THE MAOEI WAB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 187, 17 December 1868, Page 3

THE MAOEI WAB.

' '" — • — ' By the arrival of the Rob Roy, we have our usual files from the North : — Wanganui. Papers from this district are up to Dec. 10. There is very little news. The Chronicle of Dec. 10 says:— We have nothing to report from the front, or rather back. Tito is quiet somewhere — locality not known, — and as long; as he leaves the con- i atabulary alone, they will leave him. The Bame paper Bays: — A detachment of the cavalry troop, in command of Lieut. Day, made an attack on a portion of the enemy on Wednesday, morning. The men dismounted and went at the work in right earnest, but to their vexation the rebels had decamped. Having destroyed the works as much as pos- ] sible, the troopers returned. The Evening Herald of the 9th says: — Capt. Graham has raised the necessary number of men to form a guerilla corps, and to-day he succeeded in getting them sworn in. We understand he will proceed on active service at once. It is gratifying to learn that this result has been arrived at, and it only remains now for their officer to show how useful and effective such a corps of men can be. We hope that the authorities will at once arm the men with revolvers and breechloaders, so that no excuse can ba made of not being sufficiently armed. The Wellington Independent ot Dec. 12, says : — We have received the following important information, from a most reliable source, which cannot be too widely circulated at the present time, relative to the rebel force now under Titokowaro at Waitotara, the presence of which has created so much alarm at Wanganui. A gentleman well acquainted with the Maoris, their language, their customs, and their character, took the best means he had of ascertaining the total number of the forces under Titokowaru, and the result of the information he collected on a subject so important is that the whole force, including lads from ten to fifteen years old, does not exceed the number of 300. We trust that this information has been circulated at Wanganui, as it would be tbe means of allaying the unreasonable, and, in some respects, the unaccountable panic which is said to exist there and at other parts of the West Coast. The Chronicle has the following . — Left to ourselves, as the Government has now left us, are the settlers of these districts — of the Wanganui district more especially — to wait quietly until Colonel Whitmore returns, or some one comes in his place, and do nothing to put an end to a state of things which is very surely putting an end to the prosperity of the district ? We think they ought not. Lieut.-Colonel Herrick will only act on the defensive ; we do not blame bim, because, as j we understand, his instructions to that effect ! are distinct and definite, but the enemy will ! not wait our convenience, and the sure way to prevent' an attack ia to make one. Why' should not the ofiicers of militia and volunteers meet together and choose a leader— a ! commander, in fact — in whom they would have confidence and go out under him in search of the Titoko. Of course nothing can be done with the Armed Constabulary, but we daresay the Government would offer no objection to tbe others acting as we suggest. As they cannot do the work themselves, it seems likely thc-y would be only too glad to get it done for them. There is more than one man well fitted to lead in this way, and the election, if necessary, could be made by ballot. Once elected, let there be implicit confidence and attention to orders, and the best results would follow. The suggestion is no joke ; the crisis is too grave for joking ; ▼c are making it in sober earnest, believing it to be practical in itself and most likely to lead to good practical results. The matter may, at least, be thought over. Titoko can be beat back, if we would only go about it in the right way. The East Coast campaign is a proof that the thing can be done. All that seems wanted is unity and guidance. We should cease fighting about the Maoris and unitedly fight against them. An address from theNgatiapas(Rangitikei), signed by Ratana Ngatiua and Kawana Hunia, denies that that tribe is for war, and is indignant that such a charge should be made against them. ; They conclude this address as follows: — This is what we have to say, friends : we will remain on the side of the Europeans whatever the consequences may be, we will live with the white people and die ie their defence, but you must not talk so foolishly any more, many people are very apt to be led astray by the foolishness of others. Put we must all keep a watchful eye on those tribes that have two heads, there is one portion who will join the Hau-haus and the other portion will join the Government. But this tribe, the Ngatiapa, not one of the nails of our fingers or toes, or one hair of our heads will intermix with those treacherous people the Hau-haus. You