THE NATIVE WAR.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIV, Issue 1431, 8 June 1860, Page 3

THE NATIVE WAR.

TARANAKL

Bt the Tasmnnian M.iid % which arrived on Wednesday evening-, and the Airedale yesterday lmrning, our news of the Native War at Taranaki is brought up to the 31st ultimo. No active measures against the rebels have been tike'n by the Commander of the Forces in the interval which has elapsed since the date of our previous .intelligence (May 1/), nor does anything anpear to be known of the plans and intentions of either Colonel Gobi, or the chief of the re'iels, Wiremu Kingi. Rumours, as might be supposed, are widely circulated, where positive information is altogether wanting. On our own side, on 3 tale is, that something of importance will be undertaken in about a fortnight, which is contradicted by another, that nothing serious will be attempted until a reinforcement arrive^ either from England or India. We attach no importance to either tale, and merely mention them £0 shew the conflicting currents of opinion which agitate the minds of the suffering settlers. There was a time since this war began whou a really skilful and. energetic commander would have said, with the ■chivalrous King, " Who's he that wishes for more men from England ?" That moment miy have passed ; the enemy has been alfirded the fullest opportunity for strengthening his positions and recruiting his supporters ; and now a very considerable force may be needful to obtain that success which a comparative handful of men, properly led, would at one time have secured. If through this inanition, we have failed hitherto in punishing the rebel natives, it has contributed something towards the demolition of that system of military promotion which places men in the position of high command in scenes of trial and danger, with no experience beyond what has been acquired on 'the parade ground, and no fitness for the duty beyond that of accidental rank, no matter how obtained.

Tno only event of any serious consequence which has lately taken place, is a brutal attack on Mr. 11. Brown, by three hostile natives, On Saturday last, Mr. Brown rode out from the camp at Waitara, to see what the enemy was doing, and inadvertently ernie near three »a* tives who secreted themselves until the unfortunate gentleman had approached within a few yards of them, when they simultaneously fired, and so close were they, that each shot struck him, one ball hitting him iv the shoulder, another in the thigh, and the third striking a pow der flask which Mr. Brown had in his pocket, from which it glanced off and lodged in his boot. Mr. Browu succeeded in riding back within sight of the Waitara, and by throwing up his cap attracted attention, but tell from his horse and fainted before he could reach the camp. Assistance was immediately rendered him, and although in a dangerous state, hopes are enterlained of his recovery. Mr. Brown, we believe, edited the Taranaki Herald, and is universally respected. One of the men who shot him had beeu in his servic3 three years. An exchmge of troops has been made between the VVaitara camp and the town, 300 of the 40th, under Major Nelson, having been stationed at this outpost, and the party of the 65th, by which it was previously held, withdrawn. It was while engaged in conveying these forces backwards and forwards, that, in bodies of thiity at a time, ttie L\isminian Maid was co npelled to put to sea on Tuesday last ; for although she had landed her passengers at Tarauaki, their luggage could not be got on shore, nor could the steamer return to the vVaitara. It may seem strange to our distant readers, that a party of 300 troops could not inarch in a body iron) the town to the camp, along an open road, the distance being at the most twelve miles.

If the settlers and troops are confined to the limits of tbe towu and the stockides, the enemy appears to be subject to no such restrictions, for we hear that VVi Kingi's men roam over the country at 1 irge, dig and gather in their potatoes, go down to the beach to tish, in fact, being quite unrestrained by the strong military and naval forces at hand. This may l>e carrying on war, but it h a fashion that is uot likely to lead to any ics "It oil our part.

UOSTIN'U.VNCE OF JOURNAL 01' EVENrS TO MAY 24

[From the 'laranaki Herald^ May 26.] Saturday, May 19. — From VVaitara there is nothing' of importance to report. The Waikatos are with VVi Kingi, ami have encamped between Ngataiparirua aud Kiiroa, about half a mile to the seaward of Huirangi, and about two miles from Mataitawa Wi Kingi's pah. During yesterday a. large number of natives were observed from the Bell Block stockade to l><? busily eartiug large stuff iv the direction of Huiruuf>i. It is conjuctured that King, with his present reiuforcemsnt of Waikatos, N^atiruanuis, and Taranakis, will attempt another pah on the Government laud at Waitara. Weather line. H.M.S S. Cordelia sailed to-day for Wellington.

