LATEST FROM TARANAKI

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1868, 14 May 1863, Page 3

LATEST FROM TARANAKI

THE NARRATIVE BY THE SURVIVOR.

[fkom our own correspondent.] Taranaki, May 8, 1863. By the Rifleman, schooner, 1 sent you a hurried notice of the sad event that has again made Taranaki the seat ot warfare. A week before the ambuscade the government had been duly warned of the intention of the Southern natives to dispute the further progress of the English in carrying out the' full occupation of Tatarahnaka. On the 27th of April, the friendly natives took considerable paina to inform the outsettlers of the impending danger. The Mongarei settlers went to the Go vernor, who contented himself by enquiring by what right they had forsaken their homes. Surely, ifg the heads ot the Government are in such a lamentable «tate of ignorance as to our true position, the despatches tent to England can convey but little intelligence as to the real state of affairs. . Another week from the first warning has passed, and the wolf announced olten has at last sprung forth, revealing the volcano upon which we have been living. The particulars of the sad affair have been supplied me by the man who escaped, and 1 feel much pleasure through his narrative, in being enabled to do honor to the noble conduct of poor Lieutenant Traggett, who sooner than leave his wounded men fairly sacrificed himself. Private F. Kelty who was with the party, oight in number, that left Tataraimaki on Monday, May 4th, thus relates the events-. — Unwarned and regardless of danger, they marched along the road for about two miJ.es, when two officers, Dr Hope and Lieutenant Tragett overtook them. They rode in front, about 300 yards in advance, going on at a regular walking pace. At the Wahau stream (a small river between the Oakura and Timaiu), they halted until the escort came up. The party had scarcely joined when a Maoii in ambuscade on the bank tired a shot. . but without effect, when F. Kelly being in the advance turned round and asked color-sergeant Ellers, if his fire-lock had gone off by accident, his answer was, " no." A second shot was then fired, •which took fatal effect upon color-sergeant Ellers. The Maories from this time continued as if filefiring. F. Kelly turned again and saw Serjean.. Hill apparently dead on the ground, whilst Private Ryan, in a state of excitement, was calllinj out murder ! murder ! Kelly requested him to be steady and commence firing, for there was no justice to be expected from a Maori. After this, the firing from the escort was pretty regularly kept up ; presently a bullet laid poor Ryan a corpse in the stream, and Private Flynn was kneeling in the sand with his arm broken. Dr Hope was shot dead, when immediately Mr Tragett dismounted and took command of the men. The party now consisted of two privates and one officer Mr Tragett asked what was to be done, F. Kelly thought it would bo better to retire firing. Lieutenant Tragett said he could not leave the dead and wounded. F. Kelly again wished to retire, as three could do no good, but the noble Tragett still refused. Giving his white handkerchief to Kelly who fastened it on his bayonet, he said he would abide by his fate, F. Kelly, did the same. The flags were taken no notice of by the Maories, who continued firing; upon which F. Kelly lowered his flag and commenced firing in which he was checked by E. Kelly, who did not wish to fight under a flag of truce. To show the flags, the party had gone on to the bank, they had not long returned to the beach, when E. Kelly received a wound under which he sank. Poor Tragett and the other having jjeen- --shot, F. Kelly wa? now the only surviyof out of tan, he was wounded in the thigh, hojzommenced loading, whilst doing so a Maori ptft his hand over the bank to take Serjeant Eller's rifle, whom he immediately shot dead, at about ten yards distance, his body falling over poor Banks. Two Maories now endeavored to regain their comrade's body, and Kelly perceiving n Maori endeavouring to outflank him, presented his rifle unloaded as it was, and the Maori immediately retreated. Kelly then determined to make a desperate attempt to save himself, so he threw away all his accoutrements, with the exception of ten rounds of cartridge, and commenced a retreat on to Tataraimaki ; when the natives perceiving his object, commenced yelling in a fearful way, and started in pursuit. They only followed about 300 yards, when they gave over the chase, and exhausted, the poor man threw himself into the.fern He might have been there about two hours, when h« saw the party from Tataraimaka which had been warned by the mounted orderly, Reynolds, who was riding to the Poutoko, when seeing the dead bodies on the beach, he immediately returned to the camp with the sad tidings. Private James Twohay, from the Putoko camp, relates that he formed with four others, an escort for two bullock carts which were to proceed to Tataraimaki with much needed provisions. The carts were attended with five drivers from the Land Transport Corps ; they saw no appearance of natives until after passing theTapue river, when at about 300 yards in advance, a man passed them and rode on to a flax hill where he could command a view of the beach, and immediately afterwards galloped towards a spur on the ranges. In crossing the Oakum the two parties sighted each other, but were again hidden by the headland near the VVairau river, The firing was now heard, and a Maori shewed himself and fired at the party without effect. The bullocks were now turned to return, the men having agreed to form on the beach, and go to the others assistance, whbh was not carried into effect. At this stage, Dr Hope's horse came galloping up and in crossing the river, caught its leg in the bridle, when it was easily oaught, upon which one of the parly galloped to Putoko and the remainder leaving the charge, returned to the camp. The unfortunate victims were Assistant-Sur-geon Hope, Lieut. Tragett, Color-Sergeant S. Ellis, Color-Sergeant S. Hill, and privates John I Flynri," Edward Kelly, William Banks, and Patrick Ryan, all of the 57th Regt. The bodies were stripped of medals and all valuables. Some of these men had passed with credit through both

