TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1490, 18 January 1861, Page 4

TARANAKI.

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS TO JAN. 5. Saturday, Dec. 22. — A reconnoitring party of 58 men of the 12th Regt., under Captain Williams and Lieutenant Mair; 16 men of the 40th; 138 men of the 65th under Captain Bulkeleyj Lieutenants Toker and White, and Ensign Butler —tho whole in command of Major Hutchins, 12th Regt.,— left town at 9 a.m. for Bell Block, taking with them a number of carts. The force reconnoitered the country in the vicinity of the . Te Puke, Tima, and Kaipakopako pahs, but no natives were visible. A few loads of potatoes were brought into town by tha troops, who returned to town at 6 p.m.— Weather fine.

Sunday, Deo. 23. — The wind has again returned to the N.E., whence it has blown with slight intermission for a fortnight. Rain all day.— An expedition against Matarikoriko, where the Waikatos are assembled, is delayed by the weather.— No parade to-day in the trenches.

Monday, Deo. 24 — Lieut. Col. Carey, D.A.G., visited Waitara this morning in the Cordelia, and returned in theevening. — Weather -cleared tip. Tuesday, Deo. '25.— Christmas day.— Heavy rain during last night, which continued all day. The continuation of ho much wet at this time of the year is unprecedented.— At 3 p.m. the Tasmanian Maid, which ran for Nelson during tho blow on Tbursday, returned bringing the October Mail, which she had taken. from the mail steamer outside Nelson harbour, thus putting us in receipt of English news some days sooner than usual. The chief news of interest to us is that a regiment is on its way from Calcutta to New Zealand, and also that half a battery of Artillery with the famous Armstrong guns, and a company of the Royal Engineers, was to be sent from England.— The Tasmanian __aid left for Waitara at 5 p.m. Wednesday, I)eo. 26.— Weather fine, with change of wirid and prospect of settled weather.— Preparations making for the expedition to Waitara. —The Tasmanian Maid employed conveying ammunition, provisions, &0.,'t0 Waitara, ' ' THtfRSDAY, Duo.' 27 .—lt was signalled into town this morning that a number of natives were in the vicinity of the Bell Block ; they had been dancing near the Nini pah and were driving off and shooting cattle. On the receipt of this intelligence a force of 400 men. iii command of Major Hutohins', 12th Regt., consisting of 85 of the 13th under Captain Williams, Lieut. Dudgeon, and SJnsign Hurst; 212 of the'6sth under Captains Bulkeley^

and Strange, Lieutenants Bailie, Toker, Wnxon,

and Butler, together with six artillerymen, and, a

13-pounder howitzer under Captain Slrover, R.A., marched from town. On reaching the Bellßlock, the enemy had decamped after having retreated before a party of thirty men under Captain Buck, 65th regt., who went out to encounter them. Several fine cattle were found shot on the' block} and about 30 head driven off, The troops returned to town at 3 p.m. — A steamer was Bighted in the offing at 11 a.m. and proved to be the Victoria from Manukau with the military mail from England and Australia, which arrived in Auckland by the Lord Worsley on the 25th. inst. Our Auckland papers are to the 25th„ The Boanerges, with -_80 men and H officers of the 14th . regiment arrived at Auckland on the 22nd, and the Tawera, with munitions of war, on the same date. The Daphine, with mortars and ordnance, was daily expected at Auckland. The Robert Lowe was to ' convey the detachment of the 14th on board the Boanerges to Napier and Wellington, and bring the 65 th from those places to Taranaki. The Sevilla left England with another detachment of the 14th on the 20th October, and the Admiralty had likewise taken, up the Bosworth for tho conveyance of troops and stores. — Hopa, a native in European employ, who was sent out to the Mangorei district to shoot poultry, was surprised by Tamati Teito and ten natives, who had tracked his horses footsteps, thinking he was a whiteman. Taraati a-ked Hopa about the movements of the pakeha. Plop;i told him that a large force was going out against the Waikatos at Matarikoriko to-morrow morning, and that another force from Waitara would join them, that ono party would advance up the E^uirangi road and tho other up the Waitara. On receiving this information Tamati set Hopa at liberty. Hopa cannot say whether this was a marauding party or one bound for Taranaki. In any case we may conclude the enemy at Waitara had intimation of our projected movement last night.— r-The Cordelia and Tasmanian Maid plying to and from Waitara to-day. — The expedition is to march to-morrow morning at 4 o'clock. The troops and Volunteer Rifles at the blockhouses relieved by Militia, and 80 Volunteers and Militia detailed for the service.

