THE WAR AT WANGANUI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 666, 6 May 1865, Page 5

THE WAR AT WANGANUI.

(FROM THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE * CHRONICLE.') Waingongoro, April 3. ' The whole of tho troops stationed at Manutahi Btruck tents and commencod their maroh south, at 11 o'clock on tho 29th nltimo. The force consisted of the 50th, 68th, and 70th regiments, tho 57th having moved forward to Manawapou some dnys previous for tho purpose of cutting a road on both sides of the river. Thoy had also constructed two redoubts one en each side of the Manawapou stream, which we foand on our arrival occupied by a company of the 57th and a company of the 50fch regiment, under the command of Major Haseard. The remainder of the 57th regiment had moved forward to Tongahoe about three miles in advance of Manawapou on the 28th, where they were encamped under Major Butler. The head-qnartcr's force was accompanied from Manutahi by about 70 cavalry - under Captains Witcbell and Percy, and two guns under Col. Williams, R.A. The force moved on as far as Tongahoe, where the head-quarters of Hie 67th were lying when a halt was called, and the camp pitched. It got under weigh again on tho 3lßt, leaving tqo whole of the 50th undor Colonel Weare, at Tongahofi, also a detachment ofr Artillery wit some small morfcare, owing, I believe, to their not being sufficient Transport Corps to take all forward. The troops arrived at this camp late in tho afternoon after a march of eotfte nine miles over a beautiful level country. About four miles from Tongahoe a number of rebels mounted on horsebyck showed themselves on a hill, and fired" a fow shots, but a few rounds from the Armstrong guns soon sont them scampering. They showed themselves again on the opposite side of the river at this camp, and fired on the troops but a couple of shells pat them again to the right about, and when the troops or rather part of them managed to get across the river the rebels were seen about four mi] 68 ahead ; but as it was impossible to get the guns over the General gave up tho chase, and ordered the camp to be pitched on the Wanganui side of the river. A party of infantry was left on the Taranaki side where they have their tents pitched, ' and form a sort of outlying picquet. The infantry or cavalry did not exchange shots with the rebels as they always kept a respectable distance away ■ from our men ; when the rebels fired thoy would dismount before doing so, but as soon as the guns enme to bear on them they were mounted and off • as fast as the horses could go. The shell at this place either wounded or killed some of them as blood was on the ground in two or three places where the rebels were posted; in fact, ono follow was observed to fall down three different times ia ■> trying to mount his horse, but as they had tho river between us and them they had plenty of time ' to get away before we could get on thogronnd they occupied. A large quantity of cattle were driven in by the stock drivers and a few of the cavalry ; over one hundred head were cjptured, but a great many have since broke away, as we have no stockyard to pat them into. We can see large herds feeding on the plain, about a mi c and a half from the track by which the troops marched, bnt as there is an order that 110 cattle «re to be driven in without special permission from the General commanding no one takes any notice of them. There are no cultivations about tnis place ; there is an old deserted Maori village, which stands on almost an island close to the beach; there are a number of old whares snrronnded by an old broken down palisading. It was always believed that a strong native • position was here, and the General fully expected a brush, but of course is disappointed as well as everybody else. There are to be a couple of redoubts thrown up here, one on each side of the river, which - will detain the force eight or teu days. The river is not navigable for any description of boat, and the supplies, if intended to be landed from the sea, will liavo to be landed at the beach. The convoy, under a field officer and 250 raon, went, back ~, yesterday morning to Tongahoe, to bring .forward" the remainder of the stores, <to., left behind when tho troops inarched on the 31st ultimo. There were two surf-boa-M with-^hflii^fflMMmtoiiana^^^—

