Continuation of Journal of Events.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1479, 14 December 1860, Page 5

Continuation of Journal of Events.

{From the Taranaki Herald-) Friday, Nov. 16,— The Mountain Maid from Sydney, with hay for the Commissariat. • Satubday, 17.— We are informed that 200 Taranakis, under Parenga Kingi, are at Hauranga and Tataraimaka, and that Epiha, one of the Waikato chiefs, is to meet them to confer about future proceedings. • From the friendly natives, who appear to know the _ movements of the enemy, we, hear tiiat the Waikatos intend commencing on Monday a depredatory movement towards town, and scatter themselves over the adjacent country. We also hear that the Waikatos have written two letters to the friendly natives inviting them to go over to them, and that if tliey disregard the opportunity they will be treated as '< whiteskina"— Two natives, Hone and Te Whare, have gone over to the enemy during the week, and Matiu has been with the Waikatos since the Mahoetahi tight, which he saw ; he went over on the following day— no doubt to give them every particular respecting the battle. Whether Matiu used his grin on that day we do not- know. We should like much to know in what light these natives are considered: As far as they are concerned they believe they can come and go when they choose. Common justice requires that at least they should be told that if they go over to the enemy, after joining our side and taking the oath of allegiance, they will be considered- and treated as traitors. Several who have gone over to the enemy, after being with ua as allies, may possibly be under the impression that when peace is concluded they will not be punished— The schooner Sea Gull, with live stock from Wanganui, an ived at 7 p.m. We have the following from p. .correspondent :— " The Waikatos have sent emissaries to these parts, who are trying to prevail upon our Wanganui natives to join their forces at Waitara, and to break out all over the country ; and their arim.ment is that if they (the Waikatos) are defeated, the mana of Nm Tjreni will be gone, and they will be trampled upon by the white man. Old - ,- x ' Vi 6 * 1 "' has re fused to join, and is decidedly inclined for peace, though he is favourable to the Jung movement. About forty Waikatos are at , the head oi the river, trying to sow the seeds of disatlection amongst the upper river natives, but I trust to no purpose. Tbpine is firm, and has reused to accede to their request to join the rebels at Waitara. He has, however, joined the King movement. There will be a large meeting of tht natives at Wainoho, about four miles up the river, when, the subject . of going to Waitara, and the Waikato question, will be discussed; but Lower Wanganui is for' the Queen, and I do not at prebend any danger to this settlement." • Sunday, 18.— The Tasmanian Maid came up Irom Waitara to-day. She reports the natives busuy engaged cultivating at Eukekohe and Huirangi;- the Waikatos are planting potatoes extensively. Weather fine. The trenches manned as usual, and visited by Colonel Wyatt, 65th Eeijt Monday 19.— Weather wet during, the nilht, and cleared up this morning. We have been requested to call the attention of our officers to the state ot the piquet houses, and the necessity of having them occasionally cleaned out and straw K m .£ e £ I -„? he pi( * uefc house know n as ''Adams Stable is really not fit to put men into. It swarms with vermin, and the men are compelled to he down on the ground with no covering excepting some old fern, which is three parts dust All the piquet houses are more or loss unfit for the purpose ; sweeping them out and a supply of fresh straw would greatly conduce to the comfort of the guards,, .and be fully appreciated. The light duty man whose duty It fs to supply the piquets with candles (if we may make the suLes! tiou) might once a week be employed in this serTuespav, 20— Weather fine— The eunboat Caroline, from Manukau, the 19th instant; arrived this morning with despatches for the General. She brings intelligence that". 800 Waikatos were about leaving Upper Waikato for Waitara It is reported in town that, the Waikato party at Huiangi have occupied Pukeraogiora, an old fortifiation, where the Waikatos in 1832 killed great

