TARANAKI.

Otago Witness, Issue 919, 10 July 1869, Page 10

TARANAKI.

(from our own; correspondent.) New Plymouth, June 25th.

The rumour that was current here a few weeks since, and which I forwarded to you by telegraph via Nelson, to the effect that the Mokau natives were likely to commense fighting at the end of June, seems to have been well founded. Yesterday morning, intelligence was received in town, that late on the previous night large fires were visible on the ranges to the east, between the Pukearuhe redoubt and the Waiiti. I think I have described in, a previous letter the position of our men at Waiiti, They are stationed about a mile and a half from where the murders were committed, and nearly half a mile inland from' the sea beach. To their east lies a ridge of mountains between 250 to 360 feet high, covered with bush and scrub, which runs in the direction of Mount Egmont. It was on these steep and rugged ranges that the fires were seen, and natives were also perceived in large numbers. As the distance from the camp was not more than a mile, active preparations were immediately made, and blue lights thrown up to warn the settlers round about of the danger. ." Major Tuke aud Captain Messenger concentrated their forces, aud sent an orderly into town with a despatch stating what had taken place. Early yesterday, Major Brown (who had only the day bofore returned from Wellington) went to the front, and although I doubt much if his services will be of any use, yet being the Benior officer in this part of the island, he has the power to act and command. It is hard to think that the lives of settlers and the peace of a country should depend on a " vote in the Assembly ;" but it must be ao, or the Ministry would never have giTen the command to a man who has no experience in military matters, besides being one of the most unpopular men in the place. The men returned this morning, and report that the forces have scoured the ranges, but, with the exception of finding the traces where natives had been the night previous, nothing was seen. The affair, that at one time looked serious, has resulted in smoke, and our gallant major may now occupy bis time in trying those who have misconducted themselves in his absence by court-martial. There is no doubt that the rebels are about, and it is more than probable that it was a party on their way to Tito Kowaru with ammunition.

An affray occurred at Urenui a few days since, between some of the Armed Constabulary and the friendly natives. A dispute having arisen between the landlady of a public house and a Maori, the native was about to strike her with a tomahawk, when a man of the Constabulary interfered, and with his fist knocked the Maori down. A ecuffle ensued, in which several of the whites and blacks joined, and sticks and tomahawks were freely used ; no serious wounds, however, were inflicted.

A few weeks since, Ihaia and his men, numbering about eighty, were sent to the Fukearuhe redoubt, the farthermost point on the coast owned by Europeans, near the White Oliffo ; and there told to remain on the defensive. The chief did not care about remaining idle, so one day he started with his men, made a raid over about an area of five miles of the enemy's country, and succeeded iv burning several whores, besides looting a few pigs and potatoes. On the authorities in town Soaring of the affray, they sent for Ihaia into town, and severely reprimanded him for acting contrary to orders. To this tho chief replied—' 1 That his men were receiving government pay, but were doing nothing for it — bo he thought ho would exorcwe them a little. 1 He was cautioned not to do it again, as " his masters" said ho was not to act on tho aggressive. He shrugged his shoulders, and replied, " that Pakehaa might understand being paid for doing nothing, but he thought it a very wrong principle when thoro was work to do. Thu murderers were not caught, and yet they (tho Nktivos) had to remain 'sitting down, smoking thoir pipes, and not allowod to 90 and kill the men who had murdered Whitoley. Ho was « dark l about it, but would wait to hear what tho Governor had to tay respecting it." This will give you a good idoa of tho inactivity of our forces, whioh has lulled many of tho sottlors into a fal*o security. Moat of them have returned to thoir farms, and prepared for cropping thoir land. Now. I suppose, we shall toon htar of them ftU

settlers of this, .province, are, realljr to be pitied, for they never 1 Imow when they or their property are safe. . . „. r , , > > 1 There are three 1 "men who wsre connected with "Tito ' Kowaru, now living with the friendly natives at the Hua, and the, authorities are afraid to arrest the cannibals. The Civil Commissioner has written to Wellington for instructions, but why they could not be brought" before the legal authorities at once, and tried 'for being in arms against Her Majesty, no one can understand.

The furnace at Messrß Henocksberg and Co. 'a Pioneer Steel Works is nearly completed. A fire has been burning in it for some, days for the purpose of drying the brickwork, and I hear that the first smelting will be attempted in about a fortnight's time. Major Brown, M.H.R., having paired off in favour of the Government, on the vote of Want of Confidence question, arrived here on Wednesday last. The electors are very indignant with him, and I hear a meeting is to be held, at which he will be requested to resign his seat. Trade has Blightly improved; which may arise from a great quantity cf produce having been shipped away to Greymouth. It is time things did mend in this unfortunate province.