Journal of Events from the "Taranaki Herald."

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1505, 15 March 1861, Page 4

Journal of Events from the "Taranaki Herald."

'. . Thursday, Feb. .21. — Tho' Tasmanian Maid : bring- ho- news frond Waitara. A private letter from the camp says :—'« Last night (19th inst.) Colonel ', Wyatt buret a shell over Te Arei pa. Not a lnus- •. ket shot was. fired in return from any place and no ' cry of a%m.-, ,It is thought the enemy may have gone in the direction of Mataitawa. Colonel Carey came upon V'large grave to-day, apparently containing several bodies, but decay was too advanced A for further ' discovery. A single sap 1 , to be carried zigzag to Hapurona's pa, was commenced on the 16th inst.", andas strong working parties are employed oh it every day, it will not be long till we are up to tho 1 pa.''^ — A party of mowers on Mr.' T. Shaw's farm have a sentry on Dartmoor hill to prevent a Surprise by the enemy. The sentry was fired at .to-day by some natives lurking in Langman's garden, about 300 yards distant, the bullet 3 . passing cfdse to him. The mowers and a few per- . sons from town, opened a brisk fire upon the rebels who were seen running across the country towards W. Burton's and Dingle's farms. Here they'halted, and some three or four natives endeavoured to drive off about fifty head of cattle which had evidently been gathered by them in the morning. The shots from the rides, although at a distance of 1800. yards prevented them succeeding in their object, arid the cattle ran off townwards, whence '. the maoris were afraid to follow them, and the -.. cattle Were ultimately recovered. The natives • have' a; wholsome. dread of the Enfield rifle. —

•Messrs. hangman's;, Basset's, Sole's, Parson's, W. Burtoh's, and Davis's houses are still standing. A • party of the _7th an^d 65th, and Volunteers, under ' ' Major -Butler, with a 24-pounder howitzer, left about 11 a.m. to reconnoitre the site of the late fire on.JßJbagdon. farm. The party proceeded, by the beech and turned up by the Grey Institution, • and capie upon the ruins of the mill, which wore . Btill smolkihgi . Thence they advanced in skirmishing : order* over Bayly's Langman's, Elliots, and 'Bfllingi's farms. The enemy had, however, got safe away in the'bush, and the force returned safe .to town without incident. About a ton of iron work was^ brought in from Bayly's farm ; a large qaantity too hot to be moved. — The Tasmanian Maid proceeded to Waireka to reconnoitre, and on lying-tOjOff the coast, the enemy came put of their pas in large numbers to watch her movements, when 'they were saluted with a volley from the . Omata «Sfodkade, forgetting for the moment that the garrison of that Stockade were on the gui vive. They very; quickly disappeared in their holes. — A ]*urge steamer was sighted in the offing in the forenoon, ' Sh_ made for' the Waitara — supposed to be H.M.S.S. Niger 'from Manukau. FBro^TFEB; 22.-i~Fi'om a native source we hear that 100 have left Waitara for their . homes, and that it ia believed that Te Areipaia. evacuated. ..^vVefttre. informed that.Topine Te M.amaku has arrived from Wanganui, but with a '■'". yery few followers. — The Tasmanian Maid reports . the arrival of'the Niger at Waitara, with 250 men ;bf.theV_7thßegt; tinder Major. Logan. The troops ■= were landed last evening'*and this. morning at Wai- • |iara. Nonets of interest irom the.campsatHuirangi. |The sap is" siill processing. The Maid' brought J»p the Auckland mail, with our files to the 20th '•A Jrinstant, from which we have made extracts. His ~ lif iff > Excelletfcythe Governor had. returned, from his A#WBit2&'Jfa^ tribe j. These '^|^ :tnb]E»w^re qt^iet, and not disposed to join in the ■Ssi jnsurisectiqn.*-j*T_.e Cordelia left at 2 p.m. for Nel|OjAsoh, M& will 'bring .up the. English mail. I—The1 — The ;?SjAfoUqwi_g Proclamation was posted in town to- •*';-.--..(•:..' ..PbOOJOAMATION. _fyi''^ J^vyTi^rea^'.it-has' been reported to the Majorthat certain -individuals, Plymouth, have been;mischieviithe Friendly Natives',, by . falsely that the . reinforcements of. troops are' intended for a war : indiscriminately, and* which' having already caused the a ; small: portion of the Friendly Nathe Major-General hereby cautions all perto; refrain from using such, language, under I^7|he* .penalty of such .punishment as it may be in Iritis 'power to inflict ; and he also calls on all wellA,A' (disposed persons to 1 use their influence to prevent :- ~ Buch practices, and their best efforts to disabuse the minds of the Natives who still maintain their loyalty to Her _Jajesty, and to assure them of the entire falsity of- such reports. ■ - By Order, A.Ap' E, Carey, Lieut.-Colonel; r Deputy Adjutant-General. Head Quarters, Camp, .Waitara, Feb. 22, 186 L

