WANGANUI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 177, 7 June 1864, Page 8

WANGANUI.

IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT UP THE WANGANUI, BETWEEN THE QUEEN AND KING NATIVES. VICTORY FOLLOWED UP. " Wanganui Chronicle" Office, Sunday morning, May 15,1864. Very important intelligence arrived this moriiin" &t 3 o'clock, from Banana (London), the pluco at wliich the Government natives were posted in order to intercept the party threatenine to fittticV this settlement. Full particulars havo not yet been received, but so far as they have come by way of letters to Mr. White and to the Putiki natives they will be faund below. It appears that the taxia, or attacking party, had according 'to' their expressed intention, begun the descent of the river, notwithstanding the warning of the Government natives that if they came near they would be attacked. The Putiki natives have it, that their coming to nil island between Tawhitenui and Banana, two pas only ft short distance from each other, would be considered as the signal for an attack on them ; and that the Government natives embarked in five canoes, under the command respectively of Kereti, Herni Nape, Riwia, Mote King, and Apereniko, and landed on this island awaiting the arrival of the rebels. The latter camc, una while still in their canoes were fired on by Kereti, who killed his man. The shot was not returned and Kereti fireil again. He fired a third time, and a volley was received in return. Kereti was one of the first of the Government natives who fell. Tho rebels ■were then permitted to land on the island, and a close hand-to-hand conflict ensued. It is said that most of the killed were Piperiki, and that the Ngatiruanuis and Ngaraurus must, for the most part, have remained behind at Piperiki. The loss on the side of the Government natives was twelve killed; the number of the wounded js not yet known. Some of them are expected here this afternoon. Among the Government natives killed are the following chiefs: — flemi Nape, of Banana. Kereti Hiwitaki, of Kawairoa. Biwai of Turakina, a brother of Kawana Paipai. There was also killed M. Fredleau, a Frenchman, who has been up the river for some time assisting to build mills. He and Father Lampiller were in the thick of the fight, aiding the Government natives. Apereniko received a bullet throughout liis cheek. Hemi Nape was a violent Kingite until some time after Mr. White came, when lie changed his side, influenced by Mr. White's mode of proceeding. Kereti is very highly spoken of as an intelligent man. He was the principal native catechist M. Lampiller had assisting him. R»wi is also described as a gentlemanlike and intelligent man. Mr. White's account makes it appear as if the contest took place on the bank of the river near or at Banana. As soon as a man of importance was observed, the cry was, "Shoot him down." This must have been the case on both sides, as at least a fourth of the Government natives killed are men of influence. Hamarama, the principal fighting chief of Wanganui, was at Atene (Athens), half way bctwien Banana and Parakino—about twelve miles from either. The natives at Atena are about equally divided for and against the Government, Hamarama heading the latter party. Before the fight, a message was sent from Banana to the Government natives at Ateue, desiring tnem to shoot Hamarama if he stirred. He is there beleaugued with his followers. After the fight, a party of Government natives •was dispatchedjto Piperiki, and another to AVaitotara, to follow up the advantage. Whut they hare done is not yet known. Thiiß may perhaps be considered as the most important event in the war. Ithasprovedthefidelity of at least the loyal Wanganui natives. It will cause a declaration on the part- of all the neighbouring tribes that they are on the one side or the other. It will remove the suspense and hesitation that have so long marked the Government proceedings here. Tribal jealousies may, indeed, have had some intlucnce in precipitating this fight; but the loyalty of these Government natives lias been proved by "it, that we tliialc no hesitation should be shown in furnishing them V'ith ammunition. They sent down for some, and a supply was sent from Putiki this morning. Matene, the leader of the fanatics; was tomahawked ; Hore Patene, and his uncle Haiman, both of whom were instrumental in getting Mr. Booth away, were shot down. So close was the struggle that tho muzzle of the muskets when fired were touching the enemy. Sixty of tho robels, who are said to havo been 118 in number, were killed. The rest escaped, some one way, and some another. Four of their bodies ■were afterwards found lying together at a roek at the bottom of the rapids bolow Banana. Mr. White's letters state that the fight took place on the 14th; while the Putiki accounts give Friday morning as the time, which is likely to he correct. Great praise is due to Mr. White for the manner in which ho has organised tlie Government natives here; and given them heart for the work. As we go to press a canoo has arrived with two of the wounded. It appears from the account now given that the rebels fired thrice before their fire was returned; that besides the sixty killed on land twenty were shot in the - water, and that the natives are hunting down those who escaped. There were 118 rebels, and 400 Government natives engaged. [FKOM OUR OWN COBBESPONDENT.] Wanganui, May 15, 1804. A wonderful change has come over our little town. From a quiet peace-loving town it has changed to a busy military one. _ Ever)- settler in the place has • been compelled to join the militia, and those who have attempted to shirk the duty have been brought i to the Militia Office by a file of men with fixed bay- 1 onete, and compelled to take the oath of allegiance, i Business haa been nearly at a stand-still, and nothing- now is talked or thought about but the stirring ] news wo have lately received. Tho Wanganui Cave airy Corps, who muster about 60 in number, each i man being armed with a breech-loading carbine and i revolver, &re out constantly patrolling round the t town. They are a fine body of men, and are a great 1 credit to the town. The militia, of course, have i their hands pretty full, for besides their almost con- c tinual drills they are out two or three nights a week doing "sentry go." For some timo great complaints C hare been made at the manner in which most of the f militia have been treated. Notwithstanding the gal- s lant manner in which nearly the whole of the militia e have volunteered for duty before they were t.

