers of 1 be troop.-, here, who would consider it a high privilege lo he allowed to spend 1111 hour or . so every evening in the house of God. At 1 e Auamutu, thconly station where troops are posted in ihe Waikato district, which could boast of a church, Idvine Service was performed every night, 'flic strength of the lone at Te Awamutu when Head Quarters were there, was about the strength of the force here at present, and Ihe nightly average attendance was from 150 to 20U regularly. And this J know, there are many who, perhaps years hence, when in the old mother country, will recollect the little village church at Te Awanuitu, and the many pleasant prolitable, happy evenings spent within its walls, with feelings of gratitude for those who in connection with the Church, took such 1111 interest in I their spiritual welfare. ' 1 have heard it said the Venerable Archdeacon considers the Maoris his special charge, aud that it docs not form anv part of his duty or inclination to minister to the spiritual want of the troops, .lie this as il may I can only say if no minister had been stationed ill ihe district/it would have proved far more bene- ! ficial, as as the open air evening's services would have been carried 011 here tho same as they were at I'iikcrimu ami other stations in Waikato, by those of the military, who have been in the habit of conducting (he same in the absence of a minister, lint us I lie Venerable gentleman's late servants have all probably bolted anil joined the rebels, and hands being rather scarce here, J dare say il keeps him pretty well occupied in looking after his " docks of sheep, &r.," which enjoy the privilege denied lo the men of being allowed inside (he "tapited ground." May 11. JI is Excellency Die Governor and General and staff paid a visit to the advanced encampment yesterday, and the result of the visit appears, by an order", for the artillery with the whole of their heavy ordnance to embark for Auckland immediately. They commence at daylight to-morrow morning' to ship their g'lins ami morLars, anil where they will £0 to next when they leave Auckland is dillicult to say at present. The whole ol the tiSth t'eg't., except about l.jO, and Colonial JJelence Force, ale still encamped at AVairoa. The engineers proceed to-morrow morning lo that place for the purpose of throwing: up a redoubt, to he garrisoned by the tiSth regiment. I understand it is the intention of the General lo locale the lord and 6Hth regiments in the Taiirang'a districts for tin.'winter. The Colonial Defence will proceed to Auckland, leaving; a few here for carrying communications from post to post. Auckland will evidently lie the post for the head quarters now that hostilities have commenced on the J iast Coast ; but I hear it is Die intention of General Cameron to pay a flying visit to 'laranaki ill till; course of this month or tiexl. 1 believe the rebels have removed from where they wire the oilier day, We can see smoke in the ranges, and eloso on tho edge ol tho bush. Jt would be useless /'or the General to attempt to follow them up at this advanced period ot tho summer season, owing to thu difliniltY that would bo experienced in getting Ibnvaul supplies. It takes the whole of tho available transport at present at lauranga ill keeping tho foico now in udvaneo ot iaulanga in .supplies, owing to the nature ol the counti j , which only admits ot pack annuals being u^ed. L have hoard tho Wailiatos arc- hilly determined to try and regain jMaungatautari as soon as they can muster force enough. If they do it is to bo hoped they will have Sentrv llill enacted on a larger scale. The 50th, under CMmiel Waddy, are able to hold what they are ill possession tit against any mob Thompson or any other \\ aikato ehiei may bring* against them. , . f believe we are likely to have an addition to our Victorian Crosses in Now Zealand. I hour Dr. jUunly, of the Artillery, and tho Cgkb-

wain of 11.M.5. ( Harrier,' are both recommended, for thoir gal hint conduct at the storming of the Grate pa on the -!Hh ult., in carrying commander Hay of that vessel out of the pa whe lull mortally wounded. I believe Commander Hay ordered the Coxswain to leave him and mind his own safety, but ho npbly stood by Jiis fallen commander, and with the assistance of I)r. Manly, was able to convey his brave and lamented Commander into camp. In passing through the Artillery camp this morrung, I observed a dog which 1 knew well, having seen him for the first time in my life on the morning of the 30th April, 1801, sitting in a rifle pit in the Gato pa, alongside of a rebel who had been mortally wounded from the bursting of a shell the day previous. This Maori died in our hospital the day following, and I was told