|%;_^isM>ATi F_bA23.— The Tasmanian Maid •^>Jn^pWtaitara; this morning brings nothing of infthe. camps. Yesterday the sap had |||j|ya_ced 300 yards in front of No. 7 redoubt, and pTfc^as^ expected would ascend the' hill on which S? stands' H-purona's pa and the eneriiy's position, .' to-d_y?or't6-niprrow The natives still kept up a | constant fire upon the covering and working pari tieß»b^ut.we.have not heard of any casualties on . ou- side. The steamer has brought up a company Wthe 07th, and the'band, which arrived on Th-ar-fday-by the Niger, will come up to-morrow. Apftctyrof the 57th, 65th,. and militia and Rifle Vohmjeers/with ; a howitzer, under Major Her-, bert, left town this morning at ! B,3(J for Omata, with" jpf6visi6ns for the stockade.' We have just heaM< : {lO ; BoHihat i; tih'ey" are engaged with the rebels at the Whaler's Gate, and a reinforcement ' ia now being sent to their assistance, under Lieut. Col. Young, 6.5 th Regt. .

5 p.M.~T$e have Relayed our publication in order , of the affair at 'Orua'ta. • During the morning and until 2 p.m.' irregular •£ring of small arms, with occasional volleys, and tha howitzer has been heard. . The expedition -hav*jpgiji^t "returned from Omata, we learn that the party under Major Herbert on the > stockade, and soon after they had piled arms, received a volley, from 80 .to 100 muskets, from the Tebe%r>6_ted on ; the hill bn Major Lloyd's farm, a distance of; 750 yqrds, wounding one man of the 67th^ey^rely. ; The.- men : immediately fell in and -returned;*! brisk fire, ,th_ howitzer throwing, a 'few. :-i,. shell's into tMhill, which dislodged the rebels at gA':. oncetV^hd retreated towards the beachA The p|A foricjßi'ithdn advanced in Skirmishing order, and took fi^r.possession of. the hill, .the site of an* old fortified A',|-*pa,;. f Major Herbert then sent on a part of his ;A|. force. towards'the \yfaireka gully, remaining with A| ' tW'hbmtboir ?and : tlie' renlsuider of the force' in f^^^M^ftVat ' ; the; ; hilh vT/^cy- continued .engaged* who.'! were, in great- force in the ;.?l AguJli^M|laii' bushes on, the flats, for /ome time. gA -,Lieat^.epl.-^oung;s party now arrived/ aiid halted l^^aftjl^^ heeded; supply : 6f toimuny;t^omiy.JMw- ft.short time, 1 Golottel' <_Mhg, who proceed hy the pA .<6*a^^% i r 4 0^.,t^.,;w and. .capture the pass '&'■:■ tluxe.' situated, arid; also intercept the retreat of A .; Athpiativea.A Accordingly the party, with the 24A A Asunder, howitzer, marched to the Omata road A y; !aiU|kdvanced ,along< it : ashdrt way, having thrown ; „ Qt^t pn each ; side, wlien they received ' '■ '-'Wtf-f^^^^-WM.-volieys' from the bilinear AA Vv^are'f jnrij &bout SOO yards in theii* front..' 0 The 'i&& "i'S^^^' hriskly returned, arid the enemy' were iAjiAAse^n to make a precipitate retreat to the dense P^Ajbush.' Alwo shells were thrown with good precil^tCßion ffdm thohpwit|ser a little beyond ..the crest of hil^jWhehqe itl.ie shot- liad'beeri "fired. About' J^yA At^ts/tGmb 6mer arrived' from ' town that the |?A*^%rty were hot to proceed to . the Waireka Hill, M^fMfl consequently the;y f returned to their position laoyd's hill, much to the regret of all' r t'._}he native_ha*vihg retreated beyond. |fef|i^|^Athe,whoie.fofcO jb^degrees returned to the iffit'^ffip^stookade, where .they halted Cfos- 'aid hour.-; pQ^^^9:;;casiialties were as follows : iA •.,■■ , ..;.;% Michael Hogan, severely; HBHBj^dfardPumet^ _

