CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 191, 17 May 1860, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. Sir, —I trust I shall be excused if I decline replying to the numerous correspondents in your paper of last week. 'I he whole question was fully discussed at the public meeting on Thursday, and I feel that the discussion and the result will not tend in any way to weaken the bonds between my constituents and myself. The vote of continued confidence passed so cordially by so large a body of my constituents was very gratifying to me. The only reply to your correspondents, therefore, that I think necessary, is to refer your readers to your repiort of the meeting; the more so as the writers in question based their arguments, not on what I did write, but on misquotations from my letter, and inferences which they had no right to draw. I remain, sir, your obdt. servant, Wm. Fox.

Journal of Events to May 2. [From the Taranaki Herald.'] Saturday , \kth April. —The Tasmanian Maid steamed to-day for Waitara against a strong head wind from N.W., Heavy rain and strong wind from N. and N.W. From reliable information we have no doubt that there are one or more Europeans living with the natives on the coast south of the Sugar Zoaves, who have given them a great deal of information. It is known that a discharged soldier from the 58th regt. is now with them at Puketaua, named Howard. After the 1101106’ from Colonel Gold respecting persons living in native districts without the sanction of the Government, this man may now be considered a rebel, and is ire doubt of great value to the insurgents. From .the way in which the natives came out in skirmishing order, in detacher- parties, and the clever manner in which they took up positions at Waireka, we may infer that they had instruction from some persons versed in civilised mode of warfare. \Ye are told likewise that one day last week a small schooner hovered about the Taranaki coast, to the delight of the natives, who believed she was going to communicate and supply them with powder, &c., and several natives followed her down the coast. Whether she did so or not has not transjired. A steamer cruising on this coast would effectually prevent smuggling going on, for it is a sad fact that some white men are base enough to furnish our enemies with the necessaries to cairy on

their wav against us. Several o’f the wounded in the Waireka affair are lying in a precarious state. One man has a bullet through his face which has lodged in the opposite cheek. Two men, with thighs shattered, are not likely to live, and also another with a ball through his body. Several of the slightly wounded are about again. Aperahama, of Warea, who had a ball 'through his shoulder, has recovered, although at first there was great swelling and inflammation. By the constant application of cold water, and the patience of natives under pain and suffering, combined with pure blood, they rapidly get over wounds which in nine, cases out of ten would lay us up for weeks or prove mortal. The mail seized by the Warea natives on the 19t,h ult., was, after all, destroyed last week, after a consultation by the two tribes. The letters were burnt, but the newspapers were used for making cartridges. Sunday .— The: schooner .Jupiter, from Whaingaroa arrived to-day with 22 passengers, residents of Raglan. We hear that Captain Johnson, J.P. at Raglan, considered it advisable to request the departure of the settlers, as he feared an outbreak amongst the Waikatos. Twenty-two women and children, including the Captain’s family, at once came away in the Jupiter to this, as the easiest reached port with the wind then prevailing. The heaviest rain we have had for several months fell last night, and caused a great freshet in all the rivers. The beach for several miles to-day is covered with large quantities of drift wood, large trees, &c., washed down the rivers, principally from the Waiwakaiho. This has proved quite a blessing, and numerous carts and inhabitants have been busy to-day gathering the timber for firewood, as we are unable to get any fuel from the hack country without considerable precautions. 50 or 60 cart loads were drawn up to town. Monday. —News arrived in town that the Tasmanian Maid, in entering Waitara and meeting a heavy freshet in the river, ran aground on the south bank. The tide left, her nearly dry, and the carts had discharged her, and sanguine hopes are entertained that she will be got off without serious injury. A steamer and a full-rigged ship were sighted in the morning. The City of Sydney, steamer, with 140 men of the 12th regt. under Captain Miller, 44 artillerymen under Captain Strover, and 6 royal engineers. The ship proved to be H.M. steam corvette Cordelia, Commander Vernon. It was a very busy scene during the day while landing the men, guns, &c. Ihe City of Sydney has brought two 24-pounder howitzers, and two 9 pounders, with waggons complete, also 5600 rounds of canister, spherical, and round shot. Besides the foregoing there is a portable forge, a forage cart, a store ditto, and two sling waggons and small stores complete. She has also landed some mortars. She left Sydney on Tuesday last. The Cordelia left on the 6tli inst. The Pelorus, steam corvette, was to leave Melbourne on the Bth, with 250 men of the 40th regt., and a detachment from Hobart Town. The steamer Wonga Wonga has also left from Melbourne with troops. The schooner Tyne, from Wanganui, also arrived to-day. From Wanganui our correspondent writes: “ We have had a large meeting of the natives of Waitotara, Wanganui, and Rangitikei, at Putiki this day (the 10th), and the Maoris are unanimous in their protestations of friendship, and will protect the settlers against Ngatiruanui if necessary. Another correspondent writes: “ The Ngatiruanui have threatened that as soon as they get their crops in they will take revenge for the death of Te Rei, &c., and have said that there are no Rifles in Wanganui, only 200 soldiers and no sailors, and that they will come upon us in the dead of the night and burn the town.”

