Hawke's Bay Times. NAPIER, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1863. TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 123, 12 June 1863, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. NAPIER, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1863. TARANAKI.

JOURNAL OP EVENTS. (From the Taranaki Herald.) Sunday, May 24. —Komcno a Taranaki chief, who seceded from the rebels shortly after the armistice in 1861, gives us the following account of his visit to the enemy’s position at Tataraimaka on Friday last. He had been allowed by the Government to proceed to his kainga at Puketehe to bring up his wife and family, and was accompanied by Tamati Kaweora, another neutral Taranaki native. On reaching the rifle pits on the southern bank of the Kaitakara stream, he was immediately seized by the enemy, and was only saved from being tomahawked by Tamati Hone’s orders, by the interference of the Taranakis. Ho says he and Tamati Kaweora only escaped by the narrowest chance, and were allowed to return minus their horses, saddles, and bridles, &c. They were not permitted to have any conversation with the people, so that no information was obtained. The Ngarauru hapu, they noticed, were wearing the usual native mourning (green leaves round their heads) they therefore concluded that one or more of their number had been killed in the skirmish with Lieut. Brutton’s party on Monday last. On returning to the redoubt, Komcne was so incensed with the treatment he had received that he offered to head 100 soldiers and lead them in attack on the enemy’s position.—Wo omitted to mention in yesterday’s journal a gallant exploit performed on Friday by Lieutenant Waller and a party of 30 men of the 57th regiment from St. Patrick’s Redoubt. Lieutenant Waller went within 500 yards of the Kaitake pa to tempt the Maoris to come out; about 200 slnwed in their rifle pits. Nothing would tempt them to break cover. One native, it is said, shouted out in English to them, cursing and swearing in a manner which would have shamed a trooper. The party fired a volley into the rifle pits and retired.—At 5 p.m. an extra number of the civilian forces fell in, who had been warned during the afternoon for duty at night, for pickets and the blockhouses, as the whole of the military forces were under orders for an expedition south to-morrow morning. A great many bullock carts were pressed, and preparations of all kinds made in readiness for a move of importance against the enemy. Monday, May 25.—A force of 600 men consisting of the 40th, 65th, and 70th detachments, together with Captain Mercer’s corps (which did not go mounted), and the artillery with guns, and a long train of bullock and horse carts left town by the Great South Road at 8 a.m. The town was left in charge of the Militia and Volunteers in command of Major Mould, R.E., and the Eclipse was in readiness to take his Excellency the Governor by sea to the South. Tataraimaka is believed to bo the destination of the forces, and an attack is to be made on the enemy by the General, and his stall' started from town. To-morrow morning at an early hour the troops will proceed. Events of importance are anticipated, and it is expected that General Cameron will not return to town before effecting something decisive against the enemy. Provisions for three days have been provided for the force. Before nightfall 900 men were encamped on the left bank of the Oakura. Few natives were to be seen in any of their positions. The removal of the troops from town makes the duty fall heavy upon the civilian force, but they do not repine, and are willing to do any amount of hard work while the troops are engaged with the enemy. Many men on duty last night were warned for duty again to night, and several who have substitutes and who are exempt from military duty volunterec] for service. An unfortunate accident occured last night to one of the sentries near Carrington-road blockhouse. Two militiamen named Ward and Wolfe were posted as a double sentry in a certain spot. Wolfe asked his comrade to hold his rifle while ho went on a short distance away. After a short time had elapsed, Ward saw a person coming in a different direction to which Wolfe had gone, and seeing Wolfe's coat thrown over a fern bush, went to it and said ‘ Wolfe, here’s your rifle, take it, quick,’ at the same time challenging the person coming