white people must leave of talking so badly of this our tribe the Ngatiapa. This is the last we have to say: we will always be true to our Queen, and will always aid the white people in trying to put an end to the present war. Those are our true thoughts that we have written, we know that if we speak false and betray our friends that we will have to answer for it at the day of judgment. Poverty Bay. The fallowing extract from the Hawke's Bay Herald of the Bth inst., gives fuller particulars of the last engagement with the Hau-haus: — The arrival of tlie A huriri, on Saturday, brought us the gratifying intelligence that, on Wednesday, at 3 p.m , the Hau-hau camp was attacked— the assailing forces being the Ngatiporou and Ngatikahungunu, together with a few scouts under Lieut. Gascoigne. After a short but desperate struggle the •enemy was forced to evacuate his rifle pits, leaving behind 30 (or, according to another ■ «w\tin«- • SB'S man billarTL film In.. »-„<, nn li>

three wounded — two Europeans and, .one native. ■>■'>■ '■ -■'-■: • x 'Z Among the dead were Nama and Henare Pata (two cold-blooded miscreants), and among the loot was 7000 rounds of ammunition, part of what had been taken a day or two before frora the escort. It was ascertained that Te Kooti, with the main body, had gone on before, and that this was simply a strong rear guard. Those of the latter who were left beat a hasty retreat upon Puketapu closely followed by our native allies. The Lady Bird, which arrived on Sunday, brought no mail, but somewhat excited the public by a marvellous story about the Ngatiporou having overtaken the main body of Hau-haus, and inflicted a loss of 55 men. The facts, however, as gathered from authentic sources on the arrival of : the Ahuriri, yesterday morning, were found to be the following: — Part of the Ngatiporou on Friday came up with the enemy three miles past Te Karetu •and attacked the Hau-hau position, eventually occupying one of their rifle pits, with a loss of two killed and five wounded. The Hau-haus afterwards tried to retake the rifle pit, but were beaten back, leaving seven of their number dead on the ground — Karepa, son of Tamihina Ruatapu, being one of the number. After this action, the friendly Natives began the return march, thus virtually abanding the expedition so far as they were concerned. Neither of the leaders is said to have been well, and ammunition was gettin? scarce. The. real reason, however, was probably the fact that they were by that time under command of a new officer. Be that a 9 it may, they all started for Turanganui. The Ahuriri also brought intelligence of the arrival on Friday of the Lady Bird and Sturt, from Wauganui, with Colonel Whitmore and Major Kraser and about 400 of the armed constabulary force. Mr Richmond was at the front, but had left orders for both Bteamers to go round to Wairoa and land the men, it being thought that retreating in the direction the enemy was, that place would be the proper base of operations. Col. Whitmore, however, rode forward, saw Mr Richmond, and obtained authority to start for the front by the most direct route. This he did on Saturday morning, getting to a spot four miles beyond Pututahi, where he heard of the friendly natives being on the homeward march, and halted till they should come up. It was generally Bupposed that Col. Whitmore would re-embark on board the Sturt and steam to Wairoa, from whence Puketapu could be more easily reached ; but nothing has really transpired as to future operations. This is virtually all the news to hand. VV'e cannot say that, on the whole, it is very favourable. Although one defeat after another has been inflicted upon the enemy he has succeeded, nevertheless, in withdrawing hie maiu body, together with women, children, and loot, to a place of comparative safety — for none doubts that Te Kooti is now in hib stronghold at Puketapu. Whether this would have happened had Mr M'Lean's instructions to Major Lambert been obeyed in the first instance, and Col. Whitmore been subsequently permitted to remain in Wanganui, may well be open to question. While hoping that Col. Whitmore may yet succeed in the task he has Bet himself, we confess to grave apprehensions that, while matters have by this time become worse at Wanganui the pacification of the East Coast, which was on the very eve of accomplishment, has been rendered as far distant as ever it was. The following is the official account of the same fight, addressed by Major Wastrupp to Mr McLean: — I have the honour to report that a combined attack of the Ngatiporou tribe and the Napier Contingent was made on the enemy's position at Maknretu on Wednesday last, at three o'clock in the afternoon — Lieutenant Gascoigne, with a few Europeans, setting a bright example of courage and daring. After a short and desperate struggle, the enemy was forced to evacuate his rifle pits, and retreat hurriedly in the direction of Puketapu, leaving