TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 185, 29 July 1864, Page 3

TARANAKI.

[From the Correspondent of the Nelson ’Examiner.]

July 19. There has been absolutely nothing to write about for some time which would afford interest beyond the place. The rout of the natives, in their mad attempt on Sentry Hill redoubt, has been followed by almost uninterrupted quiet, from which we infer that the natives, who had for some months hung about our town and outposts, cutting off here and there a solitary individual, and killing cattle belonging to our own district, had come amongst the slain on that memorable occasion. Quite recently, however, the authorities acting, it is supposed, on informatton received from friendly natives, exercised more than ordinary vigilance, anticipating an attack on some of the outposts, if not on the town itself, and the rumor is strengthened by the circumstance of the notorious W. King being, on his return to Mataitawa, accompanied by the fugitive king. The Colonial Government are acting prudently, no doubt in proceeding against possible disturbances. The Wonga Wonga disembarked, yesterday, twenty artillery-men, and to-day the Wellington brought nearly 300 men of the 70th, with the head-quarters. A hundred horses are to come down from Auckland with the next steamer. The reinforcements after all may be intended to form part in the rumored campaign in the Taranaki and Ngatiruauui country, spoken of by Mr. Fox in Wi Tako’s interview with him.

Early this morning, and before the arrival of the Wellington, a force was to have reconnoitred, it was reputed, Mataitawa and the country about the Waitara, but a steady rain set in, and, continuing through the night, the orders were countermanded. The men brought up by Lieutenant' Everett, of the Taranaki Militia, from Otago, have been eithei drafted into the Militia, or received employment from the Provincial Government, who are reclaiming part of Mount Eliot and the sea beach, for building sites, and endeavoring to make the Huatoki available for boats. Something need be done to help the harbor department, which, notwithstanding the excellence of its boating arrangements, is altogether unequal to the trade of the place. At the present time, there are six or eight vessels waiting to be discharged, with little prospect of getting away, with steamers continually touching, and uncertain weather, as we must look for in midwinter.

The best news is, that sickness is on the decrease with us. Scarlet fever has committed sad ravages in this, its first visit, and made many homes desolate—in some instances three members of a family having been carried off. One or two cases of diphtheria have followed, and alarmed us greatly, but the medical men give us hope that it may not spread.

[From the Wellington Independent, July 23.]

An engagement w r as anticipated at Taranaki. The natives were reported to be collecting in numbers outside the Town, and an attack was expected. We have been favored with a copy of the Herald of the 16th iust., by R. J. Duncan, Esq., which says “It is reported on pretty good authority that General Cameron may be expected here shortly, aud that a great part of the troops now in Auckland -will be moved down to this place and Wanganui. Coupling this with Mr. Fox’s remark to Wi Tako about “ Waikato being red with soldiers,” we may probably soon expect to see the long-talked campaign in the Taranaki and Ngatiruanui country commenced, and once begun, we do not think it will take very long to finish.”

Tahanaki Pkize Shooting. —The two blockhouses having been completed, and the duties consequently a little lightened, the weather also being more moderate, the firing for the Government Prizes was begun this

week. We have no room for details, hut the highest score made was that of Corporal W. Humphries, of No. 2 Bushrangers, who yesterday made no less than 40 points out of 15 shots—(l3 at 300 yards, 14 at 400, and 13 at 500). This looks well for the Champion Belt; but in any event we congratulate Mr. Humphries on having'made a splendid score. The second here as yet is Mr. F. Hursthouse of the same company' who made 31.