TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 129, 3 July 1863, Page 3

TARANAKI.

(From the I)ally Southern Cross, June 19.) As respects the news from Taranaki, it will be seen that there has been an absence of hostilities since the 4th hist. A detachment of the 70th regiment had arrived from Otago ; and our correspondent computes that the available force at the disposal of General Cameron is 550 infantry, and 100 mounted men, after providing fur the defence of New Plymouth, and the various posts held by the troops and militia. Preparations had been made for an attack on the enemy’s position at Kaitake and the ranges. The field battery of Armstrong guns had been moved to St. Andrew’s redoubt, for which 100 rounds of ammunition had been issued ; 30,000 had been issued to the infantry previously ; and on the morning of the 17th the siege train marched out to the redoubt under escort. “ I have no doubt,” says our correspondent, “ that there will be a move to-night of the attacking column, and that to-morrow (the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo) will find the British troops in position before the Maori stronghold.” Our correspondent appends the following note, which appears to have been written subsequently : —“ The expedition moves to-night.” In describing Kaitake, he says: —“ It is unquestionably a strong position, and defended by men who are far from being cowards—but the conflict will be more severe than at Kaitakora, as the positions are totally different. At Kaitake everything is in favor of the Maori and against the British, except the perfection of the gunnery, the skill of the General, and the pluck of the troops.” Under this state of affairs we must all look with anxiety for the arrival of the next news; and us our special correspondent has intimated his in: tention of being present at the then impending attack on the Maori stronghold (which was to take place yesterday), our readers may confidently rely upon having a graphic and interesting description of that event, should it take place before the departure of the next mail for Auckland.