AN ENGAGEMENT AT TARANAKI.

Colonist, Volume VI, Issue 623, 13 October 1863, Page 3

AN ENGAGEMENT AT TARANAKI.

A report was received on Wednesday that 200 Ngatiruanuis were already at Mataitawa, and that a large body of Wanganui natives were coining to reinforce them as a permanent garrison. A force of bushrangers was sent out with the purpose of drawing them out, but nothing of them was seen. The following is taken from the Taranaki Herald of Saturday :— On Thursday afternoon (24th September) T. Clare was fired on by some natives near the Bell Block chapel. He and some others had been mending the fences on Bundle's farm, and as he came back towards the blockhouse he went into the chapel to shut the windows we believe; while inside he thought he heard the report of a gun, and came out into the road, when he was fired at by six or seven natives, who happily, however, were far enough off to miss him. This being a clear breach of neutrality, a party of 100 of the 57th, under Captain Shortt, Lieuts. Thompson, Cox, and "Waller, and Ensign Duncan, with Surgeon Mackinnon, and Captain Webster's party of Bushrangers, the whole under the command of Major Butler, left town at 3.30 a.m. yesterday. They proceeded to the Mangoraka and there divided, one party going up on this side towards Kaipakopako, and the other one crossing the river and lying in ambush near Sentry Hill (Te Morere). At about 5.30, soon after they got on the ground ■nine or. ten-natives'were seen approaching: they were, however, turning down another road when Major Butler's party (on the other side of the river) opened fire on them with a volley at 400 yards and then gave chase, but the enemy soon disappeared; traces of blood, however, were found. Upon this, Captain Shortt and Captain Webster advanced a little to the Tight where they heard voices, and soon came upon a small nnmber of natives apparently discussing the state of affairs. These very soon dispersed, however, and commenced firing, but without effect, though there were some narrow escapes on our side. One man is said to have been seen to fall here, and of course there may have been more. They continued firing "in an absurd manner " long after our men left, and indeed after the latter had got back as far as the blockhouse. It is very satisfactory that only a few hours after the event authentic information was got direct from Mataitawa of the native loss, which is stated to be as follows :— Enoka, shot through both hips. Hara te Hokai, wounded in the hand. Hare te Kakaka, in the arm. Hokopa te Patutu, in right arm, bone grazed but not broken. These all belonged to Mataitawa. Enoka's wound is a dangerous one. He is the only surviving brother of W. Kingi. Hare Te Hokai is a great fighting man and was the leader of the party that fired on T. Clare, the others being Ngatiruanuis. This party was the ihu taua (nose of the tana, i. c., the advance guard) and what they did was a declaration of war and a challenge to the people of the blockhouse—as Col. Warre most properly interpreted it, and the promptitude with which he accepted it must have rather disconcerted them. The Ngatiruanuis, 100 of whom were somewhere about, may perhaps have been in the bush on the right, or possibly have come up 'just too late.' There are^ we believe, 300 instead of 200 as at first stated. It appears by; 'accounts received by a native that Enokaj Hare, and some others learning from a sentry that a cart was passing—(the sentry mistook a stretcher carried above the fern by one of Captain Shortt's party for a cart) went to catch the cart, but caught a tartar instead. It is stated that Hamarama, the Wanganui chief, is deadkilled by a fall from his horse say the natives, but it is believed shot at Tataramaika.

Eably Swabming.—A correspondent signing himself " Old Biggs" says that on 27th Sept., a swarm of bees was thrown off from a bee-hive belonging to Mr. James Blick of Brook-street Valley. " This," says the old gentleman, "is the only time I have heard «f such early swarming in this province. Like the stock this swarm comes from, now in my own possession, its early appearance proves that beea can be well and successfully managed in Nelson." Young Men's Mutual Impbovement Society.— On Thursday evening, Oct. 1, the first lecture of the series was delivered in the Odd-Fellows' Hall. The chair was taken by Mr. I. M. Hill, one of the society's vice-presidents. After some preliminary remarks the chairman introduced Mr. Dutton, who gave a well delivered, interesting, and instructive lecture upon the excellent old proverb " Where there's a will there's a way." The young men of Nelson may consider themselves fortunate in having had the pleasure of listening to such an admirable lecture as was presented on that occasion; and we cannot but hope that in all their undertakings, whether in the field of religion, scientific studies, duty, or business of life, they may remember the well chosen and admirably illustrated maxim that "Where there's a will there's a way." At the close of the lecture a vote of thanks was _warml^accorded tc Mr. Duttoq,