CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS. (From the Taranaki Herald.)

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 341, 25 January 1861, Page 2

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS. (From the Taranaki Herald.)

Saturday, Jan. s.—The Tasmanian Maid, from Waitara, anchored at one [p.m. She has been employed during the morning in a trip to [the White Cliffy with the General and Staff mi board, where H.M.S. Cordelia is anchored. The little steamer ran along the coast past Mairo, Urenui, Mirai, &c, and the General had an excellent opportunity of seeing the nature of the country north of VVaitara. The Generel and Staff disembarked at Waitara, and the Tasmanian Maid came on to town.—The following news from the seat of war we gather from correspondence received from the camps: " Jan. 2. Since I wrote last nothing of importance has transpired. The troops are getting on well with the fortification at Eairau and the stockade at Matarikoriko: the latter will be finished in about a week. The ene^roy ar,Q in forcet abwt the

bush and avo digging more rifle pits at the peach ] groves near Huiraugi, 1300 yards distant. The dusf.y weather here is very trying, and the General is afflicted with'sore eyes ; indeed, goggles and veils are in great request to save one's eyes from being shut up altogether. I omitted to mention in my last that some of the 40th grenadiers fired 220 rounds of ammunition, and the light company of the 65th 120 per man. The forces will soon take up more positions, and that wiil annoy the rebels more than anything, and Fukerangiora is expected to be reached. It is whispered in the camps that several of the commanding officers asked to be allowed to charge the rifle pits, «nd take them at the point of the bayonet. It might have finished the action at once, and the nativeloss have beon tenfold ; but on the other hand, our loss would have been likewise severe, as it is aaid the enemy had a strong reserve who never fired a shot, and were posted so as to form a storming party. No authentic information has or can be obtained of the loss of tho enemy—seven, including chiefs, are buried close by in the pah, which has been burned, and although a great number must be killed and wounded besides, nothing is known positively. (3rd Jan.) Last night, about six o'clock, a large party of natives were seen returning from the direction of the Bell Block with pikaus on their backs. They had evidently been down for potatoes. This morning about six a party of about 30 or 40 were seen to come across the river between Tikorangi and Pukerangiom (apparently a reinforcement), and shortly afterwards a gun was heard in the bush. We saw a good many about this morning between nine and ten, and a 24-pounder, followed by another, and then by one from the 6-inch gun, were fired into them; the two last did not do much harm, as they did not burst, but the first burst over them. (4th Jan.) The troops were under orders this morning to march at 4.30 o'clock, but tho order was afterwards countermanded. It is intended, it is rumored, to advance 600 yards nearer Huirangi, and erected a couple of redoubts. At 4 this morning the carters caught four horses that strnyed up to the camp. At 5-30 we heard about a dozen musket shots from the direction of the peach grove, and one bullet came over the camp. About 8 one of the soldiers found an old flint musket marked ' Tower,' that one of the natives had left in their retreat. The stock had been struck by a bullet at the swell, and broken to pieces; the left hand of the native had probably been destroyed. At I*3o p.m. the enemy were seen working at their rifle pits, about 20 in number, and a 68-pounder shell, followed by a 9-; pounder shell, was fired at them; this was repeated after a few minutes, when they ran away. The poor sailor who was wounded is very bad with fever, and his life is despaired of. 5 p.m.—Two 9pounder shells have just been sent over the heads of the enemy, who are busy at their rifle pits. The shells do not do as well as they ought—some do not burst. The guns mounted in the redoubt are two Biuch guns, one 24-pounder, and one 9-pounder howitzer." In the list of casualties in our journal in to-day's paper we omitted to mention the name of Private D. Leneham, 12th regiment, wounded severely. Alfred Broome, of the Naval Brigade, who. was wounded on the 29th ult., died to-day.

