TAURANGA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 179, 17 June 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

TAURANGA.

Important news was brought from Tauranga yesterday by the Sandfly. There is a probability of another outbreak there, as will be seen by the letter of a correspondent, and the following fuller particulars which we have obtained. It appears that both William Thompson and Rewi have been in the neighbourhood of Tauranga, and have been beating up their forces preparatory to taking the offensive against our troops, and that Rawiri, the chief who distinguished himself at the Gate Pah affair, has sent a written challenge to Colonel Greer, in command of the troop, setting forth in the most explicit manner the warlike intentions of the rebels. This challenge is a most chivalrous production, and would be creditable to a civilised commander. It is in plain English to the following effect: —" Now hear what we have to say. We have been waiting for you to come and attack us for a whole month, but you have not come; and now we are coming to attack you. We give you warning therefore, that you may expect to see me within the month, and not to let any of your soldiers out for our young men will centainly shoot them. We give you warning that you may not say it is murder. We shall treat your wounded and prisoners well, and expect you to do the same.” On receiving this challenge, and knowing that the rebels were assembling in the neighbourhood, as their signal fires had increased in number, Colonel Greer took upon himself the responsibility of not allowing any of the troops to leave ;so that he has an ample force of about 1,500 men to do battle with the rebels if they should desire it. Much of the information which has been obtained —exclusive of the challenge, which of course speaks for itself—is from native sources, and therefore probably not so accurate. It does not appear to be doubted, however, that the rebels are assembling in force, and, it is said, from Waikato, Tauranga, and Lake Rotorua. It is also said that one of the leading chiefs has gone off to bring down the

Ngatimaninpotos. These preparations, as also Thompson’s and Rewi’s visit to Tauranga, must have taken place subsequent to their interview with the two rebel prisoners who recently returned to Auckland. It is evident that the rebels have had spies in or near our camp, for they know exactly how many guns we have, and generally what is the state of our defences. This information may have been obtained from friendly natives acting a double part, but in whatever way the information was obtained, they have got it, and in a very precise shape. An expedition had advanced some distance inland, with the view of discovering if there were any parties of natives lurking about, but none were seen, although their fires at night plainly denoted their presence. The troops, as our readers probably know, are stationed at Te Papa, in the harbour of Tauranga, the advanced posts taken up after the Gate Pah attack having been abandoned. Wednesday next was the day fixed by the rebels, it was said, for the commencement of hostilities. In addition to the force which Colonel Greer has already, he will have the services of the Ist Waikato Regt,, who are to embark to-day on board the ‘ Alexandra ’ for Tauranga ; and General Sir Duncan Cameron, who left Auckland on Friday for Waikato, has, we understand, been communicated with, and will no doubt take any further steps that the emergency may demand. —Southern Cross, June 13.