LATER FROM AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1957, 15 September 1863, Page 2

LATER FROM AUCKLAND.

The s.s. Wonga Wonga brought one day's latex news from Auckland, but beyond the fact of the arrival by tbe Corio, on 7th inst, of 75 stalwart volunteers from Otago, there is but little to add to our previous summary. The lull in tbe war stili continues, though bb we bave already anticipated, it is not likely to last much longer. The Auckland correspondent of the Nelson Examiner writing on the 7th inst., expresses a similar opinion, and almost indicates the day on which an attack may take place. He says : "There is not a great deal of news to give you by the present mail, as hitherto all our movements have been preparatory, rather than actually offensive. The season of preparation, which is always rather trying, has been well borne here, hut only because of tbe perfect confidence felt by all parlies in tbe ability and knowledge of tbe General who directs, and seems to animate all the operations himself. In a few days, perhaps a week — or, as tbe General goes on the old principle of the better day tbe better deed, possibly on next Sunday — tbe first great operation of tbe war may be looked for. The troops have been quietly massed in the front, so that, without its being apparent to the natives — without its being even known to tbe Auckland public — General Cameron bas 2,000 British soldiers ready to march on Merercere at a few hours notice. The attack will be made both by land and water ; indeed it was the necessity for this that has so long delayed the advance ; for could the General have beeu content with merely forcing an evacuation of tbe position, be could bave done | so with half his present force. What he does want^ however, is to take the natives in their own trap, and to give a good account of tbe greater part of those assembled, if possible. We all know bow slippery Maori warriors are, and even now we must not be too sanguine of an eutire success ; but from careful examination, and some knowledge ofthe country, I am persuaded that all that could be done, has beeu done, to secure not only tbe defeat, but the destruction of the Maori army at Mere-mere, when tbe General sees fit to make tbe attack."