got into their boat of their own accord, and polled oat orer the bur, for tbe purpose I suppose, of steering for Taranaki; bat the- "best laid plan* of roiee and men gang aft agee," the truth of which was proved in this instance, as the boat vu apset amongst th* breakers and her sides ■tore in against tbe rook*, while the crew had bard work to save their lives ; of conns the charge for repairing the boat will come against the party, which I daresay will be punishment enough- for this breach of discipline. | It is all the talk in camp aixint three regiments i of infantry— namely, the 65th, 70th, and 40th, — J boring been ordered home immediately ; and I beliere the report to be correct, which I suppose time alono will prove. A sad accident occurred at Manavrapon the other d*r, by which several lives were lost. Tito surfloots were employed discharging cargo from the Gandogi, which wa« anchored outside, and one of tho boats was returning to shore when it was upset among tho breakers, and six men drowned. Two of the men drowned belonged to the hoat's crew, two tho Commissariat Staff Corpß, one to the 50th, and ono to the 57th regt. From what I can learn ehe Surf line had not been properly secured to tho boat, and when they got among the breakers the boat was brought broadside on, aud tho men still holdiug on by the surf-line after it . had parted from the boat was tho means of upsetting it. Wo had another accident in caind juat after tbe convoy arrived this evening from Tongahoe. A man of the 57th regt., named Noble, went down to tl c river to bathe, and got in a-nong the bre ikera nnd was drowned before he could be rescued. After the body was got out of the water evory means was resorted to to restore animation, but without effect; this man was an old eoldier with about twenty years' service. I understand that a gun or two are to be left hero when the General leaves, which there is every prospect of his doing shortly nuloss some unexpected occurrence takes place to detain him. The qncstion at present' among the soldiers is what regiment is going to garrison these redoubts, and what regiment is to be the lucky one to get into Wanganui for winter quarters. The troops here seem to agree that the 14th is destined to occupy the redoubts, but ns this arrangement lies with the Brigadier- General we will leave it. April 6, A reconnissance was made by the Lieut-Goneral to-day of the country inland from this p-u-t. A large native settlement with lots of potas >es and other articles of food in abundance, wns di:-<:om-ed nbont five miles from Camp ; the native? showed themselves bnt did not appear to offer any opposition, several shells were fired from tho Armstrong guns which accompanied the force, which consisted of about 690 infantry and all the Cavalry, with detachments of Engineers and Artillery. Something which appeared like a work of defence was observed away to our right, aud close 'ip to the bash. The natives loft the village as the troops advanced, and retired into the bnsh ; several iires were teen burning and a namber of domesticated animals running about, such as dogs, chickens, Ac The force returned to camp a littl'j after twelve o'clock, eaoh man loaded with potatoes which will come iv very acceptable here, as the tioops have had none since they left Manutahi. Every ono here says that the General is not going to advance any further, but that immediate arrangements aro to be made for putting the troops under cover for the winter. It is possible that the General may have a shy at the enemy's stronghold on the Waitotara on his retrogade movement. It seems that almost the whole of the Cavalry (local) have come to loggerheads with the Government on the question of their pay and allowances. Upwards of 20 of them werd to have started for Wanganui to-day in order to tender their resignation, but at the request of Captain Percy who commands them, they remained for the purpose of accompanying the reconnoitring party to-day, and will proceed to town to-morrow morning. I understand these men offered their services at ss. per diem and everything found; with a certain amount of clothing annually, their offer has been refused