WAIKATO: BEHIND THE SCENES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 135, 14 August 1863, Page 3

WAIKATO: BEHIND THE SCENES.

[From the Daily Southern Cross correspondent], Raglan, 22nd July. Tiik following is the native account of the engagement which took place on Friday the 17th, on the Whanga Marino, otherwise called the Marumarua, a tributary creek of the lower Waikato river. [Wo have not yet received the English account]: — During Thursday night a native passed up the above creek in a canoe, to try and discover what the troops were about. When he saw that they had not reached the creek, he landed and walked to where he saw r a quantity of fern newly cut, where he reconnoitred and listened to what the soldiers were saying. Thus he gained much information, and learned precisely their position. He then returned to the Maoris and led them to the west side of the creek, where they set busily- to work to dig rifle-pits, and by daylight on Friday morning they had accommodation for IUO men. The soldiers charged upon the rifle-pits, and killed twenty-eight, wounding an immense number beside. The Maoris do not know whether there were any soldiers killed or not. They say there were 300 in the attacking force. After driving out the Maoris, the troops retired to their former position, and in the course of the day the friendly chief Watakukutai delivered over the dead and wounded to their friends. The following are the names of those killed : BEESONS. TIiIBES. Whakapoukai Ngatikoroki Huirama Ngatimahuta Erueti Hgatimahuta Te Hepere Ngatimahuta Apiate Motuiti Ngatimahuta Paratcno Ngatimahuta Monowai Ngatihini Paora Ngaungau XTUBES NOT KNOWN. Tone Te whiri, Hemara, Tamehana Taiopa, Te llira, Kemara, Uami, Pineha, and a woman. In the evening of the same day, the rifle pits were reoccupied by a fresh garty of Maoris from Upper Waikato. The dead and wounded were taken up the river to Ngaruawahia. The result of this loss has been to cause great accessions to the rebels in arms. William Thompson and his Ngatihaua have now joined them. Two canoes full of Ngatimaniapoto, among whom was Eewi Maniapoto, have gone down the Waipawa. The

Ngatiraukawa, from Matatere, have come down to the scene of action, as likewise all the natives from Pirongea mountain. In fact, all the country is being cleared to add to the number of combatants. The only friendly tribe on either river is the Ngatihourua of Whatawhata, whose chief, old Matataera Kamwhenua, manages to hold them nearly all at home. Only one of them has broken loose. They are now busy planting, and when importuned by their ally, Wi Nero to come over to Eaglan, they say, “ Who is to feed us?” The Eev. Seth Tarawiti, Episcopal minister, is actively employed in his spiritual ministrations amongst his deluded fellow-countrymen. lie has likewise a large staff of monitors amongst the insurgents. Tito heathen prophets (tohungaj are busy at their oflicc. They predict a severe struggle and great loss, but ultimate success to the Maori king. Amongst the killed named above, Iluirama, is a chief of the king's tribe, and a near relation (uncle) to that personage. Whakapoukai is one of the w'orst characters on the river, having been long known to Waikato people as a lawless canoe pilferer. Paul (Paora) bears a very good character ; bis Widow Eoka (Dorcas) is sister to the to the above-named clergyman. Tamehana is probably a native assessor of the Ngatipou, but of this lam not certain. If the insurgents are shut out from helping themselves to cattle and other provisions about Auckland the war cannot possibly bo long dragged out, us they are almost literally destitute of supplies from their own rear. —Daily Southern Cross, llfith July.