TAURANGA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 452, 4 February 1867, Page 2

TAURANGA.

THE EXPEDITION TO WAIWHATAWHATA. NATIVE OUTBREAK. THREE SETTLEMENTS BURNT DOWN. TWO EUROPEANS SHOT & THREE WOUNDED. [From the Tauraaga Argus.] On Monday, as the transport-boat was on her road back, after delivering her cargo up the Wairoa, she was fired at by a party of armed natives, a ball from one of the guns grazing Hobb’s (coxswain) shoulderblade bone; as soon as the boat’s crew got out of the Maori range they peppered into them, but with what result they could not ascertain. On Saturday afternoon notices were stack up all over tbs town that a hundred volunteers were wanted, and were to attend at the Militia School-room at 3 p.m. There was a pretty good show, but owing to the shortness of the notice not as many as there would have been had proper time been allowed. On Sunday notices were served on all the single men and volunteers to parade in the Monmouth Redoubt Sold at 3 p.m. to answer their names. There was a pretty strong muster of

the civilian and militia population. |l After the roll had been called, Colonel t Harrington informed them that he 1 should require their presence at the t same place at half-past eleven o’clock ‘ p.m., for actual service, in order to 1 march to Waiwhatawhata, so as to < Join those already out there. They i were on the ground punctually to the i time appointed, as was also Captain i Skeet, with the whole staff of his as-1 sistants, the greater part of them be- 1 mg uiomueu. j. wo militia and voltm- I teers, some 120 strong (this being I the third party that had gone out, in i ail, some 230) under the command of < Colonel Harrington, assisted by Captain i Fraser, Lieutenant Turner. Ensign« Curtis, Captain Skeet; Lieutenants i Horne, Hunter, Hallowes, Pitt; Capt. i Smith, and Eusign Coates —several - of the latter being already out at the Wairoa, with a portion of our gallant Ist Waikato Regiment, they having ' volunteered in the first expedition, an account of which we gave in our last issue—arrived attheOmanawa about daylight the next morning. The first day, Monday all the necessary precautions in case of a surprise were taken by Colonel Harrington and a sharp look out kept by our men, they being only too eager to have a brush with the rebels. Colonel Haultain, the hon. Defence Minister accompanied the expedition, and paid every attention to remedy the want of tent accommodation, there being a good number of the volunteers and others who could not obtain that, and had therefore to lie out iu the fern. Dr. Henry was also out with the men, and paid assidioua attention to all the cases brought under his notice. Mr Clarke paid a visit to the spot on Wednesday morning, returning with (he hon, the Defence Minister and Mr Jordon in the afternoon. THE VILLAGE OP IRAHANGA DESTROYED. The second day, Tuesday, it was determined by Colonel Harrington to attack and burn the settlement of Irabanga the first tiling that morning. Colonel Hamilton with 240 men and the following officers of H.M. 12th Regiment, Captains Sillery, Crawhall, and Lowry; Lieutenants Philips, Morris, Triphook, Dooner, and Cooper; Ensigns Gibb, Bolton, Onslow and Ward. Dr. Mauley, V.C. and Lieut, and Adjutant Foster, —left at 3 o’clock on Tuesday morning ffir Minden Peak, which they reached about ten a.m. The Irahanga village was attacked and burnt, and anything that was of any use to the Maoris were destroyed by our men at seven o’clock, they having crossed the Wairoa by boat at 1 a.m. The rush made by the friendlies for loot was instantaneous after the village was taken and everything in the shape of poultry, geese, pigs, &c., were seized by them, but not before one poor fellow belonging to the Ist Waikato Regiment lost his life, being struck by a bullet as he w r as cheering bis comrades up a steep ascent, when the rebels fired a volley into them killing Ward and wounding another man named Michael Madden. The body of Ward was brought into Te Papa in the 12 th boat, and arrived here about eightp.m.,and wasconveyed to the dead-house. The deceased leaves a wife and several children with many friends to deplore his loss. While our men were partaking of the good things that were seized from the foes, such as fowls, pigs, potatoes, &c., they received a volley from the fanatics. ANOTHER VILLAGE BURNT DOWN The next settlement taken was that known as Waiwhawhata. This was taken bravely in a rush by the Waikatos, Volunteers and Militia, and razed to the ground. The 12th Regiment left their position on Minden Peak for Te Papa about three o’clock, after a fearfully heavy march of 35 miles, saturated with water nearly the whole time. ANOTHER MAN SHOT.—WAKA MABAMA BURNT DOWN. About an hour after the 12th Regt. left it was determined to attack another settlement to the right of Wai whalawhata, and known as Waka Marama. As cur men approached the settlement they were fired into by •the Han-Haas. A close fire then •commenced on both sides, and was