i called out for actual service, the officers have shown a want of regard to suit the convenience of the set- . tiers which has called forth tho indignation of the inhabitants. They have been marched off repeatedly i to do night duty, without any previous notice, nnd i have been kept there without food until the next dnv. Again, a party of men were kept continually at the ; Militia Office, who haul nothing to do all day but i amuse themselves walking up and down ; and this, too, in the centre of the town, and perhaps close to : their own places of business. They have said, and justly enough, that they were willing lo do the duty during the night, but that it is very humiliating t<> he kept there when their services weie not■ wanted. I do not think that any danger need be appiuhended • to the town at present; but will the rebel natives, i defeated as they have been by the loyal river tribe, fall baelc on Tamnaki and try to induce somo of those natives to join them in an attack !* As it is at present, s it is impossible for them to descend tho river, but ; still, having secured tho services of the Tarruinhi-s, ; they might try a different route. During the strug- ; gle which took place between the tribes, the skull of Captain Lloyd is supposed to have been lost. The history which has been told about this is something f horrible. While Sir. Booth was detained the skull • was used as a drinking caliha&h by tho old hags of the tribe, who were using it as a charm, the brains having been previously eaten by Matene, tho leader of the r fanatical wretches. No doubt this has proved a hard lesson to Mr. Booth, who only a short time ago wrote i to one of tho English magazines asking for clothing ■ for the destitute widows of the poor Maoris who had i been killed, and at tho same time condemning the , New Zealand colonists for the action that had been • taken. It would bo well if a few more of our ■ missionary friends wero shown a similar lesson. , What can be thought of these wretches, who, - after years of petting and teaching, relapse into t their barbarous customs againat so short a notice. ; It is very gratifying to find the river natives an exception. They have fought gulluutly, and deserve > the thanks of the peop' , here. While we have been t idle here, they have been doing our fighting in gallant style, and are now determined to march on the Waitotara natives and finish them oil'. It is supposed that the rebels tried to descend tho river in consequence of l'ehi; a neutral chief of some importance, having gone to Taupo, with what object ] is not known, though it is surmised (hut it is through • fear of the King natives. Dr. Featherston airived to-day in tho Storm Bird. 'The inhabitants are justly incensed at the neglect which has been shown to this place, and he will find that instead of Wanganui, as of old, supporting him, that they heartily wish him out of his present oiliee. Comments not very favourable to him are now eontmually J heard by his old supporters, and 1 think when the h elections come off they will express their indignation " against him by adverse votes at the hustings. A • meeting, 1 believe, is to take place to-morrow, when , I feel sure that he will not be very popular with > those who attend. ! The weather has been very dry, and with the exception of a little rain that fell one night lust I week, we hnvo been for a long time enjoying ■ beautiful weather. f May Ifl. A proclamation was issued this morning, calling upon the Ist and 2nd class Militia for active service, i and I understand,on the best authority, that the 3rd class is to be called out without delay. I The friendly natives have been at the Militia Oflice to-day, receiving arms and ammunition. ' It is the intention of some of the inhabitants to present the river natives with a sum of money for i their services. Sixty of them are going up the river i to-morroiv, to the scene of the late engagement. > They are to be accompanied by Mr. liuoth and a doctor, for the purpose of attending the wounded.