TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1506, 19 March 1861, Page 5

TARANAKI.

''•[ttROM OUR OWN COBBESPONDENT.]

Taranafci, Feb. 23, 1861.

Feb. 23. — Nothing of importance has occurred since my last communication, with the exception of a Maori having been cut in two by a shell at ' .".the. Waitara. The Niger arrived here on the 21st inst., with, the headquarters of tb.6 '^67th Regt. " 'To-morrow (Sunday) it is rumoured that the troops are going to attack

the pa at Pukerangiora. A few days ago- the Maories burnt a fine mill of Bayley's, close to and town, and also a house. Nearly every night our beautiful horizon is tinted by the illumination of a rebel conflagration. As I write now, a strong detachment on escort to Omata are attacked by the Southern rebels, and are hotly eugaged. Some assistance has been sent out, so that oui force amounts to about 500 strong, tnilitia and military. They drove the rebels up the hill, and would have attacked the pa, only for Parris. Two men of the 57th and three of the 65th were wounded. . Feb. 25. — If you were aware of the sufferings and misery here you would' be affected. It is heal trending to see whole, families nearly prostrate with sickness, Malaria is prevalent, and fever and other diseases ; are very common, deaths occurring nearly every day. Yesterday a young boy was drowned in the River Henui, while bathing. It is rumoured that our native allies iiied blank cartridges ; at the rebels, at the Omata engagement, an (in threw away the balls.

Feb. 26. — The mail arrived last night per Cordelia. The Tasraauian Maid up to-day, and has brought up two more of our wounded men. The practice of the Maories are making them good shots. Ffb. 27. — A few nights ago Col. Wyatt threw a shell amongst the rebels, iu their pah, and they must have some dead or wounded, for they were howling the whole night after it. They imitate our sentries in calling out No. 19, &c. •' all's well ", aud cry out "come on, you b y Hoie."

Feb. 28. — The enemy destroyed 150 yards of our sap, a few nights ago, — bad news, — all our labour in vain. One man of the "Die-hards" wounded at Waitara. Capt. Stack's (late Brigade Major) trial commenced at Auckland, but was postponed in consequence of some of the officers coming down here. ■> He has numerous charges against him. A few nights ago, the enemy called out to the sentinel at the sap, " come on Jack, I'll give you one, two pound, for one bottle of grog." This shows their close proximity to each other. The weather is feaifully hot, and for days together there are nothing but clouds of dust, so that veils are now all the fashion. Sanatory measures are being adopted, but still disease is making rapid strides. All are suffering for the want of vegetables, they are not to be had for love or money ; and we get salt meat twice a week. Gardening was neglected last season, and now the people suffer. Even those who had a few potatoes a short distance from the town, the enemy came by night, dug them up and took them away. Maroh I.— An escort gone out to Omata to. day. It would appear by this, that the Escort day has been changed. It is reported that the rebels at Waireka Hill have 10 pas, with 100 men in each. • This makes their force 1000 strong.

March 2. — They are working at the town entrenchments again. Some military last night having to walk a few yards from Carrington Road Block-house, unarmed, were fired at by the Maories. Luckily some of their guns misfired ; one young mat), a coloi -sergeant's son, narrowly escaped. Houses pie being rapidly erected inside the trenches, and butchers, bakers, aud publicans, are doing a brisk trade.

March 4.— Early yesterday morning we turned out at the sound of the Militia bugle. Some 14 Militiamen went early, after coming off night guard, to Mr. King's garden for fruit. While plucking some, a few maories of an advanced party came up, shot one of them dead, and severely wounded another. A Maori was shot with a friendly badge on ; he appeared ao old grizzly fellow leading on the rest; he was dragged away by his followers. Some of the Militiamen kept up a brisk fire, aud protected the body of their comrade, while others ran into town to give the alarm. They returned with assistance, and brought in the body of young Messenger the enemy having decamped in the meanwhile. The Militiamen have all been made prisoners.

March 5.- To-day is the anniversary of the commencement of the war at Taranaki ; and I understand orders came in to prepare now for a winter campaign. Oh horror of horrors! Another winter like the last will lay prostrate half the Military and Militia. I understand the Militia said before they would never undergo another such winter's misery, and they can not be blamed. I saw them myself wearing the same wet clothing whilst it rained for a month. The Militiamen who were out with young Messenger when he was shot are still prisoners ; and will, it is supposed, be tried for disobedience of orders. Some of the Taranaki tribe at Waireka have gone home with a quantity of cattle, sheep, and horses.

MARon 6, — The Victoria arrived yesterday from Waitara and Auckland. It is reported that there is another panic in Auckland, and that the Governor wunts troops from this. It is also reported that the Bishop is coming here, to endeavour to make peace ; and I think he will have rather an unpleasant reception. March 7. — Yesterday about 1200 rebels attacked the sap, shot one man dead, and wounded five others ; the rebel loss is reported great. It is rumoured that some officers are under arrest for remarking on the tactics of the war.

The Colonel of the 57th is reported to have had a difference with the General. It is also stated that the General is about to take leave of absence, and leave Colonel Warre in command. A change of tactics may then be expected. I heav that the General Assembly will not meet in Wellington in May next. It will bo postponed in consequence of the war. Extract of a private letter from the Seat of war : — Camp, Huirangi, 4th March, 1861.

I have delayed writing to you, in the hope that I should have something important to communicate, I expected each day we were going to rush the pa, which has not yet taken place ; but I expect to-morrow or next day we will fly the Union Jack on it ; as the sap is, within 150 yards of the natives, and 250 from the fore named pa. The sap goes down at present an inclined plain, and the sap roller is not sufficient to cover the men at the head of the sap, so we get some men hit every day. On Wednesday last, a man of the 57th was wounded, since dead : and on yesterday and to-day six men have been shot, viz : — 1, Royal Engineers, 1, 65th Regt., slightly ; his name is private Hewit; three men of the 40th Regt., and one 57th Regt., wounded so severely that he cannot be removed to the Waitara Hospital.-'