CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 445, 9 February 1861, Page 3

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Saturday, Feb. 2.— \ party of military and militia and volunteers escorted supplies to-day to the Omata Stockade. Natives were seen in force on Waireka Hill, and danced the war dance on observing the troops. — We hear from Huirangi that the sap has steadily proceeded, and yesterday was about

50 yarJs from the main row of rifle pits. When the relief was going out to the working party at 4 p.m., Captain Messenger, 40th, who commanded, was allowed to go into the pits, but no one was th p rt. The sap is to be carried on to the rifle pits, and it is said through the peach grove avenue. It is the general opinion that the rifle pits are abandoned. Sunday, Feb. 3. — All the available men in town fell-in to day in the trenches at 4 p.m., and were inspected by the officer commanding the Garrison, Colonel Siller}', D.Q.M.G.— The Tasmanian Maid from Waitara at 1 a.m. and returned at 2 p.m. The sap reached the rifle pits at 2 p.m. yesterday which were found deserted by the ene-ny. It is a matter for wonder that they are evacuated, they are admirably constructed, and must have employed a large number of men for several weeks to construct. These pits extend, with little or no interruption, over a mile of country and run along from the left of the small bush which forms the left of the peach grove avenue to the site of the pa Ko-te-wai-a-nahn, skirting the bush to the right and left, but 50 or GO yards distant from the bush in the avenue and from the Karaka grove in rear of the site of the Huirangi pa. Several rows of pits were discovered in the small bush above named, and on a 'nound overhanging the river Waitara on fhe left, which pre vented their flank being turned in that direction. All the lines of rifle pits had underground communication with gullys and the bush, and are dug very narrow, which accounts for the little damage sustained by the enemy from the artillery practice, although the shells and shot fell close to them the ground being torn up in all directions in front and rear. A storming party would have been exposed to a fire on both flanks, and from an invisible enemy, who could retreat into safety at any moment. The pits are of different forms, some straight, others curved, and all with numerous traverses, between which were dug underground habitations lined with fern, and covered over with slabs and earth ; all had been recently occupied, and many must have accommodated whole families. — Natives are seen on the pa Te Arai, a few houses built on the slope of the hill on which stood the famous Pukerangiora pa. — Lance Corporal Howard, 65th Regt., wounded on the 23rd ult., died last night. We are informed tqat this 3 r oung man is a son of Sir William Campbell, Knt, of Tullicheven Castle, Dnmbartonshire, Scotland, and that Howard was an assumed name. Previously to his death he sent for Lieut. Urquhart, commanding his company, and revealed to him his name and history. Monday, Feb. 4. — A strong escort of military and civilians left early this morning for Bell Block and' returned at noon. We regret to report the death by drowning of private Hughes, 65ih regt., whilst bathing in a lagoon near the stockade. — The Tasmanian Maid from Waitara before daylight brings nothing of interest. — The large wool shed of the Messrs Me Kellar, on Major Lloyd's farm, burnt by the natives to-day. Tuesday, Feb. 5. — From Huirangi we learn that the 65th, under Colonel Wyatt, moved from No. 1 to No. 6 redoubt yesterday morning. The latter redoubt was commenced at an early hour in the morning, on the left of the sap, and over a part of the rifle pits, and in close proximity to the bush on the left of the avenue, which bush a number of axemen are cutting down. The redoubt is a very strong one, with a deep ditch, and with bastions 1 at three angles, the 8-inch gun having been mounted in the bastion facing the avenue, and in a position to throw shell into the Arai pa, distant about 2500 yards. The sap, which has not been proceeded with during J the week, is in advance of the redoubt about 50 yards. This sap is described as a splendid specimen of engineering art, and an immense amount of labour has been expended over it. It is a double sap, 800 yaids in length, with traverses. Nos. 4 and 5 redoubts are erected on the right and left of the sap, at distances of about 250 yards. From No, 6 redoubt the sap is a single one. The enemy feeing the sap steadily approaching and turning their flank, were compelled to evacuate their strong position. — The Lord Ashley arrived from Manukau at 6 a.m. and left for Nelson at 6 p.m. — Mr G. Curtis's and Mis McKellar's houses burnt by the rebels this afternoon within gunshot of the Omata stockade.