Sunday, 6.—Weather wet. The steamer from Waitava brings little news from the camps. Three natives crept up to within 30 yards of the sentries on the ridge between Matarikoriko and the Waitara river at 10-30 yesterday morning, and fired three shots at them. The sentries did not fire at first, thinking there was a large number of the enemy corning on, but; afterwards they did, and one of them, recognised as the young chief who came up with the Rev. Mr. Wilson on the 30th ult., to point out his father's grave, was seen going off through tiie fern, wounded in the foot. A double sentry is posted ,on this ridge, and one of the sentinels acted with great prudence and courage sending his comrade a distance of several hundred yards to alarm the garrison, while he watched the m ivements of the wily enemy. The sentinels would have charged and bayonetted at once, but they had to run down a steep hill and were afraid of a reserve in the busli close by. The troops were all turned out and under arms for half-an hour. Mr. 0. Camngton and a surveyiug party, with Ensign Pagan, 65th, were out at the time,' between Matarikoriko and the Karaka grove, and it was feared at first that they were attacked. A few shells were again fired into the rifle pits yesterday. There was no fighting or working in the trenches to day by mutual consent, through Mr. Wilson, fiewi was not to be seen by Mr. Wilson,— they said he had hurt his foot, so it may be inferred he has been wounded. The enemy say they will fight for ever if the Governor v/ill not give up the land purchased from Teira. It is said the Waikatos brought no ammunition with them, but get their supplies from Wi Kiugi by agreement. They are most anxious, they assert, to have the war confined to Waitara, and expect the Ngatiruanuis (500 in number) to be up soon to fight with them against the pakeha. The Waikatos thought we had lost 100 men at least on the 29th, and were surprised to hear from Mr, Wilson we had only buried three.—The Lord Ashley and H.M.S.S Niger, fioni Manukau, arrived this morning. The latter brings a reinforcement of 210 men of the 14th Regiment, under the command of Major Douglass. After landing the mail the Niger proceeded to Waitara, where she disembarked the troops. The Lord x\shley left for Nelson at 8 p.m. Monday, 7.—The Niger and Tasmanian Maid from Waitara this morning, and both returned in the course of the day—the Niger proceeding to the White Cliffs to relieve the Cordelia. From Kairau we have the following, dated yesterday; —" An awful day. The rain began at 4-30 a.m., and continues. A truce existing on the Sabbath. The 14th have pitched their tents at the Waitara camp. A force leaves head quarters (Waitara) to-morrow morning to attack the enemy in their position at Huirangi and throw out another advanced post.'' Tahana, a Native Assessor, in the pay of the Government, was put in the gaol to-day on a charge of having communicated with the enemy. A letter from him to the rebels, with his signature, was found in the abandoned rifle pits at Kairau; it apprised them of the intended movement against Matarikoriko, &c. We trust there will be no glossing over this charge. The maori who prowls about the country with gun and tomahawk in hand with the declared object of taking life is an open and manly enemy compared with this man. As a native magistrate receiving pay from the government he had access to every part of the settlement, and the opportunity assuming the letter to be genuine, was turned to the basest purposes.

Tuesday, B.—Having visited the camps at Waitara we are eaabled to narrate some events which fell under our own observation. This morning at 3*30 a large force of the Naval Brigade, 14th, aud 40th commanded by the General, left the camp at Waitara for Kairau (distant about four miles) with guvs, ammunition, gabions. &c., and reached Kairau at 5. A drizzling rain had commenced on reaching Kairau, and a strong breeze from the S.E., when the General, after consulting with the officers in command of corps, ordered' a return to camp. The wind increased in violence during the day, and several tents-were blown down. No natives to be seen, excepting a few occasionally about the rifle pits, and so t c on a flat to the right of Huirangi where they appear to be on piquet duty. A few may also be seen with a glass sitting in their blankets outside a pa or village to the left of the peach grove near Pukerangiora, and. a short distance in the bush where the king's flag is kept flying. The enemy keep close in their pits and in the bush. At 4 p.m. yesterday, a mounted volunteer rode down to the rifle pits in search of a horse, and was not fired at. On his return Lieut. A. King, A.D.C., (Militia) rode down, and when he got near them, within 50 yards, three shots were fired at him close by; his horse swer. ved at the first shot.and at the same time the girths of the saddle broke. The rider fell, and the enemy (there were three or four) fired again at him and ran towards him. He held up his hand and ran as well as he could in the fern and thistles, when they stooped short atrl retreated. The horse returned to camp but the saddle was left behind. It was thought in camp where the whole proceeding could be distinctly seen that Mr. King was wounded, and several of the men ran out to his assistance; at one time it was believed that he could not be rescued alive. The natives, it is stated, say they did not wish to kill him, and could have done so if they had chosen—and considered it a good joke. Yet they fired several times at him. Lieut. King found out the position of the rifle pits and the breastworks and thus did good service, though he acted very rashly. Epiha and his men have some up from the south, and a few natives are seen every day in the rifle pits, where, no doubt, they are ensconced. Wednesday, i>. — The Kairau redoubt is situate on the site of the old Kairau pa destroyed by the General on the llth September, about 400 yards from Ngatiparirua, 100 from the brow of the gully where the first row of rifle pits were dug, and 1300 from Huirangi. It stands upon a perfectly level plain, which stretches far away to the sea. From this position the surrounding country is commanded by two 8 inch guns, one (together with a nine pounder howitzer) placed in the south face, commanding Huirangi, and the other on the east face, commanding the valley and country iv the vicinity of Matarikoriko, A 24 pounder is in the. west face, and commands the country W the di-

