THE EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1054, 1 April 1867, Page 7

THE EAST COAST.

• TAUKABTtA. f b kaimai and PAENGAROA ! EVACUATED. | SURVEYORS CALLED IN". ' ENGAGEMENT AT ROTORUA. . FOURHAUHAUS KILLED.; TWO TAKEN • I PRISONERS.

ONE ARAWA KILLED. (From the Tauranga Argus, March 23.) Ox Saturday last, 16th instant, 200 of the Arawas in charge of Major McDonnell, marched in from Paeugaroa en route for Roto run, as a report had reached town that the Hauliaus were mustering in force at that place and destroyed their settlements. The Government steamer Sturt and Captain Fail-child's services were at once brought into requisition for the convej'sinco of them to Maketu. She left hero at two p.m. for that place, returning again on Sunday morning at daylight! Seventy more, who came in too late on Saturday to be shipped with the first party (in charge of Mr. G Mail- and Lieutenant C. Pitt Ist W. It.) were then embarked. Captain Fairchild at once got up steam aud was off to Maket u again, which place was readied about two p.m. Left shortly after arrival and came up the harbour about dusk. Shipped 100 of Ist Waikalos, together with fifty volunteers, in charge of Lieutenant Kidd and Ensign Curtis, for the same destination, and arrived again about two a.m, on 3V' onday. Landed them all safe and then started again the same afternoon for Opotiki arriving there at half-past 8 p.m. We then crossed the bar in the steamer's boat, and stopped at Opotiki for an hour. Great excitement prevailed there, the bank of the river, elo»e to the landing place, being lined with eager spectators anxious to know the why and wherefore of steamer's visit, especially so when they saw the figure of Colonel Harrington, together with Captain Hunter, rising over the side of a vessel alongside the small pier. ' Such expressions as '■ Colonel's arrived." " There's something up." " They come to get auother batch," and ninny other expressions ; but they were agreeably surprised when they found she had simply come down to bring Dr. Oliver down to Maketu to join the expeditionary force that started for Kotorua. The Volunteers were called out on Monday, as reports had come into the settlement that parties of twenty to thirty of the rebels were seen iu close proximity to them, and their intention was to attack Opotiki. The Sturt left abont twelve a.m., for Te Papa via Maketu, at which place she landed Dr. Oliver, and left there at six o'clock reaching it at nine a.m., on Tuesday. She then cleared out for Auckland, taking as passengers Colonel Hamilton, and Captain Marconi, H.M. 12th Regiment, besides a num- j ber of discharged men. Truly it is wonderful the quantity of work the Sturt, (in the hands of Captain Fairchild) gets through ; and we have i no hesitation in saying that he' has proved himself the best captain the Colonial Government ever had in their employ. Akatvas. On Monday morning an engagement took place at Roturua, between a party of rebels, sixty in number, and betwen twenty and thirty Arawas. The result of which was that four Hauliaus were killed, and two taken prisoners ; one Arawa killed. He was taken up mortally wounded, and died in a short time. We believe there were several rebels wounded. We arc not in possession of full particulars, but shall have them when we receive our special correspondent's letter. The Defence Minister, Colonel Haultain has had a severe attack of dysentery which has confined him to his bed for some time ; but we are given to understand, upon enquiry, that he is far better, and will soon be about 'again.— Tuuranja Argus, March 23. A most serious accident, and one which might have proved fatal, occurred to Mr. H. Davison, who lias lately started butchering in this town. Mr. Davison with one of his men started out yesterday morning in order to run in a bullock for killing. They found the animal they wanted, and were galloping steadily along after him, when the bullock made a sharp curve, Mr. Davison's horse turned round sharp after him, thus taking Mr. Davison unawares, throwing him violently forward on his right arm, shattering it fearfully. He was at once conveyed home, and Dr. Manley sent for, and he ordered liis instant removal to the Hospital. When last wc inquired he was progressing as favorably as could be under the circumstances.—Hid. O'bom otra own coiiresposdent). March 21. We have had no news from Rotorua, nor have we received any intelligence from Opotiki since the departure of the Sturt. Great apprehension is beginning to bo felt by our little community, now the troops are being removed rind the uncertainty of their being replaced by others, iiy some it is expected that detachment of the 18th, others that a body of colonial troopa will be stationed here, the latter for many reasons would be preferable, but whatever the corps some additional protection must be accorded for defensive purposes, the miserable remnant of the Ist W. R. with our email number of rail it i i being totally inadequate for that purpose. The arrival of the Sturt is anxiously looked forward to ; doubtless we shall learn by her, what has been determined in the matter. Ic is quite certain thatno dependence can be placed in the large number of natives in our vicic.ity who are rebels at heurt, and to a man w'juld join the enemy against us, on our experiencing the slightest reverse; for this we have to thank Sir George Grey, for having restored to the rascals the three-fourths of the confiscation block so justly forfeited by them, but which act of magnanimity, they most 'undiEgnisedly attribute to our weakness and the pusillanimity of His Excellency.