Friday, Deo. 28.— At an early hour this morning the troops Jdetailed for the march were preparing to start. Bullocks were yoked to carts, and guns limbered up and bullocks yoked to them. The attacking force against Matarikoriko and the enemy in its vicinity, (we hear that a pah has been recently erected at Kairau,) is to bo commanded by Major-General Pratt, C. li. in person, who went to Waitara in the Tasmanian Maid, and comprises the following :— Staff, Lieut.-Colonel Carey, D.A.G., Captain Paul, 6ofch Regt.,Brigale Major, Lieut. Forster, A.D.C., Lieut. King. A.D. C. : Medical Staff—Dr. Mouat, C.8., Assistant Surgeon Niven, Assistant Surgeon Grace ; Commissariat—D.C.G. Jones, A.C.G. Bartlett; Royal Artillery— Captain Strover, R.A., and 20 rank and file, and 2 24-pounder howitzers ; lloyal Engineers—Colonel Mould, R.E., Capt. Mould, R.E , Lieut. Warburton, R.E., 2 sergeants, and 27 rank aud file ; 12th Regt.— Captain Miller, Lieuts. Lowry andMair, Ensign Hurst, and 86 men ; 65tli Regt.— Colonel Wyatt, Captains Bulkeley aiid Strange, Lieuts. Urquhart, Whitbread, Toker, Wrixon, Pennefather, White, Lieutenant and Adjutant Lewis, Ensign Butler, and 322 mon ; Naval Brigade— Lieutenant Woods, Midshipman Home, and 24 men ; Lieutenant Talbot and 30 men (65 th) to join the fores from Bell Block,' Mounted Volunteers — Captain Des Vceux and 11 men ; Militia and Volunteers — c captains 3 subalterns, and 80 men. [Owing to 47 only of tho above number having mustered, they were dismissed, and their number made up by troops from the 12th regiment.] Extensive preparations have beeu made for this expedition, the 40th havin^ been concentrated at Waitara for some time to co-operate with the force from town, together with Commodore Seymour's Naval Brigade. .Firing was heard in the direction of Huirangi yesterday morning ; it is reported to day that a large party of Waikatos had arrived, and that the firing was a welcome. A native from Taranaki, named Epiha, informs us that 60.0 Ngatiruanuis are at Geo, the boundary river of the Taranaki district, and are waiting the arrival of some Wangauui ancl Waitotara natives, when they intend- moving up Tho Taranaki tribe will join. A native (Tamati Kaweora) who lives and is in charge of Mr. Riemerischneider's house and premises at Warea. tells us that the Tavanakis still talk of an attempt on the town. He also says that the Ngatiruanui are bringing up food for the Waikatos.— At 4 p.m. tho men in garrison were told off aud manned the trenches, when Colonel Sillery, D.Q.G., who is left in command in town, inspected them.— / The following uoiics was posted to _»vy: NOTIOE.

The Colonel commanding the Garrison cautions all persons against the risk and danger attending sleeping at night in houses outside the lines. In the event of an alarm two guns will be fired on Maryland Hill when all women and "children will repair at once there. It is requested that lights be then put in windows of all house.3.

By command, John Richardson, Gavrison Adjutant. New Plymouth, 28th Dec. 1860.

6 p.m — A mounted volunteer from the expedition reports that the forces had reached the camp at Waitara. The Rev. Mr. Wilson, lately from Auckland, visited the Waikatos at Matarikoriko, who refused to admit him in their pa, and told him that they were prepared to meet the General to-morrow when he pleased. Tire troops were to leave the camp at 3 a.m". to-morrow to commence tho attack.

