THE NEW ZEALAND WAR.

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

THE NEW ZEALAND WAR.

We have already published a summary of the northern news, and now subjoin such additional details of interest as we can glean from our Auckland files. HARD LINES. The correspondent of the Southern Cioss writes: — "Those who live in Auckland have little conception of the extent of work performed by the troops. I will leave altogether out of the question the Great South-road from Drury to the Maungatawhiri, which is the greatest public work in the province, and for which we have to thank the military, and will refer simply to the construction of redoubts and stockades, and to the wearying and dangerous transport service, in addition to tbe unusually but necessarily, heavy round of garrison, picket, and field duty. The men at the frout, and along the line] of posts, as well as those at the Bluff, and Tuakau, never undress at night. They are prepared for action at a moment's notice; but it is not a pleasant thing, after a fatiguing day's duty, to go to sleep without so much as changing their clothes which, at this season, seldom or uever chance to be dry for a day together. All this is done without a murmur, although unfortunately the soldiers have not those dietetic varieties the military authorities would wish them to enjoy. This is a circumstance which, although to be regretted, cannot well be amended justnow, and the troops know and feel this. These remarks likewise apply to the regimental officers, who set an example to the men which they are not slow to follow.

WHERK ARE THE NATIVES?

For some days in none of the localities about here have any rebels been seen, and the query is as to where they have all fled to. I expect they will show themselves some day. One report is that they are building a pa in the Hunua Ranges, and another report leads us to ; believe that they have been of late carrying I 4 provisions into these ranges. If so, matters look suspicious, and Papakura and Drury must lookout. The worst of it is we have no means pf ascertaining what may be taking place in [the Hunua Ranges, nor I suppose shall we, till we have a body of men organised whose express duty will be to penetrate into these places and see what is really going on. The correspondent of the New Zealandtr thus writes:— "lt is pretty certain now that the number of Maories in the Hunua bush has been much exaggerated, and it is doubtful whether there were erer more than 600 to 800. The mass of them have now left, as starvation was staring them in the face. I fully believe that the starvation warfare, accompanied by constant harasstrpnt, could be'earried on very successfully ; but not if vessels are allowed to .fit out cargoes of provisions, &c, in Auckland |to convey to our enemies. I have no doubt, jthat with a few thousand more men, and a well Organised bush corps of settlers, well paid, the might be brought to a speedy termination ; but the warfare must be vigorous, striDgent, and incessant. [ BUSHRANGERS. '■ The same correspondent writes: — " I learn ■ with pleasure that a bush-ranging party under the command of Mr Jackson, of Wairoa, is to be formed, to scour the bush in that neighbourfhood. The Government do well to encourage guerilla warfare. The public see that the natives will not stand to fight our troops, but shew their heels on all occasions, notwithstanding the assertion of Mr Swainson and others, that man for man they aTe equal to the best British soldiers. If, therefore, they will not remain in a position where the regular forces can get at them, the next best thing is to go after them, and make the bush too hot to shelter them. That the corps of armed settlers, organized on the model of the bushrangers in Taraniiki, will be able to bunt down the natives who now infest the bush from the Wairoa to Drury, and thence to the borders of the Waikato, I hava not a shadow of doubt. These parties will soon gain confidence in themselves in the bush, and that feeling once established, an armed and determined British man is as superior to a Maori in the hush as he is uri the open plain. The constant aim of these parties, should be to surprise and harass the natives in every possible way, giving them no rest day or night. By advancing silently through the bush, covering as much ground as possible with safety, the country will soon be cleared. A native taken unawares, or at close range, becones too excited to take deliberate aim, whereas the trained Englishman can take cover and fire with unerring effect. In. T*ranaki every volunteer for bush duty chooses his own comrade, on whose steadiness and courage he can depend ; and it is an understood thiug that the bodies of the same number of men that started on an expedition, shall be brought back again dead or alive, on the return of the party. One can readily perceive how vastly superior civilised men, animated with these feelings, are to the savage race to whom they are opposed. It requires from the leader of sueb & party sound judgment and self-possession in the face of the greatest danger, and from the men perfect obedience to their leader's commands. I look forwgrd with confidence to satisfactory results from the action of the bushrangers, and certain I am that in Auckland province we have tbe best materials for forming snch a corps. * * * Another corps has just been formed, under the sanction of of the Governor,

for the purpose of scouring the bush, more especially in the Hunua Ranges. Strong inducements are offered to those who are qualified for this important work. They will not only have first-rate pay, — 8s a day and rations— but they will have at the termination of the war, a good slice of land. It is not to be a small piece, but a " good lump ; " and in case of any member of the corps being shot, or otherwise killed, the land will be given to the widow of the deceased, if the man happens to be married. This land is to be a piece of the Waikato, — that fine country, now confiscated, now claimed by the Government, and now thrown open to brave militiamen and volunteers."