TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1514, 16 April 1861, Page 5

TARANAKI.

[From our own Correspondent.]

Waitara, April 8, 18G1. Since my last there is but little concerning the war to relate, the nati. es eventually having been tired out by our persevering advance, notwithstanding, I am sony to say that more losses on our behalf must be recorded.

After the short armistice firing' was again commenced on Friday, March 16, our recently arrived Armstrong guns and heavy mortars being in position ; the shells from which were thrown with truthful precision. Duriug the night the enemy again advanced and endeavoured to remove the sap roller, but Jobn Bull was not twice to be taken in, /or precautions had been taken to guard against a night attempt for tbe future by attaching, by means of a string, two ten inch shells, wbich exploded so soon as an attempt was made to remove the rollers. The natives acknowledge to some of tlieir numbers liaving been killed. Some few casualties on our part on the Saturday, whilst many narrow escapes were evidenced by the holes in the blue shirts and caps. On Sunday the firing was heavy, and we experienced a loss that has been felt from the General downwards; Lieut. McNaughten, of the Artillery, foil shot dead whilst laying the cohorn mortar near the head of the sap in the second parallel. Monday, March 18th.— The natives crept up a gully and succeeded in surprising the skirwishing party on our extreme right, when three of our men were killed and six wounded.

Yesterday a flag of truce was again flying. Mr. McLean held a conference with the natives which resulted in the return ofthe Waikatos to their own country. From this date up to the time that I am now writing the natives have been daily communicated with, whilst the redoubts are now supplied with potatoes, our former enemy bringing them in to exchange for tobacco of which they seem to be very short. They appear also to have felt tbe deprivation of .lhe._many European luxuries that habit had inured them to. The other day the womeu from W. Kingi's pa performed at So. 6 redoubt the dance as indicating their desire to once again be acknowledged by civilization. From this to Wednesday, March 29th, all has been quiet, the camp from the want of excitement becoming monotonous ; but this has been broken by the arrival of the Governor who landed during tho morning under a salute of seventeen gnus aud all the honours attendant on his position as representative of the Queen. The soldiers have for the time thrown aside their rough field dresse«, and are drilled occasionally accoutered for heavy inarching orders. One effect of the armistice is that our soldiers are no longer tied to a few acres of ground but are allowed to wander the country around, from whence they often return with spoils in the shape of corn, potatoes, peaches, pigs, &c. The 57th, lately from India, have been so perfectly invigorated from beautiful climate that they can now, in a run through the fern, almost outstrip any men from the other corps. Saturday, March 30tb.— The English mail arrived bringing a new General and staff. I am given to understand that Major-General Cameron is to hold the local rank of LieutenantGeneral. After landing at Taranaki he visited the Waitara, returning to town and proceeding on to Auckland by the steamer. On Monday, our friends of the Naval Brigade, regretted by all, took their departure in the Niger for Auckland ; the 40th band played them to the beach, and the soldiers, one and all, turned out to give tbem a parting cheer. On Tuesday the Governor proceeded to No. 6, were a tent had been pitched for him, and an interview took place with Hapurona which resulted in many friendly expressions, no business matters having been spoken of.

Wednesday, April 3rd.— General Pratt, accompanied by his staff, embarked on board the Victoria for Melbourne, attended with every honor ; all th<M)fficers net on duty having come from the front in order to bid him a personal adieu- the 12th fiuding a jjiurd of honor. About uoon, Mr. McLean, the Allorucy-Geueial and Mr. Weld held a conference at tlie Waitara with Hapurona and his attendant chiefs; their feelings were evidently peaceful but a a request was made and acceded to, for a night's deliberation.

Thursday, April 4th.— The conference was renewed when more time was asked for in order that -communication might be opened with Kingi , Hapurona not liking to take upon himself the whole responsibility of acct-eding to our demands. The time was granted, and to-mor-row, Saturday, is fixed fcr the answer lo the Governor's requirements, which are nothing more oy less than perfect submission to Her Majesty Queen Victorie. To the present time the question of the quantity of land lo be yielded to the English bus not been spoken of. It ap pears to he the object of the Governor to upset ] the King movement by making peace with ' individual tribes, and thns so far disjointing the hind league, as to render it a rope of sand. There is but little doubt tli tit in New Zealand an interesting experiment on humanity has been tried and failed. An endeavour has been made lo cause the savage to/holt civilization without allowing the time requisite for its digestion. We cannot expect an improvement amongst the native race until they have been taught the value of cleanlinessand the benefits that may be derived from the investment of industry in the present waste lauds.

During the deliberations of Thursday, an old chief came and proposed that since the Governor only communicated with them by means of writing that they should return to the

hush and give the answer likewise by means of litter ; this proposition, Iry one and all, was condemned.

[Extract of a private* letter.] Taranaki, April 7, 1851.

Peace will be duly signed at 12 o'clock noon, this day, by each party. Our regiment (65th) will come in from the Waitara about Wednesday next.

The natives now come into the camps regularly, (that is the 651h camp, for they are not allowed into any other.) They arc a fine v-/_U'-like looking lot, many of them have from 1 to 4 wounds, anil it is curious to see how much attached they are to our regiment (65th). They bring potatoes, fruit, Sec, and Colonel Wyatt often goes for a day's shooting with them. We found poor McKin dry's grave, and it was nicely p-iled in. The Waikatos have returned home ; but peace will be made with Ihem in a day or so. As for the ftoulhem tribes, we will have to go after them shortly, unless lhey sue for terms before long. These are the tribes which committed the murdeis , but the Attorney-General, who is nowhere with the Governor, has given as his decision, that there have no murders been committed on either side, — Martial Law being proclaimed before they shed any blood. Should peace be satisfactorily concluded, the Field Force will be immediately broken up, and the 65th Regiment will embark for homo at once, as there is positive orders that we are not to be kept in New Zealand, wheu we can be spared.

The Htb Regiment will proceed to Welling, ton, and I think on account of their going there, they will get a larger number of volun teeis than they would otherwise. Our men are very much attached lo the Wellington people, and nearly every one who knows anything about the place, are continually talking of the kindness of the inhabitants ; howerer, if we should embark from Taranaki or Auckland for home, the Wellington people will not be forgotten.