Saturday, Deo. 29.— The Lord Ashley, from the Southern Settlements, anchored in the roadstead at 1 1 a.m. She leaves for Auckland tonight. All quiet at Wellington ond Wanganui. Tuesday, January I, lß6 l. —The Tasmanian Maid came up this morning. We have seen a letter dated yesterday from which we copy the following graphic account of the expedition to Kairau, and particulars of tho proceedings of the troops :— " The day we left town (28th) we arrived at Mahoetahi about 7 a.m. and halted for an hour for breakfast, after which we moved on by the road to the left of the blockhouse and crossed the Waiongana at the Prophet's pa above the junction of the Mangoraka with the Waiongana. Fortunately the river was not too deep, hut it would have been too deep the day before, and we arrived at Waitara at 10 o'clock, a.m., and encamped near the pa. We got the orders to move at 4 a.m., next morning and got on the road at that hour, passed the Bite of the old L pa, and arrived at Ngataiparirua at. s-30 a.m. — moved on the advanced ground to Kairau, and commenced firing and throwing shells in the gully towards tlie pa Matarikoriko. A working party commenced to make a redoubt, and after a short time (8-30 a.m.) the natives crept up through the fern aud gave us a volley A sharp fire until 930 and then all quiet until 12-30 p.m. A heavy fire was then commenced and continued all day and night. One man of the 65 th killed, and 1 sergeant and 3 men wounded ; 2 40th killed and 1 4 wounded ; 1 Naval Brigade wounded severely. The 6'ith fell in at at 7 a.m., and marched back to camp (Waitara) with the Naval Brigade. Left the lath and 40th in camp at Kairau, who wore engaged with the enemy till 5*30 next morning,. ' All quiet Suuday. The fire all Saturday was 'most terrifi.', and well sustained on our side, which kept the rebels well in check. They fired but of rifle pita without showing themselves or taking aim, ano\ the bullets went very high. Our people fired 70,000 rounds of ammunition, and about 130 she'll and case shot, The Rev. Mr. "Wilson 'went down to them'yesterdajr morning,' and there was a'trube all day. Mr. Wilson (a object was to gk«them to agree *b spare the dead and wounded, and, after a good deal of parleying, an agreement has been made to ' that' effect. One old savage fellow (a chief) dissenting, but th(fcr will not mind him: In going over some of the rifle pits a aplendid tomahawk, all bloody, and a pouch, a large knife

