WANGANUI AND WEST COAST

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 178, 10 June 1864, Page 2

WANGANUI AND WEST COAST

We are indebted to the Chronicle lav the following import mt items of news, from Wanganui to the West Coast:— It seems to be understood that field operations will not be immediately commenced on the West Coast. Only such a force is to be left in the Waikato as will suffice to hold the posts in that country; and the troops will receive supplies by the River so that the land transport services of 1,800 men employed in it can be dispensed with. It is understood that soon as as these arrangements are completed, and’a force of 1,500 or 1,600 men is collected, it will be brought down South to form a flying column, and that operations will then be commenced, even though the winter should not have passed. There is nothing, however, as yet certain, so many contingencies may arise either to delay or hasten the projected campaign. The Waitotara. —At a meeting of the Magistrates yesterday morning they resolved to withdraw their recommendation of a military settlement on the Waitotara block, and to substitute an expression of their sense of the desirableness of having such a settlement formed north of the Waitotara river. Military Settlers. —We understand that at the instance of the-H m. the Colonial Secretary his honor the Superintendent will endeavour to obtain 300 military settlers fur the country north of the Waitotara. He will endeavour to obtain them from among the diggers now returnin ; from the Wakamarina. So soon as about one hundred of them are enrolled, it is proposed to employ them in making a road from the Kai-iwi to the Waitotara River, suitable for the transport of military and other stores, and Colonel Logan has agreed to furnish a covering party of soldiers for them while so engaged. RANGITIKEI. We learn that the Hon. Mr. Fox intended to warn off the King Natives who have recently located themselves near Major Marshall’s and it was his intention to use force for their removal, if necessary. One hundred soldiers are to be stationed' at Rangitikei near Major Marshall’s, which will give additional security to the inhabitants of the district, and as the Hon. Mr. Fox is now here, the settlers feel -atisfied that nothing will be left undone to preserve the peace and well-being of this portion of the Province and its inhabitants. TURAKINA. On Saturday last the Committee appointed at the recent meeting of settlers had an interview with the Superintendent as he had passed on his way to Wellington. After receiving the recommendations of the Committee favorably, his honor authorised the completion of the redoubt on Cemetery Hill at the expense of the Government, and promised to speak with the Commandant of the Defence Force, as to whether he would be willing to station a few of that Corps in the redoubt if accommodation were made for them. A place should also be provided in it for the uelpless portion of the community in case it should be needed as a place of refuge. A magazine would also be needed in the redoubt, as arras and ammunition are kept in a private house at present. In reply to Captain Beamish, his honor intimated his willingness that the Union Cavalry Volunteers should receive the same rates of pay as the Wanganui Troop when on actual service.

With reference to additional postal communication between Rangitikei and Wanganui, his honor promised to place a sum on the Estimates to cover the expense, and wished the Magistrate to furnish him with details of the proposed service.

The natives of ibis locality seemed disappointed, in attendance for three days, that they had not had a korero with the Superintendent who came when they did not expect him. However, they were not gratified, but expressed their readiness to do any amount of fighting for the Queen, on being informed by Captain Beamish that the Government would supply them with edibles, wearables, arms, and ammunition, when necessary, as in the case of the Wanganui natives.