behind him some thirty (30) men killed, among whom were recognised Nama and Henare Pata ; our force also retook six thousand (6000) rounds of rifle ammunition, and captured a prisoner, who informed them that Te Kooti was wounded and had retired the day previous on Puketapu with 200 men. Ngatiporou, as usual, did their work in a very dashing manner — well sup[ orted by the Ngatikahungunu. Our forces are in full pursuit, and hope to overtake Te Kooti. By the death of Nama the enemy have lost one of their main pillars of strength and influence, and the Europeans a most bloodthirsty enemy. Till further information is received from Lieutenant Gascoigne it. is impossible for me to give you a more detailed account. Sub-Inspector Tuke has been most energetic in performing the difficult duties allotted to. him, forwarding provisions from the depot, and keeping the Transport Corps in efficient order, no easy task when the unwillingness of natives to routine duty, and the absence of pack saddles, is taken into consideration. I should wish to bring to your notice the great praise that is due to Captain Fox for the energy he has displayed, in training the men under his command to work the guns, and his disappointment at having no opportunity of doing good service with them is very great. I will forward you a more detailed account by the earliest opportunity. Dr.Ormond reports three wounded, viz., two Europeans and one native on our side. The Tauranganui correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald writing on Thursday, Dec. 3rd, says : — Ngatiporou reached Make retu yesterday afternoon about three. They at once attacked and defeated Te Kooti's rearguard, 100 strong; 12 (some say 17) of the enemy were killed. .No prisoners were taken. Nama, Te Waru's head chief and a prophet, was killed, and Ngatiporou burnt his body. Te Kooti, with his women and

.was found bound in the scrub ; his life was saved at: the intercession' of .'a 1 Ngatiporou! woman. He gives valuable information. Te Kooti is wounded in several places ; 6000 rounds of our captured ammunition were retaken. Two of our men are severely wounded. — Thomas f.ake, throagh the head ; not expected to survive to-day ; and Howard, a Wairoa military settler, whose arm is shattered. Fighting lasted two hours. Dec. 5, 1 p.m. — Information arrived per Mr Johnston, owner of the Moriwai Btation. Ropata, a Ngatiporou chief, after the withdrawal of the Ngatikahungunu, owing to the absence of Hetene and his men, who were absent for provisions, was left with seventy men to surround Te Kooti's position. Seeing the inferior number opposed to them, the enemy made a charge. They were beaten back by Kopata and his men, who followed the enemy and took possession of his outer rifle pits. As soon as ammunition arrived, of which Ropata and his men only retained three rounds per man, it was Ropata's intention to storm the Hau-hau position. From natives present at the affair, we learn that the women and children withTe Kooti were heard loudly lamenting. Seven of enemy killed, wounded unknown ; of Ropata's men, one killed, six wounded. Fifty-six bodies have been counted at the scene of the late fights at Makeretu. The expedition has collapsed. Whitmore's assumption of command has proved the signal for the return from the front of all our native allies. Thus, all Mr M'Lean's able and so far successful plans are rendered abortive. Even after Government had neutralised Mr M'Lean's efforts to a certain extent, that gentleman had retrieved their wretched blunder — a certain victory was likely to have been achieved, and the murderers annihilated. By the arrival of the miserable pretender Whitmore, and his second wretched failure, thousands of pounds have been squandered for nothing. Ask Ngatiporou— enquire of any and every settler here why this expedition was abandoned, and the name of Whitmore and Government, coupled with " curses not loud but deep," are a suflicient answer. Why the Government inflicted that inflate 1 imbecile upon us is inexplicable except to themselves. VThe following is an extract from a letter received in Wellington from Hawke's Bay, per Rob Roy : — " M'Lean and the friendly natives would soon settle the Hau-haus on this coast if the Government would only support them ; but just j as things were looking up in that direc- j tion, Stafford sends that bird-of-ill-omen, Whitmore, to spoil, in all probability, all that has been done. Are Ministers mad ? Have they jeft Wanganui to be sacked by Titoko WaruT] People here think that Ministers will oppose and obstruct McLean, at the risk of a catastrophe. What can be the meaning of all this ? It is quite possible Whitmore may, after all, be able to take tbe Hau-haus' stronghold. The wretches were fearfully thrashed by the Ngatiporou, and most of their fighting men are known to be sorely wounded," The Herald oi the 1 2 th instant, says: — The news from Poverty Bay by the Sturt and the Ahuriri