TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 122, 8 June 1863, Page 2

TARANAKI.

EIGHT MAORIES KILLED. REINFORCEMENTS SENT FOR FROM OTAGO AND AUSTRALIA. [Prom the Wellington Independent, May 30]. The intelligence from Taranaki shows that a skirmish had taken place on the 18th instant, between a party of the 57th and some natives, which is thus described by the Taranaki Neivs of the 21st inst. “ The present week has furnished another and more favorable episode in our military affairs than the last one it was our misfortune to register. Since the mischance of the 4th inst., our military authorities have taken active measures, not only to prevent a repetition of surprise at and between the posts South, but have also by a new system of operations contrived to threaten, if not to carry the war into, the enemy’s country. It is true that we are now dealing merely with report, for there is as yet no positive communication established between the Town and Tataraimaka, but it is a report which, notwithstanding its discrepencies, we consider entitled to some reliance. Parties of troops are said to have been detailed, under experienced officers, for duty outside the camp at Tataraimaka, to act as separate and independent strengths in the surrounding neighborhood—which those who know will recognise as well adapted for such an application of tactics. One of these parties under Lieutenant Brutton, 57th Regiment, consisting of some thirty men, on this service, fell in, early on Monday morning last, with some natives approaching the camp on the southern side of the stream forming the southern boundary of the Tataraimaka block. The party under Lieut Brutton is described to have been judiciously posted for the work in hand on the north side of the stream, a small body advancing uncovered for the purpose of drawing on a rash attack, the main body lying close to support. The ruse succeeded. Some Natives made their appearance on the other side of the stream, and one man attemptsng to cross, was shot down and bayonetted, and his arms captured. After this

more natives coming an, the small party of soldiers in advance retired to the rear of the reserve, and as the natives advanced they were saluted with a fire that is said to *have knocked down some six or seven, who were carried away, dead or wounded, by their companions. The enemy increasing in numbers the soldiers fell back on the redoubt, and it is reported that firing went on during the whole of the forenoan. The following later intelligence from the same journal confirms this report. News office, 3 o’clock. The Eclipse just arrived from Nelson—sent a boat ashore at Tataraimaka. and by her we have intelligence that our people have actually buried eight bodies killed in the skirmish of Monday last. The Taranaki Herald of the 23rd inst. has a similar but less full account of this event. The following is a summary of the ictelligence contained in the “Journal of events” from the 16th to the 23rd inst. The Eclipse returned from Manukau on the 17th, with two Armstrong guns, and a quantity of ammunition and stores. Mr. Bogan and others were passengers. On the 18th, the skirmish we have alluded to was signalled from Tataraimaka. The 19th ; witnessed the militia and volunteers told off for patrols and outlying pickets, while on the 21st the Eclipse returned from Nelson, where she had been to coal. The Eclipse, [with his Excellency the Governor and suite, the General and staff, Colonels Hutchins and Gamble, Mr. Parris, Assistant Native Secretary, and Mr. Watson the Harbor Master, left the anchorage at 10’30 a.m. on the 22nd for Tataraimaka, Before landing at Tataraimaka the Eclipse steamed down about two miles beyond the Redoubts, and threw several shells into a kainga, which we suppose to be Tukipapa, where a number of natives were seen, and also into a gully into which the natives scampered after the first 100-pounder shell fell; and elsewhere along the coast at different times during the day. We hear that at one place the natives ran along the coast after the steamer firing off their guns at her, yelling, &c. There is not much more to tell; the Eclipse returned to New Plymouth on the 22nd, and the latest reports are to the effect that the gallant 57th, with its outlying parties at Poutoko and Oakura, give the rebels no rest; that on their side the natives have built a series of rifle-pits on the banks of the Katikaia stream, and have advanced as near as 300 yards from the redoubts. Bullets are said to keep pinging over the camp, and it was one of those from a rifle-pit that wounded a soldier on the previous Sunday. Our own correspondent furnishes the following details of the skirmish : Monday, the 18th May, ought at least of all others to be marked as a red letter day in the annals of New Zealand, it being a day on which a proper system of fighting the Maories has been adopted in New Zealand. For some time past, since the occupation of the Tataraimaka block, the 57th have been endeavoring to fall in with the natives by patrolling and planting ambuscades. Early in the morning, a party under the command of Lieut. Brutton and guided by Mr. A. Bayley, proceeded up the Ivaitikae stream ; they divided into two parties, one lying in perdu and the other advancing. Presently Maories were sighted, when the first partyretreated on to the support. As a matter of course the natives came on, tomahawk and gun in hand ready for the slaughter, when presently tha ambuscaded 57th poured in a volley, killing and wounding there is no knowing how many, and obtaining the body of one man with his gun. The General, on visiting the redoubt by the steamer, complimented both the men and their guide for thus punishing the murderers of their comrades. From his letter, which brings up events to the 2Gth, three days later than our of papers, we learn that—• On Sunday, at about three o’clock, notice was sent to the Militia Office, that 170 extra men would bo required for picquet, and all the bullock drivers and carls were warned to bo in readiness at half jiast six o’clock on the morrow morning. During the night, one of the civilian Gentries, mistook one of the guard for a maori and fired on him, shattering his wrist and injuring his hip. Monday, May 25th.—A grand stir, evidence of a movement of importance; the town has in past cloys, full of bustle and preparation in all probability, (he General intends thrashing the rebels before they can receive reinforcements—quick movements will soon paralyze the impulsive native. The force that left town under the command of Ma jor Mullock of the 70th, consisted of 500 of the 70th, 108 of the 40th, and 55 of tho 65th; 9 horse carts, with 18 horses and 13 bullocks of the land transport corps for the guns—--26 carts and 124 bullocks belonging to the civilians j 10 pairs of bullocks for removing the guns at present at Poutoko to the front. The General and the staff started in the afternoon. The men