towards him, who did not answer, when Ward fired his rifle, which instead of hitting a Maori (as no doubt Ward expected) severely wounded Wolfe, who was hurrying up to got his gun on hearing his comrade challenging. The bullet went through Wolfe’s wrist and grazed the hip bone. He was promptly attended to by Dr. Spence, who was immediately sent for by the guard which turned out on hearing the report of the rifle, ; and the doctor hopes to save his hand. Tuesday, May 26.—Heavy rain with a N.E. gale set in during the night and has continued all day. The expedition returned from Oakura ; the 70th arrived at 9 o’clock this morning, having left at daybreak, and the train of carts, with the 40th, and Gsth, and artillery corps, arriving during the day.—Some friendly natives getting firewood at Puketotara yesterday saw some of the enemy in the act of getting cover, when they immediately abandoned their carts and fled precipitately to town. They at once reported the circumstance to the Native officer in town, who communicated with the officer in command, and further precautions were adopted to guard against any attack on the outlying residences of the inhabitants. The natives seen were no doubt a foraging party of the enemy. It is said that a meditated attack on the town was reported to the authorities, and in consequence of this information a mounted orderly was despatched to Oakura to communicate with the General, and that this w r as the main cause of the return of the expedition. Be this as is may, the weather is such that it w'ould have made it difficult to advance today, and there is every probability of a continuance of rain. The Airedale , from Manukau, steamed up from the westward and anchored about noon. She was driven down by the force of the gale a considerable distance beyond this port, and had to steam up against the wind since daylight this morning. She brings several passengers and some horses, which were with difficulty landed; the baggage, stores, &c., were carried on to Nelson, and may be expected to be brought from that port by the Lady Bird on the 4th proximo. The news from Auckland is of a very uncertain character. The Waikatos appear to be wavering in their intention not to support the rebels here. It is said that Ngatihaua W. Thompson’s tribe, has notified the others, that if they moved in the Taranaki massacre, the Ngatihaua would at once secede from the King movement and join the Governor. The Ngatimaniapoto, on the other hand, under Eewi, will probably join in the rebellion, and some, it is said, have already left for this place. A Eaglan authority says that this tribe incited the Taranakis to commit the murder to “expedite the war.” \Y Thompson is said to have made use of the following expression a few days ago—“l will lie on my side and see what work the Governor will attempt in the Waikato country.” Wednesday, May 27. —Eain without intermission all day. The roads rapidly getting muddy and the rivers rising. A native informed us today that the Mataitawa natives will shortly join the the rebels, probably in the course of a week. We cannot vouch for the correctness of this information, although there is little doubt that he is right; but we should think that they would bo induced to defer this final step until after the departure of the English mail.

Thursday, May 28. —Tho natives came pretty close to the town last night, for it was discovered this morning that the flagstaff erected dn Mr. Sharland’s suburban residence, about ten minutes’ walk from the centre of the town, had been cut down and the blocks and tackle, &c., removed and carried away ; the house was also ransacked, the windows smashed, and considerable damage done to the fittings, Ac. A cross cut saw found on the premises was used to cut down the flagstaff ; the saw was taken away. A party of the enemy, wo expect, crept down tho gullies, which are numerous at the back of Sharland’s land, and no doubt expected to find a defenceless|family there ; Mr. Sharland’s family fortunatclymoved into town last week.—Tho Eclipse was to leave today at 2 p.ir. with tho Governor for Manukau, but for some reason unknown to ns, she was still at anchor at sundown.—Rain still continues.

Friday, May 29.—Eain has fallen all day, and the winter lias fairly set in.—We were about bringing this day’s diary to a close with tho remark that nothing worthy of note has occurred during the day, when intelligence reached town of the miraculous escape of Lieutenant Waller, 57th Regiment, (whose gallant conduct we have already had occasion to note) from tho same fearful fate which befel his brothers in arms on the 4th inst. Mr. Waller was riding from St. Andrew’s Redoubt this afternoon to the Poutoko alone, and on reaching the two honeysuckle trees frewarewaj which stand at tho bottom of the hill at the edge of the bush, about 1,000 yards from Bob’s pah, he received a volley from a party of natives hidden in ambush, which at once killed his horse. While Mr. Waller was disengaging himself from his fallen horse, a native leaped out with a tomahawk to despatch him, when Mr. Waller with great coolness and presence of mind, shot him with his revolver, and, we are happy to say, succeeded in reaching the redoubt in safety, having effected his escape by firing in the direction of tho ambush and running for his life.—lt is reported that numerous bands of the enemy are around the town, and it behoves all not to go singly beyond the lino of blockhouse.—The Eclipse left for Manukau at dusk, but without his Excellency the Governor. It is said she will return on Monday.