65th Regt.— Private Joseph Turner Bennett, slightly ; Private John Fermback, do . ; Private John Glover, do.

The native loss, us usual, cannot be" ascertained, but it is supposed they suffered .severely, as yells of pain were clearly distinguishable from the customary yells of defiance, and more than one was observed being carried away.

Sunday, Feb. 24. — A native from Waireka, Tamati Kaweora, (a teacher of tlie Grey Institution,) riiports that the native casualties in the skirmish on Major Lloyd's fafin (Waireka) yesterday, were the following : —

Hori, of Okahu, of Taranaki, killed, llohua, of Manawapou, Ngatiruanui, mortally wounded. Hami, of Tangahoe, Ngatiruanui, severely wounded.

Another man had a part of his scalp torn off by a bullet, and others were slightly wounded. The party on the old pa on Major Lloyd's farm, who fired the first volley wore about 60 oi' tlie Ngarauru. or Waitotara natives, who for the first time had come into action. 300 were posted at Ratapihipihi to cut off the retreat of the escort, but thought better of it — Heavy firing has been heard during the day in the direction oi* Waitara — every gun fired and explosion of shell have been distinctly heard in town. — The trenches were manned at 3*30, and the garrison inspected by Colonel Sillery . The Tasmanian Maid brought up the band of the 57th to-day, and the remainder of the company brought up yesterday. — A melancholy and fatal accident occurred, to-day by drowning. ... Richard Chilrnan, eldest son of Mi\ Chilman, was bathing in the Henui river, witli several other lads, when he was observed to sink. His companions shouted for help, aud several volunteers from the Henui blockhouse ran down to tlie river, and succeeded in recovering the body. It was taken up to the blockhouse and prompt remedies applied, but life was unhappily extinct. It is supposed that the unfortunate .youth was seized with a fit whilst in the water.

Monday, Feb. 25.— H.M.S.S. Cordelia arrived at 9 p.m., from Nelson with the English December mail, and after landing it proceeded to Waitara — The Tasmanian Maid brings' nothing of interest from the scene of military operations. A heavy fire was kept up yesterday wli iio the.'working parties-were proceeding with the sap. Two men were severely wounded — an artilleryman and a 12th soldier. The. natives still keep up a wellsustained fire upon the covering and working parties, and must have expended a large quantitj' of ammunition, as well as the troops. It is said they have strong positions to the right and left of the point to which the sap is directed. Tho sap today will have reached a point which will flank a party of the enemy on a hill who have given a great deal of annoyance, and escaped the shelling which has been directed against the hill.

