HEAD QUARTERS, TAIPOURI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1997, 17 December 1863, Page 3

HEAD QUARTERS, TAIPOURI.

(From the Southern Cross Correspondent.) December 5, 1863. The subject of this communication is perhaps, one of the greatest importance that has occurred since the commencement of the war in Auckland. The chief Te Wheoro, who, I mentioned in my last, had gone to Ngaruawahia, returned from there this afternoon, and brings the following proposals for peace from the headquarters of the King: that the rebels are willing to lay down their arms, and forfeit their land to Ngaruawahia, on the condition that they be allowed to return to their and not be made prisoners. A despatch was immediately forwarded by General Cameron to the Governor. I was unable to send the news by the boat that left, as a communication of this importance required authenticating before putting it before the public. I will now give an account of, the mission of Te "Wheoro, with as many particulars as I could collect. On his arrival at JSTgaruawahia, he fotmd the Ngatimaniapotos drawn up on one side, and the Ngatihaua and Ngatimahuta on the other, the whole number of natives collected being, about 1,000 ; he walked up the centre, and v volley was fired in honor of the visit, they calling on him at the same time to look at the broken condition of his tribe. He was then shown into a ware, while a discussion was held ; William Thompson, who was absent, was sent for, and arrived that night. Te Wheoro was then asked, whether, if they gave up their arms and land, they would be allowed to go to their houses, or be made prisoners. This question he could not answer ; but these conditions he was deputed to convey to the Governor, viz., surrender of arms and land, but freedon of person for themselves. A discussion then arose about the flag-staff, which the Ngatimaniapotos wanted to cut down ; this was objected toby the others, and high words ensued, and firearms were discharged ; ultimately, it was handed over to Te Wheoro, together with the graves of the dead, with the request that the General would allow them to remain undisturbed. In the meanwhile, until the answer is' received from the Governor, the natives have retired from Ngaruawahia, and it is now deserted. The place has been fortified by excavations and earthworks, and should their terms not be accepted they signify their intention of fighting to the last. It appears that the Princess Sophia was at Kangiriri, and received a wound ; the chief Te Wharepu was also dangerously wounded in the * neck in five places, and is still in a precarious state. Three of the wounded have since died, which makes their known loss in that engagement over 47 killed and died of wounds. Mr Crisp's Portugese servant is there, and has been well treated. It appears that the king was not at Rangiriri. This is the substance of the news, and if we are now to have peace in this quarter, one great step has been achieved ; the most powerful tribes subdued, and the prestige of British arms restored and established firmly in the country. It may be remembered that when writing of theloss that we had sustained in the action ofßangiriri, I ventured to predict thai great results might be expected to ensue, and so it has proved. The Maoris were there taught a lesson out of their own book, that whoever is strongest let him be master, and have been profitted thereby. They tried the issue and were defeated, although to their credit be it said they fought hard to maintain their boasted power to be able to drive the pakeha into the sea. This tribe of Waikato lias a name throughout the country of being composed of greatwarriors, and what the effect will be when it is known that they have surrendered their arms and land, and made themselves amenable to the laws of the Queen, thereby acknowledging the pakeha to be the best man by that rule of argument which has been their only guide viz, that might is right, remains to be seen, since theyhave been known to us as a nation, Will the other disaffected tribes still continue in rebellion, or take the example set them in this quarter, whatever may be the issue. I think it may safely be said that the neck of the rebellion is broken, and before long I hope that the flames of war will be extinguished, and the crushing out of a few sparks here and there be the only work remaining to be done to restore and establish peace j throughout the whole island. j We march from here to-morrow morning ' as far as the gorge in the mountains, where the Pioneer is now lying ; a redoubt will there be put up. I hope, however, to have j a look at the Maori head-quarters before leaving this part of the country. On going down to the river this morning, I found that it had risen nearly a foot ; this shows the quantity of rain that must have fallen during the last two days. This afternoon the weather has cleared up, and the prospects are cheering for the march tomorrow. Should the submission of the Maoris in this quarter be accepted, the miserable prospect to which I alluded/ in my last letter stands some chance of not being realised, and we may have an opportunity of spending Christmas- day in more comfortable quarters, and with a better commissariat than a camp some seventy miles from Auckland would be likely to afford. What the next move will be, if matters are settled here, it would be difficult to say. On account of the march to-morrow, I doubt whether a mail will leave, as usual. Up to this time they have been very regular ; in fact, I have just received yesterday's | paper, which is not so bad, which makes two arrivals to-day — one this morning and one I now.