Wednesday, Feb. 6. — The brig Rita from Nelson this morning. — House Burning continued to-day ; Messrs Hursthouse's, R. Lethbridge's, and Broadmore's houses burnt by the natives. Towards evening the rebels drove off a number of cattle and horses from Capt. W. King's farm, and a few shots were exchanged with them from No. 3 Blockhouse. Natives on Mr Standish's farm and in the vicinity of the town. H.M. colonial steam sloop Victoria left for Manukau for repairs, and the schooners Raven and Parininihi, from Manukau and Mokau, arrived. Some natives in the schooner 1 from Mokau report, that several Waikatos have been carried to their homes, wounded in the attack on No. 3 redoubt. — Natives driving off cattle from Mr Good's farm at Omata to-day, under a smart fire from the stockade. — The Tasmanian Maid proceeded to-day to reconnoitre the enemy's position at Waireka, and was boarded by the friendly natives from the Poutoko. From the natives we learn that the Southerns have been carting flour and potatoes for the Waikatos. Thursday, Feb. 7. — An escort of 200 men of the 57th, 65th, and volunteers and militia left for Ma-

"oetahi to-day with provisions. They returned without seeing any natives. — House burning again continued this morning in the vicinity of the Fraiikley road. Mr. J. Pint's house at Moturoa a^o burnt by the southern rebels. — Intelligence recnivi d that a native (a Taranaki) was severely wounded in the breast by the fire from No. 3 Blockhouse yesterday, but is not dead. — From Waitara we learn that the natives who have left for their homes, are the following Kawhia tribes: — Ngatiirahuta, under Wiremu Hoeta, Ngatingawaero, part of Ngatihinetu, Ngatikinowhjko, and Ngatihikairo, total 250. 150 of these are certain not to return, but 100 will rejoin the insurgents after harvest. Te Kihirini, a brother of Taiporutu's, was carried home severely wounded, after the affa'r 'of the 23rd ult.— The troops have been engaged, since Monday, in completing No. 6' redoubt, and felling the bush. Coveiing parties have been thrown out every day to protect the workmen, across the avenue, up the left of the I avenue, and in fiont of the bush, extended to the cliffs overhanging the Waitaia river. Individuals have walked through the avenue, and round the hush to the open land in front of the Arai pa where the rebels are now seen in considerable numbers digging rifle pits on the right of the village, and on a mound on their right front. They appear determined to make a stand at this position, as at Huirangi. From the appearance of the country the troops can advance several hundred yards without being exposed to ambuscades, after passing through the avenue. A considerable extent of cultivated land, potatoes and maize, is taken possession of by the troops. It is reported that the Waikatos have left Waireka for Te Arai, as large parties have been seen from the Bell Blockhouse on their way northwards. The rifle pits are being filled in by the troops, and the bush is being rapidly felled — bullocks dragging out the fallen trees. The scenery from a burial place on the extreme left, on a cliff overhanging the river, is very beautiful. The river winding through country of the richest description, but infested by the Scotch thistle, in man} places covering acres of land, and so thick and high as to render it impossible to pass through. Friday, Feb. 8. — The Tasmanian Maid, with her | usual regularity, from Waitara this morning. Ru. mours that the Waikatos are sueiug for peace — rui mours which had credence, since Archdeacon Govett j and the Rev. Mr. Whiteley have appeared on the | scene. No aggressive movement has been made against the natives at Waitara since Monday. At 2 p.m., yesterday, the quiet which has reigned over ITuiranai for seveial days was disturbed by the I sound of shots from the bush to the right of the \ avenue, from some whares standing a few paces amongst the trees. The garrison in No. 6 redoubt stood to arms and the coveiing party stationed on the left of the avenue, returned the fire, while the axemen ran toward the redoubt. It was afterwards found that Commodore Seymour, who was walking some little distance in advance of the head of the sap, was fired at by an ambuscade which had but recently been laid,} as several persons had been further forward during the morning, fortunately missing the gallant officer, although five shots were fired at him from a distance of 20 yaids. A few shots were afterwards fired at the covering party, and returned, and no more was seen or heard of the rebels . — This afternoon, Captain W. C. King (Militia) ventured out to his estate at Woodleigh, and was shot dead. The unfortunate gentleman was observed from Marsland hill to ride smartly down a slope followed by natives, who shot him with great ferocity. Volunteers and militia hastened to the scene, followed by military, but too late to render aid or intercept the natives, who were seen decamping in the direction of Ratapihipihi. His body was found pierced by six bullets, three through his head, two in the body, and one in the thigh. From the appearance of the wounds in the head he was fired into while lying on the ground. The horse was brought in though shot in three places, but the sad • die and bridle had been removed.