rcction of Ngataiparirua, &c. Colonel Wwtt, whenever he see the enemy in force about theit\«fle pits, sends them a shell or two from the guns in the south face, which at least prevents them from throwing forward their works. At Matarikoriko, where the Waikato pah is partially destroyed, the engineers, under the supervision of Capt. Mould, R.E., and Lieutenant Warburton, R.E., are erecting a stockade, which is in a rapid state of completion, with considerable labor they have cut and dragged up a steep hill trees from the forest in the valley, and the position will be very strong. This position commands the valley of the Waitara, and the country in the neighbourhood of Tikorangi, Korihi, and Karaka, and a large tract of country towards Puketakaure, and the country between that stockade and the Kairau redoubt. The land is of the richest description, but covered with the Scotch thistle, the consequence of its laying waste so many years. It was expected that an attack would have been made to-day, but the wind still continues from the S.E., and the nights are very cold. During the morning an alarm was caused by the firing of several shots in the direction oi Ngataiparirua, where the bullock drivers were tending their cattle. The 12th under Capt. Miller, and the Light Company of the 65th under Lieutenant Urquart, were under arms in a few seconds, and turned out. No natives were to be seen, hut they had fired a few shots at the bullock drivers. A great many shots were heard in the bush to the right of the camp at noon, and the natives seen coming from the direction of the Bell Block with cattle. The Cordelia left Waitara for Manukau at o p.m.

Thursday, 10.—The Tasmanian Maid returned to town this morning from Waitaia. An expedition ia to leave head quarters to-day for Sentry Hill, where an outpost will be established.—A fire broke out last night in the camp at Waitara. ' Four thatched huts were consumed and several tents were struck to prevent the conflagration spreading, and great' fears were f entertained for the safety of the magazine. However, the fire was happily extinguished. The wind increased to a strong gale during the afternoon, and wo hear that the tents at Kairau were all blown down and torn by the violence of the wind. The Tasmanian Maid left for Waitara at noon, and took down as passenger Te One, the wounded prisoner This native was shot in the leg at Mahoetahi, and, gun in hand, fell in our hands. His history was that he cams up from Waikato to dissuade his tribe from fighting. His release, therefore, may be designed to conciliate the enemy. But it will be asked if hia motives were as pure as represented, why was he at Mahoetahi armed? The answer would probably be that he only fired blank cartridges. All we know.for certain is that the man was caught because he could not rim awaj'. A strong feeling of indignation is naturally expressed at this extraordinary treatment of rebels, for both soldiers and settlers lost their lives at Mahoetahi.

Friday, ll.—The advanced guard of the Ngatiruanuis are afc Parawaha, near Kaihihi, and intend moving up when in force. The S.E. gale still continues and by the steamer from the camp we hear the troops have been compelled to strike all their tents. The gale has lasted nearly four days. Vegetation has suffered much, and the dust is dreadful.— Timber is to be sent to Sentry Hill, and this outpost commenced at once. This will command the country between Bell Block and Mahoetahi.