numbers of the Ngatiawa tribe, who were driven over a high precipice in hundreds. Pukerangiora is a strong position about three miles beyond Huirangi. It is said this will be the headquarters of tho Waikatos— -From Mahoetahi we hear that rifle pits, capable of holding 1000 men have been discovered in the small bush on the south bank of the Waiongana, and about 400 yards in rear of Mahoetahi. The bush is being cleared and the rifle pits filled in. Had a reserve of natives occupied this bush during the attack on the 6th instant, the party from Waitara might have been greatly annoyed in their flank. The Taranakis at Huirangi have returned. The natives inform us they came up, according to ancient custom, to show tho Waikatos their readiness to assist them in avenging the fallen at Mahoetahi. Wednesday, 21. — The Wonga from Wellington via Wanganui, with cattle, was at the anchorage this morning. . We are glad to liear she is to run ! between this port, Wanganui and Wellington. She made tho run from the former port in thirteen hours. A correspondent at Wanganui, writing yesterday, states:— " I am sorry to say the upper river natives are . wavering ; they have received a letter" from the Waikatos calling upon them to go to their immediate assistance at Waitara. The letter was written at Hangatiki, VTaipa, dated l6thOct.,and was brought by Wi Pakau, a Kingi's agent, who is here trying to get recruits for the taua for Waitara. The letter is significant, and is to this effect : — "Go our messenger to Wanganui, to all the chiefs there. This is our word to you residing in our Island of New Zealand, rendered evil by the Governor, and who are residing under the protection of the Almighty and of our King. This is our word— listen all of you ! Let your men remain covered (or rather, go on cooking — the word used being taona), if Auckland uncovers the men (meaning if Auckland be the first aggressors) then let your men be uncovered, and let it be uncovered for all the towns in this Island of ours. This is another word — do you come up by Taumatarnahoe, and see us here at Waitara ; be swift to come up in the days of the month of October." " Signed by 29 Waikato chiefs (among whom was Wetini Taiporutu, killed at Mahoetahi.) " Topine, I am afraid, is wavering, and I believe, the Waikato loss will decide him on going to Waitara. Pehi and Hori have decided to send Topia, Pehi's son, to confer with tho Waikatos at Waitara, when he will return and report, and then Wanganui will decide. Topia is a King native, and no doubt will be talked over by the Waikatos, though I believe his father, Pehi, is disinclined to go to war, and this may be our safety; for should the up-river natives rise against hi 3 consent and sanction, we shall not be effected at Wanganui, especially as most of tho natives from Pipiriki downwards aye government natives." The Victoria left for Manakau this afternoon, it is believed to bring down the mail ; weather very fine. Thursday, 22.— The Wonga Wonga for Wellington via Wanganui, sailed this evening. Friday, 23. — The town was surprised this morning by the intelligence that the Waikatos were at Waiwakaiho, and had fired upon and wounded a young man named John Bishop, who was on his father's farm contiguous to the bridge. Bishop and a native boy were walking on the flat on the town side of the bridge, when they received a volley from behind a rising ground, about fifteen yards from where they were standing (an old Maori entrenchment). Bishop was hit through the wrist, but the Maori boy escaped. The two immediately ran into a wooded swamp under 'the pa, and succeeded in e?ciping; Bishop reached the town, where lie fainted from loss of blood. From the number of shots fired, a large party must have been in ambush. 6 p.m.— Bishop's wound in the wrist is severe, the bullet passing through the two boues. The wound in the groin is superficial. He had a single barrel fowling piece iv his hand when the bullet struck him, tie dropped it, and it was taken away by the Waikatos. During the afternoon a native woman saw abont 200 of them across the river, and when they saw her, they passed Bishop's gun one to another, with exulting yells. They afterwards waved to her to return to her pah It is said the Waikatos are . encamped near Mr' Smart's farm. An officer and a mounted volunteer rode into town to-day from Mahoetahi. From him we are informed that the stockade is not erected on Mahoetahi, but on a hill in the bush before mentioned, where the rifle pits were found. This position (called Puketuroa) ia much stronger and more elevated than