FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144130, 27 June 1913, Page 3

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

TARANAKI’S EARLY HISTORY. (From Taranaki Herald. 1863.) Saturday, Juno 27.—H.M.5. Eclipso, Commander Mayno, arrived from Manukau this morning, having oonio down for troops. It is said that a rising of the hostile tribes in Waikato has taken place. The troops embarked at once, and tho Eclipso was on her way back to Manukau before 4 p.m. She took 107 men of the 40th, under Lieut. Hobbs and Ensigns Ducrow and Phillips; 104 men of the 65th, under Captain Gresson and Lieuts. Lewis and Chevalier, and 90 of tho 70th Regiment —the whole in command of Major Ryan, of the 701rh. Lieut.-Colonel Gamble, D.2.M.G., and Brigade Major Paul wero also passengers in the Eclipso. Orders having beon received also to send up immediately to Auckland the portion of the Armstrong battery at present here, it was decided to shell Kaitake at once as had been previously intended by General Cameron. Accordingly Colonel’Warns and Staff, with Captain Mercer, rode down to St. Andrew’s . Redoubt, and at 1 p.m. the four guns were moved out and took up a position on this side of the Oakura and about 2000 yards from the pa—a position of tho 57th and the Mounted Artillery acting as covering parties. The mins opened ' fire about 2 p.m., and the first two shells burst right over the whares on the hill. They were then directed against the palisading below, and with great precision, the firing being remarkably good throughout. Forty rounds wore expended, but with what effect it was impossible to say. -After it was <tver the Natives lighted littlo fires in different parts of the hills, apparently to show they were still alive.