had directions to take with them three days provisions. The town is now garrisoned -almost with civilians. A great many corts loaded with provisions have lately passed through the to wnfor Tataraimaka.

Monday Evening.—More work for the poor wretches of civilians. Sergeants and orderlys moving in all directions warning them to leave their comfortable firesides, and join outlying picquets. News of the safe arrival of the troops at Tataraimaka ; they are to move to-morrow either on to a pah or rifle pits. Mr. Hogan has landed from the Thistle. He states that the Waikatos as a body are friendly with Sir George Grey. No doubt the rapid movements are made with the intention of summarily punishing the Southerners, If this is effectually done, in a manner that we have every hope that General Cameron can do, the words “ Glorious Peace” may once again be emblazoned as a household word on the happy hearths of Taranaki. If on the contrary, another military misfortune should occur, all the reckless spirits of the Horth may assemble together and carry the curse of war through the breadth and length of the land. We are all anxious for news ; the first opportunity, results shall be forwarded, Tuesday morning.—So wet that the troops have returned to town. W.I.G. Defeat of the Natives.— News reached town on Sunday- afternoon of an engagement of some sort at Tataraimaka on the 18th inst. According to the native account 18 Maories, who had observed the artillery horses picketed outside the Tataraimaka camp, crept up, and, having loosed some of them, were commencing to drive them off, when a party of solders sent for the purpose cut oft’ their retreat. The Maories crouched in the fern and fired two vollies without effect, on which the soldiers returned the fire, killing the leader, Arapeta Taumumu, sou of old Wikitoria, chieftainess at Kai-iwi. The Maories fired again, wounding some one whom they supposed to be an officer, and the troops in return killed Horomona Tahukumutia, a nephew of Haretipene of Nukumaru, and wounded several others, whereupon the remainder fled. The above account does not tally with a letter which was shown to Mr. White, and which, as well as conversations which have been overheard between natives, would intimate that an engagement of a far more serious character had taken place, in which the Maories were worsted. The natives also admit that there was fighting on every subsequent day till the' messenger left. There is no doubt that the chiefs above-mentioned are killed, and probably others of inferior rank not belonging to the neighborhood.— Wanqanui Chronicle, May 28. The New Zealander says:— *• Reinforcements, in the shape of one European and two Sikh regiments, have been sent for from India—that the 18th Royal Irish may be expected from England towards the end of June, or early in July; and that it has been currently and positively asserted in several quarters that the 2nd battalion of the 20th regiment were under orders. Whether this be so or no, we have no means of ascertaining ; but of this we entertain a confident belief that if the natives shall determine to embroil the colony in a general war, his Excellency the Governor will be furnished with the adequate means of confronting them, and these, once at his command, we who know the man, feel perfectly satisfied of the manner in which he will profit by their service, With respect to reinforcements more immediately at hand, we are happy to say that not a moment has been lost in summoning such resources. The detachment of the 70th Regiment has been recalled from Otago ; and the remainder of the 50th regiment, amounting to 320 rank and file ; and of the 12th regiment, numbering some 600 rank and file, have been ordered to embark for this country from their present stations in Australia and Tasmania. These, with a portion of artillery, will augment the forces in New Zealand by from 1,000 to 1,200 men. The head-quarters of the 65th Regiment were marched into Auckland on the 18th inst. The Regiment came from the camp at Otahuhu, The headquarters of the 40th have been removed to the Queen’s Redoubt at Pokeno. Our dates from Auckland are to the 25th inst. The s.s. Claude Hamilton arrived at Auckland on the 24th inst., with the English Mail. The Betty Perlhach, from Wellington, arrived on the same day. The intelligence from Raglan is very unsatisfactory. A vessel called the Emma Eliza was lately sent there by Government, with arms and ammunition for the settlers. The settlers'thought it better not “to take the arms, as their possession would only excite the cupidity of the natives. The vessel accordingly took them back to Auckland, and arrived there on the 24th, with 31 settlers on board, who had left. Lieut.-Gen. Cameron and Major-Gen.

Sir Thomas Pratt are about to return to England. Colonel Chute, of the 70th Regiment, has been made a Brigadier, with the command of the troops at Melbourne, and Major Cooper, late of the 45th Regiment, has been appointed to the command of all the troops in the Australian colonies ; his headquarters will be at Auckland.