[kept up for halx-an-hour; but the denseness of the bush rendered it difficult to get a sight at the rebels, so that our gallant fellows might have " potted ” a few more. We are in formed on good authority that several of them were seen to topple over and were carried off by their friends. Bui we regret to have to record that another of our daring fellows was shot in the groin and has since died. His name was Stevenson and his body was brought in bv bout uud nbicsd hi§ brave comrade Ward. It would be invidious on our part almost to particularise the acts of bravery that have reached as. The cool gallantry and courage of Col. Harrington, who was to be seen here and there and everywhere encouraging his brave band. The cool and determined bearing of Captains Fraser and Tovey, Lieutenants Horne, Hunter, Turner, and Hallowes, Ensigns Coates and Curtis. Captain Skeet with his troop of engineers, and last but not least the volunteers, militia, and men of the Ist Waikato Regiment who have given another proof of the stuff they are made of in this brilliant affair. When we heard the brave old 12th were going out we were highly gratified, knowing very well if they could only get a crack at them they would have riddled some of the rebels. But we are thoroughly convinced that the gallant colonel, together with his offi cers and men feel thoroughly disgusted in having to return after a march of thirty-five miles without having a chance of knocking a few of the fiends over.

The crews of the transport boats are deserving of the greatest praise, they have worked night and day unceasingly in conveying stores up and down the Wairoa for the use of the troops. Corporal Robinson, 12th Regiment, being no less than fourteen hours at a stretch with his crew in the boat, Hobbs, Ist Waikatos, and his men together with Cook’s party working like horses. The much respected sergeant-major of the Ist W.R., died on Wednesday afternoon from the wound he received in the first skirmish. He was attended in his last moments by Dr. Merret, owing to the absence of Doctors Manley and Henry who were with the troops at the front. Before joining he belonged to the fidth Regiment. Since his connection with the Waikatos and the civillians of Te Papa, he has won golden opinions for himself, and his untimely end is deeply regretted by every one here—not only as a soldier and a brave man, but as a bona-fide settler lost to the place. Mr Mair had a very narrow escape, his horse being shot under him, no less than two bullets entering neck of his horse, and a third (as his horse fell dead under him] striking his cap off. We have only given in the above what we have heard from reliable au thority, but we shall give full particulars when we are in possession of our special correspondent’s letter. The following men, together with Lieutenant Turner, were highly com plimented by the Colonel for their gallant conduct in following Lieutenant Turner when he called for volunteers to scour the bush after the natives bad fired on the troops while partaking of their kaikai : —Sergeants Rose and Muir, Corporal Herbert, private Rat tigan, McMillan, McMahon, Dickson, Grattan, Luttrell, Baillie, and Burslem, (non-effectives). Privates Johnson, Provost, and Grantham, Ist W.R. Sergeant Sandes and another (surveyors). ARRIVAL OF THE PANAMA MAIL The arrival of the s.s. Phoebe, Captain E. Wheeler, on Saturday evening last, placed us in possession of the English Mail via Panama. We take the following items from a supplement of the Panama Star and Herald, published on the 27th Dec.: — Southampton, 3rd Tipo. The homeward mail arrived at Southampion on the Ist inst. She had been into quarantine, having several cases of fever on board. The Atrato was not released until the latter part of last week. The Brazil steamer Tyne has also brought several cases of yellow fever, and been placed in quarantine. She has since been relieved. At a meeting of representatives of the various volunteer corps which sent detachments to the recent Tir National at Brussels, it was determined, in order to'give the return visit of the Belgians next year something like a national welcome, to re-organ-

ise me committee by pittuiug upon it gentlemen from every country. The idea of a national reception of our gallant neighbors was received with great enthusiasm. At Milta the quarantine restrictions have been removed on arrivals from Lon don and Liverpool with clean bills of health, and on arrivals from all Trench ports, excepting Algeria. The Royal marriage rejoicings at St. Petersburg have been interrupted by the illness of the Princess Dagmar. On the 17th her health was so far recovered that she drove out in a close carriage, accompanied by the Grand Lake.