Saturday, May 30.—A correspondent at Datura has kindly sent us this morning full particulars of the attack on Lieutenant Waller yesterday and his narrow escape, which will be found below and to publish which wo have delayed our paper. A half-caste named Ilori (George), one of seven forming the ambuscade yesterday, and who was captured by a party of the 57th from Poutoko, under Colonel Warre, was brought into town this morning. Colonel Warre’s party went out immediately on Mr. Waller’s arrival, and Hon was discovered, having been heard to cry out by Dr. Mackinnon and Mr. Atkinson, who were standing on the look out near Mr. Carrington’s place. “ About 2 p.m. Lieutenant Waller, 57th regt., proceeded towards Poutoko, and at about 2-15 several shots were heard by the people at Oakura and the Tapuae ford. The sounds were sup-

posed to proceed from the Vicinity of Mr. Carrington’s house. Major Logan immediately ordered 15 men under Ensign Duncan, and subsequently Captain Shortt, with 15 more, to proceed to the Tapuae, directing that the picket of 30 men at that place should at once advance to Mr. Carrington’s house. Liout. Warburton, R.E., rode on to communicate the orders to the Tapuae. party, and proceeded on to"Carrington’s house. At the bottom of the gully a horse was lying apparently dead. Two orderlies passed the spot with intelligence that Lieut Waller was safe in Poutoko camp, and that a native had been killed. Almost on their heels a party under Capt Russ ell, 57th Regiment., arrived at the scene of action, but such was the expedition displayed by the Oakura party, that the latter came to the spot only two or three minutes afterwards. The combined parties under Colonel Warre, who presently arrived, entered the adjoining bush in the gully, and after a careful search, a native unwounded was discovered and seized by Private Miley, 57th Regiment, of the Oakura party. The man was taken alive, and on his person was found the watch and chain and other valuables belonging to the late Lieut. Tragett, and a rifle belonging to one of the victims on that melancholy occasion. He was secured by the man, and broifght to Poutoko, having been previously interrogated. He stated that he formed one of a party of seven who laid the ambuscade; that he was taken with a fit or sudden faiotness after the attack had been made upon Lieut. Waller that ho was carried a considerable distance into the bush, and finally left to his fate. On being lakon he entreated to be shot. He is a half-caste. “Lieutenant Waller states that he was proceeding down the gully along the road, having taken out his revolver, as a precaution, in consequencn of warnings received from Mr. W. Carrington After rising the hill towards Poutoko, he was saluted with a volley from the hill above. His horse fell, shot through the head, and with difficulty disengaging himself, he cocked his revolver and went behind a piece of fern. One man advanced towards him, and taking a deliberate’aim, Lieutenant Waller shot him iu the body. The man fell in the road and close to the horse. The second shot missed fire, but the natives seemed cowed and did not advance. One man fired a second time at Lieutenant Waller, but happily without success. He accomplished his retreat into camp succesfully, having shouted first as if help were at hand, which caused the assailants to disappear. There is no doubt that the man shot by Lieutenant Waller was earned away by the remaining five, and that they carried the halfcaste as far as possible without endangering their own safety. But it was impossible for them to carry away two men. The man shot by Lieutenant Waller was probably the head of the party. Lieutenant Waller’s escape, to which under Provipeuce his coolness and determination contributed so much, was hailed with repeated cheers £as he returned to Oakura camp. It will be seen from the above that combined parties from Poutoko and Oakura discovered Hori, and that he was captured by Private Miley from the Oakura camp. Hori says ho was the first man who jumped off the bank, and that he then immediately became senseless. It is supposed Mr. Waller’s shot must have struck his head and glanced off, though with sufficient force to [stun him. Afterwards he got up and went some distance off and hid. He also says, we hear, that it was two Maories who cut down Mr. Shariand’s flagstaff; that two men were killed by Lieutenant Brutton’s party (besides the wounded we suppose); and one by the first shell from the Eclipse, on the 2Sind instant. We must again press it on our readers that it is most desirable every one should be particularly cautious not to go out into the country, unless in sufficient numbers, as we arc informed the natives are sure to come about to seek utu, if not about already.