OMATA. [from our own correspondent.]

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 422, 1 September 1860, Page 3

OMATA. [from our own correspondent.]

Last week it was my hope to have been enabled to forward you a few extra notes in addition to those which were published on Saturday, but from some cause or other, unknown to me, communication from town occurs now but very seldom, much to the annoyance of the sick and deficient in teeth, who cannot be peisuaded to enjoy the hard biscuit whilst the smoke of the bakers' ovens can almost be 6een in the distance. From, the time of the skirmish on Monday until Thuisd'ay night, but little has been seen of the enemy ; however, the firing from the soldiers' camp evinces that they have not as yet left that part of tho world: on Thursday, 23rd August, in particular, heavy firing was heard both from the cannon and small arms. " The noblest study of mankind is man " is the expression of one who had thought much of the peculiai foices that govern human nature, and the thoughtful amongst us mav/lind a field for observation in the pecnliar idiocyncrasy of individual classes. A few appear under the present oppressive circumstances to give, way to utter despair ; others, led on by hope, diaw plans for the future s whilst some, almost reckless, feel too truly the expression of Dryden — " All despeiate hazards courage do create, As ho plays frankly who has least ebtate." Friday, August 21th. — After all the bad weather, we enjoyed a portion of one of Taianaki's beautiful days. The natives at the Waiicka, imagining in all probability that the constant look out kept by our soldieis, with theii readiness in firing both rifles and cannon whenever an opportunity occuired, had rendered their quarteis too waim, have altogether forsaken their extensive works for Burton's hill, where, in all likelihood, they feel that safety for a time may be ensured. If they are once permitted to erect a strong pa with foitifications on this spot, it will require an immensity of foice and loss of life to remove them. The works forsaken by the enemy at the Waireka, six in number, are of the most ingenious construction, both as legards shelter from the inclemency of the weather, and as offering when over piessed a safe means of retreat. One set of coveied-in rifle pita are on Grayling's farm, situated beneath which, in the bush, a quantity of small whares have been erected, in which the natives not on duty have evidently resided. An entrenched foitification with palisading has also been thrown across the road on the apex of a hill between Grayling's and the Rev. H. H. B.own's gate, from which enn be commanded a magnificent view of the whole country. Nearer tho Waireka, to the left of the road, more rifle pits were dug, whilst in Mr Brown's bush small whares, as shelter for the supports, have been erected. On Wilkinson's ground strong fortifications as head quarters had been established, whilst further down the road, nearly opposite Mr Crompton's residence, rifle pits have been |sunk and protected by covers. The same again on Harrison's farm. The works of the enemy extend as far in the rear of the camp as Autridge's farm, near the sea coast. Most of these fortifications have been constructed in such a manner as to be perfectly impetvious to shell or other appliances used by our artillery department. The smaller pits were open, and con sisted of a hole in the ground capable of containing • two or three natives j these again were flanked in every direction with nicely lormed oblong holes, over which a strong loof had been placed, and means taken by a most ingenions hollowing out of the bank to form a fire place and chimney ; so that the inha bitants, whilst being free from smoke, enjoyed safety from any missile that might be sent fiom the soldiers' camp to dislodge them. Most of these entrenched residences are situated at the edge of wooded gullies, down which the occupants have but to rush in order to ensure safety, without care has been taken in time to cut them off in the rear. Most of the houses which at the beginning of the war were under the protection of the sacred " Tapu " of the Maoris, have been dismantled of their planking to stiengthen the fortifications of the enemy. This imaginery sacred Maori right having been thus broken through, will at the conclusion of the war allow of hat d working settlors once again to commence opeiations on their farms without a question being raised as to native rights on the subject, and under the protection I trust of our own true British flag alone, and not as payment for quietude to pander to a savage race. Saturday, August 25th. — Many natives seen going from the Waireka towards Captain Burton's ciound with cattle, horses, and loaded drays. Captain Burton's hill is situated at a right angle about three miles in a direct line from tho beach ; about two miles and one third from our stockade ; and about two miles and one half from the Wairoka camp : it is a clearing from which the natives can make the bush in any direction. Sunday, August 26th.— At 2 o'clock to-day our flag was hoisted half mast high in commemmoiation ot Mr Richard Brown's funeral, which was to take place at that hour in town. There are many of us here, although disabled by duty from paying thjs last tribute of respect, who felt that a valued frieiia had been lost ; one on whose word we could always strictly rely, and who, both in substance and in feelings, participated without oppressing us in the pecuniaiy losses which at one period fell so heavily on this Fiovince. Monday, August 27th. — Natives still observable in numbers on Captain Burton's hill. These natives appear to ihow gieat judgment in their movements,

ns they have selected a spot some little distance from 'heit present head quarters for feeding their stolen stock, on account of its containing better feed ; in fact, all their actions appear to be governed by a matured judgment. A party of militia and riflemen, under the command of Captain Richmond, arrived to-day with our much needed provisions. Tuesday, August 28th. — Soldiers engaged in destroying the native fortifications at Waireka.

I am happy to inform you that, although their party has diminished to a small number, Tamati Wiremu and Ropata Ngarongomate are still in the land of the living, deeply sympathising as far as influenza goes with their allies the Pakehn.

The houses standing in the immediate neighbourhood of the stockade are Law's, Citrtis's, McKellai's, Good's, the three Juliens', Mace's, and Honeyfield's. Ciirtis's being more immediately under the rifles of the stockade, has received, in all probability, less injury than any property about. W. I. G.