TARANAKI.

Otago Witness, Issue 332, 10 April 1858, Page 6

TARANAKI.

The week will long be remembered for the muster of the several districts at one central point. On Friday, pursuant to notice, upwards of six hundred able bodied men attended to ha\e the oath administered to them as members of the New Plymouth Battalion of New Zealand Militia. As we acquainted our readers some weeks since, only 300 are to be drilled for the present. The selection of this number was decided by ballot a few days 6ince, and upon the result being communicated to the force the men were told oft' into their respective companies. Notwithstanding the novelty and,. we may add, the unpopularity of the service, it reflects no little credit on the New Plymouth settlers that not more than half a dozen persons tendered substitutes. To affirm however that there was no discontent would be incorrect. The appointment of officers, which it was generally understood was adjourned for the present, having that tendency. Xhe colonists do not understand why these aji~

poiutments have been bestowed upon those, who in their judgment, do not possess the qualities which usually receive respect and attention from thinking men, and it will require not only time but a knowledge of their fitness to command to accustom the Militia to co-ope-rate properly with those placed over them.

At Waitara Ihaia is closely beleaguered and even little children venturing beyond the precincts of his pa are fired upon. His wounded men are fast progressing to convalescence under the skilful treatment, of Dr. St. George, who being less scrupulous than the Acting Colonial (Surgeon, will at least enjoy the satisfaction of having saved the life of one fellow creature, if not of two. The besieged are in good spirits and if reinforcements do not speedily arrive can retreat either to the North ov to Whanganui. Since our Province is to become the seat of native warfare on a large scale, it is to be hoped that we may thereby be relieved of some of our turbulent characters, who not content with bullying peaceable settlers now openly boast that they would shoot the Governor should he venture to interfere in the present quarrel. As to firing at the missionaries, officials, and parties who visit Waitara on business, that is of too frequent occurrence to attract particular notice. If, however, the Government permit William King to fire on his creditors it should at least coltect their debts. It may not be generally known that the amount actually owing by William King's tribe to indi\ iduals would be an ample pa) ment for the purchase of the Waitara district. We refer especially to William King because he is the recognised head of those engaged in besieging Ihaia, and countenances the acts of those assisting him. It is, however, satisfactory to know that it has been resolved by the chiefs supporting William King that in the event of their capturing Ihaia, the sovereignty of the lands of this district shall in future vest in William King. A more effectual method of annulling the Treaty of Waitangi could not be devised. In any case, this contest must terminate to our advantage. Should Ihaia triumph over his adversaries he will immediately carry out his avowed policy of selling land, and if on the other hand William King should prove victorious, his assumption of a sovereignty vested in Her Majesty Queen Victoria will be the forerunner of his downfall. — March 13.