Sunday. — Weather clear ; to the troops un-

dor canvas t its in in •>!} a weluVuo uiiiiijri?, Tlio NTtfri Li rn:t mi and Taranaki tribes continuo quiet, and appeir to feel $,lnm%]y their defeat at VV.iireka. We- are told that the Tupuinikau stockade is a very strong position, a succession of plateaus, in fact, which the natives havg fortified with palisading and entrenchments. It is also completely surrounded by hush. T c troops in camp at Tartaraimaka have seen nothing to relieve the dulness of their position.

Monday. — Some interest prevailed in town to clay in consequence of a rumour that natives in large furco were busily engaged erecting a pah on Teira's land at Waitam. The Tasmania n Maid arrived from Waitara s>t nine, a.m., hut brings no confirmation of this. A rumour was also current this evening;, that a party of natives were in the forest in our rear. In addition to the usual Militia and Volunteer pickets, strong outlying pickets of the 40th and 12th were thrown out, and sentries were stationed as far as Stewart's premises, at the Ileimi. T. Perry, private 65th regiment, buried t«-d*y, the deceased was an old soldier, and his de:ith was occasioned by the rupture of a blood vessel. Tuesday. — The Tasmanian Maid returned this morning t> Waitara. From the Bell Block house this morning we have the following intelligence. Signals were made at ten, a.m., that a party -of military and militia proceeded to the rear of the BjII Block to cut timber for the stockade, when on reaching a hill on Mr. Northcrofi's land, an armed party of natives were seen advancing apparently with the intention to cm the v off. The retreit tingle wis sounded, and tie party retired to thef>it. Tiie natives were said to ire pasted in a gaily near Mr. Hirst's h rase. The light comp my of t!ie G >th were at once despatched from town, an I as they passed over the bridge were heartily cheered by the Militia and Volunteers, who were under the general impression th it an engagement w.is probable, but in this all were to ba disapp )i:)te.l, inform ition on the ro.tdoeo isio'.iing the tiv.ops to return. The truth is th U t!ie two pardes cam ; upon each other without hostile intentio-is, though but for the measures at onca taken by Lieutenant Richardson, 12th R.!gi:nenf, the natives might have bocnteinptsd into an attack on first meeting. Wednesday. — From information obtained from Matiu, of the Hua pah, who has bjen to Waikato and who returned with the Waikato party to Waitara, and reached tha Hua last night, we hear th.it the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki deputation have returned to their homes through the forest ; that Wi Kingi has received intelligence from tha South that the Ngatiruanuis were assemble! at Ketemarae, joined by the Njjarauru and Upper Wanganui tribes, and numbered 1,000 strong ; that they wore on their way to join him ; that the Taranaki tribe would also assemble and go to Waitara ..through the bush in our rear: that the -iWaikatos were going to remain at Waitara, and would shortly bs joined by other tribes from Waikato, To-upo, and even from the East Coast, a tribe named Ngatiaua having determined to come to W.iitara; that the war should be confined to Waitara, on Teira's land, where all the tribes would assemble to recover the land from the Govern-* ment; that when the troops were driven from Waitara they would then attack the to.vn, but not before. M,itiu also <«ays, that the natives seen on Bell Bhek yesterday were not on any offensive errand, but on their way to the Paraiti pah, and were busy catching pigs and taking up their potato crops. Matiu is brother to Raniera, the Assessor at the Hua pah, and is leagued with the enemy, and has returned to them. Mitiu was seeu in company with a WaiLato native. Matiu added, that he would not say whether any movement would be made at YVititara to-morrow, or uext duy, or the day after, but that we should hear of something before long. The Airedale, with the March English miil, arrived this evening at dusk fi-i.n Nelson and the Southern settlements. The Tasmanian Miid also arrived to-day from Waitara. A correspondent at Wellington, wiiting on the 19th says: — -'Everything here is qiiet, and likely to be so, as we are assured that the natives in the immediate vicinity of the town, especially the Ilutt, are intending to clear out for Taranaki. Old Epuni says he expects that shortly he will be almost the only one left. The natives of Otaki are much excited about a King's flag sent from Waikato. The erection is postponed for a few weeks. The natives in favour of it are the Pikipos (Roman Catholics), and it is fully believed that there will be blows betweeen the loyalists and the King natives. Tainihana ie Rauparaha has forbid any native pulling the flag down, that duty, he says, belongs t<> him, and he will do it ; if they choose to fight about it, he's ready. You will see that Wellington has expressed her sympathy for the colonists of Taranaki. Don't believe tlure was any lukewarmness previously, and eq>i illy disbelieve that the General Assembly members are opposed to the Governor. They are firm iv the belief that it is their duty, and the duty of tin; Colony at large, to support the Governor to the utmost, au'd desire to see the war prosecuted with the utmost energy. Why don't the Governor give us Melon's report, which it is said is very conclusive !"

