WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 215, 18 January 1865, Page 3

WANGANUI.

(From the Correspondent of the Southern Cross) January 9. As the ‘ Prince Alfred’ leaves here to-night I tit down to pen you a few particulars of what is going on here. With regard to the troops they are still encamped at Kai-iwi, and all is quiet there at present. On the Waitotara river, about eight miles from Kai-iwi, there is a large pa, known as the “ black pa,” and which it has always been supposed will be'the site of the next engagement. It is situated on a hill near the river. On Saturday there was a report in town to the effect that some soldiers had been out to inspect the pa, but that it was empty. Another version of the report, and probably the correct one, was that some soldiers had been near the pa, but had seen no natives, and could not get sufficiently close to it. On New Year’s Day a cricket match, between the crews of the ‘ Prince Alfred’ and ‘ Sandfly,’ took place on the Wanganui cricket ground, resulting in a victory to the former by twenty-three Tuesday last, the 3rd inst., as I daresay you already know, the schooner ‘Surprise,’ Cap tail Wallace ran ashore on the south head of the Wanganui entrance, where she now lies in perfectly eood condition, neither leaky nor strained. By the very efficient aid of Captain Fairchild, her cargo •waa quickly discharged, and in good condition. The captain of the ‘Surprise’ blames the signalroaster at the Heads j but Captain Fairchild, who •was a spectator of the whole affair, asserts that the signalman showed great ability in the discharge ftfhis duty, and that no blame could in any way be attached to him for the loss of the vessel, but that the the master of the ‘ Surprise’ did not com-

ply with his signals, and was, therefore, the only one to blame. Although not in the slightest degree damaged, the vessel was about to be sold if Captain Fairchild had not lodged a protest against such a proceeding, which, I am very glad to hear, he has done; for it would be a pity that a sound vessel, on a beach, off which she can easily be taken, should bo sold as a wreck. COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES. The following important intelligence from Wanganui was received by the N. Z. Advertiser from their own correspondent, on Saturday last, the 14th, and thought worthy of being published as a second edition of that journal:—, Our little town during the past two weeks has been unusually active ; steamers constantly arriving with troops, guns, and the auxiliaries of war. The soldiers have all been marched out, with the exception of some five or six companies of the 57th, to Waitotara, the whole force numbering some 1,700 men. On Saturday last a detachment of some 500 , men, accompanied by Armstrong guns, proceeded to the Kai Iwi pa j but, on examination, it was found empty, and the party then proceeded back to camp. On Tuesday orders were given that the Wanganui Cavalry were to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to the Waitolara, taking with them a day’s provisions. Accordingly, yesterday morning, about eight o’clock, the whole of the Cavalry and Lancers proceeded out to the military camp at Kai Iwi, where they fell in, and, after a short stay, accompanied by a force of about 50J men, proceeded on a search for the Waitotara pa, and, after a short time, succeeded in discovering its whereabouts. Immediately on nearing the rifle-pits natives were seen rushing about the place, and all of them se-ming bent upon getting into the pa as soon as possible. When within about 500 yards of it, our cavalry were received by a volley from a party of natives stationed in the rifle-pits round the pa, and they afterwards made their appearance to the number of about SOO, dancurg the war dunce, barking like dogs, and shouting “ pai raarire” at the top of their voices, and seeming in the greatest possible stated excitement. Fortunately the distance was too groat for the bullets to cio any harm, and the natives seeing that the cavalry made no attempt to advance ceased tiring, but were evidently prepared to fight should opportunity offer. 001. Waddy, attended by various officers of the staff, accompanied the cavalry, the troops remaining some three miles behind. After remaining some time to take observations, the cavalry and soldiers returned to camp, after having been so far successful in discovering the whereabouts of this long-talked-about fortification. It is situated on the top of a steep hill, being as usual backed by bush for escape. There are a great many wharcs round the pa, and it has the appearance of groat strength, having trenches dug round it. Col. Waddy thanked the orvuh-y for the assistance they had rendered in finding the pa, and stated that- their services would not be required until the General arrives. The first shots have now been fifed,'hud there is no knowing what mischief will follow. Every one in this district has Leon long expecting tin’s, and are anticipating that some hard fighting will f Row. Only the oth:r day a native (ovrning some tfUU'J acres of land at Waitotara), remonstrated with Karo Tipeno for his obstinacy in insisting that the troops should be resisted on crossing tae Wan (dara, being afraid timt his land would be confiscated, but ha was told that, there must bo fighting if they attempted to cross the disputed land ; and should the natives be defeated, they would fall back and build another pa, aud fight till they died. They are evidently prepared for the struggle, and things certainly look threatening ; but, for God’s sake, if there is to be more bloodshed, let there be no more of the wretched bungling and useless loss of life that there lias been already in the North. The settlers here are prepared to a man to do their duty, but they look forward with trembling to the same scenes being enacted as has heretofore been the ease. I think it is unlikely any further attempts will be made by’ the troops until the arrival of General Cameron, bv the Storm Bird.