by the Government who ore willing to aocopt their services at 4s. per day with no allowance for clothing. Camp Waimate, April 10. Fonr hundred men under Col. Weare, 60th regiment, marched from Waingongoro yesterday, and occupied the village of Waimate; no Maoris were seen, and the place was found to be deserted some time, although many of the whares are in good condition still, and will make excellent stables for the horses. There is a very ugly gully to croas at this place which will occupy the troops some time to make passable for man or bea6t ; a winding round the face of the hill will hwe to be cnt, at present thero is a- rope ladder by which means people ascend or descend. No cultivations of any description were found : a few potatoes were ! discovered by the men in ono of their potatoe holes which were very soon disposed of. The potatoe holes are a downright nuisance ; the ground about any native settlement is actually riddled with them and it requires the utmost caution when moving about, or Tery suddonly yon may find yourself deposited some five or six feet under gronnd. The Wanganui steamer was to have started for Auckland yesterday, but the surf boats were unable to go out to her in the afternoon with the mail, bo we have still the Ahuriri and the Wanganui riding at anchor opposite the camp at Waingongoro. This post is about 3J miles from that camp, and there are some beautiful level plains extending away for miles between tbe two camps, but I dare say the most of your readers are personally acquainted with the beauty of the Waimate plainß. There appears to be no lack of fine cattle running on the plains, and I otn only surprised that a little more effort is not made to collect them for the commissariat. Certainly they always get as many si they require for tbe consumption of the forces, but I think it would pay to forward on to Wanganui those that would not be required by the troops, or collect and send them to the different stations iurear of this, where the butchers have to drive cattle from town to supply the soldiers. This would deprive the rebels of them, and as they originally took them from the Taranaki settlers they would have little to complain of if tho soldiers should return the compliment. Waingongoro is not at all a suitable place for landing supplies as the whole of the beach is strewn over with large bouldeis, and when the least wind blows from the sea the surf rises so as to prevent the boats from working in oven moderate calm weather. If a better landing place at Waimate can be discovered the boats will be removed up aud the vessels discharged here. Camp Tangahoe, April 13. The Brigadier-Genoral with the head.quartors of the field force, amounting to about 800 bayonets, arrived at this place from the front and encamped ; 300 men of the 57th regiment, in command of Major Butler, occupy Waingongoro, and are posted in two redoubts, one on each Bide of the river. The Brigadier-Genoral with the main force is falling back upon the Patea. The General and head-quarters staff started this morning for Patea and from thence to Wanganui, where it is supposed, he will embark for Auckland leaving the Brigadier General in command of this district. One of the surf boats was capsized in the surf at Waingongdro tho other day and three of tbe crew were drowned, their bodies have not been recovered. This second accident with the surfboats seems to have convinced the authorities of the impossibility of landing supplies from tho eea by means of surf boats as the project is to bo abandoned, and the post beyond the Patea are to be provisioned by means of the regular convoys, this will keep a large transport employed during the winter, as there will be three posts in advance of the Patea, which will require to be supplied, namely, Kakaramea, Manawapou, and Waingongoro, the distance to the advanced post being about thirty miles from the Patea. Camp Patea, April 14. The General was to bare gone to Wanganui overland this morning, but must have sinoe changed Mb intention, as there is no appearance of a move. The weather has been so bad that no steamer baa been able to get into the Patea Hiver for the last weok, and thore is very little appearance of its changing for the better.

Camp Waimate, April 10.

