CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 430, 27 October 1860, Page 2

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Saturday, Oct. 20. — The detachment of the 12th regt. at Bell Block, under Capt. Leeson and Lieut. Dudgeon, were relieved to-day by 80 men of the 65th regt., under Capt. Strange and Ensign Butler. 50 men of the 40th regt., under Ensign Morphy, embaiked for Waitara on board the Tasmanian Maid, and left at 11 a.m. We have been informed that the northern tribes do not intend erecting pas, fearing the big guns, but to spread over the country in parties. It is also their intention to cultivate extensively the country on both sides of the Waitara.

Sunday, Oct. 21. — The steamers Wonga Wonga and Tasmanian Maid from Waitara to-day bring no news. Very little is known at the camp of the movements of the rebels.

Monday, Oct. 22. — The Tasmanian Maid and Wonga Wonga left this morning for Waitara, the former with Colonel Mould and 1 rank and file, R.E., and 100 rank and file 65th, under Lieut. Talbot and Ensign Pagan. The occupation of Puketakauere has been determined upon, and a blockhouse and signal station is to be erected on the site of the pa. This is a very proper step, for it will, independently of holding the ground against the enemy, enable the garrison to command the surrounding country and communicate with the Bell Blockhouse and head-quarters in the town by means of signals. During the day large fires have been seen in the direction of the Waiongana, we hear that it is caused by the Waikatos burning fern to dislodge the pigs. Fires were seen to-day on Messrs Greenwood's and Oxenharn's farms at Tataraimaka. The following notice from the Superintendent's, Office was issued to-day :—: —

The Deputy Adjutant. General having intimated that escorts will be provided to enable the owners of . live stock to bring the same into town, persons desirous of availing themselves/of this offer are requested to lodge their applications at this office ill order that they may be submitted to the military authorities. The application must state the locality, and number of stock, and persons having stock in the same district should arrange to have them brought in together if possible.

October 22, 1860.

Tuesday, Oct. 23. — Porikapa's and the Poutoko natives in town this morning. From Porikapa we learn that communication has been had with the rebels since the attack upon Kaihihi. The natives are very reserved about their losses, and refuse to give a list of their killed and wounded. It however transpired that a man named Ruka was killed, and another named Hone, bro-ther-in-law to Parenga Kingi, severely wounded by a cannon shot. Porikapa admitted that several were wounded, (ten, he said,) and three likely to die, or dead. The evacuation of the pas was caused by Aperahama Reke, a chief of Warea, who at the close of the first day's bombardment, fairly isn away with his hapu. We asked several of the Taranaki natives for information regarding the affair at Kaihihi, but all (excepting Porikapa) refused to give any, and several (the wish being father to the thought) said they did not believe the rebels lost a man. Many of the Poutoko and Porikapa's natives are closely related to the rebels, forming part of the tribe, and there is no doubt their sympathies are enlisted with them. Their fi iendship with us is only a matter of convenience. Indeed, as regards some of them who were in town

to-day, it is difficult to account for their being " friendly " natives, knowing as we do that they are uncles, fathers, and brothers of many of the rebels and murderers. Private E. Stead, 65th Regt., died this morning from heart disease. Matiu, who has again visited the rebel camp, returned this afternoon. He reports that the Waikatos are still at Huirangi, but only 100 strong. On asking him what news he brought, he said, " I have been to Wi Kingi's pa and the camp of the Waikatos at Huirangi, and biing an evil word. The Waikatos have settled upon a plan of operations, which is to repeat their former conduct, and plunder, destioy, and murder. Ere long they will be on our skirts." At present the Waikatos are busy cultivating, and for a short time will be employed putting in potatoes. The Wonga Wonga sailed for Wanganui to-day. Wednesday, Oct. 24. — A reconnoitiing party of 100 men of the 65th, under Lieuts. Toker, and Chevalier, 30 men of the 40th, under Lieut. Hobbs, and 20 men of the 12th, under Ensign LaTouche, started at 5 this morning to the sites of the Tima and Te Puke pas. On arriving at the Bell Blockhouse they were joined by a party from the stockade, under Capt. Strange, 65th regt., who took command of the whole. On arriving at the Tima, the troops commenced loading the carts with firewood and potatoes ; a ton and a half of the latter were dug up and brought away. Several pigs were secured. Some natives were seen at a distance of 800 or 900 yards and a few shots exchanged. The force returned to town at dusk. The ketch Traveller's Bride and schooner Jupiter arrived to-day from Manukau, but as both vessels were detained at the heads 7 days, we are in receipt only of one later paper than those brought by the/Cordelia on the 16th inst., (the Southern Cross of the 16th). In this paper we learn that the murder reported by the Cordelia, took place at Patumahoe, where a native (not a white man) had been shot by another native, particulars of which will be seen in another column. Thursday, Oct. 25. — The following notice was issued by the Commissariat : — NOTICE. Commissaiiat, New Zealand, Taranaki, 25th October, 1860. All applications for compensation for loss of Cattle or Horses killed or captured by the enemy while in the employ of the Commissariat Department to the present date must be made in writing to the Senior Commissariat Officer on or before the 7th proximo. And in future no application for indemnification will be received if not biought foiward within one month after the occurrence of such loss. H. STANLEY JONES, Deputy Commissaiy-General Major-General Pratt inspected the garrison in the tienches at 4 p.m. • Friday, Oct. 26. — The following Pioclamation was posted in town this morning : PROCLAMATION. Consequent on infoimalion just received, the Major-General cautions all individuals from moving beyond the protection of the outposts. By Command, R. CAREY, Lieut.-Colonel, Deputy Adjutant-General. Head-quarters, New Plymouth, Oct. 26, 1860. We have been told that a letter has been sent from Mataitawa to a friendly native informing him " that the Waikatos intend moving towards the town either to-day, tomonow, or Sunday." 600 are stated to be at Huirangi, and 200 on their way, 10 miles this side of Mokau. The letter also requests the friendly natives to join the enemy or remain neutral, and that if they do not, and any of them are caught, they will be "flayedalive." The Wonga Wonga from Wanganui yesterday, wheie she arrived on Wednesday, anchored in the roadstead at 1 p.m. She reports all quiet at Wanganui. Mr. Hulke, arrested by the military authorities last Wednesday on a charge of sendtobacco to one of Wi Kingi's natives, was brought before a Court of Enquiry to-day. It appears that some time ago, a native from Mataitawa forming one of a marauding paity on the Bell Block, took away one of Mr. Hulke's horses. Mr. Ilulke wishing to recover the animal, sent by Ma tiu, on Monday last, 100 figs of tobacco as an inducement to the robber to give up the hqrse. Matiu returned without the horse, it having been sent to Ngatimaru, a tribe inland, but whether the tobacco was brought back or not, we are unable to state.

Saturday, Oct. 27. — At 10 o'clock last night the glare of fire was seen in the direction of the Bell Block. This morning we learn that six houses on the Block belonging to Messrs. John, Joseph, and Richard Street, J. Hirst, sen., E. Hollis, and A. Hoskin were burnt by the natives. Between 10 and 11 lights were seen in ttno-

ther house, when two shells were thrown from the Stockade by the 24-pounder howitzer which is supposed to have driven oil the rebels and prevented the filing of this house.