Mahoetahi, and- was a Maori pah of ancient date, having no less than seven terraces. This was not known before from its being thickly covered with Karaka trees, now cleared away, and the stockade nearly completed. The enemy are occasionally seen, but keep out of range. Saturday, 24. — A party of Waikatos, estimated at-100, passed through the forest, on their way, it is stated, to Taranaki, but it ia more likely to extend themselves to the south of the town. A party still occupy the country in the vicinity of the Waiwakaiho river. Sunday, 25. — The Tasmanian Maid came up this morning from Waitara, with the intelligence that the Waikatos had erected two pahs, one almost 1300 yards from Puketakauere. Both are in oped country, the firtt, Matarikoriko, being nearly in a line with Ngataiparirua and the river Waitara, situate on the top of the slope to the river. The second, Kerikeriruamati, is a short distance outside the small bush to the left of Huirangi, and about fifty yards from Matarikoriko. Both pahs are pregnable, and it is believed, intentionally so, as a ruse to entice the troops to attack them, while from numerous rifle pits and flanking parties in the vicinity, the chief resistance would be offered. The Tasmanian Maid returned to Waitara immediately, and came back, returning a second time in the evening. The rebels, amongst whom are Wi Kingi's party, are still at Waiwakaiho, and others are in rear of the town, and at Omata and at Ratapihipihi. A number of cattle and sheep have been driven off the farms. The following notice was posted in town to-day : — NOTICE. All parties are strictly cautioned against going beyond the out-posts, Henui, Fort Murray, Fort ]Niger, &c, &c. By command, (Signed) Jas. Paul, 65th Regt.. Acting Major of Brigade. November 25th, 1860. We are informed that the natives who fired at J. Bishop on Friday last, are— Tamihana (the same, who killed Hawken), Tarurutangi (one of those who shot R. Brown), Emera, (Wi Kingi's eon), J and Heta, a native who came over with Hoera, &c, | but was let free' at Waiwakaiho, and returned to the enemy shortly afterwards. The native from whom this information is derived is. a Waikato, in the employ of a settler. He proceeded to the Waiwakaiho to-day and met the natives, who, after presenting their guns at him, permitted him to meet them. They told him that they were aware J. Bishop was not killed, and that h« was hit in the arm, from the way he dropped his gun ; that eight of them were in the ambush, and that had he gono further on, he would have been shot at by others. , He also . confirms .the report that the new pas at Waitara are not intended to offer serious resistance to our forces. ''■ Monday, 26.— The Tasmanian Maid from Waitara this morning, brought up the Auckland native mailman. Ho reports that 200 Waikatos were at Mokau on their way here, the advance guard, he Bays, of a large party, on their way, after having heard of the Mahoetahi disaster. — From a reliable source in Waikato we ar« favored with the following interesting information. The writer, writing on the 21st inst., states: — "The Herald was particularly valuable, as it contained the first and only particular account we have received of the battle of Nov. 6. You enquire

whether the late defeat will rouse the whole of Waikato, or cause them to sue for peace? Neither one nor the other. None of the lower Waikatos will at present, perhaps, not at all, join Taranaki. Their duty is to keep at home. The division line ie north of the junction of the Waikato and Waipa rivers. South of that line nearly every native in Waikato and part of Mokau and Taupo, are either in arms or ready to take them up. Reinforcements will be sent to Taranaki — some are expected to start this week. Wetini is very much blamed by his tribe for having been foolhardy in leading his men into danger. They say there were only fifty Maories in the fight at Mahoetahi ! I have conversed with one or two who were in that battle and they told me that there were only fifty natives engaged. I did not believe them. His tribe will send reinforcements. They are one of the two largest tribes in Waikato. They expect to be joined by some of their old allies from Taurangi ; if they join, it increases much the bounds of the war, There are 1000 men at that place. I do not think many will join in the first instance, still it is a commencement in a fresh district, and others will be drawn in. The Waikatos