CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 421, 25 August 1860, Page 2

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

Saturday, August 18. — Several houses in rear of the town, in the bush clearings, are in flames this evening, supposed to be Rev. H. Groube's and others. It is reported by a native from the Colonial Hospital that two rebels were wounded, or killed, by Lieut. Bent's party, when the sentinel was attacked at Fort Niger. A hat and a mat were picked up near the Fort. The rebel party about the Henui, who are busily employed burning houses, are the Puketapu, Wi Kingi's ' tribe, Waikatos, and some Southerns. They were on Paynter's, Hamblyn's, and Barriball's farms this afternoon, destroying pigs, &c. Tamihana and Teito, the prophet, are their leaders. A piquet of Volunteers are again stationed in Haramerton's house and in the wreck to-night. The Victoria, from the unsettled state of the weather, has put to sea. H.M.S. Fawn, from Manuka", appeared off the anchorage, and after exchanging signals, steamed out owing to the state of the weather.

Sunday. — There is no doubt that Waka and about 12 of his people have gone over to the enemy, and proceeded to Waitara. Waka has for some time been more than suspected of encouraging W. Kingi in his rebellion, though for years -the Government and the settlers had no stauncher ally. The Government, notwithstanding, allowed him and his people to fortify a pa at Puketotara, and afterwards armed and removed them to the Colonial Hospital at the Henui, in order that they might be at hand to afford their protection ! It is needless to add that they have taken with them the arms and ammunition supplied by the Government. Weather stormy and wet. 200 of the 65th regt., under Capts." Turner and Strange, Lieutenant White and Ensign'Muttit, 40 of the 40th regt. under Lieut. Hobbs, and a body of militia and volunteers, under Capts. C. Brown and Atkinson, the whole in command of Lieut.-Col. Sillery, marched this morning to the camp at Waireka, and escorted stores and provisions. They reached their destination without interruption, and returned to town at 5 p.m. The Fawn has not been seen since she put to sea yesterday. The Victoria came to the anchorage to-day, and remained till 4 p.m., when she again put to sea.

Monday. — From an early hour this morning houses have been in flames at the Henui, and before noon the following were destroyed : — Dr. Wilson's, Mrs Smith's, Paynter's, Shuttleworth's, Ibbotson's, Hamblyn's, and others in the direction of the Waiwakaiho and Hua. This morning Lieut. Bent, R.M., and a small party of marines went out from Fort Niger, and proceeded over the surrounding country for some distance. Although several houses were burning, no natives were met. These marauding rebels chiefly do all the mischief in parties of twos and threes, and on the appearance of a force of even half a dozen, hastily decamp. A few persons on Mr J. T. Shaw's farm, adjoining the Town Belt, were attacked by a party of Southern rebels, who fired a volley into the house wheie they were. Their escape was a miracle. The natives followed them within 400 yards of the barracks, when a sentry on Marsland Hill fired across at them. These natives could be seen from the town on the hills near Pattimore's and Standish's houses. No. 4 company of the 65 th, in command of Capt. Barton and Lieut. Bailie, proceeded out against them, and were followed by the Light Company under Lieuts. Urquhart and Whitbread. as a support. At the same time No. 3 Company, in command of Ensign Talbot, went out by the Frankley-road. The whole force were commanded by Lieut.-Col. Murray. A party of blue-jackets, under Lieut. Hume, R.M., were also ordered out as an additional support, and joined Col. Murray on Smith's farm. A skirmish over the country ensued, the natives retiring and firing quickly, but with unsteady aim. The alarm was sounded in town, and every one was under arms for a time. The skirmish could be seen from Marsland Hill, where a