by some of the artillery that the dog followed his late master to his grave. I tried to coax the animal away from his wounded master in the pa, but he would not condescend even to look at me. Capt. Smith, H.A., I believe got a rope round his neck and walked him off by force; lie was marched to the Artillery camp, where ho remained tied up until the day his master was buried, when he "was let loose ; he no sooner got oil the chain than off ho went, and the next place they came up with him was walking behind the party who was carrying the remains of his late master to their last resting place, After the funeral was over he was brought back to camp, where ho has since remained and now appears quite at home; they call him " Gato," after the pa, I suppose. I am not going to moralise over the above, I will leave that to those who have more leisure and l'ecl inclined to do so ; I have onlv stated simple facts. May 16. The gun-boat ' Sandfly' left last evening with his Kxci-lli 'II cv the Governor on board. Divine Service was performed here yesterday by Archdeacon Brown, for the first time since the arrival of the head quarters at Tauranga—it was an open air service. The ' Alexandra' arrived yesterday only a few minutes before the ' SandHy.' She brings a cargo of Military and Commissariat stores, the former she conveys back to Auckland again, owing to the removal of the head quarters from Tauranga to Auckland; she is discharging the stores for the Commissariat Department, and as soon as she is unloaded the guns and mortars belonging to the Artillery are to be put on board, if she should be unable to "take the whole of the artillery materiel, the remainder is to be put on board the ' Miranda,'for conveyance to Auckland. 1 believe 11. M. S.'Harrier' will be stationed in this port, and the otlnrs will be withdrawn. The whole of the sailors ami marines went on board their respective ships hist night, and it is quite possible that you will have the General and head quarters of this arm in Auckland by the same conveyance that takes this communication-. The head quarters of the Artillery tinder Colonel AVilliams also proceed to Auckland, leaving 1 ollicer and 40 men here with 5 field guns, and some small mortars. A position is to be taken up in rear of that now occupied by the 68th regiment, at a place called AVairoa and the present position lol't, this will render I the transport of supplies from Tauranga to the advanced post during the ensuing winter less difficult, as the new ground which is to be occupied is much nearer the camp, and commands quite as good a view of the surrounding country as tlio place they now occupy. The whole of tlio carpenters and handy men of the troops at pres"iit stationed here are to he employed immediately in the erection of the huts for the troops' winter quarters at this plaeo ; those in the advanced posts will also, 1 understand, havo huts erected inside the redoubt for their accommodation. There are a large number of horses running about ill the vicinity ol'our advanced post, and no one seems to take the least notice of them—the cause is quite plain to any one who understands anything about the orders that arc in existence relative to the disposal of captured animals. The General and Miss Chen') 1 left, this morning in fhe ' Ksk,' for Auckland ; the Stall'leave to-morrow in the ' Miranda,' the Head Quarters of the Artillery in the ' Falcon,' and the guns and mortars go in the 'Alexandra.' This is a fearfully wet clay, and the poor fellows are drenched to the skin getting the 'Alexandra' loaded, but they seem to work with a will, 1 dare say the prospect of getting into winter quarters about Auek- | laud has something to do with it. May 12. Yesterday evening an order was read in camp that tho (iSth under Colonel Greer, were to march.the following morning, in company with Llie Defence Corps, altogether about a thousand etlicers and men; accordingly this force left the camp this morning at an early hour, and had not marched far bcfoie they found themselves oil a mud Hal, with four feet of water to wado through—though wet and cold as they must have been, no murmer escaped the brave fellows, too amxious were their thoughts upon meeting tho relicl.s. The road, which was narrow and very circuitous, led over an open and fertile country ol'an undulating description. AVc observed u new pall about six or eight miles distant, the lights of which were visible the early part oi the night—tho sight of which caused many surmises and much excitement in camp. The camp at tho banks of the \Vairoa is most delightlully situated oil an eminence of about two hundred lee! above the level of the river. This is the river of Tauranga—it is navagible for canoes or boats