Saturday, 12.—8y the Tasmanian Maid we hear that the prisoner Te Ons, accompanied by Mr. Wilson, was received by the Waikatos in a general parade yesterday. 1000 armed natives were present The natives were very defiant, and expressed an.intention to act on the aggressive very shortly. Saturday, 12.—The Victoria from, Manukau anchored in the roadstead at 12 noon. The Cordelia hence the 9th instant had not arrived at Manukau yesterday morning. The recent gale, it is supposed, had prevented her reaching her port. Information was received in town to-day that a woman named Meri Poka, had come over from the enemy to the Kairau.camp, giving herself up as a prisoner, in consequence of a quarrel with her husband. Thia woman reports that the Waikatos are short of food, and live principally upon fern root and beef, the latter supplied by marauding parties. That at Matarikoriko the rebels were short of ammunition, particularly tho Ngatimahuta tribe, and 100 pouches were subsequently filled by Wi Kingi. That the Waikatos brought little ammunition with them, and were to be supplied by Wi Kingi. That the casualties on the enemy's side on the 29th and 30th ult. were 7 killed and several wounded,—at Mahoetahi, 38 missing, and 10 wounded —at Puketakauere, 5 killed and 9 wounded. Shetells a story of a wounded soldier who was found in the fern some time after the action, and who would have been spared, but for his swearing at them. This woman has been sent down to Ihaia's pah, where she will remain. ,

Sunday, 13.—The Prince Alfred arrived to-day from the Southern setilements to take up the English mails; and the Niger came from Waitara to be stationed here, the Victoria lying off Waitara. The Tasinanian Maid left for Waitara at dusk. This invaluable little steamer is kepc actively employed! now that headquarters are at Waitara, making a tiipto and fro every day. An expedition is to leave head-quarters, to move in the direction of the enemy's position, to-morrow, starting at daybreak. The Rev. Mr. Wilson visited the Ngatiruanui party at Kaihihi to-day, where he found Manahi and about 100 men—the main body being at Warea. He went with the intention of per-* suading them to abandon their system of murdering defenceless aud wounded men.. They received him with some asperity, and, in answer to his requests, told him that they should not depart from their usual custom, but would murder men, women and children who might fall into their hauds, and endeavored to justify their conduct by observing that the settlers had taken up arms, and that the little boys they had murdered were getting food for the armed settlers. Mr. Wilson found it uselesi to remonstrate with them, and was told by these southern savages that should they meet him on the road they might murder him. Monday, 14.—The mail steamer Prince Alfred left to day at 12-30 for Sydney. A party of Waikatos in ambush near the Mangaone hilL fired two volleys at two n>ounted men, (Qreenway and Howard) recovering cattle, and also it a cart on its way to the Bell Blockhouse, but fortunately without effect, although the horsemen passed within a few paces. It is known that small parties of the enemy are prowling about. At 3-30 this morning 600 of the Naval Brigade, 12th, 14th, and 40th, commanded by General Pratt, left Waitara Camp for Kairau, where they were joined by Colonel Wyatt and the 65th, leaving a garrison for the Redoubt and vi atarikoriko. Oh reaching Kairau at about 5 30 the whole force for service advanced in the direction of Huirangi, the enemy's position, the General commanding in person. The natives, who have their rifle pits along the edge of the Huirangi bush, and across the road leading into the peach grove, and also in the bush to the left, were seen hurrying in small parties to take up their places in the several rifle pits, which extend about a mile and a quarter in length from the brow of the hill overlooking the Waitarariver, to the remains of the pa, Ko-te-waU o-naha, on, the right, and, on the advance of" the troops, commenced a heavy fusilade from these hidden pits along almost the whole length of their'position. The 65th, under Colonel Wyatt, advanced in skirmishing order, with the 40th on the right and left, with supports, the 14th being left in the Kairau Redoubt, the 8-inch gun in the JRedpubt being manned by a party of t*ie Naval Brigade. A heavy fire was now kept up by the artillery, and the practice was so good that it effectually silenced the enemy's fire, and a position was taken up by Colonel Mould, about 600 yards in advance, and a working party told off to construct a redoubt. This, the object of the movement, was proceeded with rapidly, and the occasional shots from the enemy proved quite harmless; there was not a single casualty during the day. At 930 a red flag was hoisted by the enemy on a flagstaff on the edge of the bush, when some well directed shots were fired at it and it was hauled down. The Kedoubt, which will be called No. 2, was completed before dusk, and a party of the 40th, under Captain Bowdler, were left there to garrison it, and the General with the Waitara force, returned to head-quarters. The following notice, issued by the commanding officer in town, is consequent upon intelligence that natives are in considerable numbers in the neighborhood:— "In reference to former orders respecting .' alarms,' the Colonel commanding deems it desirable that, in the event of a sudden night attack, additional places of refuge should be provided for the women and children besides Marsland Hill; and, with this view the Stone Church, the Wesleyan Chapel, and the Blockhouse close to the Commissariat office, have been selected as the most convenient places of resort for the different sections of the town." The harbor boats were sent to the Niger to be alongside to land her crew in case of an attack upon the town.—Mr. Rossiter in venturing out to see his farm at Mangorei, came upon native tracks, and hearing voices behind him was compelled to ride on for some miles to reach town by a different road. This he fortunately accomplished without seeing a native. Tuesday, 15.—The Southern natives are said to have moved up from, K,wh.ih\«ewr*l ha,v«i beeueWk

