MEREMER.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1989, 28 November 1863, Page 3

MEREMER.

We have been furnished with the following 1 interesting information from an authentic source : — There were 1800 Natives at Meremere previous to its evacuation, 600 at Paparata, and 1000 at Pukekawa. When the Pioneer passed with the 600 for Takapau the Chiefs said " we must go at once or our supplies will be cut off, The General has possession of the water way and if he takes the land too we have no road for supplies." — and it was resolved' to leave. They took to their canoes, paddled up the Maramarua, and dragged the canoes across portage into the Waikaii lake, and entered Rangiriri. 400 were told off to attack the General's position at Takupau : they came down on Saturday night and opened fire on the position in the dark, being only able to see the position by the flashes from the soldier's guns. They continued firing till a chief was wounded by one of his friends from behind ; then another man was wounded by one of his friends, when they thought'it discreet to return.. Since they reTed to Bangiriri large reinforcements have come from the East Coast, principally of Ngatiporou, amounting to 2000 men. The women and children have been sent to Maungatautari, which indicates they expect to retire before the troops. They are well supplied with food, plenty of flour, beef potatoes and eels. As much as 27 tons of flour had been supplied by the hapus occupying the country a little above Ngaruawahia. There are no Waikatos at Wairoa. All that has been done there has been done by Thames natives. Ngatimoru and Ng-atitematera have sent contingents to Waikato. Paparata was occupied principally by natives from Taurangs and the Thames. At Pakekohe they lost 5, at Mauku 4, there being 80 natives engaged in that attack (not 400, as it has been said.) New Zealander, Nov. 14. Militaby Movements. — A number of the Naval Volunteers assembled yesterday, at noon, under the expectation of proceeding to the Thames, on board H.M.S.S. Esk. Their departure was, however, postponed, and will, it is expected, take place at one o'clock this day. A detachment of forty-five of the Colonial Defence Corps, under command of Captain Walmsley, which arrived in Auckland on Thursday, are also expected to embark •on board the Corio this day for Thames. It is also expected the Corio wilt receive on hoard this day some 60 horses for Commissariat purposes in the Thames district She is engaged to convey in all 180 horses, which will be" accomplished in three trips. — Ibid