for a distance of twenty miles, and the water is of the purest description. Uur troops were delighted, it having aliorilcd them a good bathe after their long march. The land in the vicinity of this position is surrounded on all sides by cultivations of potatoes, &e., and it is possibly the richest in this portion of the province, and capable of producing the most tender vegetable or fruit. The banks of this river are Hooded occasionally during the winter season, leaving ail alluvial deposit which the natives woll know how to appreciate. There are any quantity of potatoes now lying in the ground, the natives having, no doubt, in their hasty departure, been conq oiled to leave behind—this is not all, liiany horses, pigs, sheep and fowls were to be seen inno&ntly enjoying themselves in the neighbourhood. llis Excellency Sir George Grey arrived by the ' Falcon' tin's afternoon, which vessel was met outside by that useful little vessel the ' Sandfly.' May 13. This morning llis Excellency Sir George Grey, accompanied by Sir D. A. Cameron and stall, visited tiio Wairoa camp, remaining there only an hour, and upon thoir return the ' Sandfly' was under orders for Auckland, within an hour. May 14. To-day a number of tho most respectable of the friendly'natives paid their respccts to his lixcellency, in Older to ascertain llis views with regard to the rebels in the district. The interview was not a protracted one, and 1 shall nut vent ure to commit mysell by repeating any one of tho various reports as to the result, lint whatever the result might have been the natives appeared to be overjoyed. Sir George visited tho wounded native Hone, and was with liini some lime, and I have no doubt received much valuable information from him, he being a most intelligent young man. lie expressed sorrow for having taken up anus against llcr Majesty, and I understand that in answer to the question from his Kxcellency. "Why did you takoup arms againstme, who has been a father and a friend to you he replied, "I felt myself compelled to do so at the command of my superior," but lor which 1 now feel great sorrow. I hope to lie able to forward the speeches that were delivered by the natives to his Excellency in the interview referred to. May 15. Early this morning the ' Alexandra entered the heads and cameto anchornearthemen-of-war. Shortly after the ' Sandfly' made her appearance, in whose praise and that of her able and persevering commander, too much cannot bo said—came up the harbour in splendid style, and anchored a little before 12 o'clock, abreast of the camp, alter an absence from this anchorage of '12 hours, six of which she lay in Auckland, making the unprecedented passage in IS hours eaeli wav. She had not been two hours at anchor before Captain Marks was again ordered to be ready by 4 o'clock, to convey IJis Excellency the Governor to town, at which hour she departed hence, taking with her also Commander Sir W. Wiseman, and I believe General Sir D. A. Cameron proceeds to Auckland to-morrow by 11.M.5. ' E&k.' May 17. The ' Falcon,' with tho head-quarters of the Artillery on board, was to have sailed for Auckland at 7 o'clock this morning, but owing to the unfavourable state of tho weather was unable to do so ; it lias been blowing a still'gale alljnorning, and the greater part of the night. The ' Miranda' dropped down harbour last evening to the anchorage, where the men-of-war lie; she also would have; proceeded to Auckland this morning had tho weather permitted. The .steamer ' Corio' arrived last night; she brought no mail All the men belonging to the 43rd regiment havo been brought here from Maketu, except two companies, which aro to remain there for the present. The ' City of Melbourne' is still discharging, which has Icon u very troublesome business, owing to dm high

r winds and incessant rain which have prevailed sinoo i since her arriviil. t There is nothing to say about the rebels, or rather [ enemy—now that the Government has acknowledged ) their captives on hoard the Hulk as prisoners of war. Not a single hostile native has been seen since they; • bolted from the Gate "Pah." The ' Alexandra' will I lro eed to Auckland to-morrow, as well as the '.Falcon' and ' Miranda,' weather permitting; she .has > about 100 tons of ordnance and shell, &c>, belonging to the Ordnance Department, on hoards Colonel ! liarstow, R.A., and Assistant-Surgeon Manley, K.A., r and about 40 non-commissioi>ed officers and men of > the Artillery, proceed in her, in charge of the ami munition. May 18. f The Artillery embark at half-past loo'clock, p.m. . > this day, on hoard the ' Alexandra,' for Auckland ; ■ i the ' Falcon' and ' Miranda' are detained by tho weather, so it is difficult to say when