Tuesday, Feb. 26. — The schooner Heron from Auckland, and Jupiter from Manakau, anchored in the roadstead this morning. — Information has been received that the Waikatos, under Tapihana, who have been with the southern tribes for some time at Waireka, have returned to Waitara, and that the Taranakis and l^gatiruanuis are contemplating moving homewards. — An escort of military •and civilians under Major Butler, 57th Regt., left this morning, from Mahoetahi and returned at noon without seeing any natives.— .Tapihana's party, on their way from Waitara to Waireka, are said to have driven absut 30 shoep off the Bell Block.— Hohua, who was mortally wounded on Saturday, died yesterday, and was buried to-day.

Wednesday, Fed. 27.— -The Airedale, from Nelson, with a part of the English mail, and our •outheni' files, arrived this morning before daylight. . Extracts will be found in another part of tlie! paper. — The Tasmanian Maid brings intelligence from Waitara, that, during last night; the enemy, succeeded in filling in 150 yards jof the sap, rolled the sap-rollers to their pa, and after lighting a large fire with their gabions, &c, blew their h6rns, and made a great noise with shouting and yelling, and returned to their position at Te Arei. We hear also that a soldier of the 57th Regt., was mortally wounded yesterday.— The Airedale left for Manakau at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb, 28.— -The Tasmanian Maid, from Waitara, brings no news. Sho brings up several wounded men.— Smoke from fires was seen this evening rising b*ehind'Capt. King's farm, afterwards reported to be Mr. T. King's and TL. Chilman's houses burning.

t Friday, March I—An1 — An escort of' military, militia, and volunteers, with supplies, was despatched to Omata Blockhouse at 6 a.m., instead of tomorrow, the. day for which the Waireka rebels were .preparing.- Stealing marches of this kind on the , enemy will, give them erroneous notions of our prowess. In the attack last Saturday, unexpected as itwas by the escort, the natives got by far the worst of the skirmish which followed, "arid itis a pity,. for more reasons than one, that the anticipated meeting should have been avoided. — A native from Waitara, overland, informs us that a large steamer arrived at Waitara last evening, supposed to be a*man-of-war from Manakau. At 1 p.m. the Tasmanian Maid arrived, and shortly afterwards H.M.S.S. Cordelia. The Fawn, fiom Manakau, was the man-of-war that arrived last evening at Waitara. The Maid brought up her mail, but we have no papers by it. The Sevilla had. arrived at Auckland with a detachment of 120 men of the Uth Regt. Itis rumoured that two regiments are on their way from India and Cfiina to Ne\y Zealand— the 47th and 55th. We also hear by. the Fawn that the Poverty Bay natives will join in the insurrection. — A letter from Upper Waikato says:— MY". Thompson is on his. way to Taranaki, and was at Otawhao in the mid-' die of February."' The letter does not give the number of his followers.— The Cordelia, without waiting for a mail, left at 1.30 for Manakau.— There is nothing of particular interest from Waitara. Another redoubt, has been thrown up at the end of the sap, and a double sap continued from- it. .The natives still keep up their fire upon tlie working :and advanced covering parties; and we . regret to .say with some effect, 4 men being . wounded— one since dead . A let ter from Waitara says :— " The sap has proceeded from No. 7 redoubt to within 350 "yards of Hapurona's pa ; the first part ofit was single, the latter a double sap. The .working parties get a few sharp volleys iii the mornings and evenings as they go to and return from the front, arid a desultory* Aro is kept up by them during the . My. A I hoar-thatr the trdops expend about 6,000 rounds each day, besides shells. One man, 57th, was. wounded last, evening, just before they came,ba'ck to camp, but casualty has occurred siiicoV The country is cleared, and not a vestige of buslv remains from Huirangi to Teira pa~--all tlie. peach trees, karaka trees, where the pic nic parties- used to -go, have been cut down. On Tuesday night, about 10 o'clock, a large fire was seen beyond the No. 7 redoubt. Some shots aid a big gun Were fired from No. 7, and the troops 'were all out nnder arms for some time. • The enemy were blowing their horns. and shouting for a long time, and in the morning it was found. that the sap rollers had* disappeared, and also a quantity of gabions. They had taken them' away and'destbyed 150 yards- of. sap, and cut up the. sand, bags and earned thenv away. Two more sap rollers have., been procured ] and sent to the front.. All Wednesday was spent in repairing tlie sap. 'The rebels liave exhibited the sap rollers and gabions in -front of their pa." —From amative source we. learn that a Waikato chief; Of the Ngatimam'apoto tribe, Tangi, was ; killed.onl'iicsday.,nightlast i 'whifo filling in the : sap.-trWe fdsojhparthat not a single Waikato has ; remamedat Waireka, and that part of the Tara- : ? alji *ii la yy e left for their homes. . This information ;is authentic— A house iri'the'directionbf Dingfe's ; farm was fired to-day.— About dusk tliisA evening two' shots. '-were 'fired from Capt. King's house at Brooklands. The Fort .Herbert ■ Natives ■at -ohce

