WELLINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 419, 24 April 1863, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM TARANAKL — PEACEFUL aWCUPATION OF THE TATARAIMAKA BLOCK.

(FKOM OUE OWN COBKESI'ONDENT.)

"Wellington, 14th April, 1863,

The Wonga Wonga arrived last night, bringing us the important intelligence of the occupation of the Tataraimaka by the^trpops. Not ouly was the occupation effected without opposition, but with shouts of welcome by the natives occupying the land immediately beyond the boundary line. On Saturday, the 4th instant, 200 of the 57th under Colonel Warre, '100 of the Royal Artilleiy, mounted, and accompanying two guns, and a few Engineers, left the Waireka about ten o'clock en route for Tataraimaka. There was no attempt at reaching their destination so as to'surprise the natives so frequently reported a* prepared to resist; on the contrary, the baggage and commissariat carts crawled at a snail19 pace, and caused the march of about six or eight mile^s to occupy four or five hours. His Excellency, 1 General Camerpn and s(taff, Messrs DomettP and Bell, &c.,,^preceded the expedition, and were met at the entrance of the block by the natives with snouts and speeches. " Sticks1' they had not, -being armed ; but "banners" were really there in the shape of white flags. The speeches acknowledged the Governor's right to take possession, and expressed the hope that His Excellency would remain on his own land, i. c., hot attempt to seize or take possession of that belonging to the natives. I refer you to the Taranaki Herald for the lots of rumora circulating in the neighborhood. Your readers may take them literally for what they are worth, and that is simply nothing. It may be very disappointing to be told, on the arrival of an anxiously looked for mail, that it contains nothing particular; but such is very much the case with reference to this one. The one fact is that Tataraimaka is peacefully occupied, and what this or that native says matters very little. lam assured that the feeling in Taranaki is stronger now than ever it has been, that there will be no disturbance. For a long while to come we shall hear of William or Thomas or some other of the multitudinarian chiefs being "much excited," and of native rumors to match; but there is no apprehension whatever that any of the standards-threats about driving the Pakeha into the sea, will result in more than affording material for an occasional garrison order, and supply paragraphs for the " local intelligence" columns of the Taranaki pnpers. Tataraimaka Block consists of only 3,500 acres, surrounded on three side by the unpurchased lands of the natives, and on the fourth by the sea. There are but some six to ten resident settlers interested in it. and, as it will be made a strong; military post, it is not thought likely that there wiil be any attempt by the natives to disturb them; it' there should be, there will be no scruple about j letting them feel the consequence.

Although I have told you that no disturbance is expected, I must add that there is a feeling that somebody is to be " whipped," somewhere and at some time; but I do not think that, it is caused by anything more substantial than the long prevalent idea, that no permanent restoration can take phce without a demonstration of riiir superiority in military matters sufficient to cow the natives, or at any rate sufficient to mollify'our wouwied^iee lings. Very strict regulations are expected so as to prevent the settlers treading on the naiives toes, of which the following is a specimen:— " New Plymouth, "Bth April, 1863.

"Whereas information has heeri received that on Sunday last certain persons went down to the native land on the Oakum river to shoot wild ducks, whereby a serious disturbance had nearly taken place. His Excelleucy the Governor is pleased to command that this caution be published, warning all persons not to trespass over native land south of Omata for any purpoe of sporting or otherwise, or any person proceeding on business to Tatarainiaka is requested to keep to the public road in crossing the Native land between that block and the Town.

" F. D. Bbi.l, Native Minister."

The road which the troops have beeu making at Omata has not yet reached native land, and when it reaches it there may be a temporary suspension, as Sir George will act, your readers may he sure, niqst gingerly. Time is his greatest friend, and he knows it well. At last a portion of the colonial defence force has been directed to be organised forthwith. The Herald says:—"Thefollowing regulations relating to the pay of the NonCommissioned Officers and Privates of the Colonial Defence Force, and other matters connected therewith, are published for general information :—The' men will be enlisted for two years. The rates of pay will be—SergtMajor, 10s; Sergt, 7s Gd; Corporal, 6s 6d; Trumpeter, 6s 6d; Privates, 6s per diem. The men will find their own rations, and no extra allowance wili be made for forage for horses. They will provide their own horses, but if any private is unable to do so, horses will be provided by Government at a sumof L 25 for each horse, which will be stopped out of the pay of the private for whom it is supplied. The Force, or any portion thereof, will be liable to be moved to any part of the colony where their servives may be required. The non-commissioned officers and privates will be sworn in as constables. Arms, accoutrements, and uniforms will be furnished to the non-commissioned officers and privates. Further rules and .regulations will be'published hereafter. The portion of the Force now raised in the Prbvince of Taranalii will be and continue on active service till further orders.—M. G. K"ixojfi Lieut-Colonel, Taranaki, 7th April, 1863.' " • The Governor and all the big wigs are still at Taranaki. The new despatch boat, the Eclipse, has been ordered round from Auckland for the use of the Governor and suite. Mr Bell is, I hear, now suffering very much from overwork, his eyesight being seriously affected; let us hope, however, that this is, as it was some time ago, only temporarily. The following is a letter from Tamehana, of Waikato, received in reply to that sent him by Sir George, quoted in my yesterday's letter from the Maori newspaper:— ! •

"Peria, March 26th, 1863. " To Mr Bell,—Greeting. Friend, I have seen your letter of the 17th March, about your arriving at Taranaki. Friend, those words are good ; your words to the Ngatiawa are very good ; it is also very good your writing me the news from that place. Friend, great is the darkness of my heart about the doings of Waikato. This is all my friend— farewell.

"From your friend,

" WI Tamehana."

The shareholders of the N.Z.S.N.Co. are taking a pleasure trip to-day on board the Lady BirdJ—a sort of "it home," where they may congratulate one another oh the. change of ownership;.' /the; pur'chape/of the vessel for. the company has given great satisfaction to the shareholders. Captain ltenner, formerly of th eWonga, is in charge of the Lady Bird, and last evening had presented to him, most unexpectedly, a handsome gold watch and en-

grossed testimonial, both from "the officers and crew of liis late command, in which he had been fonryeara. P.S.—I find [ have omitted one very interesting piece of info i mat ion in reference to the occupation of Tataraimaka. The natives who welcomed the Governor at the Northern Boundary were headed by Hoani, the gentleman who erected the famous pike of which we heard so much at the time of the Lord Worsley's wreck, and who is still the keeper thereof. The pike or gate is beyond the Tataraimaka, on the other side of a river, and on native ground. If it is true that he has had his knuckles rapped by a rununga for his demonstrations of friendliness, bo much the better, perhaps—he will be none the worse neighbor, for all that.