they'will arrive in Auckland, Colonel Mould is still here, laying out' • I the huts, which are being constructed in the redoubts tor the accommodation of the troops at Tauranga. The ' Corio' left for Auckland last night. ■ "We have - great competition here amonjj the storekeepers ; we i had two new stores opened during the last few days, which make five stores in Tauranga. The soldiors ' leap the benefit of this, as they are able to got a bit ; ot butter or cheese at as reasonable a price as the good people in the city of Auckland can got it at. The only thing wanted here now is a good canteen, where the men could obtain a little beer, which would save > a great deal of tho practices which are curried on hero i at present by parties who are making what may be eallcd a "good thing of it," and would supply the men with a better and healthier article than they at i present obtain at exorbitant pr ces. : May 22. ; This morning about 9 o'clock the Maori vessel ' ' Mavis' and 'Mr. Black's vessel the 'Hope' arrived Ibm Maketu with detachments of the 43rd Regiment, r en route to Auckland, leaving again soon afterwards, with one company of the GStli, to replace them mak- | ing the strengih a: Maketu belonging to this Regiment, 150 independent of 35 Waikato's, and the ; Forest Rangers; 80 of the 43rd under the command ' of Major Colville are hourly expected and will pro- ' coed to Auckland by the first steamer. The 'Sandfly' made her appearance this afternoon ! coming to anchorage in her usual style. She brings ' Hour, sugar, &e., for the" Friendlies" at Maketu who aro hard driven for food. 1 Upwards of 1200 of the East Coast natives it is said are on their way from Wakntane to attack the 1 Arawas, but whether at Maketu or liutorua is uncer- ! tain, William Thompson is confidently believed to be ■ with this party and intends to exterminate the Arawas for uln for the punishment inflicted on their L friends at Matala. • We are very dull here, now, compared with a few ' days since, when tho harbours-presented an animated appearance, there being at one time no less than. 3 steamers, viz., tho ' Alexandra' s.s., from Auckland, with commissariat stores, the ' Corio' s.s., from Napier, with 1000 sheep, (for which stock an offer was made in cash but declined,) and the' Sandfly,' two barques, the 'H. L. Kutgers,' 405 tons, with 146 head cattle lor the commissariat, and the ' City of Melbourne,' 200 tons, with timber for the same department, there woro also tho schooners 'General Cameron,' 40 tons, ' Mavis,' 30 tons, ' Hope,' '28 tons, and the cutters ' Lapwing,' and ' Hazard,' butat pre- • sent the only vessels in harbor are tho schooner 'Tauranga,' H.M.S.S. 'Harrier,' lying some three miles below the camp. May 23. At half-past 3 this afternoon the head-quarters and greater part of the 68th Regiment, together with the Colonial Defence Force under Captain Pye, returned from J udca (Huria,) where they have been stationed lor somo few day's, leaving one company to garrison tho Redoubt at that place. Thew aresevenil incidents connected with thcattack oil the Gate Pa, which I will take an early opportunity of forwarding, as also with the affair at Malatu. May 25. Tho schooner ' Hope' and ' Mavis' arrived to-day from Maketu, with tho remainder of tho 43rd, also tho schooner ' Fortune,' 22 tons, with firowoqd from Auckland, and ' Gem,' 24 tons, from the same port -with timber. This evening the ' Farley' arrived from the Harrier, with firewood, the ' Tauranga,' Captain Sellars, taking her departure for the same destination. Camp, Wairoa, 16th May. At a late hour last night, the 13tli, two orderlies arrived in camp with orders to the officer in command at this post, but which was not known until about 7, a.m., this morning, when the order of last night concerning the working party was cancelled. Those that were to proceed to the new site for the second redoubt to be put up, and there was au order given that all of the working party were to proceed to the new redoubt at this camp, and at once commence throwing down that redoubt, so the destruction of the work of Saturday and Suuday was at once commenced, and in about (wo hours and a-hftlf the whole work was demolished, and levelled to the ground. There were about 300 men of the different corps in camp at this work, and in another part of the camp " lould be seen two companies of the 68th Light Infantry, parading in field service order, ready to proceed to Tauranga, which they did, commencing their" ' march about. 10 o'clock, a.m., and the remainder, of. the GStli L.1., and the Royal Engineers and Artillery, and the whole of the moveable column were ordored 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 oil the morning ol' the 17th. About y, 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 11 o'clock, a.m., from Tauranga, to convey our baggage to Tauranga, but of cour.