and a pipe were found, and various other articles. Two Maori letters were also found, ono from "Takerei" to " Wiremu Hoeta, Rewi, and others," in which he urges them to spare the women and children. This morning intelligence was received that the enemy had evacuated their pa and position, and two companies of the 65th and a few of the blue-jackots rushed into it and hoisted the Union Jack, ono the Colonel of the 65th had for the purpose. It was well and quickly done We found the graves of five men, and one is buried far down in the gulley, A young fellow came over with Mr. Wilson to-day to shew his father's and uncle's grave. It has been fenced in. The enemy are determined to fight. The following names were found carved on calabashes — " Nama- ( huta," and " Mihi,"and in a rifle pit " Kopuareti." i 140 men of the 65th have gone to garrison Mata-' ' rikoriko," Tho Tasmanian Maid left for Waitara \ with stores, Ac., and returned at midnight. The ' Cordelia**also came up, bringing Colonel Carey, D.A.G., Dr. Mouat, and some wounded men, and returned again in the afternoon. Weather continues fine. The following is a list of killed and wounded on Saturday and Sunday :-*- --29th Dboembee, 1860. Killed — 40fch Regiment:— Private James Chuunery " Michael Lehan 6.^th Regiment ,— • . Private John Cain Wounded — Royal 'Artillery :— * Gunner Wm. Smoker, twice in left leg severely " Jeremiah Wright, left arm severely Royal Engineers : — Sapper Johnston, left arm, severely. Naval Brigade : — Alfred Broomo, A.8., dangerously 12th Regiment: — Sergeant Instructor of Musketry Patrick Collins, slightly Private Roger Lyons, dangerously " Richard Fitzgerald, severely " James Southwell, dangerously " John Sullivan, severely ". John Smith, severely " Beiija-nin Greenwood, severely " Willi.* n Caplice", dangerously " John Mcßren, severely " Tho.n.a? Davy, slightly " J, A- t''ox, slightly 39tii Deoembeb, 1860, Wounded— 10th Regiment :-^ Sergeant F. Male, severely 6 ') th Regiment : — . Sergeant William Speakman, slightly Private Jame* ilaggun, slightly Accident. — Private John Weir, 65th Regiment, explosion of rifle —three fingers amputated. Wednesday, Ja v. 2.— From another letter, dated yesterday, from the camp we make tho following extract:— "We have filled in the rifle pits and burnt the pah and whaies near us. A fence has Veen ereelod round the graves of the chiefs and others (five in number). 2 men of the 12th were wounded on Saturday, also one of the Engineers, and two artillerymen. Tho 6ath and 40th who were killed were buried at Waitara camp on Sunday. M. Wilson says the Waikato force is about 500 men, besides Wi Kingi's men ; they do not appear to work together or agree. Hapurona was down at tlie fight and called out to us in the evening " not to goaway." A part of the force had returned ta >V;aitavacamp.) We gave them a shell down at the pea.eh grove at 9-30 a.m. to-day (24---poundcr) 1300 yards distance. At ten o'clock 100 men of the 65th, under Colonel Wyatt, Liet'ts. Urquhart, Lewis, and Pennefather went over o the large pah to reconnoitre aud returned at noon. We see a good many natives occasionally at the paach grove, ancl they have quantities of rifle pits down there. The troops will be at them soon a^ain, and we _upp:we may go either to Pukarangioraor King's paii."— The Cordelia came up this mormng, and Mr. O. Camngton, Provincial Surveyor, and staff loft in her, it is said to fix the positions of Matarikoriko and other places taken from the enemy.— A blockhouse is being erected on Matarikoriko, a position commanding the plain around, and will be permanently garrisoned. The Tasmanian Maid has takeu down a quantity of timber for the purpose.— A party of Waikatos were at. tha Hua and Katere noar the Waiwakaiho. I hey seized upon and took prisoners about eighteen friendly natives, including some women who were in the fields attending to their crops, 'they were afterwards released. This party of rebels are believed to be out for cattle and food. —The Cordelia came up in tho afternoon, and at the same time the Victoria left for Manukau for reinforcements it is rumoured.- A large party of Waikatos, estimated at 60i), are at the White Cliffs on th s way to Waitara, and the Cordelia left for that part of ihe coast — A wooden plug, from an Enfield bullet, was extracted from the wound of one of the men shot at" Matarikoriko; the- enemy must have used some of the ammunition obtained at Puketa-kauere.—-The latent intelligence wo have from the camp at Kairau is that the enemy is erecting a stockade at the peach grove near Huiranai, and d>ggmg rifle pits, preparing for another stand.— The Rev. Mr. Wilson, who has had several conference with the enemy, is of opinion that they are expecting large reinforcenTeut3. They intend to fight out the quarrel at Waitara, and, if so, it is there that the troops should be concentrated. # Thursday, Jan. 3.— The Tasmanian Maid arrived from Waitara at 3 a.m. Ihe natives aro at Huirangi and its vicinity. Tho native account of the enemy's loss on the 29th and 30th ult. is seven killed and from 60 to 60 wounded. Some natives carrying home a son of Te Pakaru, chief of Kawhai badly wounded, told this to Nikorma's people J- ukekohe. Amongst the killed is a principal Wai- ', kato chief, Karira Te Kam, from Aotea. A gentleman from the camp, however, informs us that he saw himself five large graves, in' which several must be interred.— Tlio Ngatiruanui tribe are on their way to Town. They had reached Umuroa, w. Kingi Matakatea's settlement in the Taranakidistrict. Their intention is to unite with the Taranakis and take up their old position at Waireka.— lrenches manned, as usual, ahd afterwards in-' spected by Colonel Sillery, D.Q.G. FniDAY, Jan 4.— The' Tasmanian Miid arrived iioni Waitara this morning for provisions. No ne W B from the camp.— Firing had been heard at intervals during the day.— H.M. S. Cordelia in eight towards evening.— The following notice posted up during the day : — NOTICE. The Colonel commanding the Garrison desires it to be distinctly understood that no person is to proceed beyond the outposts of New Plymouth without hiß special permission. By Order, John Riohardson, Lieut. 12th Regt., Garrison Adjutant. New Plymouth, 4th January, 1861. Satukday, Jan. 6.— A strong breeze from the North has prevented the steamer from coming up this morning. We are therefore without any further intelligence from the camp. Lord Ashley and Victoria are hourly expected from Manukau.