proceeded to reconnoitre, but no natives were

seen

S.VTunDAY, March 2. — The Tasmanian Maid, from Waitara, has arrived, but brings no news. From native sources wo learn that some of tho Puketapu and Wi Kingi's natives have come over irom tho enemy as a tohakamomori, i.e., have come over under the .impulse of vexation. Theso natives are said to be in the vicinity of the Waiwakaiho.Jbut no communication has yet fbcen'had with them. This tohakamomori is usual?amoug3t tho natives, when they fall out with each other I or consider aggrieved, especially in time of war. Meri Poka, who came over to Kairau some time since and gave herself up to Colonel Wyatt, her's was a case of whnltumomori. A letter has been brought by these natives from the rebel Matiu to his brother Raniera, the assessor, reporting that tlie native casualties, sinoe Mahoetahi to the present date, are seventy-eight killed, and that in a large ware at Mataitawa, used aa a hospital, there are eighty wounded men, mostly bad cases. He also alleges that the Waikato.* are running short of ammunition.

Sunday March 3. — Another victim was added this morning to the list of our fellow-settlers who have been murdered by the natives. This morning the.following Rifle Volunteers, W. S. Ginger, J, G. Ginger, H. J. Hall, W. Harrison, senior, E. W. Hollis (sergeant), C. W. Hursthouse, J. E.W. Hussey, C. Messenger, Edward Messenger, 11. Newland, C. A. Pope, W. Smart, W. B. Walker, and a civilian. not in the militia (11. W. Brewer), started from town and proceeded to VV: Walker's farm. for the purpose of gathering peaches, Sunday being a day when natives generally retire to their pahs. Not finding any there they determined, to go to Mr. Hurthouse's orchard for some, when, on tlie road, they went through a hedge to cross an orchard on Captain H. King's grounds, at Brooklands (not a mile from town) to avoid a piece of bush directly behind it, and seeing some peaches, commenced gathering them, and had been so employed some three or four minutes wli en they were startled at 'hearing a shot at the further end of the orchard where two of their number were. Thinking it was fired by one of the party, some asked Ihe cause, but, before an explanation could be given, a volley was fired by about thirty natives, within ten yards, from a ditch immediately behind the trees, but which was concealed by a hedge, severely wounding VV. Smart in the back. The party immediately fired their rifles (W. Smart, likewise, though wounded), and ran for covar through the gap by which tliey had entered, Bonie turning and firing on the natives, but before they were all through, a second volley was fired, and Edward Messenger fell shot through tho heart, las he faced around to deliver hia lire. On' the rest getting outside, they halted to recover Messenger's body, and ran round to the front, ' and, after placing three as sentinels to prevent their being surrounded, and despatching one to town for assistance, gained cover behind a gate and a few yards of the hedge. The rebels, thinking the party had' gone, rushed to the body to tomahawk it, and get the rifle and accoutrements, but as soon as the foremost man (dressed in a friendly natives blue serge shirt and badge) perceived them, he exclaimed " Hallo 1" fired both barrels of his gun, and, in the act of retreating, was shot by three of the party. At the same time a second native was fired at, in the act of crossing the orchard hedge on the right, and appeared ,to fall. No more was seen of the natives after this, and a small party of friendly natives, from Fort Herbert, and six men of tho 65th from Carring ton-road blockhouse under Lieutenant Bailie, coming to their assistance, Messenger's body was brought out and tho party returned to town. ' Reserves of troops, Militia, and Volunteers, despatched from town, met the party on the road. Tracks were seen where the body of the native in tlie friendly native's dress had been dragged away, but not of the other on the right. Smart was wounded by the first shot in the orchard, but although so close to tho natives when they fired, there was no other castiality. 