CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 447, 23 February 1861, Page 2

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL.

Saturday, Feb. 16. — The party of military and civilians under orders for Omata, on special service, to stay away one night, left town at 1 p.m., but owing to the threatening appearance of the weather, were telegraphed to return, and reached town at 5 p.m. The rebels on Waireka Hill, observing the approach of the force, ran to their rifle-pits, and into cover, and fired several shots at the party halted at the stockade, vainly endeavouring to emulate the skill of the garrison, who had wounded some of their men at that long range. — Heavy rain set in at 6 o'clock. — H.M.S.S. Fawn, from Wellington, arrived during the day, and after taking on board the mail for Auckland, intended for H.M.S.S. Cordelia, hourly expected from sea, left for Manukau vid Waitara. Sunday, Feb. 17. — A telegram was received today from Waitara that the punt and surf boat had drifted out of the river. The Tasmanian Maid was directed to steam to sea in search of the missing boats, and another surf boat was sent down from town. Monday, Feb. 18. — The Tasmanian Maid, from Waitara, arrived at daylight. The steamer's search for the missing boats was fruitless ; it is supposed they have drifted to sea in the South-East wind. — The reported dea»h of Ropata, chief of Ngatiawa, and Netana and two others, on the 10th and 12th instant, is confirmed by a private letter from the camp. Netana, who used to boast of having killed Corbyn Harris and Coad, was shot dead — three bullets striking him simultaneously. Wi Ropata is one of the three principal chiefs of Ngatiawa ; the names of the two others are Hare, and Ihaia te Wharepa. — A party of mounted men in search of horses on Messrs. Smith's and Elliot's farms surprised some rebels in the vicinity of the latter property, who decamped across the fields into the bush after firing one shot at the mounted men. A party of Militia and Rifle Volunteers, under Capt. and

Adjt. Stapp and Lieut. McKellar proceeded to reconnoitre, but no natives were seen, although the farms in the open land, as far as Dingle's farm, were well searched. On the return to town by the Frankley road, some friendly natives from Fort Herbert on Hursthouse's farm were taken for the enemy, and several rounds fired at them. They succeeded in escaping in the directiifri of their pa. — The Cordelia anchored in the roadstead to-day, having put into Port Hardy from stress of weather, Tuesday, Feb. 19. — Fires were observed to-day in the direction of Mr. W. Bayly's farm, and four rebels, on Dartmoor hill, fired a volley at No. S Blockhouse and decamped. — Mr. W. Bayly, who was on his farm to-day, saw a strong force of the enemy come out of the bush near Ratapihipihi, who advanced in skirmishing order over the country and fired some hedges on Mr. Bayly's farm. Later in the evening, Mr. Bayly's farm house and outbuildings, and three cottages were fired and burnt to the grounds. The burning of these houses cast a bright glare in the evening sky, and being within two miles of town the fire seemed quite close. Wednesday, Feb. 23. — The weather set in wet, and the Cordelia put to sea, but it moderated during the day. — A party of military and militia, and volunteers, 200 strong, under Major Herbert, proceeded to Mahoetalu with provisions, and returned at 1 p.m. without meeting any natives. — The Cordelia called at Waitara, but brings no news. The sap is progressing, and the natives keep themselves very close in their pits. Shells are thrown frequently ftom both No. 6 and 7 Redoubts, which accounts for the firing heard nearly every day in that direction. — A report was current in town today that natives had been seen in the vicinity of the Grey Institution, and the Moturoa natives tell us that it is the intention of the rebels to burn houses as near town as Mr. Sharland's, adjoining the town belt. About 7 p.m., a large fire was burning to the left of the Grey Institution, and proved to be Mr. W. Bayly's extensive flour mills at Blagdou, which were totally destroyed. These mills were erected at a cost of upwards of jgIOOO, and Mr. Bayly's losses, yesterday and to-day, cannot be estimated at less than £2000 destroyed by the enemy chiefly in broad daylight and within two miles of the town, without any attempt to check the work of destruction from the town. — We are informed that the northern natives have sent a message to the southern natives to remain where they are, and '• be strong."