Thursday. —The Emily Allison and Kate Kearney were at the anchorage this morning. The roadstead presented an unusually gay appearance to-day. H.M. s. s. Pelorus and Cordelia, brigantines Kate Kearney and Emily Allison; aud schooners Jupitei and Gypsy, lying at anchor. The weather was calm and beautiful. Boats going to and from the beach, and the ships-of-war boats with their flags flying, made it altogether a sight we may never see again. In the afternoon the Pelorus landed 60 blue jackets and 40 marines, and the Cordelia 30 blue jackets and 20 marines, all of whom camped on Mount Eliot. Extensive preparations are making to-day for a move against the rebels, whether north or south we are unable to say, as everything has been kept secret. A large number of bullocks and carts were put in requisition, and coupled with the landing of the blue jackets and other signs of preparation, we may infer that something decisive is about to take place. By the Emily Allison from Manakau we hear that there is every probability of the Waikatos coming down to assist W. King Mr. J. White, of the Native department, who has lately been up the Waikato, is a passenger by her, and considering his acquaintance with Maori history is an acquisition in our present state of affairs. A letter received to-day by a half-caste boy in town from his mother, who is with the rebel Taranakis, begging him not to go near the bush or to go any distance out of town. This confirms the intelligence re ceived that marauding and murdering parties are to be sent up to prowl about our outskirts. Erom our knowledge of native character, and the boy being a half-caste and of course his mother being a Taranaki woman, we would advise all our friends to be more than ordinarily cautious in moving from town. We do not wish to infer for a moment that a son of Old England would fear a truthful foe, but we do say you have a savage to deal with, who in his own warfare cannot disconnect his ideas so far as to see what it is to kill a man in open fight and to murder him without arras m colt blood.

Friday.-*- At an early hour this morning the bine jackets and marines at . Mjjiint-Eliot, 150 in number, struck their tents: ceeded along the Omata road. followed by 30 carts laden with . camjPßptPl age, ammunition, stores, provisions, #c.*jsii<d four 6-pounder field pieces, with 40 artillerymen. The carts were driven by armed militia and volunteer rifles, in number about 50. The 65th started about 8 a.m., an imposing force consisting of 500 men led by Colonel Gold. The Royal Engineers, under Captain Mairis, numbered 20 men.. Until this morning the destination of this expedition was unknown to many, and we hear that it is intended to invade the territory of the Taranalcis, and attack them in their stockades, where they are at present. At 11 a.m. the forces had crossed the Waireka valley, preceded by an advance guard of the 65th. We shall soon hear of active operations against * the rebels, and news will be anxiously, looked for. Invading the territory of the insurgents is the only means of putting a stop to marauding and murdering parties—in this case they will have enough to do at home, and will not spare men to come upon such errands. It is to he hoped that the destruction of the pas and property (not forgetting the canoes) of the Taranakis will be complete and wide-spread—a fitting retribution for immense losses we have sustained at their hands, whereby many families in moderate affluence are rendered penniless and homeless. We take the opportunity here to correct an error we fell into inadvertently, when we stated that Lieut. Blake had been taken on board the Niger. Although we were wrong in our repoi t, we have much pleasure in now stating that he is progressing favourably, and that the wounded sailors and volunteers and militia are convalescent, with the exception of F. Rawson, whose dangerous wound still keeps him in a weak state. We hear from Waitara to-day that a horse belonging to an officer at the camp strayed away last evening, and being discovered by W. Kingi’s people, it was in the course of the day brought back to within 600 yards of the camp by one of W. King’s men, the rider holding in his hand a piece of calico tied to the top of his whip. One out of the camp advanced to meet him, when he tied the horse, and retired step by step as, the European advanced. We must express our conviction that this is a positive proof that W. King does not participate in the murderous conduct of his southern allies. We must give him credit for an act that proves that this rebel foe is actuated by a manly feeling in thus restoring the strayed horse of those who cannot do other - wise than chastise him for his past and present folly. On the other hand W. King is a wily chief, and he may have done the above to prevent us from appropriating bis numerous horses and cattle running about the country. 8 p.m. —A person from the forces south informs us that they had reached Tataraimaka, ami pitched their tents.