the Crimean and Indian wars. How sad to be thus cut off! The force warned by those who retreated from the drays, soon arrived, and recovered the bodies, the carts containing the provisions for the Tafaraimaka camp, being visible in the distance, wending their way to the enemy's stronghold in the ranges. By this raid the natives have obtained a supply of provisions, with some quantity of ammunition and fire-arms. On theroad, the newsmeeting with confirmation, steps were immediately taken to duly warn the outsettlers, and to expedite their movements, the :.\vo warning guns once again sent forth their booming voice, from Marsland Hill. In the afternoon, the militia and volunteers were put on active service, or in other words, again condemned to slavery. So quietly had the gradual return of the industrious part of our farmers been in their homesteads, that few were aware of so many having left the town, until the return was demanded, when the roads were seen literally crowded with vehicles, bearing household goods to a place of safety. The bodies have been brought into town and an inquest is to sit on them. On Wednesday the parade of the Militia and Volunteers was held at Poverty Flat, when General Cameron shortly but pithily addressed them. He stated that he was pleased again to command the force, and that ho regretted the necessity that required their being called together from their oc- i cuparions for active service , ho was satisfied that | they would do their duty well. He recommended more drill, and concluded by saying, that the duties would be heavy for a time, but would shortly be lightened by the. arrival of reinforcements. (Yes indeed, they are heavy, every other night only for bed, and as yet no certainty as to pay or rations.) Patrols of civilians now parade the suburbs the whole night.

Thursday, May 7th, early in the morning H.M.S.S. Eclipse arrived, and. after landing some munitions of war proceeded again to Manakau. The funerals of Che unfortunate victims of bad government took place to-day thebodies were drawn gun carriages and attended by the whole military and civil forces off dut}'. It was indeed very sad to follow to the grave, young men cut off in the very prime of manhood. The affair has caused a marked and deep depression, I might almost say that it has produced feelings of desperation, as now all hopes of settled homes have passed away. Under the present General, decision marks every action of the troops, we all feel that a master holds the reins. Immediately after the affair, a camp was formed at the Oakura, and a redoubt is in course of construction near the scene of the ambuscade, whilst the town from the well organised system of patrol is perfectly secured from surprise. 0 ! when shall we again have the blessings of peace. In an extracted article that appeared sometime ago in your journal, headed " Taranaki a disgrace to the British nation," there is an excellent description of our truly forlorn position ; could the writer have seen something of our fearful and shameful state, he would have spoken out still louder in our behalf. The greater portion of us are little better than in a state of degraded slavery, whilst the few are in the enjoyment of comparative independence, our Superintendent possessing the arbitrary power of an emperor on a small scale.

Will you credit the assertion, that tho same man who has been chosen by the people as their Superintendent, ,is now commanding officer of the Militia, and has- over his constituents, the full power of the Mutiny Act ; so that anyone armed, as he ma}' be, with full political rights, who ma}require an answer to &ome point of personal interest, if his Majesty should not feel inclined to answer the question, could at once rid himself of the querist, by ordering him to some disagreeable duty, or at once confine him to the guard room, for presuming to address n superior officer.

I have before stated Taranaki can never be reinstated 1 ; and <it the present period, the greater portion of her inhabitants calls for as much sympathy as is now given to the unfortunate Poles. — Speak for us and let the subject bo mooted throughout the colony. It cannot be the wish of our fellow colonists, that we are thus, whilst daily, aye, and hourly risking our lives, to suffer from unjust and despotic rule. It is not the military duty, severe as it is, that is felt, as the manner in which it is carried out. The very day that we were embodied, an alteration could be observe! in the voice of those who s;>oke as " men armed with a little brief authority." In a moment, everything was subverted, the man who had been receiving daily pay as a laborer, is now his master's sergeant . whilst the unfortunate settler, driven from his bush avocntion, is reduced to eke out a support for his family, upon his small pay. Nay, he, the individual throughout the whole of this bastard peace has been by dint of hard labor suyporting his family, although precluded from continuing with, his farming occupations. To such a pitch has the fueling of dissatisfaction arisen, that a deputation was appointed to wait on Mr Dillon Bell to express from the past events their utter want of of confidence in Sir G. Grey and his Ministers. Do not judge us hastily for taking such steps — could you have seen as we did yesterday — the lacerated bodies of the young and strong, sent without warning to the graye — could you all of a sudden find yourself robbed of the means of supporting your family in that comfort, which by honest industry you were enabled to do; you too wr aid feel, that the dead and the living are alike, the victims of a weak and pusilanimous government. We have now buen several days on duty, and notwithstanding that there are no means of earning money, we have hoard of no arrangements for either rations or pay, and yet a man without a great deal of parade, would not be allowed to leave the settlement. Oh! the freedom that may be enjoyed under the British flag. Friday, May B—The8 — The 57th in town marched out to the Poutoko, to relieve those at present in occupation. On parade a note was read warning the Volunteers to be in readiness to fall in at the shortest notice, incase of any movement on the part of the enemy. I do hope that means will be taken to fittingly clothe us for the winter campaign, as the wardrobe that will suit .i private life, is not adapted for patrolling in the dark hours of night, up to one's knees in mud The jury is still sitting, so soon as it has given its decision, I will send you full particulars. The enquiry has given rise to disgraceful disclosures of bad management. W. I. G. P.S. — The jury, after bHng locked up all night, have brought in a verdict of " murder." Locking up a Taranaki jury has but little effect, they havj all been io we'l trained to sentry go. Saturday, May 9th — This morning's nows is, that, the ilatatawa natives are about to build a pa at Kairau, but that it is not their intention to fight — Altho' they will still remain King natives, and not tfive in their allegiance to the Queen. The southern natives are fast collecting, they already number a thousand and upwards. W. I. G.