in the vicinity «' the Omata Stockade. —At Kiuran and No. 2 HedcTtt nothing of importance! has transpired to-day. 'l'Jie natives are seen occasionally working in the rifle pits apparently making them shell, proot.—A brilliant meteor seen a little after two a.m. Early this morning about 120 Southern rebels crossed the Tapuae bridge.—Mr. Maunsell, of the Mounted Volunteers, was fired at by natives on the beach near the Waiongana river, where Mr. R. Brawn was shot in May last. Wednesday, 16.—An incident of a painful nature occurred to-day at Kairaxi. At about 1030 two men, J. McKindry,* of the 65th, and Mr. J. McCauley, of the Royal Engineers, were out in the direction of Ngataiparirua gathering firewood, when suddenly about 80 natives rose out of tlie fern about 300 yards from the Redoubt, and fired at these men. McKindry fell, and the natives rushed forward and carried him off, McCauley escaped with a bullet through the forearm, breaking the bone. Several shots were fired at him, while escaping, from a distance of a few paces. The rebels yelled and made a great noise over their victim, and decamped as fast as possible, followed by a party from the redoubt, under Capt. Strange and a gun under Lieut. McNaughten. They, however, got clear off with the body, and were afterwards seen running towards Huirangi, when a few shells were fired over them, with what effect is not known. A whalebone viere was picked up by a soldier evidently dropped in the confusion when carrying off the ill-iated McKindry. It appeared that the natives had been in j the vicinity some time, as places in the fern where they bad been piqueting and sleeping were found by Capt. Strange's party. Thursday, 17.—The Key. Mr. Wilson arrived at Kairau this morning from town, and at once proceeded, under a flog of truce, to the rebels' position, to ascertain the fate of McKindry. On reaching the advanced rifle-pit, or trench across the road through the peach grove, several natives appeared out of their holes, and about a dozen with Hapurona, advanced to meet Mr. Wilson. They were reserved and sullen, and would say nothing more than that they had buried McKindry as decently as possible under their flagstaff. reading tiie funeral service over his grave. He had died while they were carrying him to their settlement. They also told the rev. gentleman not to return to them unless he had some urgent reason to visit them. From their angry mood it was thought the rebels lost some men on Monday. Mr. Wilson informs us that on riding up the Mangaone Hill, he wassurpiisad by an ambuscade of the enemy whom he discovered by hearing them cock their pieces. They were lying in wait for every passer by. They told him his profession alone saved him from being shot.—A detachment of the 65th, from Napier and Wellington, marched to Kairau to-day, having arrived in the Robert Lowe last evening. They were conveyed to Waitara in the Victoria. This reinforcement consists of 133 men, under Captains McGregor and McGrath, and Lieut?. Warren, Bates, and Leonard. Captain Turner, 65th ltegt. returned in the Robert Lowe. The gallant captain is recovering from the severe wound he received at Mahoetahi.

