TARANAKI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 182, 15 March 1860, Page 3

TARANAKI.

[From the Taranaki Herald W. Kingi ami his natives have retired before a superior force, and lie is now strengthening himself at a pa seaward of Kairoa, which is about five miles from the Devon road, and at no great distance from the course of the river Waiongana. The site is selected more perhaps for communication with Taranaki and iVgatiruanui than for defensive purposes, though these have been' by no means overlooked. The road, to Waitara is open, and may remain so until some act is committed by either side which would lead to decided hostilities. For all this, travellers cannot be too much on their guard. The Bell Block and Omata stockades are advancing towards completion, and |here is a rumour—not without foundation we believe—-that similar works will he constructed around the town. Every precaution is taken by his Excellency to ensure the safety of the inhabitants, who on their part evince the moat laudable spirit of loyalty and determination to support her Majesty’s representative in his measures for repressing turbulence and disaffection.

[From our correspondent at JVaitara.~\ In these warlike times a narrative of the military proceedings during the past week will doubtless prove interesting to your readers. At half past three on Monday morning the troops destined" to take possession of the land at Waitara purchased by the Government from Teira, silently assembled at the camp on the parade ground, where the detachment of the 65th regiment, the party of Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers had bivouacked the previous evening. Punctually at four the advance sounded, and the column marched off in slow time, and with the guns and baggage train and rear guard could not have been less than half a mile in length. Sixteen- mounted settlers, under Captain Des Vceux* escorted the baggage. Early as the hour was, many of the townspeople lined the road to see the departure of this imposing- force, and many fervent wishes were expressed for the suctfess of this gallant band. The column reached the Waiwakaiho bridge at dawn, and halted at the Mangaone bridge, when skirmishers were thrown out in the bush on each side of the ascent, and having thoroughly searched it the advance sounded, and- the march was continued to 3/angati, when three carts with planks to bridge the Mangoraka and Waiongana rivers joined the cortege. Skirmishers were again thrown out, and the column moved down the road leading to the old Puketapu pa, and then to the right to the junction of the river. The skirmishers performed their duty admirably, notwithstanding the difficulties of'the country. On reachinp the rivers the water was found to be so low that the advanced guard marched right through without halting, the skirmishers ex tended, swept the country, and occupied Tamati Teito’s pas commanding the line of march, and the column and convoy followed, the whole crossing without the slightest mishap ; a halt of half an hour on the river bank proved most acceptable to the teetotallers. On the advance again sounding, the column, made a sweep inland, the skirmishers gallantly pushing on through fern breast high until they reached the Devon line, where a halt ensued near its junction witli the Mamuka road; the bullocks were unyoked and tho horses tethered out, and the weary, hungry soldiers imagined breakfast time had arrived. After a diligent search, however, no water could be found, and the officer commanding the forces determined on proceeding on. to- the Pukekolie pa, where the force arrived at about two o’clock, to experience a like disappointment, as no good water could be found, nearer than the river, a distance of a quarter of a mile, towards which the poor- thirsty souls rushed with their canteens. The position was found to be an admirable one, capable of being defended against any native force, and commanding the principal portion of tlie potato crops at Waitara. In an incredibly short time the tents were pitched, the baggage train unloaded, a magazine formed,, the trenches cleared of cover, cooking places made, so that iu the course of the afternoon, from a waste covered with weeds, the pa assumed the appearance of a strong military position. A. night attack being expected, the troops remained, under arms till broad daylight,, and welcome, indeed, must have been the repose that followed*. On Tuesday morning the troops were occupied: in strengthening their position. At ten a.m. an escort of mounted volunteers with their sergeant left the town in charge of three carts with provisions for the troops at Waitara* and whilst proceeding on the Devon line near, the Waiongana, they met Wi Tana, who advised them to return and take the beach, road,.as William King’s natives had built a pa on; the direct road to the camp, and would not allow the carts to pass. It being too late to retrace their steps without occasioning unnecessary alarm for their safety, the escort continued its route to near the junction of the upper and lower /Faitara. roads, until it was stopped by a Waitara native named Hohaia, who ordered 1 it to return, which, was declined; he then! stated William King’s party would take what was in the carts in. payment for their houses,;; which the soldiers had that morning set fire to. i The sergeant informed him that the natives i had fired !he pa (which proved to he the casc.p

Teira and his people having eet firelto the Kuhikuhi, William King's place which was' totally consumed). The native 'stillContinuing to obstruct the road, the sergeant hustled him aside with"his horse, whereupon he put down his head and requested him to cut it off Believing him to be one oft,ho four natives doomed to destruction so ;is to! enlist the sympathy of other tribes in favour of William King, it was determined not to use force, and he was asked to get up and ride on the cart, or proceed along the road before the cart, or towards /f.ilioetahi-pa; blit he persisted that he would remaiu where he was or cross the fern to the native stockade, which tire sergeant, fearing an ambuscade, positively refused to allow him to do, and having ordered two of the party to detain him, rode towards the pa and parleyed with the .natives, with, whom lie waa fortunately well acquainted. They consisted of a party of from 40 to 50 of William King’s, Hapurona’s,- and.vZ’amihana's men, Under tlie Command of Hapurorta, assisted by Matthew and Edward King, and Tamibana,who> after a little persuasion sent word-to Hohaia to allow the carts to pass. The escort moved on, ami when abreast of the stockade Hohaia exclaimed, “ How about payment for our houses, which the soldiers have burnt,” whereupon the escort closed upon the carts, and by showing a bold front got safely to the feuco across the road, where they met Mr. Partis,. Capt. Steward, and Archdeacon Govett. Upon arriving at the camp the affair was reported 1 to the- Governor and Colonel Gobi, who resolved upon giving the natives twenty minutes’ notice to clear out.Jaud if they refused to vacate the pa, to fire upon them, and the following letter to that effect was sent by Mr. Parris :—F “ To the Chief who. obstructs the Queen's Road.