On the 14th the Imperial and Royal party went wolf shooting in the wood. The Emperor and the Prince of‘Wales shot a wolf each, and the Prince of Wales, although by no means s first-rate shot, was the only person who shot two. Eight were shot altogether. A letter from Moscow says the Prince of Wales arrived here at one o’clock on the 15th. An immense crowd had collected at the station and lined the streets through which he passed to the Kremlin. The prince was enthusiastically received everywhere throughout the visit. The accouchement of the Princess of Wales is expected to take place early in the ensuing year, and that of the Princess Helena early in April The memorial statue of the late Prince Consort at Wolverhampton was uncovered on the 30th uit. with great rejoining. The Town Council had voted £IOOO as an instalment towards the expenses for receiving the Queen and Royal Family on the occasion, and so enthusiastically did the private inhabitants take up the matter that there are individual cases in which £SO was spent for gas devices, exclusive of the lighting, and the illuminations were on a most extensive scale. The windows of tradesmen’s houses which commanded a view of the place of inauguration, were let for fabulous prices There can be no doubt the scene which Wolverhampton displayed on Friday when the Queen arrived, the gaily decorated town, the crowded streets, the houses studded from ground floor to roof with happy human faces among the flags and decorations, and the shouts of welcome which greeted the Sovereign in her progress, all tended to prove the loyalty of the British people, and how glad they were Sovereign once more attending a public ceremonial among them. Everything passed off well, and at the close of the ceremony the honor of Knighthood was conferred upon the Mayor. An Atlantic Cable telegram, dated New York, 26th November, announces that James Stephens had loft the United States. The is some reason to believe that so much of the threat of Mr James Steph ns of his intention to land in force on the Coast of Ireland us may be indicated by his departure from the United States has startled government into military preparations for crises—several regiments have been sent to Ireland and the authorities seem to have resolved that a rising is only to be prevented by force. A large quantity of arms and ammunition have been seised at Cork—a schooner with a cargo of coals was also seized while entering the harbor—and the vessel and cargo overhauled with the view of discovering arms and ammunition.

Considerable excitement has been caused throughout the country by arrests of suspected Fenians during the last few days. Many who are not naturally alarmed believe that there is mischief brewing. There is reason to believe that the insane and wretched conspiracy which was thought completely crushed some months ago has been revived, and that its depressing influence on the trade and condition of Ireland will again be felt.

A large box which had recently arrived per steamer from America has been seized at Liverpool. On examination the box was found to contain a complete Fenian officer’s uniform and accoutrements, three revolvers, a dagger, patent leather belt and cartridge box and copies of certain " official ” regulations. The box is supposed to belong to one of the suspected Fenian agents, apprehended at Drogheda. A great amount of jubilation was manifested on the 26th by the leading sympathisers in Liverpool, founded on a report which they are said to have received intimating that Stevens, the chief organiser of the Fenian Brotherhood has been successful in eluding the vigilance of the authorities and is now in Ireland with a view to carrying out his project of establishing the Irish Kepuublio. The assertion is that Stephens was one of band of suspected parties who last week landed at Cork from one of the American mail steamers, and further that he was one of the parties who were, by the police permitted to disperse themselves over different parts of the country.

The race for championship of the Thames, between Chambers and Sadler, has resulted in favor of Chambers. The course was from Putney to morlake. Chambers oponent foaled him at TTn.ni. mersmith Bridge by accident. No doubt, however, is entertained that Chambers would have been the victor if the accident had not occurred.

A very serious charge against the Directors of Buenos Ayres Railway Company has been preferred at the Mansion House. It amounted in effect to misdemeanour under the 24th or 25th "Victoria, cap. 86. see. 84, and alleged that Sir J, C, Lees. Mr S. G-. Hayne and Mr D, Smith had been guilty of publishing false statements to induce persons, and amongst them the prosecutor, Mr J.T. Fielden, to take shares. The Lord 3£avcr dismised the case.

It has been decided to connect all the Metropolitan police stations by telegraph.

The Union Bank of Australia hs? tsssed a notice inciting tenders for £ 100,000, six per cent. Queensland Government Debentures, the first portion ol[ £600,000 entrusted to tbeir charge, 'l'he disposition of late on the part of investors has been decidedly towards Colonial' securities, and the present transaction, it is believed, will be successful The issuing price is £9l per £IOO Debentures, including interest from the Ist July last, and payment will be required between the present date and the Bth January. The steamer Gambean from the Cape has arrived. There are at this moment no fewer than 27,000 men in the shipbuilding trade on the banks of the Thames wholly ont of work. This implies an amount of destitution and distress by no means confined to this particular class, but affecting, more or less, all connected with it, such as the small shopkeepers aud workman in the kindred trades. The health of London continues to improve. There were during the last week 8 deaths from cholera and 26 from diarrhoea. Those from cholera in the last seven weeks were 207, 144, 112, 73, 67, 33 and 8, and from diarrhoea 47, 55, 32! 28, 33, and 26. The United States Government have renewed their Alabama claims—with a request for an immediate settlement thereof. Three gre»t fires have taken place in the North. One near Paisley, where stock and plant, valued at from £40,000 to 50,000 has been destroyed —and where two lives were lost and several persons injured; another at Hull, where a number of riverside premises were burnt down and an enormous quantity of valuable merchandise destroyed; and the third at Bury, by which the jute and linen factory of Messrs Carr and Co. was entirely destroyed, the damage being estimated at £IO,OOO. By the fall of an iron and glass roof covering of an extensive drill-shed at Chatham Barracks, now in the course of erection, a number of workmen have been seriously injured, but providentially no fives were lost.