HAWKE'S BAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 117, 28 September 1868, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY.

We have files to tfept. 22 •. — A correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald writes from the Wairoa : — " You should have received a notice of the meeting which was held here after the withdrawal of Major Fraser's troop became known to the residents in the Wairoa. The deepest resentment is felt by every member of the community, and a general feeling is abroad that

the course pursued by the Government has bfen prompted by advice tendered by Colonel Whitmore as commanding officer, to the effect that the danger which threatened the Wairoa district was neither great nor immediate, and the Wairoa settlers ought to be able to protect themselves. Orders have been sent to Captain Saunders to enrol twenty men ; he will scarcely be able to do it, as every man who could get away has left the placs, and many more will d» so yet. We hear continually of fresh parties of natives going: over ; indeed they new come and go as much as they list. The enemy is reputed to be short of supplies, and gu« caps, also to be suffering from dysentery. So long as they have arms, they dou't want long for supplies, whilst the Wairoa lies open to pillage by any one who may choose to attack it. The same journal of the 22nd instant says : — " Among other items of news from the Taupo district, which reached Napier on Saturday, is that a letter written by some of: the escaped prisoner party to nativos living on the Mohaka river, had been intercepted by a friendly chief. We subjoin a copy of the same, the original being in the possession of Mr Locke. It pretty plainly points to an intention on the part of the Hau-haus to begin aggressive operations ; and this quite coincides with the tenor of oiher information received by the same gentleman — the burden of which is that ' September has beisn fixed upon as the month of fighting, either at Napier or Taupo.' In the face of this and a hundred other proofs of the unsettled state ef affairs in this province, the General Government not only removes the protective force, but, by means of their organ, insults tho inhabitants as well. We are not at all surprised that our members have been forced to take the steps they have done. • Yrienda ; salutations to you ajf This is me whose feet are caused by the Lord to walk again on »ur boundaries, like a child returning to his land of old. Friends, this is my saying to you : if any of you are desirous to come to us, oome at once when this letter reaches you. Be quick. If you don't come here, assemble at Opepe. This is a warning that you may be prepared at the day of the Lord's lifting of the sword, lest you be caught in the mouth of the lion. Leave that land in which you are. Enough. — No Hohepa, No Tetkurua.' " The same journal has also the following: — A messenger arrived overland late on Thursday evening, having left on Tuesday. Native scomts sent to the scene of the late engagement by the Resident Magistrate, had returned to Wairoa. They found three bodies lying on the ground. One, supposed to be that of Condon,- they buried. The other two were a little distance off, lying in a pool of water, and were so much decomposed that they could not be removed. The position occupied by Te Kote is a very strong one, and defended by earthworks. He threatened the scouts that if (hey or anyone else made their appearance in the vicinity, he would " cut them up with his own hands 1 " The insurgent chief and his party were said to be short of provisions ; and it was apparent that, as they could not, even if they would, move inland, owing to the state of the rivcp, tt'fty would certainly come nearer Wiiara, th.re tuing plwif.y of food at Orewa and other places. Much alarm was felt nt Clyde, and the military settlement further inland. Oh Monday last, 14th instant, a public meeting was held ,it M. iVvlorV hotel Clyde. It was attended by mi Lhe settlers of the district, and the geu.rni excitement was very great. Ie was resolve! to inform the Govern-' ment that the body of escaped Hau Haushad now, by reinforcements, been increased to 400, and were daily increasing in number ; that they were building a sirong pah within a day's march of Wairoa ; and that the outsettlers, in consequence, were leaving their homes and cultivated lands. That the Government should be memorialised for immediate assistance, failing which the inhabitants saw no other altcrnativa than to leave the district. There being 150 women and children in the township, the residents were buil ling a redoubt, where these could be placed in event of an alarm. The loyal natives were very apathetic Great dissatisfaction whs expressed at the withdrawal of the Constabulary. Arms and ammunition were very scarce.