AHURIRI. ANOTHER NATIVE FIGHT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VI, Issue 277, 21 November 1857, Page 4

AHURIRI. ANOTHER NATIVE FIGHT.

[Fiom the llawke's Bay Herald, October 17, 1857.] We regiet to learn — although the event has been for some time daily expected — that another collision between the respective contending parties of Te Hapuka and Te Moana Nui, took place on Wednesday last — resulting in two men being killed and four wounded. We are enabled to supply our readers with the following particulars — kindly furnished us, under date the following day, by Dr Hitchings, Native Surgeon, whose avocation called him to the scene of bloodshed, and whose account we subjoin t — To the Editor of the Ilawlte's Bay Herald. Sir, — I am sorry to inform you that another fight took place yesterday, between Te Moana Nui and his confederate chiefs, and Te Hapuka, in which two natives have been killed, and a few wounded. The circumstances which led to this outbreak were detailed to me peacemeal, during the hurry of my professional visit, to-day, and I give them to you in the same disjointed way that it may be expected I heard them, when my total ignorance of the native language is taken into account. Te Moana Nui and his party, ever since the last engagement, have evinced a great deal of assurance and an open tone of defiance towards those opposed to them, (whether from their numerical superiority, or their real or supposed victory on that occasion or both) and, particularly during the past week, have repeatedly sent challenges to them ; but these have not been accepted, Hapuka preferring the shelter of his pah fortifications, to risking an unequal encounter on the open plain. A challenge was sent yesterday and at first refused, but, the one party emboldened and the other maddened or rendered desperate in consequence of the arrival of some 25 or 30 natives from Taupo, the latter (the Hapuka party) hoisted a red flag at Wakatu, which means an acceptance of the challenge, and some 70 or 80 men, headed by the Pakowhai chief, Pukaia, advanced to meet the enemy. A long and desultory battle ensued, which lasted until darkness came on, and which, strange to say, led to so few casualties. This is the more surprising, as the respective parties were frequently firing at each other, at some ten or twelve yards distance only, and the numbers actually engaged on Te Moana Nui's side, were at least two hundred men — armed. To-day all is quiet again ; and although a resumption of hostilities will almost inevitably take place at some future time (so long as the exciting cause remains, — Te Hapuka continuing at Wakatu), yet this will seemingly be controlled by accidental circumstances or by the caprice of a moment. I subjoin a correct list of the killed and wounded. Thomas Hitchinos, Native Surgeon. LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED. Te Hapuka's side. — Killed: — RotohikoKongarawji (from the Wairoa). Wounded : — None. Te Moana Nui's side. — Killed: Matthew Kawaka (from Taupo). Wounded : — Renata Noekai (severely), Pene Teua (slightly). Overland Route to Auckland. — We learn, that although Rangihiroa, through whose country the bridle track to Auckland must necessarily pass, still withholds his consent, he has agreed, immediately on returning from the war party, to give the assistance of his tribe towards cutting so much of the track as passes over Government land, between Napier and his own territory. Having yielded thus far, he is not likely, we think, to persist, for any length of time, in his refusal to permit the road to be proceeded with farther.