CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 436, 8 December 1860, Page 3

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Saturday, Dec. I.— H.M.S.S. Niger unexpectedly arrived this morning from Manukau with the draft of the 65th who left this on the 12th ultimo, with an addition of 100 men, in all 340 rank and file. Their return will doubtless lead to a resumption of those active operations against the rebels which were interrupted by their withdrawal. — The s.s. Bobert Lowe, after a rapid passage of 81 days, arrived in Auckland on Wednesday, with the headquarters and 500 men of II. M. 14th Regt., and on Thursday, at 6 a.m., the 65th were on the march for Manukau, to embark on board the Niger. The troops were all landed at 6^ this morning, and were played to their respective quarters. The weather was calm and fine, and the landing was effected with gieat rapidity, theTasmanian Maid towing the boats to and from the shore. — The Airedale, for Manukau (after having discharged 200 tons of cargo) left at 2 p.m., followed at 4 by the Victoria, and at sby the Niger. The three Maori prisoners, Hoera, Renata, and Poari, were put an board the Niger for Auckland ; the fourth prisoner, Te One, who was not well enough to be moved, remains in hospital. The news from Waikato by the Niger, reported in the " Postcript" to the Herald of this date, is that the Ngatihaua had not left for Taranaki, but were to have a great meeting and tangi at Maungatautari, owing to the fall of Te Wetini Taiporutu at Mahoetahi. — At dusk this evening the wind gradually rose from the N.E., with appearance of bad weather. Sunday, Dec. 2. — Gale from N.E., with rain. The Rita and Tasmanian Maid put to sea. — Tamati Wiremu Te Ngahuru died this morning after a lingering illness. Monday, Dec. 3. — Weather wet. From Bell Block we hear that the natives had not been seen in the vicinity for some time, but some had passed at a distance, evidently on their way towards to\vn. Tuesday, Dec. 4. — Heavy rain during the night, but no wind. Dense fog over the town and country. — At 4 p.m., a lad named Joseph Sarten, who was at the Henui on horseback, seeking a bullock, was shot and tomahawked. A boy named Wm. Northcote, who was riding alongside him, witnessed the whole affair. A volley was fired and Sarten fell, and directly afterwards several natives ran from behind a furze hedge and tomahawked him. Northcote escaped and rode into town with the intelligence, and a party of Militia and Rifles, and the inlying picket of the 12th, with the Mounted Volnnteers, proceeded to recover the body. It was found where he fell, in a lane running from Stewart's house towards the beach, about midway between the Henui and Waiwakoiho rivers, He had received three bullets in his back and sides, and was brutally hacked about the head and legs by tomahawks. The horse was led into town with a bullet through its neck. The mounted men brought the body as far as the Henui, where they met the troops, and it was put into an ambulance cart and brought to the hospital, The shots in the body and in the horse show that at least four persons were concerned in the murder, and from the character of the wounds, they had evidently been posted within a few yards of where their victim passed. A heavy mist had favoured their purpose. The poor boy was 16 years of age, and is the second of the family who have met a violent end from the rebels. John Sarten, his brother, was the first man who received a death wound in the war : he was shot at the 1/ pa, in March last.— A party of Waikatos are located at Purakau, near Smart's farm, about half a mile from the Waiwakaiho river. Their fires were seen there this morning. Wednesday, Dec. S.— H.M. colonial steam sloop Victoria arrived this morning from Manukau with the detachment of the 40th, They were all landed, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, at 9 a.m., and proceeded to their old quarters at the Market Place. The news from Auckland by the Victoria is of a most satisfactory nature as regards the intelligence from the Home Government respecting the war. Despatches have been received by His Excellency from the Colonial Office approving of his policy, and assuring him of the support of the Home Government to <iuell the insurrection. They will be found in another column. It is also intimated that another regiment from India or China

