TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1908, 15 August 1863, Page 3

TARANAKI.

The correspondent of the New Zealander, in a letter dated the 6lh inst., says: — '

Since war has commenced on the Waikato frontier, Taranaki affairs hare lost their former importance ; the enemy seem to wait quietly'ithe results of a few collisions between our troops and the Waikato warriors. Ti kao kao, weary of inaction here, has taken his departure with his few followers "to greener fields and pastures new." Thirty of the Wanganui natives hare paid a visit to Mataitawa to induce Tamihana to commence hostilities, but tbey wete not successful. I learn that the southern natives are buildiag a pa on their former position across the Katikara. The guerilla parties are scouring the country in every direction, but have encountered no enemy ; they occasionally terrify some unfortunate friendly natives in their march, but the genuine " wiJy Maori " is wanting. The enemy are quiet, and said to be carrying on their cultivation of potatoes' at Mataitawa and Kaitake, but there is no news of their movements.

Thursday, August 6,

The steamer seen yesterday turas out to be the Eclipse — she was lying off here for two days, the weather being too stormy to come to the anchorage. She sighted the Storm Bird entering Raglan heads. One hundred and fifty of the 70 th regiment have embarked for Manakau. The Oaknra redoubt will not be abandoned at present-— fifty men only have been withdrawn from the southern out-posts as yet. If any more troops are taken away from here the outpost will have to be abandoned, as the duty is getting very heavy in town. It is reported that the Wanganui natives, so long on the way, have arrived. They number 300 men — some 150 are said to hare been seen proceeding in the direction of the Kaitake on the ranges.