Saturday, April 21.—The Airedale arrived this morning, and b-iought a rumour to the effect that Captain Cracroft’s orders, had been countermanded, and that rumours of peace with W. Kingi were current at Auckland. The hare thought of this occasions a depression of spirit such as has never been seen in Taranaki. Great relief afterwards afforded by an intimation that no despatches had been received by the Commander of the Forces of such an unwelcome nature. From the south we hear that the forces stopped at Tataraimaka, and that a reconnoitering party with two guns, had been sent out as far as Hangatahua, a river about eight miles this side of Warea, and that a pah was observed inland, in a strong position, and apparently difficult to get at. None of the rebels had been seen. i

Sunday —A Pelorus sailor was brought in to day badly wounded from the accidental explosion of a rifle. The piece fell from a pile of arms, and went off, the bullet inflicting a flesh wound in the thigh of this sailor, afterwards passing through two tents, and narrowly missing a militiaman standing near. We are told it is the intention of' the Colonel to secure the crops at Tataraimaka, and thresh out the wheat in stacks, of which there are about 5,000 bushels, before moving against the rebels.

Monday.— The forces south have been taking up a lot of potatoes belonging to the rebel Taranakis at Wairau, Parenga Kingi’s kaiuga. We hear that it is the intention of the Taranaki to face the troops; they have had. plenty of time to prepare, but we fear it is not likely they will measure strength with us after their defeat at Waireka. They are busy about their pah inland of Wareatea. Tuesday.—The weather changed for wind and rain. A gun fired this morning announced the arrival of a steamer. A boat with some difficulty got off to her, and found her to be the expected City of Hobart, witn 200 of the 40th regiment on board. After the boat communicated with her she stood off again. It is unfortunate she -was not sooner here, as since the arrival of the Cordelia and Pelorus they have never anchored until this day. The light company of the 65th marched to Tataraimaka to join the forces there, which make the total number 550, exclusive i.of militia and'volunteers in charge of the teams.

Wednesday. —The City of Hobart returned to the anchorage, the wind having shifted to the S.W., and sea rapidly going down. She has landed 215 meni of H.M. 40th foot, in command of Captain. Messenger. We hear from Tataraimaka that the troops intend moving forward to-morrow morning. A quantity of powder was sent down this evening under escort. A ball-proof screen was also sent down to-day, with which it is intended to protect the eng'mers in carrying on i their works.

Thursday—The Airedale arriy.ed.from Nelson with the February'English mall, and the Tasmanian Maid from Waitara, after her accident., 5 The men of-war returned to the anchorage. The weather again calm and The novel sight of five steamers gave a striking appearance to the roadstead. From the camp south we learn that the forces were on their way to attack the' first rebel .pah inland of Wareatea. Tlib‘latest intelligence is that they had got as far 'a£ Wareatea, near the river Hangatahua. Th-!;-first pah is about twenty miles from town, and is described as being surrounded on the inland and part of the south side by a raupo swamp-: the forest bordering upon the swamp. We also hear that this pah is strengthened by a double row of terraced palisading and rifle pits, the inner row being elevated above tho outer. Another pah is situated inland of Warea, near the forest, about eight miles farther on, named Tapuiuikau. This .pah .is -'one.ifl., which the remnants of the, Taranaki tribes were formerly taken by the Waikatos and slaughtered. The natives have collected great quantities of provisions, for a protracted siege, and in their vicinity are the cattle, sheep, &c., sto.le?i by them from the Tataraimaka. farms. It is reported that W. King has burnt his pah at Mataitai, and retired upon Kairoa. This ’looks as if he was taking alarm at the movement south. The Airedale .sailed for Manakau, and . the City of Hobart for Melbourne.

Friday —At four a.m., the Cordelia steamedfor the Taranaki coast under orders, and* a few hours later she was followed by the Tasmanian Maid. The greatest interest is felt for. news of the expedition, and we shall keep the journal open to the last moment. Eight p. m.—Cordelia is returned to her anchorage. From Mr. Woon’s account (who proceeded in the ship by the request of the authorities), a boat landed aud communicated with the forces at Hanga Tahua, at eight a.m. They were just moving to Warea. Cordelia followed in the rear and anchored off Warea; could not land—very rocky. Before the troops reached Warea, three guns yrere fired at the village, and the advanced guard of the Pelorus, under Captain Seymour,went through the pah, but no natives to be seen, Shortly after Cordelia anchored signal was made, “ Return to town.” As she was leaving, the forces fired Warea—-first the flagstaff was pulled down, and afterwards the whole village and pahs were in a sheet of flame. Saw the stronghold of the natives inland of Warea in the forest. Left Tasmanian Maid at Warea.

