THE MAORI WAR.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 389, 29 October 1868, Page 2

THE MAORI WAR.

ABANDONMENT OF KAKARAMEA. ABANDONMENT OF THE WERAROA REDOUBT. MORE DESTRUCTION OF PRO PERTr. WOMEN - AND CHILDREN RErURN FROM PATEA (From the Wanganui Times, Oct. 24.] Friday, O.tjber 23rd.

Early yesterday morning the Kakarauiea redoubt was abandoned by our men, and almost immediately taken possession of by the enemy. As our men retired, parties of Hau-haus set lire to the hitherto undestroyed houses around Kakaramea, right on to Patea. During the early part of yesterday twenty-four of Captain Hirtzell's men laid down their arms and refused to serve any longer. The men of other companies, whose time will expire in a few days, say that they will not serve a day longer than they are bound to to do. The small force in Patea is thoroughly disorganised and discontented at the treatment they receive from the G-overument, especialiy its disbanding and dismissing the best of the officers and men, its abandoning the settlers, and giving up their property to be destroyed by ruthless cannibals, and exposing themselves to destruction. The Sturt took off from Patea, and shipped on board the s.s. Eangatira, Von Teinpsky's men, bound for Auckland, they having refused to serve any longer. Consequent on this state of things, the women and children have been sent down by the p.s. Sturt, and some of the merchants and storekeepers have succeeded in bringing down a quantity of their goods, which are now being stored in Wanganui. ABANDONMENT OP THE WEEABOA BEDOUBT. On Wednesday last, Colonel Whitmore and Mr Booth proceeded to AVeraroa, and after some conversation with Hunia, Kemp, and the other chiefs, ordered the -whole of the Wanganui natives stationed there to hold themselves in readiness for Patea next

morning. This morning Mr Casey, of the Shamrock Hotel, Patea, arrived in Wanganui and informs us that at 11 o'clock last night, he, whilst riding through at the risk of his life from Patea, met the whole of the Native Contingent with Colonel Whitmore at the Waitotara river. Some had crossed, and others at this side about to cross. Thus the Weraroa redoubt has been abandoned by Colonel Whitmore, and the whole of the Pakakohi with a contingent of Titoko Waru's men and the whole of the disaffected, are left in possession of the entire tract of conntry from the Patea river on to Kai Iwi. Our friend Titoko Warn has generously given the besieged settlers at Patea, seven days notice to clear out, otherwise he will attack and exterminate them. As Colonel Whitmore, with some 450 of the Wanganui natives will roach Patea to-day, Tito may

change his tactics, turn the Colnnel's flank, and send reinforcements to enable his men now at this side of the Patea, to occupy the Weraroa redoubt abandoned by (Colonel Whitmore.

As we write—ll a.m.—the scene upon the Government Wharf, where the p.s. Start has discharged the goods and chattels of the women and children, brought down yesterday from Patea, arouses the indignation of all who witness the evidences of the ruin hurled upon those people by Colonel Haultain Whilst carrying out the policy of the present Ministry. once more call upon Dr Featherston, as Superintendent of this Province, to wait upon His Excellency the Governor, and place in his hands a written protest against the manner in which the settlers, in that portion of this province which lies between thd Patea river to the Kai Iwi, are being exposed to inevitable ruin by the suicidal policy of His Excellency's advisers.