Taranaki, Nov. 25, 1854. My dear Sir, Nothing of moment has occurred here since I received your note from the steamer --- indeed the August slaughter seems to be dying out, seeing that the contending parties are alternately amusing themselves by exchanging shots at long ranges and meeting for the purpose of divulging their hostile intentions on the following morning --- however during the last few days their proceedings wore an appearance of reality for on two occasions they met in close quarters when each waited for the other to fire --- in other words 'hit me first and I will hit you'