TE AWAMUTU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 309, 8 November 1864, Page 5

TE AWAMUTU.

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO ARATTTt. [I'KOM OTJU OWN COBHESrOITDEST.] October 2. On the first of November at 7 a.m., an expeditionary force consisting of 2 captains, 2 subalterns, and 130 rank and file, 40th regt., and 2 subaltern?, and 80 rank and file of the 6othregt., the whole under command of Colonel Leslie, C-8., 40th regt., left this place for Orakau, where they were further strengthened by 75 rank and file of the 65th regt. from Rangaowhin, under Captains Blewitt andGower,and 2 sergeant®, and 15 troopers of tlie Mounted Artillery under Lieut. Rait, and veterinary surgeon Anderson, R. A. Brigadier General Carey and StaiVnow arrived on the ground, when a forward movement was made ni the direction of Otautahanga the old native fortification which was reconnoitcred on the last occasion ; the party arrived at Otautahanga at about 10 o'clock when a halt was ordered. Hero' the men " piled arms," the Brigadier Staff and Mounted Artillery pursuing their onward course— passing through the small and ruined settlement of Hatiga llanga, and halting near a small stream about a mile beyond that place. Here a portion oC the Mounted Artillery were posted, while tho remainder with the Brigadier, proceeded a short distance further, to the summit of a rising piece of ground, where tlicy remained. Colonel Sir H. Huvclock, Mr. Spencer, Interpreter, and an orderly of tlie postal department, named Kicolls, proceeded onwards to the village of Aratiti, where it will be recollected the troopers were fired upon about four mouths ago, when making a reconnaissance of the pUtce. On nearing Aratiti the party observed a signal fit e lighted in the bush to the left, and heard some natives shouting in the same direction, evidently i'.i a state of intense trepidation ; there might have beeu about thirty in number, but, certainly not more ; several recently imprinted footmarks were alsodiscoverable. Ihe village presents a most desolate appearance, the whole of the once luxuriant pasture Ittnd being now overun with weeds, the only weather-board house in the place, is what was formerly occupied by a Mr. McKeuzie, who, I understand, acted as an overseer for the Rev. Mr. Morgan, the greater part of this district hiving been rented by him as a cattle run. The house is completely gutted and disfigured, and its general appearance suggesting the idea that the natives used it as a Bleeping place. "lie rifle pit and palisading.reinain just the tame as they were four months ago. After having taken a hasty look over the village, the horsemen rodt" on a distance of about two miles, when they retraced their steps towards home. On repassing through Aratiti, Mr. Spencer, Interpreter, wrote a rough copy of the Governor's proclamation in Maori, which was tacked up on the door of Mr. McKenzie's house in a position where it might be well observed by any l atives who might visit the settlement, there was also another and smaller notice appended to the proclamation, to the etlect that any rebel natives, so disposed, might come into Te Awamutuand take the oath of allegiance to the Queen. The mounted.party then returned, arriving afrtliis camp at about 3 o'clock, the infantry force under Col. Leslie, marching into camp at about half-past four. It is rumoured that another reconnoitering party will proceed furt'ier in the same direction in the course of a week or two. This morning the proceedings of a general court martial were promulgated on a parade- ordered for that purpose. The prisoner, private Daniel Cooney, was tried on two charges o disgraceful conduct, the first being that of, theft, and the other striking an officer. Tho Court having taken into consideration the prisoner's incorrigibly sentenced him to penal servitude for a period of fourteen years. I understand that tho 2nd Spring Meeting of the To Awamutu Gymkhana is fixed to come off on the 12 th and 13tli of the present montli.