CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 490, 20 April 1861, Page 9

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

Sunday, March 17. — From Wanganui we hear the natives are quiet 5 and although the King's flag has been hoisted at Otaki, there is no intention on the part of the natives south of Wanganui to take up arms against the Queen's authority. A few of the up-river natives have come over to Waitara, but the report that Topine te Mamaku had joined the insurgents is not fact. A chief named Ngarupiki was the leader of the few Wanganui natives with the Waikatos, but had been carried back to his Jtainga very badly wounded, and was not expected to live. The Waitotara natives had joined the Ngatiruanuis, and are at Waireka.

The Tasmanian Maid, from Waitara last night, brings intelligence that a heavy fire was sustained on both sides at Te Arei yesterday, ami, we regret with the loss of an old soldier of No. 10 company of the 65th, named T. Hannah, who was mortally wounded, and died after lingering a few hours. A 57th man, and two others of the 65th, were wounded. The mortars are said to be doing great execution amongst the enemy, and it is believed their losses were heavy yesterday. Monday, 18. — A letter from Waitara, dated to-day states, "On Saturday there was heavy firing all day, and one 57th man and three 65th were wounded. One of the 65th, T. Hannah, of the Light Company, was mortally wounded through the top of the head. He was taken to No. 7 redoubt, and remained until 8.15, p.m., when he died. He is to be buried in town, beside his comrade Rooney, who fell at Mahoetahi. A heavy fire all day yesterday, and a most unfortunate day for us. In the afternoon, about 3, p.m., Lieut. M'Naughtcn, R.A., was shot dead while laying a cohorn mortar. The bullet struck him in the wrist, and entered his right breast, severing a main artery, and causing death in four minutes. He is a great loss to the service, and much lamented by all who knew him. He haa been two years and a-half in the colony, and has just completed a year's active service. Heavy firing all the morning, and a red flagjflying at the high hill in rear of Pukerangiora, until about 10, a.m. I regret to say that the enemy came down on Saturday, at about 8, p.m., to take away again the sap roller from the head of the demi-paraliel, but they met with a warm reception from the 65th, who were on guard in No. 8 redoubt, also from a shell which was planted for them with a friction tube, and went off when they stirred the roller. They must have lost several of their number, as they came down about half an hour afterwards with a light, and again met the fire of the 65th." ELM. colonial steam-sloop Victoria arrived at Waitara to-day from Manukau, with Mr. M'Lean, Chief Land Commissioner and Native Secretary, and 15 chiefs on board. The party will have an interview with the rebels to-mor-row morning. Tuesday, 19. — A letter by the Tasmanian Maid last night from Waitara informs us that the troops and rebels were hotly engaged during yesterday. Some rifle pits were taken and filled in, and a determined attack was made upon the 40th skirmishers on the right front, when several of that gallant regiment were killed and wounded. Two officers, Lieutenants Rees and Whelan, were severely wounded, and three privates killed. A flag of truce was again hoisted to-day by the enemy on Te Arei, and Mr. M'Lean and the chiefs, with Messrs. Parris and Drummond Hay, we hear overland, are holding a conference with the native chiefs on the edge of the bush on the right of No. 6 redoubt. Hostilities are again suspended. Lieut. M'Naughten, R.A., was buried to-day with military honours at St Mary's Churchyard by Archdeacon Govett. A large number of military and civilians attended the funeral.

Wednesday, 20. — The southern rebels have been burning extensively to-day. This morning, between 1 and 2 o'clock, they fired Mr. Fishleigh's house, about 600 yards from No. 3 Blockhouse, and large columns of smoke have been rising in the direction of the Carrington ! road. Natives were seen moving down the | gully towards Hammerton's mill with lights, but retired on receiving a volley from the Blockhouse, which commands the gully. An escort, with supplies for Omata, ' of 200 men i and a 24-pounder howitzer, under Lieut.-Col. Young, 65th Regiment, marched at 8, a.m., this morning. It was expected there would be some skirmishing, as it was reported that the southern rebels had sunk rifle pits on Bundy's hill, which commands the road this side the Herekawe stream, and were prepared to attack the escort. The report was unfounded. A white flag flying at Poutoko, the friendly pah, was taken to be a flag of truce on Waireka, and the men were ordered not to fire at a small pah recently constructed on Law's land, near the site of the Omata village. All the cattle and sheep have been driven south, and, having burned all the houses, small parties of these natives are now turning their attention to the destruction of the fencing on the farms. The Tasmanian Maid, withMr. Parris on board, went south this morning as far as Waireka, to communicate with the friendly natives at the Poutoko. We hear the rebels fired several shots at the steamer.

