THE WAR WITH THE NATIVES.

Colonist, Volume VI, Issue 597, 14 July 1863, Page 3

THE WAR WITH THE NATIVES.

ALLEGED RISING of the WAIKATOS.

TROOPS LEAVING TARANAKI FOR AUCKLAND. The Taranalci Herald of Saturday writes : — The Eclipse arrived this ' morning from Manakau with important news from the North, the particulars of which we have not been able to learn, but the Waikatos are said to have risen. That something serious has occurred may be judged by the fact that instead of General Cameron coming back here, the Eclipse returns to Auckland tonight with the 70th—and we hear that Capt. Mercer and the Mounted Artillery, the 40th arid the 65th are to follow. We suppose Tataraimaka will now be temporarily abandoned, and we hope Oakura and Poutoko too, as the natives will then be emboldened to come within reach.

400 volunteers for "active service".are wanted by the Government from the Ist division of the Auckland Militia. They are to receive 2s. 6d. per day and rations. The Eclipse has brought no mail.

(FEOM X COBRESPOITDENT.)

New Plymouth, June 28,1863.

Since the affair of the 4th instant nothing of importance occurred here until the departure of General Cameron for Auckland in the Eclipse, with the object, it was understood, of meeting the new General (Dupuis). [Fears are entertained by some that Cameron will not return, while others hope that he will, and be permitted to work out what he has so well begun. However, the settlers seem all determined to memorialise the Government to keep him in the country. His conduct to civilian soldiers is conspicuous for kind consideration, and it is quite refreshing to witness with what good will they perform the duties demanded of them, though these are much heavier than formerly. On Thursday, Hapurona, "William King's fighting chief, who was paid £100 per annum by the Government for keeping possession of the redoubt at Waitara, sent us a formal challenge, addressed to the Governor, the General, Mr. Bell, and Mr/ Parris, with a verbal message that if they did not come and fight him in the light of the sun, he should march in from Mataitawa to the Bell Block, driving before him all living things that might come in his way. By the " light of the sun," he means openly, without ambuscade, but he forgets to name the day on which our troops are to meet them, or the place. Yesterday, the Eclipse returnedfrom Auckland without the General, for the purpose of taking away troops, as the "Waikatos have risen. This is all I could learn. About 300 were sent away by her at once—about 100 of the 70th, the remainder made up of the 65th and 40th. 100 mounted artillery are expected to leave by another steamer, probably the Claud Hamilton or the Harrier. The Airedale has arrived on her way to Nelson. She brings no confirmation of the Waikato disturbance that I can hear of.

Regarding Hapurona the 'Herald' says— Hapurona has not been in town since the 25th January, 1862, when he was arrested by the police for riotous and disorderly conduct in the public streets. He was then, we believe, in receipt of £100 per annum as commandant of the Matarikoriko blockhouse, which he threw up in consequence of his having been made a '■ slave' of by the police. He has been residing with his followers at Te Arei, and in daily communication with the Mataitawa natives, whose leader he will be in fighting against the pakehas, as he was in the last war. Many of our readers will remember that Hapurona was said to have been the chief officer of engineers at Puketakauere and Huirangi, and was in command of the 70 men who repulsed the 1200 at the latter place. We are informed that a few Taranaki natives have come down from Waikato with 6 kegs of gunpowder, which they intend taking round the mountain. They brought messages to the Mataitawa people. The Bell Blockhouse garrison is to be reinforced to-morrow by men from No. 1 Volunteers and No. 1 Militia.

A QUEER MAORI AMBASSADOR TO SIR

GEORGE GREY. The Auckland papers state that an ambassador extraordinary presented himself at the Government House on Monday. A bare legged and ugly specimen of the native race announced himself as a herald from King Potatau 11. His message from his master was to the effect that his copper-colored majesty was of opinion that the Taranaki murders were perfectly right and in accordance with Maori usages! Further, if any person was to blame, it was the Governor himself, who had no business at Taranaki. Whether the herald had any further intimations or overtures to make, it is now impos' sible to make out, inasmuch as his Excellency intimated, in unmistakable terms, that unless he wished to find himself in the Auckland prison, he nad better be out of the city in an hour.

ARREST OF A NATIVE FOR DESPOILING

MR: WORST'S PRINTING PREMISES. , Aporo, the native, who was one of the principal leaders in the attack on Mr. GrorstY printing establishment in Otawhao, was apprehended for the offence on June 13, and has been committed for trial. It is supposed that the Waikatos, indignant at the seizure of one of the tribe of their allies, may have risen, and hence the removal of the troops to Auckland, but as yet this is not known. The Waikato is distant about eight milea from Auckland.

Licensed Victuamebs' Dinseb.—The Society of Licensed Victuallers in Nelson held their annual dinner in the Wakatu Hotel (Mr. Mills'), on Tuesday 30th, Mr. Newman, of the Miners' Arms, in the chair, arid Mr. Bentley as vice-chairman. About thirty persons, including a few privileged guests were present, the members nearly all belonging to the city, and the all but total absence of country members being a subject of some comment. The dinner was a very sumptuous one, all the prevailing delicacies of the season, with the advantage of excellent cooking, being assembled ou the board to gratify the palate. The wines and liqueurs were all good, as they ought to be when such a large jury of judges had assembled to test their merits. The dinner passed off well, and a very happy and. harmonious evening was spent, enlivened at intervals by toast and song, and sentU m<»t *ud epeech.