'Ihe pocket of an overcoat worn by one pf the party 'was ripped' open by a bullet. Messenger "must have died instantaneously, as the bullet went through his heart and body. He was the best of n family of marksmen, and the crack shot in the Taranaki Rifle Volunteers, numbering some 200 men; Not liable JcLfier-v^-^M^hc-Tvas only- seventeen years of age), he was empathatically a volunteer, taking a settler's interest in the war, and waa preaent_at Waireka, Mahoetahi, and, indeed, in every affair" with the 'rdbels in which the settler.-* have taken part sinee 'the war broke out, and was always distinguished for coolness aud courage. Smart's conduct was very praise worthy, although wounded severely, he fired two shots afterwards, and refused to leave till Messenger', body was recovered. The whole party, indeed, seem to have acted weli uuder extraordinary circumstances. Hopes are entertained that Smart's wound is not serious, though, we are sorry to add, the bullet has not been traced. The Fort Herbert natives, tho Ngatirahire, a part of Ihaia's tribe who have lately come over from Queen Charlotte's Sound, are declared enemies of the rebels, behaved very well, and were the first to , render assistance. It has transpired that the attacking natives were about thirty of the Ngatiruanui (Pakakohe) and Waitotara tribes who had been prowling about Brooklands for several days. It is also said that several of the Ngatiruanuis have" tin badges and the friendly native distinguishing dress, a blue shirt braided with ecarlet. We expect to learn further particulars about this affair, as well asjthe name of the : native, who was shot, as Tamati Kaweora has gone, over to Waireka, and is to return to-morrow.

Monday, Makoh _. — The Tasmanian Maid came up early this morning. . A correspondent, writes :— .' " No. 8 redoubt is a compact little fort situated directly, opposite to the entrance to Hapurona's pah from which it is about 200 yards distant.-, There is a mound or eminence that crowns a' deep wooded gully fifty yards to the left of the pah. Behind' the summit of this mound there is a range of rifle-pits, from which the enemy could do great, damage to a party advancing without cover to the front of the pah. The enemy have fired more from these pits than, from any other point, though shell:-* have poured around them unsparingly every day. The ground rises with such a gentle slope, that when at No. 8 redoubt, the hill upouwhich tho pah stands loses the bold appearance it* presents when viewed from No. 1 redoubt, or from Matarikoriko.- 'It is so high however, as -to commaud a grand unbroken view of the wild pictu-. resque Valley • pi" the WaiUra,'"and of the. rich country on both sides as farTis the mouth of the river, where tlie steame.i-s'can be easily seen riding at anchor,- The natives fired very .briskly yesterday, evening. when the troops were relieving guards, but during the. night they contented, themselves hy wasting on them all tlie bad epithets and evil wishes their language is capable of. The man of the 67th who was wounded on* ' Tuesday* last is dead. Tha General and- liis stall*- were .in-' specting the advanced position yesterday, indeed they visit, the works daily." ,' . " .