The Waitotara Natives. —We understand that all those natives have agreed to surrender unconditionally with the exception of Piripi, one of the principal men in soiling the Waitotara, and about thirty of his followers, who declare they will hold the Weraroa pa. The Waikato and JTgatiruanui natives have been told to return home, and the surrender is said to bo delayed only by the desiro of tho natives to bring Piripi and his men in along with them. We believe that tho initiation of this movement is duo to tho judicious action of Mr. White, R.M. The p.s. gun-boat ' Sandfly' arrived in harbor yesterdiy about noon, having loft Wanganui on Wednesday. On Thursday afternoon, in consequence of her inability to round Torawiti with the strong S.E. wind blowing at tho time, she bore up for Poiirua Bay, where she landed tho Hon. Major Atkinson, and Mr. Fulloon, of the Native Department, and these gentlemen came into town overland. From a private source wo learn that General Cameron had arrived at Waimate, about 90 miles from Wanganni, nnd it was anticipated that if the onward progress of the troops was not interfered with they would meet the military party from Taranaki in about a fortnight or throe weeks. The nativo contingent, comprising two companies, and commanded by nativo officers, were in occupation of Pipiriki, about 70 miles up the Wanganui River, and there is every reason to believe that their presence will have a salutaiy influence in bringing the war to a close. We hear that <he command of the native contingent ha« boon offered to Captain T. McDonnell, late second in command of a similar body at Maketn, and a gentleman spoken of as being in every way qualified, not only by his thorough knowledge of the Maori language, but his well-known cjurago to render him a most efficient and popular officer. — New Zealand Advertisir, April 8. The Front. — Messrs. Lethbridge and Alexander returned yesterday evening from the front, overland. They report an accident which happened on Sunday morning between 10 and 11 o'clock at Manawapou. One of the surf-boats was pulling in from the ' Gnndagai,' in whioh were the boatmen, an oflicor> and also four soldiers who had gone on board to bring some luggage ashore. On coming to the second breakers from the shore the boat capsized, and all were thrown into the sea. Six were drowned, namely, two men of the 57th Regiment, two bolonging to the Commissariat department, and two of the boatmen. The names are not known in town yet, and although there is a report that one of the 67th men is named Crowson, that is not authenticated. Several of those saved are said to have been, much bruised from being driven on the boulders on the beach. The General has advanced to Waimate, where he has about 1700 men, having left about 300 at Manawapou and 600 at Patea. The advance of the troops was not opposed. A few Maori horsemen appeared, and fired a shot or two. — Chronicle, April 1. Occupation op Pipiriki. — On Saturday last, shortly after the departure of his Excellency the Governor, tho hon. Major Atkinson, accompanied by John White, Esq., Captain Noake, Mr. Korr, secretary to Major Atkinson, and Mr. Booth, proceeded up the river to Parakino, and taking with them some of the men there, went on to Koriniti, ,to which the military settlers had gone a day or two before. They remained at Koriniti nil night, and started on the following morning for II h-i-haramn, taking with them about 400 Europeans and Maories in abont eqaal proportions, together with provisions in 40 canoes. Major Nixon, W.M., who had joined the party late on Saturday evening, went forward on Sunday morning in a canoe with four Maoris in order to deliver a letter from Major Atkinson to Pelii, asking him to come to Hihu. haratna: Major Nixon proceeded to Pipiriki, where his men would neither themselves land, nor allow him to do so, until they had communicated- with the natives, being afraid of a party of " hau bans" said to be there. Hori Patene at last came, and they landed. Major Nixon learned that Pchi, on hearing of their being on the road, had departed up the river about two hours before. He itn mediately resolved to follow ; and after some hesitation Hori Pateno offered to accompanying him to Ohinemutu, the next pa, about a mile and a half farther on. He went so far, but did not land, passing it without any intimation of a change in his intentions. Major Nixon landed, and after the lapse of about half an hour Tahann appeared and welcomed the stranger, offering to send up for Pehi, who had proceeded further up. He accordingly sent ; and next morning, after Major Nixon had resumed his journey, he met Pehi coming down. Tho old chief appeared very doubtful as to tho intentions of the Pukeha taua, as he called it, but nevertheless proceeded to Pipiriki whore ho had an interview of about an hour's duration with the hon. Major Atkinson. His objections were admirably answered by tho hon. gentleman, and at length he became reconciled to the force remaning at Pipiriki. There are now about 300 men there — namely, 200 military settlers and above 80 nativo militia, under the command ofCapt. Brassey, an old and experienced soldier. The importance of this position may be gathered from tho statement of Pehi, that it hal never been taken before by any of the tribes, and that it was the key to the island. It commands not only the river, but also roads, inland to Taupo, northward to Waitotara, and also southwards ; and in consequence of its occupation the men in the Wareroa pa are getting faint hearted, as no doubt will also be the effect along the coast between this and Taranaki. A transport service haß been organised to be carried on by tho Maoris in canoes. The hon. Major Atkinson, and the other gentlemen accompanying him, returned last evening. — Ibid.