Our Wanganui correspodeut writes-.—" The natives still remain quiet, though we hear they are becoming disaffected at the south. Tii y have expressed an intention at Otaki ti raisss the Kind's flig : Wi Talco was the instigator of this. He is a bad native, and I thi lk the authorities ought to arrest him for his p.-rlidv. Ths Putiki and up-river natives are, I think, staunch iv- their alliance, though I believe it would not take much to set them also ajaiust us."

Thursday. 2<ith Mai/. — The Queen's birt'idiy. At 9, a.m.. the Volunteers and Militia ass3nbled for drill, and after discharging their pieces, headed by the Volunteer band, marched at eleven, to Marsland Hill. By this tiino tho troops had assembled, consisting of detach* meats of the 65th, 40th, and 12th regi nents, who formed in column, with the colours of the 65th flying, the Militia and Rifles on the left, The bands of the 65th and Hides played alternately a selection of popular and appropriate music. At twelve precisely, the first gun of the royal salute of 21 guns was fired, the iuf.intry between each salute of seven guns, firlig in line from right to left, the right being assigned to eaoh detachment according to seniority, and the left to the Militia and Volunteers, At the conclusion, the whole marched past the C.jlonel commanding the forces, and returned to their respective quart e ' . Bef >re leaving the ground Captain Stapp conveyed tv the Militia and Volunuers the Colonel's approbation of the manner in which they fired and took part in the proceedings. A large concourse of persons witnessed the ceremony, aud the weather was unusually: line, Airedale left for Afanakau this night. The Tasmanian Maid sailed f>nWaitara, and returning during the day, Friday.— At an early hour this morning 1 ET. M.S S. Cordelia was in sight, and anchored at nine, ishe brings Captain Seymour aud .103 blue jackets from the Pelorous. The cirgo boats were employed during the morning landing their baggage, am uunition, and a brass fi :lil 12-poun c. gun. At two, p.m., they were lauded, and marched to JFort £Jig<?r, a /tiffing

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sight — with the 65th band at their head. The Cordelia sailed for Wellington at three, p m., and will bring 50 more men from the Pelorus, now laid up at Wellington. We have not heard whether any of the Cordelia's men will be landed on her return. The brig Shamrock, from Sydney, arrived to-day after a fine passage of eight days, The Tasmauian Maid returned to Waitara.

The following particulars relative to the hhooting of Capt. Brown, have been forwarded to us by a correspondent : —

Tarauaki, May 29, 1860. I write a few lines to say that Mr. Richard Brown, merchant in this place for many years, and an old colonist, and at present captain of the Native Infantry at Waitara, was waylaid on Saturday by a party of Wi K'ngi's natives, and fired at. Mr. Brown received two balls in bis body, and is lying in a veiy dangerous state. He was riding out from the camp on Saturday, searching for a strayed horse, and ou reaching the Waiungona river, near the bush, three natives jumped out of a bush and fired at liim, Mr. B.s horse gallopped back after the iire, and carried him to the camp, where, on univing, be dropped off in «. fainting state from loss of blood. The three natives formed part r :f a party of 60 natives, who were in mnhush further along the road, to murder any white that should pass.

This event has cast a gloom over the community, and Mr Brown's loss will be deeply i.nd generally regretted. One of the balls went through his thigh, and another entered the body below the ribs, and took an upward direction. There is little hope of his recovery. We did not expect this from Wi Kingi. He* is now a nmrdcier, and deserves a murderer's punishment.