THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XII, Issue 614, 7 May 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.

CAMP, TE AWAMUTU. I [From a correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross.] April 30. The Raglan magistrates, and our friend William Naylor, are expected here in a few days, and I supposo the latter will pay a visit to the headquarters of Rewi Maniapoto, at Hangatiki. But tho good people of Auckland must not be impatient for peace, neither must they attach too much importance to the simple fact that a portion of the rebels are anxious for a cessation of hostilities. The Maoris have been defeated and humbled, but not subdued. Things are at present quiet enough in Waikato, and the natives appear to have retired further inland, not as a matter of choice, but of due necessity. After having been driven from tho cultivated districts of Rangiatvahia, Kihikihi, and Maungatautari, they havo been obliged to fall back on cultivations in their rear. Thompson's people have probably thrown themselves upon the hospitality of the East Coast natives, while Rewi, with the contingents of the Ngatimnniapotos, Ngatiraukawas, Ngatiterau, and other tribes, has fixed his head-quarters at Hangatiki. Although tho latter party advanced, and took up a position at Orakau, after they had taken breath, it is not likely that they would have main- ! tamed any considerable force at that point, from J the difficulty of obtaining supplies in the neighborhood; and although they sustained a severe defeat at that place, still wo must bear in mind that they have suffered little by the war in Waikato ; the brunt of tho fighting and concomitant hardships having been borne by the Ngatihaua and other tribes under William Thompson. It may require another campaign to bring Rewi's party to submission, and during tho coming winter they will have ample time and opportunity to strengthen ! themselves in positions which possess tho greatest ' strategical and tactical advantages to themselves. It is true, wo can during the winter keep tho country open for a certain distance in our front, by | sending out flying columns aud parties untrammelled by baggage to scour the country in all directions ; but this will be a duty of considerable , danger and excessive fatigue and hardship. The ( swamps, which are now almost dry, will then be swollen into torrents by the heavy rains ; ivllile ■ the roads and tracks which are now so firm under j our feet, will be slippery, miry watercourses, so i that it will be impossible for any flying column to '• remain very long out, or to penetrate to any great i distance from our advanced positions. The natives ' — astute fellows — are doubtless fully aware of all . this, and whether they will submit before winter ' sets in is a question which time only can solve. At ' any rate, they themselves will suffer severe hard- ! ships during the winter months, and starvation j will probably tend to hasten their ultimate defeat, ■ and to throw them repentant and hungry upon our I Commissariat and commiseration. | I