Saturday, April 28—Great anxiety felt for news from the expedition south. It is believed that as the weather is fine an attack will be made upon Tapuiaikau, supposed to be four miles from Warea, where the force had camped last night. The stronghold of the rebels was distinctly seen-from the Cordelia, and appeared to be in a well chosen position, on an eminence surrounded by bush. There is a good cart road up to this pah, but it traverses country covered with flax, toetoe, and light bush. The Warea mill is two or three miles up the Warea river, which we hope by this time is destroyed. This mill is used by all the Taranakis south of Mokotunu, and as they have a quantity of wheat in grain, a great object would be attained by burning this mill, as it would cut off their means of supply in the shape of lillipi and wheaten cakes. About three p. m. this day, several persons arrived in town from the camp, and it was a matter of surprise how they succeeded or how they had run the risk of coming through the enemy’s country from such a distance. We were soon told that the expedition had returned to Tataraimaka, an ad vanced force having first reconuoitered the enemy’s position, and the main body of the troops and the naval brigade were returning to town. This intelligence astonished as well as disappointed us all, and we could not hear any satisfactory reason assigned for the abandonment of the campaign in that direction without striking a blow. We were informed that a portion of the naval brigade had endeavoured to find the Wares, mill to destroy it, but had not succeeded in doing so; that soon after a return to Tataraimaka was ordered ; that the troops struck their tents and marched back, and readied Tataraimaka at twelve this clay; that while leaving Warea, a few natives had fired upon them ; that on reaching Komene’s lcainga (settlement), they discovered about 70 or 80 natives, who were viewing the ruins, who opened fire upon the military; that a brief skirmish had taken place, when it was believed one native was killed, as he was seen to be. carried away 1 after he fell; that the firing was at a range of 900 to 1000 yards ; aud that the expedition had arrived at Tataraimaka without fur-, ther molestation. We are also informed that every village on the coast south of Kaihihi, Porikapa’s village had been burnt; all the canoes cut up and burnt*; and somejiorses and cattle driven up. On the arrival of the expedition at Warea, as seen from the Cordelia, a few natives were observed about the village, who opened fire. Sunday —The report that W. King had burnt his pali at Mataitawa is incorrect. He is still quiet there, and, as he boasts, is ready to engage the troops whenever they feel disposed to encounter him. Ihe lasinanian Maid returned from Warea,

Monday —The Victorian-Government sfeam sloop Victoria , arrived to-day from Hobart Town, with 120 rank and file of H. M. 40th regiment in command of Captains Bowdler and McCarty. She made the run from Hobart Town in six days. We are indebted to the courtesy of Captain Norman for oompleto files of Tasmanian and Melbourne papers. At three llii.'i afternoon, the *e?peditioh- from- the;

south arrived iu town with their train, leaving 200 military at Tataraimaka. The naval brigade marched through the to\Vn begrimed with dust, and were embarked at once on board their respective ships. We have heard it assigned as the reason for the return of the expedition that the attack übon the rebel strongholds' would have .been attended with great los3 of life without a corresponding advantage, as so soon as the natives found the place too hot for them they would retire hito the bush and retreat on some other stronghold, where the same trouble and loss would be repeated in following them up. The Victoria sailed at eight,, p.m., for Nelson. The Tasmania Maid also left for Waitara. There was the usual monthly parade of Volunteer Rifles and Militia this Morning at ten. After which the Rifles marched into town, preceded* by their band under the excellent leadership of Mr. Manby. The band used their new instruments on this occasion, a cchhplete set having just been received by the Blue Sachet, from England. Tuesday—-112 men of the 40th marched out to the Bell Block stockade. A detachment of the 12th also were stationed at the Henui. The new disposition of troops is made to enable the Militia to take advantage of the sowing season, and the recent increase to the military force has lessened the heavy duties which have hitherto devolved on the Militia and Volunteers most of whom are now enabled to have two nights in bed. Wednesday —The weather has changed rom beatiful calm to wind from the N.E. an d ain. The Pelorus and Cordelia weighed a t ues p. m. and put to sea.