Friday, 18.—Some excitement was caused this morning by the discharge of musketry in the direction of Mr. Standish's farm, a mile from town. A tew men belonging to a marauding party of Southern natives had observed some persons at work making hay in Mr. Standish's field, and, creeping up, fired upon them, but •without hurting any one. The natives did not wait ; for pursuit, and none was sttempted. Friendly Maories report that a stockyard has been made near Mr. Dingle's farm, to which several horses, and a good many head of bullocks have been driven by the Southern rebels.—Two mounted natives were sent out from town to recover, if possible, the horse of one of our settlers, which had been captured by the natives. They met the taua at no great distance, in the Omata road, nnmbering 150 to 200, who deprived the messengers of their horses, and they returned to town on foot.—A force of upwards of 1000 men of the Naval Brigade, under Commodore Seymour, of the 12th, under Capt. Miller, 14th, under Major Douglass, 40th, under Colonel Leslie, and 65th, under Colonel Wyatt, commanded by the General in person, proceeded at 4 a.m. to-day to throw forward another redoubt. As on Monday, a line of skirmishers was extended in front, from the brow of the hill overhanging the valley of the Waitara to the left of No. 2 redoubt. A smart fire of rifles was maintained, with a tremendous cannonade from 2 8-inch guns (one in the Kairau redoubt, and another planted in thi road between No. 2 redoubt and the enemy's position), 2 24-pounder howitzers, 1 i 12 pounder howitzer (Naval Brigade), 1 9-poundGrgun, a rocket tube (24-pounder), and a cohorn mortar. Under this fire, for whenever a puff of smoke was seen from the rifle pits, a shell was immediately thrown over it, Colonel Mould, R.E., selected another site for another redoubt, to the left of the road, about 1000 yards from Kairau redoubt, 550 from No. 2 redoubt, and about 700 from the enemy's rifle-pits and position. The enemy commenced with an irregular dropping tire from different parts of their line of defences, and early in the morning, about two hours after the Engineers and troops commenced working, two volleys were delivered from the right of the bush, near the site of the pa Ko-te-wai-o-naha. Some shells were thrown in to the place with splendid precision, and silenced their fire. On the extreme left the 12th and 14th kept up « smart fire all day upon some rifle pits on the right of the enemy's position in a gully running into the river. The working parties went on with their work regardl less of the enemy's fire, although the whizzing of rifle bullets was frequently heard, and the casualties during the whole day where William Brett, gunner, of the Boyal Artillery, wounded severely in thigh, and Mr. W. I. Grayling, in commissariat employ, slightly in right breast. The former was with the 9.pounder gun on the left, and a bullet striking the wheel of the gun carriage glanced off and entered his thigh. Mr. Grayling was standing near the redoubt when a spent ball passed between Lieut. Whitbread and Sergeant Willis, 65th regt., and entered his coat, inflicting a severe bruise, but not drawing blood. The troops were withdrawn at dusk, the skirmishers closing, and the supports and working parties going back to Kairau, leaving a party of the 40th under Capt. Richards in No. 3 redoubt, when the enemy, finding the General was not going to attack them and thus play their game, opened a furious but harmless fire upon the retiring columns from the whole length of their position, shots being fired from parts where no one had any idea there were natives. Their yells could be distinctly heard, probably in disappointment that a site had been chosen and a defence erected in spite of them, which render their position almost untenable, and without our losing a man. The General and Staff and the troops and train left for camp at 6 p.m., leaving a party of the Naval Brigade to man the 8 inch guns, one of which is placed in No. 3 redoubt, commanding the native pa near Pukerangiora and althe rifle pits.—At an early hour this morning natives were observed catching horses on Mr. George Curtis' farm, but desisted on being fired at from the stockade. A party afterwards proceeded to the farm of the Messrs McKellar, and for security brought in the horses aud cattle depasturing there. Saturday, 19.—The southern natives are at Omata, and small parties are out to maraud and murder; firing has been heard in that direction to-day, and it is rumoured the rebels are employed digging rifle pits on Waireka Hill.