Thursday, 21. — The startling intelligence reached town that the Waikatos have left Te Arei, and are on their way home. This morning they were observed leaving and crossing the river, and firing their pieces in the air. Mr. M'Lean and the native chiefs slept in Te Arei pah last night. At about 9, am., it was known in town that the southern natives had left their position at Waireka and retired south. About 10 o'clock, Capt. Burton and another from the Omata stockade, rode into town and stated that he had taken a few men from the stockade and been over the position, thus confirming the previous' report. The rebels have retired upon Kaihihi, where they have halted. These Southern hordes have been for two months and upwards on our land at Waireka. In addition to the cold-blooded murders committed by them last March, many estimable settlers have fallen since into their hands by the most treacherous means. The abstraction of live stock, agricultural implements, and household property has been enormous. In addition to all this, the destruction I of property that could not be carried away has been wanton and complete, houses having been burnt, and even fencing destroyed up to the morning of their flight, and after it had been decided upon. — The Tasmanian Maid came up this evening from Waitara, and reports that a number of Waikatos had left, and that Mr. McLean was holding a horero with Wi Kingi. " Herald" Office, March 30.

The stagnation of the week has fairly closed our Journal of Events. On Wednesday His Excellency the Governor with Mr. Weld, Native Minister, Mr. Whitaker, Attorney General, and Mr. Commissioner M'Lean, arrived at Waitara in the Victoria. The Niger returned from Auckland with fifty tons of ammunition on Sunday. Parties of settlers have been out to examine the state of the country, and it appears that except on the Upper Mangorei road, the ravages oi the enemy have been complete enough. Four houses out of five are gone, and oi the remainder, part have

been spared as lodging houses for the enemy* and fire had been set to others, but had not taken. On a rough estimate five-sixths of the cattle are gone by one means and another. The stench of putrid animal matter is common, and many bodies of cows, bullocks, and sheep, shot in mere wantonness are strewed along the roads. The progress of the thistle will not be fully seen till spring, but already it is evident that we have here our work before us.

The examination of the abandoned defences at Waireka shows the position to have been much less formidable than its reputation. It offered only one front, and was assailable easily in rear.

April 6.

The week has been again a blank. Gossip from the visitors to the camp is the only relief to the monotony. The Ngatiawa natives shew no shadow of irritation or mistrust, and they are treated with kindness and consideration. Hapurona's followers are perfectly frank. They willingly show the wonders of the Pukerangiora position to all who have permission to visit it. They state that Hapurona made peace because the Governor and the Bishop wished it, and they, estimate the Waikato losses in killed at 300, the Ngatiawa only 14. Three large graves at Pukerangiora corroborate this statement. On going down to Visit the Governor, Hapurona was dressed in a gunny bag ; on his return he appeared in a blue shirt and trousers. The men generally are eager for clothing, potatoes, spirits, and tobacco. Money is at a discount.

The natives describe the artillery as having effected little ; one man only was killed by a shell— the man who attempted to remove the second sap-roller. Much powder was got from dead shells. The rifles did all the execution.

There is no foundation whatever for the statement that Genl. Cameron brought special instructions to his Excellency. The Home Government have not tied his hands one way or the other.

Such is the substance of the most trustworthy reports that come from Waitara, and the week is wound up by the publication in town of the terms offered to W. King. Noon to-day was the hour appointed for the acceptance or rejection of these terms.

Friendly natives in town talk freely in blame of the Governor's offer. They consider that the overtures should have come unequivocally from W. Kingi to make a solid peace probable-