-e, I cannot say where we are ro go after we arrive there, but there are various reports alloat. The ' Alexandra' arrived at Tauranga, with a general cargo of military stores, but there was an order given for the steamer not to be unloaded, and I hear she is to be sent back again. All of the sailors and .Marines belonging to the several ships oil 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 dny in camii 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, u.m., but the tents were not to be struck until tho pack horses could be eeeu approaching the camp, and last night the pack horses were seen coming near the camp, when orders were given for the tents to be struck about II a.m., which duty did uot 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 GStli Regiment,. Lb'ht lnfautry, moved oil' at 12i o'clock, the pack horses following after. The GSth received orders to burn thu fern in different places as they marched along the old Maori track, and lliey proceeded to the Maori settlement called llanua. The moveable column remained on the site of the old Pah Pbtariwhi until the GSth and the Colonial Defence Force, Royal Artillery and Uoyal Engineers, and pack'horses had cleard oil' the ground, when the moveable column, except Captain Warren's company moved off . after the advancing force, but Captain .Warren received instructions to see that, the baggage left on the liehl was gathered up on the return of some pack horses, which was done about o'clock, p.m., when Captain Warren brought up the rear as a guard, and they arrived in camp at llanua, at 4 o'clock, p.m., when the tents were pitched, and things made as comfortable as can be expected in camp life for,the night. The usual duties were told off for the safety; of the camp ; they were composed of 1, 2, 3 and 4, outlaying piquets, and one rear guard for the stores, formed liv the GStli Light Infantry Regiment, and moveable* column, each piquet remaining on duly until clear daylight, when the greater part of. tliem » come off dul), leaving a corporal and three privates from each pieijuet to do the day duty. The. Transport Corps passed over the ford at about 9, p.m., for Tauranga. The night was rather elondy, and a few smart showers fell at intervals. Camp Huuua, May 18. This morning a fatigue was detailed 101- the. ■ . purpose of clearing a place for putting up a redoubt at this camp, which is to be thrown up at once, and there was another party detailed to parade lit 9 R.QI., •when a force of about 150 men, and.the Colonial 1 'eleiice Force, formed up on the parade ground for the purpose of going out to reconnoitre about the old camp we just left. ■ Ait hands in camp have been greatly, disappointed this morning, as they fully expected that'the movc was to be continued this day to Tauranga ; but, of (utuue, WO Kit; grartly doomed to disappointment

whilst out tn thii campaign, which must be put up with. A oonvoy has jnat arrived in 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 Genoral and Governor are both away from here at present. Firewood ia. about the scarcest thing down- here. A few Maoris and Europeans are gone out I hear for cattle. The reconnoitering party returned at 1 p.m, but they saw no trace of Maoris while out. 100 men are to'be Hent out every morning until farther orders, if the -weather permits. The convoy returned at one o'clock to Tauranga; and the Colonel and Adjutant of the 68th Lie-lit Infantry went to Tauranga to-day to stay, leaving Major Ryan, moveable column, in command of this post, Col. JGreer being in command of this district. The day luis passed with heavy shower-s, and I think I might say winter is setting in very fast. There have been, small parties out all dav in different directions foraging for any kind of loot that may be found, and several small lots of potatoes wero dug up and brought in. The redoubt was commenced to-day, and it is intended for 100 men. We get a very good supplv of fresh water, better than we did at some other camps. May 19. 100 men were out to day but returned at 12£ 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 eompanv 68th marched out of camp to-day for Tauranga, c'n route to Maketu, to reliove the 43rd Light Infantry, and some other companies left Tauranga to-day for the same place. The 43rd, at the Grate Pa, <ire to be relieved by. the 68th 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 leave 100 men in the redoubt at this post when it is finished. The Staff Surgeon of the column was ordered into Tauranga to-dav. There has been a new fenco put Up round a little Maori burying ground.