large number of spectators congregated. No. 4 Company and the Light Company attacked the rebels by the road heading out to Elliot's and Smith's farms, No. 4'Company being 'thrown out as skirmishers. No. 3 Company attacked the natives on their flank on JDavis's, Tatton's, and Billings' farms, where they did some execution, the rebels retreating quickly before the whole force into the forest. The rebels, in several instances, retired into wooded gullies on Smith's and Elliots farms, whence they kept up a continued fire, but were speedily driven out by the skirmishers, who poured in volleys with effect. The rebel force was estimated at about 200. The troops all returned to t6wn at 3, the rebels following them- at a great distance discharging their pieces without effect. Notwithstanding the constant and heavy fire kept up by the natives, there was not one casualty on our side. It was otherwise with the enemy. Several natives were seen to < fall, and it is somewhat remarkable that Himeona, the eldest son of the head Tara- ' naki chief Paora Kukutai, of Warea, who -was cut down >at Waireka by the naval brigade, under Captain Cracroft, R.N., should have fallen. It is said that the re • bels fired bullets made of puriri, and Himeona's pouch contained cartridges with pistol bullets in them. Himeonu's body was put on a horse, and it was intended to bring it into town for buiial, but after carrying it a short distance the idea was abandoned, and it was left behind. Soon after the troops reached town, the rebels fired a house, supposed to be Mr. Langman's,. Weather stormy and wet. We understand that when the weather moderates, the Victoria will proceed to Manukau with the General. An overland mail brought in this evening from Auckland by land. The Waikatos have deferred crowning the new king. 400 of them are said to be on their way hither. The Tasmanian Maid is detained in the Waitara by the weather. Everything is quiet there. Tuesday. — The weather still stormy and wet. The George Henderson has been completely stripped of rigging, masts, &c, and now lies water-logged on the Henui beach. The natives have been observed this morning with glasses from Marsland Hill carrying away their dead and wound-

Ed in the skirmish yesterday. It is believed that they lost 20 in killed and wounded. Mr Coad was buried to-day with military

honors in St. Mary's Churchyard — the band of the Volunteers playing the funeral march

and a firing party of Volunteers preceding the body. Mr Coad was one of our earliest settlers, and lost his life on Friday last in carrying to a brother volunteer his supper and blanket on board the wrecked George Henderson ! He owned an extensive brewery and was landlord of the Marsland Hotel. At the commencement of the war he joined the mounted escort under Captain Des Vceux, but latterly quitted it for the Volunteer Rifles. At Waitara and

Waireka Mr Coad distinguished himself by 'great intrepidity and coolness, and was always at his post when an encounter with the enemy/offered. He was a brave man, and his loss at such a time and in such a manner is felt far beyond his own immediate circle. A large fire was seen in the direction of the Bell Block last night, which for several hours illuminated the eastern horizon. We hear to day that it was C. Clare's two storied house fired by the rebels, and the Ninia pa burnt by a party from the blockhouse. The Militia and Volunteers are to resume their outlying as well as inlying piquet duty. Yesterday, we are informed, the marauding party at Henui returned to Waitara with several

cart loads, and horses laden with plunder. On reaching Katere pa, they were turned back by the friendly native Kipa, who told them if they passed that way he would fire upon them. They, therefore, proceeded by the beach. Unluckily, the Bell Block forces were unaware that the rebels were passing in that direction. Two deaths occurred

to day — Mrs Dixon and Mr E. Sarten.

Wednesday. — Weather moderating. We hear from a reliable source that the rebels' casualties on Monday were eight killed and ten wounded. There is no doubt they met with severe loss as they have not been seen since, and are no doubt tangi-ing over their dead and 'tending their wounded. Since Monday no natives have been seen near the town. From Bell Block we hear that a skirmish took place with the rebels on Monday, when they were driven off the Block, one maori killed, the Ninia pa and a large quantity of wheat destroyed, and a lot of cattle brought off the maori land. The Tasmanian Maid from Waitara and the Victoria from sea anchored this afternoon.