Doctor Merrett, in your issue of the 6th instant, referring to a portion of my correspondence reflecting' on the medical treatment, or rather want of it, which Mr. Woolley had experienced in tho Hospital atTauranga, accuses me of being influenced by sinister motives because I did not introduce the name of another patient. The worthy doctor accuses me wrongfully ; when I wrote what ho complainß of, I had lost sight of the fact, if I ever knew it at all, that he was connected with the Colonial Troops hospital nt the time-referred to. But 1 do plead guilty to having omitted to state that not only Mr. Woolley but all the patic-nta in that JXoxpital suffered from gross ncghct and icant of medical attendance. When I singled out Mr. Woolley's case, I did so because I knew he had relatives said friends, both at this plate and in Auckland, not at all famous for permitting grievances of this kind to pass over with impunity, in other words I expected an investigation must have been the result. In writing what I did, I simply stated the truth ; for that and all communications of mine, I wish to be held responsible, and am ready at all times to answer for. I now state the broad facta that Mr. Woolley, Sergeant Muir, and the other patients wero from the Bunday until Tuesday evening without any surgical attendance whatever. On that day (Tuesday) or on the following morning, I am not certain which, Mr. Graham waited upon Colonel Haultain, and put it to him in the most emphatic terms, the danger Mr. Woolley was exposed to from the absence of medical attention. The lion. Colonel Haultain lost not a moment in procuring the aid of a medical officer of the 12th Eegiment when on dressing of Wodley's wound by that gentleman, the stench was overpowering and d'sinfocting means had to be resorted to. Doctor Manly haß been constantly in attendance sines then, to whom, and to Colonel Hault»in, (for premptly acquiring his services), are the g atcful than!: a of the poor sufferers dtse, as I myself heard by them this day in tho hospital. Is is propnr to stste that the Sunday night I allude fo w.is that on whk'h Doctor Iv! arret I. left To Papa; Lis lette: expl-u'm under what cirjumstuncos.

- " bov . e a portion of the facts, and I thick will be admitted rth&t my strectures were not unlet whom it will fit appropriate the cap, I -be the wearer who he may. It will, perhaps, not be out of place here (o make a! few remarks respecting the peculiar economy of tho Ist w aikato Militia hospital. We have it in Dr Merretts own words Unit Sorgt.-Major Emus was in a: «5 mg state for twenty-four hours, without tho attention of. any medical officer ; that there was not a' surgical instrument in the hospital, nor any provision maue for surgical relief for any victim who might suffer at the hands of tho enemy. He might have added that tho equipment of this hospital would be a disgrace to an Australian eliee., station. The very cooking utensils hayo to be borrowed, as were the stretchers upon which tho wounded -were recently earned, from tho Imperial hospital, as is also a portion of the bedding, tho whole of which will, in a few days, be forwarded to Auckland.

