WANGAMUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1987, 24 November 1863, Page 3

WANGAMUI.

(FROM OUE OWN CORRESPONDENT.) November 18th, 1863. The natives up the river heard yesterday from a party of the Nufativaukaua's returning to Otaki, of the abandonment, of Meremere, and say that it is reported in the Waikato that the Waikatos intend shortly sueing for terms of peace. They, the Waikatos, do nol at all like .having lost their big guns and so fine a crop potatoes. In a conversation with one of Mr White's magistrates, a very shrewd and intelligent native, he said that he was sure the Waikatos would soon give in, and that niany tribes heie and elsewhere, who have been waiting' to hear the result of the attack upon Meremere, believe that they are not so brave as represented. Consequently many who have been wavering 1 , and not decided which side to take, are novr lie termined to remain neutral. At Turanaki they are beginning to dig their new crops of potatoes put in last April, when Hori Patene and tribe went up. The Wanganui, Taranaki, and Ngatiruauui have arranged and all agreed to make an attack some time about the beginning of December, on the stockades round aboat Taranaki, and the Bushrangers. It is agreed that the Taranaki tribes, who, as yet have not done any fighting, are to take the lead, supported by our natives. The reason they have been so quiet of late is owing to their having had no food. Now they say the potatoes ara ripe, each man will take enough on his back to last him three days, and , they expect to catch a party of Militia and Volunteers. They tell with a great amount of satisfaction of the manner iv which small parties have stolen into the neighbourhood of the town, hid themselves in tbe hedges and ditches, aud allowed the volunteers and soldiers to come close up and even look and examine the very places in which they were concealed, and pass on without noticing them. Topine te Mamaku has issued an order, and declares he will carry it out, that any natives belonging to his, or tbe Wanganui tribes, declining lo take part iv tlie proposed attack, or attempting to return home, will be shot, without being brought before the runanga or tried in any way whatever. I have ascertained for certain, that they altogether lost onlj one man, (Te Ngauui, of Wanganui, killed). On the second ultimo, when they took the sword away from Eusigu Powys, several were wounded, but they have recovered. One man was hit in the leg; be walked home to Pipiriki, seventy miles up this fiver wilh the bullet still iv it; after he got home be quietly proceeded to cut it out, he is now quite well. They have a far more wholesome dread of the Volunteers and Militiamen than of the Military, and describe the former as being very " muia" (br.are).