WANGANUI

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2164, 7 February 1865, Page 3

WANGANUI

By the overland mail we hare the Chronicle of the Ist inst. There is no further news relative to the war. We mako the following extracts *. —

The Camp. — Nothing important bas transpired. The Maoris are very busy iv strengthening tho Weraroa pa. They have not only cluij rifle pits a considerable way from the immediate front of the pa, but have thrown up an entrenchment on a spur to the left. Tbey are plainly discernible from the camp, working like hees. On Fiid;iy another dead maori was found near the camp, making tho number up to thirteen. On Sunday afternoon aud Monday, Major Greaves was nurveying the country between the camp and the Waitotara with the view of discovering a practicable road and place for crossing. The heights on the other side were unoccupied and untouched, and there appeared no difficulty in getting a passage. We believe it is the intention to establish a post about three-quarters of a mile up from the mouth of the Waitotara, and to send forward supplies hence to it by one of the steamers. This will relieve the Laud Transport Corps considerably. The Militiv— A requisition having been made by General Cameron for 170 rifles and 30 cavalry, tbe militia and volunteers were called out to-day, and the requisite number tod off. They proceed, as soon as wanted, to the redoubts ou the Kai Iwi, which the rifles will hold, and the cavalry will patrol the road or track from Camp Alexander by these redoubts to the Wanganui opposite Ktiiwhike pa, into which between thirty or forty friendly natives were sent on Saturday lust, it having been found empty when the Gundagai went up tbe river on that day. The wounded are all in a fair way towards recovery. Of the two wounded prisoners one is dead and the other recovering.

Additional Reinforcements — On Monday the Alexandra came into llie roadstead with a detachment of the IBth Regiment, consisting of 304 nou commissioned officers and men, nnd the following commissioned officers — Colonel Chapman, Captaiu Hall, Lieutenants Marsland and Dawson, Ensigns Phillips and Jones, Lieutenant and Adjutantj Wray, Surgeon Peake, and Quarter-master Stauiforih. The Alexandra left llie Manukau on Thursday last, and had a strong head wind tilt noon of the following day, when it incieased into a south-easterly gale, which lasted for thirty-six hours. Tbe troops behaved admirably throughout the gale, notwithstanding tbe great discomfort occasioned by the shipping of water: The Alexandra proceeded yesterday to Taranaki for 250 of tba 70th Regt,, and the Wanganui, wbioh left to*

day for Wellington, is to bring up 130 men of the 14th.

The Wanganui made between £500 and £600 on her last trip to Wellington. Tbe Government is again making an offer Ibr her services for a month ; and it is likely she will be engaged by them. Kaiwiiike. — The King natives have greatly strengthened this pa within these four days ; it is now surrounded with a strong palisading with but one entrance through which a man cau scarcely squeeze himself when it is open. The interior seems to have been partly cleared of huts, so as to give more room for its defenders should it be used us a stronghold : and there is said to be a considerable number of natives in it.

Aramoho. — The inmates of this friendly pa have renewed their defences and formed rifle pits within tbe palisading, so as to be ready for an attack, which they apprehended some days ago, but there does uot seem to have beeu any good reason for the expectation.

The Up-river Natives. — A message came down last night from the friendly natives that a report had reached them that a number of Waikatos were on their way down from Taupo to assist PeLi in attacking them. Iv consequence, tbe Putiki natives proceeded up the river this morning in the Guudagai, together with Captain Cadell and Mr White. They did not know how far they might proceed as it would depend on what they heard up the river. The probability was that tbey would go as far as Kahinihini.

The Kai Iwi Settlers.— A message was sent to these settlers last night that a body of about 400 natives had been seen coming south from tbe front towards the Kai Iwi, and tbat tbey should be on the alert. Some of them came in List night about midnight, and more are to be in to day. This is a most unfortunate circumstance for theso settlers, some of whose crops are just ripening for tlie sickle; but tbe redoubts there will deter the native.* from doing much injury, if that is in contemplation, and will protect the settlers in tbe gathering in of their ciops. The redoubt at Dr Musseu's place is not yet completed, but is in a forwaid euoug-* state to give good shelter to the men, even should the enemy make an immediate attack. Their object, however, was doubtful, and some suppose tliat they may intend to come over to the Wanganui to attack the loyal unlives up tho river, io conjunction with the rebels already tbere and expected from Waikato.