will-be despatched to this colony. — Tamihana and Tarurutangi, of Wi Kjngi's party, were two of the murderers, of the boy Sarten. We are also told that the latter crept up to Mahau's pa during the night, and wrote his name on a tub outside the pa. They had also called out to the natives in the pa that 100 Waikatos were in the bush, but that they should not be touched, but cautioned them to be on the alert. This morning several shots were fired at the pa near the bridge. — This afternoon we are informed that a few natives were seen lurking about the gully running up from the Barracks, one of whom had attempted to shoot some person passing that way, but failed^ in his object, the cap of his piece having snapped. — The following General Order was issued to-day :—: — Head Quarters, sth Dec, 1860. The following promotions having been received from the Horse Guards are published for genei al information of Troops serving in this command :—: — Stall": Capt. Paul, 65th Regiment, to be Major of Biigade in New Zealand. Royal Engineeis : Capt. Chas. Pasley, from the 2nd list, to be Captain, vice Bievet-Miijoi DuCain, resigned Ist Sept., 18G0. Thursday, Dec. 6. — The natives seem now determined upon cairying on a systematic guerilla warfare. It is said that there are no less than seven different parties out, in the vicinity of the town, ready to pounce upon stragglers. — At Waitara the natives occasionally come within 800 yards of the new stockade ; and on Tuesday, during the fog, came to Puketakauere (the stockade being erected on the second mound, called Onukukaitara) and endeavoured to fire an old sentry-box there, which they failed to ignite from the dampness of the fern of which it was constructed. On another occasion a large party came within rifle-shot, when a soldier who was outside the stockade held up a spade which he was using, and they all ran off a? fast as they could. — The Airedale arrived at 9 this morning from Manukau. She brings yesterday's papers. The three prisoners, Hoera, Renata, and Poari, have been sent back in the Airedale, to be dealt wiih by the authorities here. — Thomas Williams Te Ngahuru was buried to-day at the Poutoko, by the Rev. J. Whiteley. Friday, Dec. 7. — A native informs us that the Ngatiruanui tribe, who are preparing to make a movement in this direction, have been told by the Taranaki tribe that they will not be permitted to pass through their district — a messenger from W. King Matakatea of Umuroa, and Hoii Kingi, has been sent with their decision to that effect. There is bad blood between these tribes, who the other day were leagued together to annihilate the pakeha. But the Taranaki grudge is not to be mistaken for any good will towards ourselves. This could not be expected after the brutal murders and unprovoked aggression with which they opened the war. Wo are also told that the Ngatiruanui, finding they may have some difficulty in getting through the Taranaki country, sent a messenger to W. King informing him of their intention to join him by the bush road at Waitara. Wi King said he would not have them, they must travel the road they came before. Having put in their crops, and being in readiness to fight the pakeha again, they are rather put about at this split amongst themselves. The Taranakis are bringing up the Waikato party who are down the coast, and will accompany them as far as Burton's Hill or Waireka. Not unlikely they, the first to take part in it, may be disposed to draw out of the quarrel, and in strict accordance with the traditions of the tribe be the first to pause before the power their dark crimes have evoked, —Natives having been seen in the vicinity of the Bell Block this morning, a party of 53 men of the 12th, under Capt. Williams and Lieut. Hirst ; 53 men of the 40th, under Lieut. Hobbs ; and 106 men of the 65th, under Capt. Strange and Lieut. Pennefather — the whole commanded by Major Hutchins. — together with Dr Grace, in medical charge, and some of the jnounted men, started at H a.m. to attack them. On reaching the Bell Blockhouse, 30 men, under Capt. Buck, 65th Regt., joined the party. On arriving at the extremity of the block the forces turned to the right and marched up the road past Wills', skirting the bush to Kaipakopako, where several natives were surprised killing pigs. The skirmishers' opened fire at 300 yards, when the rebels decamped into the bush, whence they fired several volleys without effect. Several pigs recently killed were lying on the ground. A mat covered with blood was found, and it is supposed a native was killed or wounded. The troops then continued the march to the ford of the Mangoraka river, and returned to town, by the Devon-line, which was reached at 6 p.m.

I We publish for general information a letter from the Superintendent to the Colonial Secretary on a matter which formed part of the subject of the petition lately discussed in Council, with the answer thereto, from which there is reason to hope that the Barrack grievance at Nelson wjll be quickly remedied. The report of the committee of Council to whom the petition in question was referred, we canno,t publish at length. Its practical conclusion is as follows :—: — " That the evidence they" (the committed) " have henid, though necessarily imperfect, is bufllcient to justify the recommendation, that the attention of His Honor the Supeiintendent be called to the following circumstances and views, and that he be requested to cause a further enquiry to be made in Nelson, and to take such action as he may consider expedient to obtain a remedy of the evils complained of." Suggestions are also made for increased rations of fuel and provisions to large families ; and, what seems a most judicious proposal, that all allowances be made, as far as possible, in cash. Taranaki, 30th November, 1880, Sin,— l have the honor to call the attention of His Excellency's Government to the dissatisfaction attending the present arrangements for housing a part of the refugee families now resident in Nelson. Several large buildings containing a number of small bed-rooms and one common room under the same loof, and a large mess-room and kitchen adjoining, have lately been erected. These barracks are suitable enough for a temporary abode ; but when the term of the banishment is long and entirely undefined, great evils attend the system. The space for each family is very small ; the congregating of many families undei a roof leads to loose habits and quarrelling, and increases the sense of homelessness, which is necessarily oppressive among these people. I am not well enough acquainted with the details of the place to speak positively ; but I am informed generally that the allowance for lations is tluown into one common fund, and all individual economy is therefore discouraged. I shall be glad if you should think fit to take prompt measures in this really important matter. It must be no less His Excellency's desire than it is mine to preserve the character of out population, as far as possible, from deteriorating, and through the women and children is the most fatal channel of corruption. I have not refeired to the point of health. lam sorry to hear that in this respect the barrack system is not woiking well. In these remarks I would carefully guard against the appearance of blaming any person employed by the Government, and still less the Provincial authorities of Nelson ; they have acted on a sudden emergency as best they could, and it will require alarger outlay than they weie justified in making, to set this matter right. I would suggest the subdivision of the present buildings, and the erection of additional cottages. The whole cost, it may be observed, will not be a loss, as some laige part will bo recovered by sale of the buildings, when their present use is at an end. My information is vague s but the general idea of the banack system, I think you will agree, must be objectionable under the circumstances. Hoping for your prompt attention to this matter, I have the honor, &c, G. CUITIELD, Superintendent. To the Honoiablethe Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Sth December, 1860. Sir, — I hsve the honor to acknowledge the re. ceipt of your Honor's letter of the 30th ult. on the subject of the accommodation fpr the Refugee families from Taranaki now resident in Nelson, and in reply to inform you, that a copy of your communication has been forwarded to His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson, with a request that he will adopt or suggest suoh steps as he may think best calculated to meet the circumstances referred to by your Honor. I have, &c, E. W. Stafford. His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki.

We understand that a very liberal subscription in aid of the Taranaki Relief Fund, has been given by the police force of the colony, the amount being one day's pay from each member of the force, the whole sum being something between £500 and £600. Such a generous proceeding on the pait of men, who have large demands upon them in many w<iys, is deserving of the highest praise. — Melbourne /Ige, October 22.