do not at all appear to be cast down by their recent loss. They imagine that victory will finally crown their arms. Poor creatures, what misery they bring upon themselves and others .' I have spent some time during the last few days amongst the friends of those who have fallen, and have sounded them as to terms of peace. Some natives proposed that the disputed block should be divided between the Governor, and King, that the horses, cattle &c, should be restored, and that a block of land should be given up for the property destroyed. They could not say anything about the murderers. I do not think that Wetini's tribe would listen to any terms at present." Tuesday 27. — From Bell Block we hear that some of the garrison have been employed in pulling down the Katere pah, at the top of Manga- I one hill, and filling in the pits and trenches. This pa, situated midway between Waiwakaiho and the Bell Block, belongs chiefly to friendly natives, who have quitted it for the Henui. It has been razed to prevent its occupation by the enemy, commanding as it does the Devon road and Waiwakaiho flat. The rebels were in Mr. L. Harnmerton's house on Saturday night, 500 yards from the Tsell Blockhouse, pulling down the lining and ceiling, &c. On a small party proceeding out to reconnoitre, the enemy decamped. — the recently erected pas at Matarikoriko are described as having been made into one, and are now of large dimen • sions. — We are given to understand that the recent party of marauders at Henui and Waiwakaiho were principally Wi Kingi's men. A fi iendly native at the pa near the bridge informs us that the following natives shot J. Bishop :— Tarurutangi, Hone Ihaira, Hone Wereta, aud Heta, a Kawau lad. The two Hones are said to be the young men who went over to the enemy last week These names do not agree with the previous list, which included Tamihana's name. Wbdnesday, 28. — At about five a.m., the following houses were fired at Henui : — Messrs: A. King's, McKechney's. Shuttleworth'a (2), Dr. Neild's and Marsh's, and burnt to the ground. It is stated that the incendiaries are not Waikatos, and the circumstance of the fires following so closely on the destruction of the Katere pa, favors the bolief. It is true that permission to do this was obtained by the authorities from the friendly natives, but there are Katere natives amongst Kingi's party who could seek uiu as a matter of course. — The cutter Surprise, from Auckland, 14 days, anchored this morning. — The 12th and 65th left at Mahoetahi on the 6th inst., under Major Hutchins, who have been busily employed fortifying the position at Ngapuketurua, marched into town to-day, and arrived at two p.m. The stockade is completed, and is garrisoned by a detachment of the 40th under Lieut. Roes.— The Waikatos are still employed on the pasatMatarikoriki and appear to be concentrating there. Thursday, 2D. — H.M. Colonial steam sloop Victoria, which has-been looked for for several days, arrived this morning at five a.m., from Manukau. She brings tho telegraphic summary of the English^ ne-s^j»tUo--2£^-SeDtemrjct', and. the military mail for Taranaki. Our private accounts from Auokland>r© only satisfactory in so far that no disturbance is apprehended there. A large party of Waikatos, estimated at 800, left for Taranaki onthe 15th November, and lower Waikato (which it was hoped would remain loyal) was in a far from satisfactory state.— lntelligence has been received in town that the Taranakis and Ngatiruanuis are assembling and about to . move on another expedition to the town. FuiDAjr, 30.— Fires wore seen last evening in the direction of Patterson's Saw Mill. Parties of natives have been seen on Burton's Hill ; and this morning we are informed that 40 Waikatos under Tapihana, went through the bush yesterday, on their way to meet the Taranakis and Ngatiruanuis at a large meeting about to be held. It was rumoured yesterday that the southern natives are coming up in force to occupy Burton's Hill ; and Waireka again. A party of Taranakis under Parenga Kingi, came up as far as Tapuae yesterday, and fired several shots into Mr. W. Carrington's houße. — The Airedale with the English mail, arrived this morning. A passenger reports having seen a number of natives at Hauranga. The Victoria left shortly afterwards to reconnoitre, and returned at four p.m. She went as far as Kaihihi, and on returning, saw at Oakura, about 200 natives proceeding southwards.