OrOTIKI. [from our owx oorbesfondent.] „ „ March I(i. Sixce my last very few cases huve been decided by tho Compensation Court, which were principally claims of chief's from the Thames and Tauranga, in whieh the.v were defeated. A judgment was given in favour of Wobster's claim for a portion of land at Ohiwa. Webster is a chief of Ngatiawa, tho tribe who murdered Fulloon. Ho (Wobstor), if I don t mistake, turned Queen's evidence against the murderers of Volckner and Fulloon. Evidence in tho court proved,and he himselfacknowledged.that ho was a rebel; in tho face of this judgment was given in his favor. Now, whether tho law favors one rebel more than anothor I cannot tell, but tlio chiefs of the Whakatoheas who were in rebellion were not allowed to put in their claims of laud for compensation, their lands being forfeited to the Crown, which is clearly stated in tho Now Zealand Settlements Act. Such proceedings as the above has caused a gre.it foeling amongst the different tribes. To sea Webster, who was once a rebel—moreover, a man who assisted in introducing Hauhauiam amongst the tribes, —put in a claim for liis land, which was decided iu his fivor ; perhaps your ablo experience in these matters might throw soma light on the subject in question. March 18. This evening tho Ist Class Militia was callod out, out of which thirty volunteers o lie red their services to Captain Pennefather. This move was occasioned by a report brought into camp of Hauhaus being Been in Opotiki gorgo. At about 8 p.m. tho Sturt arrived, and anchored in tho offing. Colonel Harrington, Captain Hunter, and Captain Fairchild, | came up in a boat. They remained horo for a few | hours and then returned on board, after which the | Sturt sailed for Tauranga. The purport of their mission is not known. CLEARING OUT OF THE HAUHAUS FROM TAURANGA. DEPARTURE OF THE VOLUNTEERS, FIIiST WAIKATO MILITIA, AND ARAWAS FOR ROTORUA. (I'HOM OLll OWN COBB3POXDENT.) March 16. Fighting Las ceased in our district for tho present. None of the various parties who have been oue during the week havo been able t3 get sight of any of the Hauhaus, who without question are congregating in numbers in tho vicinity of Rotorua, where hostilities have commencod, but from wh'ch place tho news is conflicting. One roport states that five of the Arawas had been captured by Kereopa's party, and one of them butchered, 'his requiros confirmation. Tho p.s. ' Sturt,' Captain Fairchild, sailed to-day fur Maketu, crowded with Arawas, en route for Rotorua. March 17. The ' Sturt' returned during tho night, and tliie morning again departed with Arawas for Maketu, returning at about 6 p.m., starting again during the niglit for the same destination, having on board ftll tho available men of the Ist Waikato Regiment, and about 60 volunteers. I think this campaign will be a short but decisive one. The men receive one shilling extra per diem for this service. Tho promptitude and liberality evinced by Colonel Haultain in this instanco is praiseworthy in the extreme, and was responded to by tho officers and men with" the spirit it deserved. Several of the men had marched in from Ouiauawa during the day.

Major St. John h*s command of tho Europeans, and 1 believe Major McDonnell heads the Arawas bo that something sharp and decisive may soon be anticipated. I regret that by thia opportunity I have not time to reply to tlie letter in your paper of tho 6th inst signed " Augustus G. Morett, M.D." I find it reported in Auckland that Peter Grant had again made his escape ; such is not the case, nor has he made the attempt. Ho has been tried by Court Martial for desertion and escaping from prison, and was sentenced to receivo 5D lashes, and to ho imprisoned for two j ears with hard labour. The first portion of the sentence he underwent on Saturday, apparently with the greatest indifference ; tho punishment was inflicted with more than ordinary severity. By some the sentence is considered an extremely harsh one, but it should be remembered that if he was not actually taken flagrante hello, it was next door to it; that he was a co-habitant with the enemy during hostilities is beyond doubt. His behaviour since hia capture has been remarkably good. A- requisition to Mr. John Williamson to become a candidate for the Superintendence has been numerously signed, and those who intend to vote for him are urged seriously by the A rgua of Saturday to give him a plumper, the presumption is they will do so. The want of accommodation is still greviously felt; to meet this sixteen rooms are being added to the Masonic. Notices are posted about town to the effect that, next month, bread will be sold at 3'd tho two pound loaf (present price 5d,) if this bo intended for intimidation it lias signally failed, as preparations for a new bakery avo in rapid progresß. Tuesday. The whole of (he Survej'org came into camp yesterday, and are discharged, the Government not feeling warranted in kee.ing them on pay, and it would be sheer madness their going on with the respective surveys without protection. Intelligence of a startling character, has just been received from Opotiki by the 1 Sturt,' to tho efiV t that tho Whakatoliea had left for the bush with a fiew of joining the Hauiiaus. They give as a reason, tha f , they are dissatisfied with the decisions of Mr. Commissioner Mair, in his adjudication of tlio compensation cases. Numbers of the Hauhaus are in the vieiuity of the Township. Tho ' Tauranga' sails in a day or two for Auckland, with 80 of tho 12th Regiment.. I have just heard that an engagement has taken place at Soturuo. Two Arawas killed,- two Hauhaus killed, and two taken pr ODsrs.