is summed up in a few words. The native allies have all gone to their homes; the enemy, in a shattered state, has made for the interior, probably Puketapu ; while Colonel Whitmore, instead of doing one of I the only two things he should do — follow up j the enemy without delay, or, with equal expe- j dition, return to Wanganui, ia actually engaged (or at least is said to be) in attempting to settle the land question ! The absurdity of such an attempt, if true, can only be equalled by its mischievous effects. One thing is certain, that Colonel Whitmore remains inactive at Turanganui, while on the one hand, a shattered enemy is retreating and consolidating his strength, and on the other, a fertile and thickly populated district is being overrun by a still more formidable foe. Truly, the aspect of affairs is most dispiriting. Tbe following items are from the Herald's Poverty Bay correspondence : — Ngatikahungunu have returned, and are at Oweta pah, on the southern side of Poverty Bay. Ngatiporu are retiring by the northern or Turanganui side. Both parties are looting everything they can lay their hands upon ; cattle and sheep are indiscriminately slaughtered ; domestic utensils, camp ovens, buckets, and whatever the enemy had not time to destroy is wantonly smashed by these excesses. Whitmore, with a force of over 300 men, is either afraid of them, or willingly permits it in revenge for our having first found out and exposed his incapacity for commaud. A similar reason, perhaps, actuates the Hon. Mr Richmond ; otherwise, it seems incredible that a Minister of the Crown should stand by with folded arms, and allow the last remnants of our property to be sacrificed before his eyes, and the district converted into a desert, whilst " Nero plays the fiddle." What is to become of us God only knows. Our allies will literally leave us nothing. Dec. 8. — A large fire was seen last night inland in a different direction to any occupied by our forces. Supposed to be a reinforcement from Opotiki on its way to join Te Kooti. The following list of rebel chiefs has been obtained from Henare Kakapanga, a chief of Turanga, and a trustworthy reliable man, who has been several times referred to in this journal of proceedings for his worthy conduct towards his European friends the settlers of Poverty Bay, and a sketch of whose life I purpose to write some day. I may premise that Henare fought bravely for us in every fight in which we have been engaged since the landing of the enemy at Whareongaonga, and has never disgraced himself by assisting to plunder his ruined friends. Killed: — Chiefs of Ngatehineporou : Henare, Pata, Petera, Akutiua, Maka, 5 ; Te Wairoa tribe : Nama, Kehu, Wi, Tamarara, 4 ; Poverty Bay tribes: Pehemena Paieri, Karepa, Pitone (son of Anaramatete), Te Whaka Kurei, Ratuna Te (uncle of Te Kooti), 5 ; total chiefs killed, 14. Henare Kakapanga, from personal in-

and believes the total numher of killed not to exceed 90 in all. Auckland. The Southern Cross ot the 4th instant says: — Mr Louis Hetit, whose ordering away from his place at Otorohanga caused considerable apprehension, under the impression that it was preliminary to a general attack on the Waikato, has arrived in Auckland. He will, however, in a few days return to his old place, where he has been assured that he willbe quite safe in staying. So far as appears from the intelligence brought by Mr Hetit, the peace of the Waikato is as little likely to be disturbed as ever. The New Zealand Herald says:— There are good and cogent reasons for not relying too much on the British Government incurring any. great expenditure on this country, no matter whether the Constitution be suspended, or native affairs be placed in the hands of a Dictator. The colony, we may j assume, will be looked upon to pay, and |if we complain of our taxation, there is a | reply that the principal portion of it ia raised on the luxury of intoxicating drink, and i therefore need not be paid by those who do not desire to do so, and that there is as yet no income tax in New Zealand as there has long been; in England. It is desirable that we should occasionally try to see ourselves as others see us, no matter whether they have a wrong view of us or not. But though the English Government may possibly not aid us much with money, or send us troops unless we pay for them, yet it is possible she might guarantee us a war loan, and so aid us in that way. The Times and the Pall Mall Gazette are a reliable index to the . public feeliHg in England, and the inference to be drawn from their remarks is, that England would aid us in any way that would not be expensive to her, provided we set heartily to work, as they consider, to jnake an end of this native difficulty, once and for ever. We should not be surprised even if Great Britain would agree to lend us a fair amount without any interest at all for a term of years, on condition that we finished this native difficulty.