Tuesday, M-ABcn 5. — A party of southern rebels,principally Ngatimanui and Waitotara natives, have been marauding during the past few' days, and yesterday morning they drove off a picked herd of cattle and horses, which have been, sent south, /rhe Waitotara natives reside about twenty miles tins side Wanganui. ,A party oCthe.-Tgati-hawi are reported to be' in the vicinity of the Bell Block, to cut of travellers' -between the stockade Mahoetahi,. and the town. H.M. colonial, steani aloop Victoria arrived from Maaukau vfa, Waitara,. iwhei;e she disembarked Captain Steward,. Private Secretary . to his Ekcellehcy 'tlie Governor,' and idolonel Warre, 0.8... 571h Regiment.' The mail iWas landed, at •; /Waitara, a most - inconvenioiitif .arrangement.. .The obvious, course.is to keep the. New Plymouth mail distinct .irom. .that; for "'me*' ; Waitara camp. We are without our Auckland files. The Victoria .'returned' to Waitara in tlie .evening-V^EdwardAMessehger was buried to-day in J3>fc ftfjuy'schurchyardi followed to the grave-by a large party of Volunteers-.apd friends. , , Aye 7 may add here that the deceased*** father is permdiien'tly.

disabled in tho arm from a gunshot wound v received at Waireka. The band of the 57th Regiment, under the superintendence of Mr. P. Gallea, music-master, afforded tlie public a great treat to-day by playing some excellent music. We aro j glad to hear that this fine band will piny evoiy Tuesday, ' at 4*30, p. m. Another defection amongst the friendly natives ; Rameka, ono of I Mahau's followers, having joined Wi Kingi a day 'or two since Up to tlie day of his defection he visited tho- town, and professed feelings of continued regard for the pakehas. j Wednesday, March 6. — An escort of Military and Militia proceeded to Bell Block this morning at half-past six, to bring in hay, apprehensions being entertained for the security of the extensive ricks near the blockhouse. Twenty soldiers left behind to strengthen the garrison. An hour before the escort reached the blockhouse Mr. Hulke's sheep were observed to be driven off the Hua by natives. The Victoria came up from Waitara with tho Auckland mail. We hear that ' the sap was attacked by the enemy in force yesterday, and that two soldiers were, killed and four wounded. Particulars may be looked for from our correspondent to-morrow or next day. It is also reported that William Thompson has arrived with 600 men, and that others are on the way. Tamati Kaweora, who .went to Waireka on Sunday, has not returned. Mr. J. Newmans house (Donnybrock) was burned yesterday. The schooner' Victoria a new vessel, owned by Captain Hunt, of the cutter Will Watch, arrived to-day from Manakau. The captain reports that he spoke an American whaler yesterday, cruising off the West Coast. Mr. Sharland's house, near the Town Belt was gutted last night. (Tuesday) by the natives, the calico from the ceiling and linings torn down, and the windows smashed.-

. Thursday, Maboh 7. — Last night (Wednesday) the sentinels at Fort Murray, observing lights moving about Mr. Sharland's house, the garrison turned out and fired a volley into the house. The lights immediately disappeared. A party 'of Militia and Rifle Volunteers went out to-day and brought in a quantity of lead from the roof of the house. Some of tho ballets from Fort Murray had gone through it. The threatening aspect of the weather has prevented communication with the town from Waitara. The Tasmanian Maid came up last evening, but put to sea, a northerly wind having, set in, which has continued during the day. H.M.S.S. Niger has, however, remained in the anchorage. Friday, March 8. — -Weather stormy. **The Airedale hove in sight at 9 a.m., and notwithstanding the heavy sea setting in from the northwest, the mail and passengera were landed, and 'the southern mails shipped. The Norwood, with Captain Mercer's battery of Armstrong guns, arrived at Auckland on tho 4th instant. There is no native news. The weather has prevented cominui.ication with Waitara, and we aro without later news than the 4th instant. An order issued yesterday notifies that the pay of the Militia will be increased from and after the Ist instant, to 2s; 6d. per diem for privates, 3s. for corporals, and 3s. fid', for sergeants.' A suit of winter clothing will at once be served out to the men. The sea has gone down considerably, so much so that the Airedale is discharging her cargo, and tho Tasmanian Maid, has stood in from sea.