IS THE WAR OVER ?

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 356, 8 March 1866, Page 1

IS THE WAR OVER ?

(From tlic Taraua'a Herald, 2XtU February.) The people of Wellington seem to think that the war in this part of the country is over, as they have been coutratuluting General Chute on having “in a few weeks brought to a close on the West Coast an expensive and ruinous war. 1 ’ The Taranaki natives and their allies, however, whose opinion ought to go for something in the matter, appear to think that the war is not over yet; and as they are acting up to their opinion, wo suppose we may venture to say that the people of Wellington are for once mistaken. On Saturday or Sunday last as two friendly natives, Ilona and Hauuiera, were coming along the coast road from Opunake, and when they had got to Te Kama, about a mile this side of the camp, they fed into an ambush composed of the Taranaki and Waikato natives, who fired upon them, missing them, but killing one ox their horses; they were then taken and marched off inland. The Waikato natives, under Tapihana, (who distinguished himself here in IS GO by burning and plundering, and in 18G3 by being one of the Kuwait ‘ prisoners,’) wanted to take them to their i’ai IvTarire post at Waikoukou and kill them ; but the Taranakis objected, saying that they should have been killed when caught if they were to be killed at all, and that now they should be let go ; and when the whole party got to Nukuteapiapi, the Taranakis being reinforced, prevailed, and they were let go. On Tuesday night, or rather early on Wednesday morning, a native, one of Pihama’s, arrived at Kaugiurn (near the Pentoko). He had started from Opunake with letters, at 7 o’clock the previous evening, and reports that he saw two fires at Kapuaiaia, near the wreck of the Marchioness, lighted just after he passed, which, of course, was in the night. Harly yesterday morning another native (Mold Tara) arrived who. despatches from Cant. Horan, who has taken up a position on the coast at Whitiora. luohi left Whitiora at 9 o’clock on Thursday night and in passing Tipoka, he got timely warning of the presence of the enemy by a dog rushing out him. It was moonlight, and looking inland ho saw three of the “ wildmeu” running down to intercept him at the crossing, but be got away safely by turning to seaward of the road and riding hard; they fired their three shots at him, but without effect. Captain Horan, on the same day on which he occupied Whitiora, went some distance inland and into the bush, and destroyed three kaiugas (Ahuataraua, Papakiuo, and Whakapoka) and such of the crops as could be got, but none of the enemy were to bo seen. A lettersalso, received ai Op,snake from one of the Ngativuanuis, suites that “ the pakebas had gone back to Wanganui, taking a great many horses with them, but

no men (i.e., they had killed none); and Ketemarae and other places which had been taken by the General were now reoccupied by them.” This may he exaggeration, or even falsehood, but it is certainly not the language of despair or submission. We think, therefore, we are not wrong in saying that the war is not over. Natives who come down some miles to the sea shore to lay ambushes not very far from our camps, may be conquered, hue they at least do not know it, and they will undoubtedly go on fighting until they are convinced. General Chute’s march up from Whanganui was taken altogether, the best thing, perhaps, in a military point of view, that has occurred during the war. The people here showed their appreciation of what he had done by the welcome they gave him ; but they knew perfectly well, and did not disguise the fact, that the end of the war had not been reached, and could only be reached by persistence in the course which had been so successfully begun, we are aware that officers commanding at outposts have been ordered to assist each * other and harrass the enemy in every w r ay: and no doubt those among them who are capable will keep their own district pretty clear ; hut for a systematic following up of the slippery enemy and for the finishing of the war, one in supreme command is wanted. As we suppose General Chute may be expected here before long, we will not say more now, but it is impossible to avoid anxiety at seeing the summer slipping away, the year of the war all but complete, and ttte enemy stil ready to fight.

(From tlio Wanganui Chronicle, 24th February.) In vino veritas. We doubt it. The Governor and magnates of Wellington treated Ma-jor-General Chute to a ■ complimentary banquet the other day and indulged in much fine speaking on the occasion. All the gentlemen, whose names were introduced, seemed the very pink and pearl of honor and ability, and each was better than his neighbor, from the Governor down to the drummer-boy. Everything wore couleur de rose. It is a pity the picture has another side. All honor to the brave, and General Chute is a brave and experienced officer ; but to speak of the recent brief campaign as having either brought our warfare to an end or to the beginning of the end is a simple after-dinner talk, which, harmless enough on most occasions, can hardly be harmless when dealing with such an important subject as our relationship to and with the natives. The outsettlers in. the north-western district of Wanganui do not see very much on which to congratulate themselves. It was only this day week, when realizing the unprotected state in which the giving up of redoubts in their vicinity must leave them, that they addressed an emphatic memorial to his Excellency, praying for some measure of protection from a defeated but by no means powerless enemy. The recent campaign, not followed vp by some effective measure ©f occupation and defence, makes the difficulties of the situation greater than they were before it began. What the rebels have lost in strength they more than make up for in bitterness of spirit, and the circumstances are really critical.