Thursday, Feb. 21. — The Tasmanian Maid brings no news from Waitira. A private letter from the camp says : — "Last night (19th inst.) Col. Wyatt burst a shell over Te Arei pa. Not a musket shot was fired in return from any place, and no cry of alarm. It is thought the enemy may have gone in the direction of Mataitawa. Colonel Carey came upon a large grave to day, apparently containing several bodies, but decay was too advanced for furthet discovery. A single sap, to be carried zigzag to Hapurona's pa, was commenced on the 16th inst. and as strong working parties are employed on it every day, it will not be lon< before we are up to the pa." — A party of mowers on Mr J. T. Shaw'a farm have a sentry on Dartmoor hill to prevent a surprise by the enemy. The sentry was fired at to day by some natives lurking in Langman's garden, about 300 yards distant, the bullets passing close to him. The mowers, and a few persons from town, opened a brisk fire upon the rebels who were seen running across the country towards W. Burton's and Dingle's farms. Hete they halted, and some three or four natives endeavoured to drive off about fifty head of cattle which had evidently been gathered by them in the morning. The shots from the rifles, although at a distance of 1800 yards, prevented them succeeding in their object, and the cattle ran off townwards, whence the maoris were afraid to follow them, and the cattle were ultimately recovered. The natives have a wholesome dread of the Enfield rifle. — Messrs. Langman's, Basset's, Sole's, Parson's W. Burton's, and Davis's houses are still standing. A party of the 57th and 65th, and Volunteers, under Major Butler, with a 24-pounder howitzer, left about 1 1 a.m. to reconnoitre the site of the late fires on Blagdon farm. The party proceeded by the beach and turned up by the Grey Institution, and came upon the ruins of the mill, which were still smoking. Thence they advanced in skirmishing order over Bayly's, Langman's, Elliot's, and Billing's farms. The enemy had, however, got safe away in the bush, and the force returned to town without incident. About a ton of iron work was brought in from Bayly's farm ; a large quantity too hot to be moved. — The Tasmanian Maid proceeded to Waireka to reconnoitre, and on lying-to off the coast, the enemy came out of their pas in large numbers to watch her movements, when they were saluted with a volley from the Omata Stockade, forgetting for the moment that the garrison of that Stockade were on the gui vive. They very quickly disappeared in their holes. — A large steamer was sighted in the offing in the forenoon. She made for the Waitara — supposed to be H.M.S.S. Niger, from Manukau. Friday, Feb. 22. — From a native source we hear that 100 Waikatos have left Waitara for their homes, and that it is believed that Te Arei pa is evacuated. We are also informed that Topine Te Mamsku had arrived from Wanganui, but with a very few followers. — The TaEmanian Maid reports the arrival of the Niger at Waitara, with 250 men of the 57th

Regt. under Major Logan. The troops were landed last evening and 'this morning at Waitara. No news of interest from the camps at Huirangi. The aap i» still progressing. Tiie Maid brought up the Auckland mail, with our files to the 20th instant, from which we have made extracts. His Excellency the Governor had returned from his visit to the Ngapuhi and Rarawa tribes. These tribes were quiet, and not disposed to join in the insurrection. — The Cordelia left at 2 p.m. for Nelson, and will bring up the English mail.— The following Proclamation was posted in town to-day :—: —

PROCLAMATION.

Whereas it has been reported to the Major-Gene-ral Commanding that certain individuals, resident in New Plymouth, have been mischievously inciting the Friendly Natives, by falsely informing them that the reinforcements of troops arriving in New Zealand are intended for a war upon the Maori race indiscriminately, and which threatening language having already caused the defection of a small portion of the Friendly Natives, the MajorGeneral hereby cautions all persons to refrain from using such language, under the penalty of such punishment as it may be in his power to inflict ; and be also calls on all well-disposed persons to use their influence to prevent such practices, and their best efforts to disabuse the minds of the Natives who still maintain their loyalty to Her Majesty, and to assure them of the entire falsity of such re. ports. By Order, R. CAREY, Lieut-Colonel, Deputy Adjutant. General. Head-Quarters, Camp, Waitara, Feb. 22, 1861. Saturday, Feb. 23.— The Tasmanian Maid from Waitara this morning brings nothing of interest from the camps. Yesterday the aap had advanced 800 yards in front of No. 7 redoubt, and it was expected would ascend the hill on which stands Hapurona's pa and the enemy's position, to-day or tomorrow* The natives still kept up a constant fire upon the covering and working parties, but we have not heard of any casualties on our side. The steamer has brought up a company of the 57th, and the band, ■which arrived on Thursday by the Niger, will come up to-morrow. — A party of the 57th, 65th, and militia and rifle volunteers, with a howitzer, under Major Herbert, left town this morning at B*3o for Omata, with provisions for the stockade. We have just heard (10*30) that they are engaged with the rebels at the Whalers' gate, and a reinforcement is now being sent to their assistance, under Lieut. Col. Young, 65th regt.

5 p.m. — We have delayed our publication in order to give particulars of the affair at Omata. During the morning and until 2 p.m. irregular firing of small arms, with occasional volleys, and the howitzer has been heard. The expedition having just returned from Omata, we learn that the party under Major Herbert on reaching the stockade, and soon after they had piled arms, received a volley from 80 to 100 muskets from the rebels posted on the hill on Major Lloyd's farm, a distance of 750 yaids, wounding one man of the 57th severely. The men immediately fell in and returned a brisk fire, the howitzer throwing a few shells into the hill, which dislodged the rebels at once, who retreated towards the beach. The force then advanced in skirmishing order, and took possession of the hill, the site of an old fortified pa. Major Herbert then sent on a part of his force towards the Waireka gully, remaining with the howitzer and the remainder of the force in position at the hill. They continued engaged with the rebels, who were in great force in the gullies and flax bushes on the flats, for some time. Lieut.- Colonel Young's party now arrived, and halted at the hill, with a much needed supply of ammunition. After a short time, Colonel Young, who now took command, resolved to proceed by the Omata road to Waireka, and capture the pas there situated, and also intercept the retreaMof the nati res. Accordingly the party, with the 2*pounder howitzer, marched to the Omata load and advanced along it a short way, having thrown out skirmishers on each side, when they received several well directed volleys from the hill near Ware's Inn, about 300 yards in their front. The fire was briskly returned, and the enemy were ■een to make a precipitate retreat to the dense bush. Two shells were thrown with good precision from the howitzer a little beyond the crest of the hill, whence the shots had been fired. About this time an order arrived from town that the party were not to proceed to the Waireka hill, and consequently they returned to their position at Major Lloyd's hill much to the regret of all concerned. The natives having retreated beyond range the whole force by degrees returned to the Omata stockade, where they halted for an hour. The casualties were as follows :