Porirua, SOtii August, 1846. Sir,—l have the honor to,state for the information of his Excellency the Governor, the intelligence.! have received relative to the rebels, since my communication of the 24th inst., enclosing a report of Mr. Servantes.
Captain Stanley, of H.M. ship Calliope, having landed wtih two officers and thirty-eight men at Wainui, for the purpose of encouraging and supporting our native allies should they approach ihe coast, had remained'there some days, using his best exertions in furtherance of the pursuit and capture of Rangihaeata and his followers. The rebels fires were seen on the hil s beyond Waikanae, but the native allies were nut disposed to follow diem further. However, in the.course of the day, (24Ui inst.,) "three women and a child came down from the hills'by force of hunger, from the position of Rangihaeata, who stated that the "strength of the rebels had greatly diminished"; which induced, as was supposed, \V. Kingi and the Waikmae tribe to pursue them. It, however, turned out that he merely went as far as his cultivations, and, finding the rebels had retreated, casne back. Captain Stanley moved on to Waikanae with great despatch, with the pol'ce and militia, to exert every means in his power to induce the allies to follow up the enemy, and to aid them in doing so. However, as they could not be found by Kingi's paity, and supposed to be dispersed, further pursuit was abandoned, and part of the Port Nicholson natives commenced their return. The rebels have not since been heard of, but <>ur friendly chief Puaha moved on to Otiiki, aod Captain Stanley, in the most praiseworthy manner, accompanied Puaha and his people to hear and be present at the korero of the Otaki chiefs. They, expressed their determination not to take any active measures against.the rebels. Puaha, in consequence, has decided to remain"' there a few days longer, when he intends to go. as far as the; river Manawatn, to endeavour to find out the direction the rebels have faken. Should, he hear nothing of them, he intends to return back to Taupo. Captain Stanley offered to contiuue his support, but'Puaha said it was not necessary. Captain Stanley., in H.M. ship Calliope, has therefore returned to Porirua, and the Port Nicholson natives and militia are on the way back. 1 have the honor to be, Sir, ! Your most obedient servant, J2DVYA-KD LAST, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the troops Southern District. P.S - Since writing the foregoing, I have received the enclosed from Mr. Servantes, the Interpreter of the Forces, which I beg leave to forward. His Honor Major Richmond, Superintendent, ' &c., &., ■•;"''■ ■' Wellington.
Porirua, August 30, 1845. ; Sir,—l have the honor to inform you that, on Monday lott, I returned to our friendly nattveß
under Puaha, whom I found still encam,ied at Wainui. - On Wednesday morning they moved forward with the intention of proceeding to Waikauae, in order to consult with the chi fs of that place. They, however, did not arrive there till the following morning, wh<m they had a conference with Win. King and the other resident chiefs, and ascertained that their feelings were, that they had perfoimed the promise which they made to his Excellency the Governor, and that they were utiwil ing to undertake any active measures against To Rangihaeata ; as all they had sti:mlited. was to. prevent the passage of any hostile natives along the beach or through their oun'ry. But ''hey stated, that should, at any future period, any body of natives attempt to pass that way with the intention of disturbing the peace of the country, they would take up arms to resist their progress. They next proceeded to Otaki, in order to learn the feelings of the Ngatiraukawa tribe on the subject of pursuing the retreating rebels. They discovered that they would not assist them in following up Te Rangihaeata and his party. But they promised to oppose any body of natives who might come dowa with any hostile designs towards the Europeans. When I left Puaha and the Ngatitoa natives yesterday morning, it was thsir intentionU proceed as far as the Manawatu River, in order if possible to discover the direction the rebels had taken in their retreat. The general opinion appears to be, that they have gone towards the Rangitiki River, should thty asceit4n this to be the.casa, they win return to Taupo, as farther pursuit would be impracticable. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servan', W. F. G. Seuvantes, Ensign 96th Regiment, Interpreter to the Forces. Major Last, 99 th Regiment, Commanding troops, Porinn.
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Bibliographic details
Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 96, 12 September 1846, Page 3
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764Untitled Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 96, 12 September 1846, Page 3
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