THE NATIVE WAR. THE NEXT MOVE. (FROM WANGANUI CHRONICLE, MARCH 22)

Evening Post, Issue 40, 25 March 1865, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR. THE NEXT MOVE. (FROM WANGANUI CHRONICLE, MARCH 22)

On Friday last the force moved down from Manutahi to Manawapou, and occupied it without difficulty. The Sandfly and Gundagai left Patea on the same evening for Manawapou, in order to land provisions there, towing the surf boats after them. On making the attempt, however, on Saturday, although the difficulties did not appear very formidable, the boatmen succeeded in landing only a very small quantity of stores, and the vessels were ordered to wait till next day, in case the attempt might then be made in more favourable circumstances. On Saturday afternoon, Capt. Caddell and Capt, Fairchild, of the Gundagai, went on board the Sandfly, and steamed to the North, with a view to finding a landing place in Waimate Bay. On arriving off Waimate pa, they steamed in near the shore, and found an admirable place between two points running for a little distance into the sea, where the water was as smooth as glass. On nsaring the shore they observed some natives coming down from a rising ground about 400 yards inland. Five came to the brink of the cliff over the beach, which is 100 feet high, and began to dance the war dance. They then fired eleven shots at the vessel, which was about 400 yards distant, but they all fell short. A number of horsemen were stationed halfway between the beach and the rising ground already mentioned, which was rifle-pitted all over, and full of men, who popped their heads occasionally out of the holes to see what was going on. They seemed to have expected the Sandfly to open fire on them or to land a party of men. Having made the necessary observations, the Sandfly

proceeded about five miles further along shore, and on her return, in passing Waimate, being a considerable distance off shore, fired a passing salute, which excited the natives on the cliff to an unusual degree; but did not,as it was not intended, to do any damage to them. The landing place will be found marked on the map, Wainrate pa being at the mouth of the Waingoro. The country in that neighbourhood is open, and large numbers of cattle were seen moving about. It would appear as if the natives intended making a stand at Waimate, in which case there will be some fighting in a place apparently favourable to our operations. On Sunday the landing of stores was found to be impossible, and the steamers returned to the Fatea. They intend to try it again tomorrow ; and next day the General moves forward to Waimate, accompanied by the two steamers off shore. Military Settlers. — The Ahuriri left this on Monday, for Taranakj, and we learn that she is to embark 200 military settlers there, and bring them down to Patea. They will be placed on the land to north and west of the Patea, in the province of Taranaki, this move being the beginning of the plantation of military settlers in the Taranaki Province. Since this was in type, the Ahuriri has arrived this evening with 210 of these settlers, having waited five hours of the Patea, and being unable to land the men on account of the heavy surf. It is supposed they will proceed to their destination overland.