'From Waitara we hear that the greatest anxiety is felt there for news, heavy 'guns having been heard in the direction of the town, and the sky illuminated night after night by fires, supposed to be the acts of incendiaries. The anxiety was not lessened by the return of the Auckland mailman from town without a single line for any one. Our correspondent's letter (from which we quote) suggests that "some intimation might be given by the Post Office of the dispatch of an overland mail to this place. We number 500 in camp and have many friends in Taranaki who certainly • would not miss "an opportunity of writing to us by land when communication by sea is cut oft" by the weather." The trenches were manned to-day by the troops, militia, and volunteers, and again inspected by the General prior to his leaving for Manukau. The Victoria sailed this evci'ing for Manukau. The General is expected back on Saturday. Thursday. — The Tasmanian Maid returned to Waitara to day. An escort of 60 men of the 65th in command of Lieut. Urquhart proceeded to day to Barriball's fdim at Henui to reconnoitre and bring in produce. Friday. —A force of 70 of the 65th and 30 militia escorted carts to Mr Richardson's at Waiwakaiho, under Lieut. Bailie, to bring into town produce for the commissariat cattle, and were supported by a party of 60 men in command of Ensign Talbot, who proceeded in the first instance to the wieck of the George Henderson as a protecting party to 20 of the naval brigade employed in dealing the brig. We have again to record the murder of another settler by the natives. H. Crann (militiaman), in company with four other persons, went out to day up the Avenue Road. Crann is said to have parted from his companions on seeing a pair of working bullocks he was in search of in a gully in rear of S. James' house, when shortly afterwards a shot was heard. As Crann was not forthcoming the others apprehensive of danger to him at once reported the circumstance in town. A strong force of blue jackets, militia and volunteers immediately went out to ascertain his fate, when Crann was found by the bluejackets shot dead, and gieatly mutilated by tomahawks ! His body was brought into town. No natives were seen by the force that went out. Mr S.trten was buried to day, a firing party of Volunteers and their band playing the funeral march, preceded the body. He died of apoplexy, and leaves a wife and a large family, who are at Nelson. The brig Hebe, from Nelson, and the brigantine Ariel from Newcastle, N.S.W, arrived to day. Weather fine. The Fawn has not been seen since she put to sea on Sunday last. 4 p.m. — Tasmanian Maid unexpectedly made her appearance with her flag flying half-mast high, and a signal that Mr. Richard Brown was dead. The immediate cause of his death, which took place on Wednesday at 2 p.m.,. was influenza. Every respect was paid to his body by the troops at Waitara when it was put on board the steamer. The blue/jackets at Mount Eliot, under Commodore Seymour, with a gun carriage on the beach, and a guard of honor, received the body and conveyed it to the deceased gentleman's residence in the town. When the coffin was placed on the gun, the guard carried arms, and the numerous assemblage fell in and joined in the cortege. An inquest on the body was held at Waitara on the 23rd instant. Present — Major Nelson, commanding the Field Force at the camp, Waitara. Commissaiiat Staff — J. P. dv Moulin. Royal Artillery — Lieut. McNaughten. " Engineers — " F. Warburton. Naval Brigade — Lieut. Battiscombe. " Kelly. " " " Morris, R.M.A. " " Midshipman Wadlow. 40th Regt. — Capt. Bowdler. " " Capt. Richards. " " Lieut. Armstrong. " " " Dowman. " " " Rees. Mr. William Batten, Interpreter. Mr. J. P. dv Moulin was elected Foreman, amd the following verdict was returned :—: — , The Jury having considered tiie evidence, are unanimously of opinion that the deceased R'cliard Biown died on the 22nd of August, 1800, iiom the effects of a gunshot wound, leceived on the 2(ith of May, 1860, while in the execution of his duty, near the Wainngana liver ; and have come to the conclusion that one native named Tawatahi, and two other natives (names, unknown) are guilty of wilful murder of the said Richard Blown. For self and fellow Juiymen, J. P. «v Moulin, „ ' Foreman. Camp, Waitara, 23rd Augu B t, 1860. '

Saturday. — The following Brigade order was issued this morning : — Brigade Morning Order, 25th August, 1860. It is with dpep regret Colonel Gold, commanding the Forces in New Zealand, announces the' lamented demise of Captain Richard Brov/n, of the TaraTKiki Militia, which took place on the 22nd instant. This officer was beloved and respected by all who knew him, and his conspicuous gallantry 'universally acknowledged. The loss of bis services will be long felt. The conduct of the chivalric Captain It. Brown ever since the war began, at the Waitara, in the expedition to Warea, and up to the period when the ruthless hand of a base assassin laid him low, has been b y Jiid all praise. ! With reference to the foregoing order, the usual detail for this officer's interment will be carried out under the direction of Major Herbert, commanding Taranaki Militia and Volunteers. His remains will be interred with Militaiy honors, and as a mark of lespect, the Colonel commanding the Forces requests the presence of all the officers of corps and departments (not on duty) on this mournlul occasion. The procession to be formed in front of the residence of the deceased at 2 o'clock, p.m., on Sunday next. James Paul, Capt. Gsth Kcgt., Acting Major of Brigade. The friends of Mr Brown will r.'joiee to learn that he died free from pain. We have been favoured with the following extract from a private letter : — " The doctor had just come to dress Mr Brown and noticed a great change in his looks as he turned him on his side to get at the wounds, and so he laid him again on his back, and in a few minutes he was dead, without a groan or struggle. They opened him, and found the ball (which had occasioned so much anxiou? speculation) had passed round the left lung, which was shrunk to half the natural size, and then fixed itself firmly in the backbone."