AHURIRI. NATIVE HOSTILITIES.

Colonist, Issue 25, 15 January 1858, Page 3

AHURIRI. NATIVE HOSTILITIES.

( From the ffaivke's Bay Herald of December 12.) , We regret to announce that another engagement (the third time since the breaking out of hostilities) took place between the opposing parties under the Chiefs te Hapuka and te Moana Nui, on Wednesday last, the 9th instant. We subjoin a list of the killed and wounded, amongst the former of which we observe with unfeigned regret, the name of Puhara Hawaikirangi, a chief of the highest rank; a man well known and much respected by settlers of all classes, and who will^ be regretted by most of us for many reasons, but chiefly perhaps because of the consequences which his loss is, we fear likely to entail upon the Mission connected with the Roman Catholic religion; who, upon the death of their principal adherent and supporter, will probably find themselves obliged to remove from their pregent location at Pakowhai, where a considerable amount of industry and capital have been expended in forming the «>station, —whose hospitality to the wayfarer, and charity to all who needed it, will never be forgotten by any who have been thrown in the way of the one, >or have chanced to require the other. ; - ; Placed in the direct route of most travel-, lers to the inland districts; arid being t&ej only English resident within several miles of te Hapuka,—the white man's greatest friend—the kindness, urbanity, and hospitality which Father Regnier has never missed an opportunity, of showing to those thrown in his way will ever be remembered; and should he now, by the death of his principal adherent, Puhara, be obliged, as we fear he may, to remove his station elsewhere—it will long be regretted by those whom circumstances have thrown into communication with the Mission Station at Pakowhai. But, strong as are the above reasons for regretting the loss of this chief, there are others quite as powerful which lead us to lament his untimely death. Puhara has always been a staunch supporter of law and order in the district—a most determined follower of te Hapuka in his policy of land selling; and if he had his faults (and who amongst us is perfect) we still say de mortius nil nisi boniim" and we can, while remembering his good qualities, easily afford to pass over the weakness of a chief of high rank and noble bearing, cut off from amongst us in his prime, whilst fighting for lands, his claims which where undisputed even by those who are contending for possession of the property. Te Watene and Hiriui were also men of considerable importance in the subdivisions

of the- tribe with which they were connected. .■-■• The fight took place in the evening, and was brought on by a challenging party being sent from Moana Nui's side, who after some time succeeded in drawing out a sortie from the pa, consisting of about 60 men under Puhara, who was engaged for about a couple of hours with a force of about 170 of the enemy; the main body under te Hapuka and Poraone remaining to garrison the stockade, until, finding that their friends were getting the worst of it^ they sailed forth to. cover their retreat; and; darkness approaching, the conflict ceased. ; The bodies of Watene and te Whitu were captured by the enemy, but were^ returned the next morning to their friends. • The loss on Moana Nui's side is totally disproportioned to that of their opponents, consisting only of a young lad beloning to the Ngatiawa tribe from Taranaki, of no rank, and but distantly connected with the people here. They are consequently greatly elated with their success, and declare their intention of following it up till te Hapuka is either killed or driven inland, and his pa burnt to the ground. We are in hourly expectation of -hearing of a renewal of hostilities. We append a list of casualties :— HapuMs Party. v Puhara Hawaikirangi, skilled. Te Watene te Haehae/kiiied, • ■ Hirini Hoekou, killed. ; Te Whitu, killed. . Te Harawira te Kaiwae, sev. wounded. Ponotahuri' severely wounded. Horomona te Rongoparai, slightly. Moana Nui's Party. Hone Warani, (of Ngatiawa,) killed. 'J.'e Matenga, slightly wounded. Te Wirihana, severely wounded. Paora Pareko, severely wounded. Mohi te Ahiko, slightly wounded. Tihore Waru, slightly wounded. ' Natana te Ako, slightly wounded. Epanaia Tararehe, slightly wounded. Tame Tuki, slightly wounded. Several others were wounded on both sides, but so slightly as not to be worth mentioning.

The Signs of the TiMES.-r-TJnderthis heading, the Hawhes Bay Herald of 19th December, has the following remarks upon the necessity of the separation of the Ahuriri District from Wellington:—" A grand feature in the agitation now going on, or, rather, now resuscitated in this district, is that the settlers desire the reality, and repudiate the tinsel. Treating with contempt the mockery of Superintendents with the power of little Kings—of Provincial Secretaries and Treasurers—of Councils with honorabkmembevs— of Speakers with throne and flowiug robes—of Sergeant-at-arms, with wand of office, and the innumerable absurdities of the present Provincial Governments —enough indeed to make 'the angels weep'—they simply want the control of their own revenues, and care not in how primitive a shape that control is conferred." In his journal of the 26th, the editor further says :—" The District of Ahuriri has been, and will'be for many years, essentially a wool-growing country. With it, while other interests are not to be disregarded, the run-holding interest is paramount. It must' be protected against captious interference. The party now in power in Wellington have attained that power principally by two means—one, the 'Irish-cry;' the other/ the cry against the runholder. It is true that the Reform Association now repudiate any hostile intention towards the runholder; but we cannot forget that E. J. Wakefield is the master mind of • that association, and that his violent speeches against this class of settlers—long before a hustings cry was wanted—fora strange contradiction to the professions now being made by his party. The inference generally drawn is that Wakefield cannot be trusted; Featherston, on tbe other hand, is powerless, and likely to remain so. What more reasonable then —indeed what other course is open, than for the settlers to take the necessary steps towards having the management of their own affairs vested in their own hands? Equal in aggregate intelligence and hi the qualities necessary for self-government, to the members of any community in the world; and, (we now refer in particular to the runholder) sufficient in number to maintain their due position under a scheme of representation for the district—-the wonder rather is that any should be found, more especially at the present juncture, to cling to a connection not only attended with, pecuniary disadvantages, but fraught with great danger—danger which, to use the words lately employed by Dr; Featherston, 'it is Impossible to exaggerate.' " The Harbour.—^As in former years, the mouth of the harbour deepens with the advance of fine weather. A few days ago, on the pilot sounding the channel, he found ll'-J----feet at low water. How easy would it be, and at comparatively little expense, to make the harbour of Napier one of the finest in New Zealand.—JT. B. Herald, Bee. 26. New Buildings are springing up in every direction. In the township we observe the completion of a tasteful erection, intended for purposes of business by Messrs. Newton & Browne; together with some private residences in progress. On the Spit several buildings are in course of erection— two large stores for Messrs. Stuart, Kinross, & Co, and Mr. J. A. Smith respectively, being conspicuous amongst the number. Every month may now be expected to add to^"the appearance of Napier.— lbid. "Arrival of D. M'Lean Esq.—This gentleman, so long expected from Auckland, arrived on Sunday by the " Sea Serpent." He is accompanied, or to be followed, by a surveying staff; and brings a sum of money with which to complete land purchase. We learn that, since his arrival, Mr. McLean has visited the antagonistic native chiefs; and we trust that his great influence over the native mind may be instrumental in bringing existing hostilities —so deplorable in their results—to a speedy termination.— H. B. Herald, Jan. 2.