WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 336, 28 December 1865, Page 3

WAIROA.

(feom otje own coeeespondenx.) 19th December, 1865. The St. Zilda did not get into the river on her arrival here on Sunday, the 17th inst., but stuck on the bank for some hours ; and after landing, or, rather, putting into the sea, certain bags of hour and sugar sent by the Government for the use of the natives, returned to Napier. Tiie warlike trumpet upon which Kopu had been playing previous to his visit to Napier, lias sunk into a mere pipe of peace on his return. A speedy ending to these troubles would be a losing game—throwing upon these busy idlers the necessity of some active exertion to procure their own subsistence. The Natives and the Native Department always remind me of the silversmiths who made shrines for Diana; and, like them, they cry out bitterly against any one who venture to utter remonstrances against the shameless humbug and pretences of the system. How cruel of Stafford to think of reducing the outlay of the Native Department by £2 ! M3,000. Let him read chapter six of the Acts, verses 24 to 28, and have some bowels of compassion. One good result has arisen, either from flour and sugar, or Zopu’s visit to Napier, or something else. Ngali Mine, consisting of some thirty of about the worst lot of natives in the district came in on Monday to take the oath, and profess their abandonment of the Hau hau superstition. I congratulate the Uovernmeut most sincerely on the acquisition. Rumor says that unless the strong body of Hau-baus now assembled at Manga-aruhi commit some act of violence, no hostile expedition is to be taken against them, although they are known to consist of men who have again and again been in arms against the Government, and now shelter those who plundered the settlers’ houses at Turunga, and what others who can say F Day after day reports of intended descents of Mau-haus have alarmed the settlers, and kept the stives in a constant state of alarm. Rumour them to be in force now here, now there. Partly out of curiosity, partly to prove the truth or otherwise of these assertions, and principally the road, a party of three (consisting of an oiflcer of the force, a gentleman from the neighbourhood, and your correspondent) started on Monday morning from Paora's pa at Waihirere. After wasting nearly two hours in the vain effort to find a native with suliicient pluck to accompany us, we ultimately obtained the services of a half-caste lad who had visited the place once many years ago. The natives looked upon the expedition as little else than suicidal. Mounting and taking our revolvers, a telescope, and other matters necessary for observation, we got under weigli about halfpast eleven a.m. The day was* awfully hot, and the roads dusty. We pushed on, keeping the north-eastern bank of the Wairoa; crossed Kahuroa creek, finding the settlement wholly deserted ; the Niu dismantled, the topmast being taken away. Rose the hills overlooking Pakowhai; found the Taua all deserted, the potatoe and corn crops looking flourishing, but no sign of life. The flagstaff at Whakauroe, on the Wairoa, apparently cut down ; also the one at the Taua stripped ; the whole region looking desolate; cattle and horses driven off, and only an occasional disconsolate looking poaka’’ to give a grunt of disapproval at our intrusion. We rode on through long flats covered with scrub, the most of which had been fired, probably with the benevolent intention of rendering the track as open as possible—no signs of the lines of sentries with which the lively imagination of the Government natives had peopled the road. At length, rising the hills from the siding on the river bank, we came in full view of the celebrated pa of Te Waru, at Manga-aruhi, and of the old pa at Murumuru, now restored and manned by Nama, the prophet who fought against the troops at Turanga. Te Waru’s pa is situate on the western side of the Wairoa river, and on the southern bank of the Manga-aruhi creek. The pas appeared full of men, and there were three flagstatis, two large and one small one, all gaily decorated with flags. There is no appearance of palisading of any kind, and their entrenchments must consist of earthworks only. The pas a-e overlooked on tliree sides by hills within range of • Miuia rifle. Haring taken a good lobk at the

position, and being, evidently seen in return, .we came to the conclusion that we had better make tracks back again, which we accordingly did, making as much haste as we could over the dusty road, and reaching Paul’s pa safe and sound, but not a lUtle tired and dirty, about half past five. Qne result is clear; The road is very fair, the position not difficult, and the enemy lying close. The distance from Waihirere to Pakohae (the junction of the rivers Waiau and Wairoa) is from 5 to 6’ miles, and from thence.to Manga-amhi from 8 to 9 miles, in all between 14 and, 15 miles. The Sturt could reach Awanjutu .easily, and perhaps further, and canoes could, readily convey the commissariat the rest of the distance. If the war is not trampled out in this district now that so fair an opportunity offers, those who neglect the chance will not unlikely regret it bitterly some future day. Last week Messrs Carroll and Sturley launched their vessel at Urumoa, and she sails shortly for Napier. She is a useful-looking boat of some 17 tons, ketch-rigged, and appears well suited for the purpose of trading bet wixt Napier and Wairoa and the coast. She reflects credit on her builder, Mr M'Roberts, and will, it is hoped, prove profitable to her owners.