WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 304, 26 September 1857, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

FATAL AFFBAY AMONG THE MAOEIES AT AHUKIRI. The following account is given by a correspondent of the " Wellington Independent" of a quarrel among the Maories at Ahuriri : — Clive, August 18, 1857. — I am sorry to have to announce to you that actual hostilities have this day commenced between Hapuka and Moananui and the confederate chiefs. 1 have just returned from the scene of action, and am about to start from Port Napier for Dr. Hitchens, the natives having consented, at the request of Mr. Joseph Rhodes, to a truce for one day (to-morrow), to attend to the wounded and bury the dead. I heard the first shot fired this morning, at my house, some three miles from the field, which the natives call Pukoe Plain. The parties met at a post some half way between the contending parties, Hapuka's people being camped on the open plain near the bank of the river, and the other party nearly opposite, at the edge of the bush, in a strong stockade they have recently erected^. In the course of half an hour I was on the ground, and approached as near as prudence would allow, and eventually made my way ; into Moananui's Stockade, where I found that the first volley in the morning, when the men were in a comparatively compact mass, had | done most of the mischief likely to ensue from j the desultory style of firing which they were then carrying on and continued to do so during the remainder of the • day. There were about ten men wounded and two dead on Moananui's side at this time, 10 o'clock in the morning, and I subsequently learned that most of the damage on the other side occurred at the first volley, which was a very close one. At 4 o'clock, p.m., a white flag appeared advancing from the Hapukas camp, and the firing immediately ceased on both sides, the concealed warriors on either side sprang out of their hid-ing-places among the fern, in some cases, in very startling proximity to each other, to their mutual surprise, and quietly shouldered arms, and marched away to their respective main bodies, carrying their dead and wounded with them.' As far as I could see myself, there were five dead and four mortally wounded, six

seriously and 15 slightly wounded, making 30 hors de combat in all. Mr. Ehodes took advantage of this flag of truce for gathering their wounded, to urge upon both parties the necessity of ceasing fire for at least a day, if they wished an English doctor to visit theiivTj wounded, many of whom must have perished without such assistance. One chief of Hapuka's, who is badly wounded is Te Waku, of Te Aute, the Mission Station, and the two men, I saw buried of Moananui's were Te Hira, a very tall, powerful, good natured fellow, ,$0.3 Nihi a native doctor. Renata shot through the wrist, and the other names I did not stop to learn, the natives making such an incessant noise with their war dance, in good earnest, that they frightened my horse into fits, andhe broke away from me. So I borrowed another from the natives and started away for the doctor, much to their satisfaction and mine. Mr. M'Lean has gone to Auckland in the steamer some few days ago, and Mr. Cooper is away somewhere in the interior, as was also Mr. Williams. This latter gentleman and Father Regnier have been indefatigable in their endeavours to preserve peace for some weeks past. Some fortnight ago, while Mr. M'Lean was still here, the natives were very nearly coming to blows, and I believe would have done so on one particular occasion, had not he and Mr. Cooper ridden in between the contending tribes and got them to put it off for a few days. Just before Mr. M'Lean went away, however, the contending chiefs met and rubbed noses, so that no doubt Mr. M'Lean will report in Auckland that all is right here, and no fear of any outbreak — at least the public impression is such. There has been a large flagstaff set up for some months past, whereon is a written notice by the confederates, warning Hapuka's party not to cut wood in the big bush. This morning it appears that Hapuka despatched a party to cut wood in the said bush, and the confederates fired upon them, so that Moananui's party have fired the first shot, contrary to expectation, and there is no knowing where it will end. A very generally signed memorial to the General Government was sent some twelve months ago last April, warning them that the natives were in a very disturbed state here at that time, and asking for protection for the Europeans. There may be no immediate danger from them, but if a number of strange turbulent natives arrive here from other parts, as at present talked about, who shall answer for their good behaviour towards the whites ? P.S. — August 20th. — I wrote you particulars of the battle here on the 18th, per favour of Captain Scott, and was on the ground early yesterday, Dr. Hitchens was there also, and Ifind very little further information to add, save that three of the mortally wounded died during the night, and one cannot live another night over, so that the list now stands as under: — Moananui's Side. — Dead : — Paora Temuri, Haira Waiwairoa, and Naihi. Mortally wounded: Hohaia. Wounded: Eneke Raniera, Renutu Kawepo ; Tiopera, Potatu, Hotene, and three others, slightly wounded. Hapuka's Side. — Dead : Piaka, Paoru Tuari, Peraniko Turahia, and Pataromu Temano. Kino Kino, brains oozing out, mortally wounded. Wounded : Maika Ewi Kateu, Erota Porehua, Matiu Kawhe, Paturiki Taweawea, Mohi Papaharua, Tahuanu Tewetu, Awahu, Paora Nonohi, Matiu Hopara, Tamihana Materoa, Pipimo, and Hemi Teora. Mr. Cooper and Tiffen, from inland, and Mr. Curling, the Resident Magistrate, and Mr. Harris, clerk to the court, arrived on the ground on the afternoon of yesterday, and were made acquainted with the names of the casualties. Firing has not yet been resumed, the truce flag still flying. Hapuka's people are decidedly low-spirited, and unwilling to renew the engagement to-day, but the other partyare all in high spirits, busy making ttp cartridges, and have sent for reinforcements to Wairoa and Taupo, which may be expected here to-morrow or next day, and they say they then intend to begin in good earnest — so you see we are likely to have a nice irruption of turbulent strange natives into the district, and where it will end or when no one can tell. The natives on both sides are perfectly friendrly to the whites as yet, but setting aside the danger of murder and robbery by strange and lawless tribes, what do you think of the con- f duct of the General Government in the policy^ it pursues in these native quarrels ? Ought &''•"' couple of small and insignificant tribes in an open country, and called (nominally, I grant) British subjects, be allowed to butcher one another quietly in detail, for in detail it will be. Neither party will ever advance and stand up in the open ground ; they will creep up to one another under cover of grass or fern and fire pop shots, occasionally killing an odd one now and again, more by accident than other*