“ You have presumed to- block up the, Queen’s road, to build on the Queen’s land, and to. stop the free passage of persons going and coming. “ This is levying war against the Queen. Destroy tho places you have built; ask my forgiveness and you shall receive it. If you refuse, the blood of your: people be on your own head.

“ I shall fire upon you in twenty minutes from this time if you have not obeyed my order.

“ (Signed) T. Gcre Browne.

Camp, Waitara, 6th March, 1860.”

In ten minutes the pa was abandoned. I have omitted to mention that within a stone’sthrow of the pa tho escort found a strong party of sailors and marines posted, tho knowledge probably of which had induced the natives to refrain from attacking the escort. They joined the naval brigade at; the Copt of the hill, and it was truly amusing ifco see tho impatience of the tars to take tlie lead; a bank and ditch were in front of their gun, and the artillery occupied the road, and to get out of the dilemma Jack suggested taking a flying leap with the gun over all. It was rich likewise to notice the eagerness of a little middy, 'with his wee legs encased in shapeless canvaso gaiters watching his chance to be iu at the death, looking as wicked as if lie were in charge of the forlorn hope about to storm the Redan. The skirmishers having ascertained that no ambush was posted near, tho word was given to rush the pa, and with a cheer on went the storming party, down caino one side of the pa, just so much as to form an opening, when in rushed the force, and in an instant the stockade was alive, and the little middy on the top of the inner embankment. Tlie palisade took about have jail hour to pull up and burn, but the embankment, of fern and earth for a long time resisted the; efforts of the sappers to level it. Word was then passed for every man to take a stick of firewood on bis shoulder, and the column returned to the camp, reminding one of a drift of wood moving at a funeral pace. Since Tuesday the troops have been occupied in improving the camp, clearing away the fern in its visinity, and making themselves comfortable. In their present position the force can maintain its post against three thousand natives, and in open field are a match for half the number. The tigers are in clover, with murphies and pork in galore, and woe he to the niggers that venture within reach of their claws!

The following is a translation of two letters from /Fanganui chiefs received by his Excellency yesterday— . “ “ Harekawa, Wanganui, March 8.

“To Governor Browne. Salutations to you. We are listening to the reports that arrive respecting the conduct of William King, and have come to the conclusion that he is wrong to interfere with the occupation of land sold to you. We entjycly disapprove of his proceedings. “ From Tahana Turoa.”

“ Court-house, Wanganui, March 8

“To Governor Browne. Salutations to you.. We have heard of the doings of /Filliam King and yourself—namely, that you are. at war. /Fe all consider that' /Filliam King is wrong in interfering with you upon your land. If you would like for us, Noah Rauhihi, William Pukapuka, and Mete Kingi, assessors, to come and see you, write to us; ~ ; -“-From- No ah- RUahihi

A- large' number- of friendly natives met; the Governor-on Saturday last,- welcoming him < to Taranaki. His Excellency spoke to them-.as follows :• :

“ You have come with good and loyal words: you are welcome. Most of-you-are'oid enough to remember all the Governors who have been iu New Zealand. They have all been careful of the interest of. the ■ Maoris.- Governor Hob

son made the treaty of Waitarigi, hv which thoj rlghTsand property -of- tlie'Maori race arc se-; cured to them. Our Gracious 1 Queetr confirmed; this treaty, and has instructed her Governorsj to act as guardians to her Maori subjects. Our Queen is a powerful Queen, and has more than a hundred regiments, many of which are far stronger than the 65th regiment, of which you have only seen a small part, Alie has declared that her 3/aori subjects shall he protected in their just and lawful rights, and she would dismiss with scorn any Governor who caused her words to be falsified. The Queen says each man shall keep his property if he pleases. William King says Teira shall not sell his property as he pleases. Is this wise—is it right? If the Queen’s words are not good, and her Maori subjects may cause her, promise to I>e broken, why should not the Pakeha cause it to be broken, and call for more soldiers, ami take all the land their eyes de sire !! Teira’a title to the land is a good title, and William King: and you all know that it ; is so. I have given my word to Teira that I will buy his land. I have' paid the first instalment for it—l will not go back from my word. I desire peace and hate war. It is with William King to choose between peace and war. If he chooses war the blood will be required at his hands, and trot at mine, and it is for him to consider the consequences while there is yet time. My last wont to you is— Remain in peace, and no one shall molest you-.

Correspondence.

[advertisement.]

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle

Sir,: —Allow ns to state that the answers given to Mr. F. Williamson’s questions by Mr. Sim, in your'paper of the Ist instant, were the same as those given to him at the meeting of ratepayers on-the 13th ultimo..

H. Clmrton. A. Williamson Glanviile W. Holland Wanganui. March 14, 1860.