wise. In this" manner it will go on for months until both parties are starved into cultivation again. Warning was sent to the General Government 15 months ago, but no notice has beejajaken of it, and I don't suppose there will be of this. The schooner Jane Peata, George Mortimer, master, 'from Collingwood, arrived in this harbour on Monday afternoon, having sailed from thence ■on Wednesday last. The schooner Mhrid "Elizabeth, hence, arrived at Collingwood on 'the 9th inst. Whilst at Aorere, Captain Mortimer paid a visit to the diggings. He gives glowing accounts of them, and states that the majority of people there were doing remarkably well. He saw a party of four, who, upon breaking up, shared 190 ounces of gold amongst them — that being the result of six weeks' work on the Slate River. The diggers had to encounter very severe weather, it raining in torrents and blowing fearfully, which had much impeded their operations; and many were standing by shepherding their claims until the fine weather set in. The road to the diggings was in a bad state, and .£lO per ton was being charged for the carriage of goods to Appoo's Gully. Flour was selling at £23 per ton, and potatoes at £7 per ton. The paddle steamer Tasmanian Maid was busily occupied in plying between Nelson and the diggings, conveying passengers and goods. Parties who are employed by others in digging were receiving £1 per day wages, and men employed in stores and hotels were getting £2 per week and their rations. There were abou| 60 Maories from Poirirua digging at the Slate River, and it was supposed they were doing exceedingly well. They have sent over specimens by the Jane Peata of the gold they have found to their friends and relatives at Poirirua. — Independent, Aug. 19. The schooner Emerald sailed yesterday croAvded with passengers for the Nelson diggings, and the Maria Elizabeth has sailed today with the like cai-go for the same place. A few weeks will determine the likelihood of these diggings affording profitable employment for a large population. — Spectator, Aug. 26. The " Wellington Steam Navigation Company's" s. s. Wonga Wonga, started j r esterday from the wharf on her first trip, since she became the property of Wellington shareholders. We understand that there were three cabin passengers, and about 45 steerage passengersbound for the gold diggings in Nelson. The steamer's fares to Nelson are — cabin, £3 10s. ; steerage £2 10s. — Ibid., Sept. 2. The schooner Tyne arrived yesterday from the Aorere Diggings, having left Massacre Bay on the 27th ult.' She has brought seven passengers from the Diggings, five of whom as a party made £400 each in five months. — Ibid. Maekets, (Aug. 29.)— Flour £26 per ton ; wheat 10s. to lls. per bushel ; bran 2s.