The War on the East Coast.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 466, 1 April 1867, Page 2

The War on the East Coast.

taurakga. (Correspondent of tho New Zealand Herald.) March 16. Fighting- has ceased in our district for the present. Mono of the varous parties who have been out during the week havo been have been able to get sight of anv of the ilau-haus, who without question"aro congregating in largo numbers in the vicinity of Rotorua, where hostilities havo commenced, but from which place tho news is conflicting. One report states that five of tho Arawas had been captured by Kcreopa’s party, and one of them, butchered, this requires confirmation. The p.s. Sturt, Captain Fairchild, sailed to-day for Maketu, crowded with Arawas, en route for Rotorua. March 17. The Sturt returned during the night, and this morning again departed with the Arawas for Maketu, returning at 6 p.ra., starting again during the night for the same destination, having on board all tho available men of the Ist Waikato Regiment and about 60 volunteers. I think thia eampaign will bo a short but decisive one. The men receive one shilling extra per diem for this service. The promptitude and liberality evinced by Colonel Haultain in this instance is praiseworthy in the extreme, and was responded to by the officer and men with the spirit it deserved. Several of the men had inarched in from Omanawa during the day. Major St. John lias command of the Europeans, and I believe Major Jl'Donnell heads the Arawas, so that something sharp and decisive may soon be anticipated. I regret that by this opportunity 1 have not time to reply to the letter in your pai.erofthe filh instant signed Augustus G. Merett, M-D. I find it reported in Auckland that Peter Grant had again made his escape; such is not tho case, nor has he made the attempt. Ho has been hied by court martial for desertion and escaping from prison, and was sentenced fn receive 50 lashes, and to be imprisoned for two years with hard labor. The first portion of tho sentence ha underwent on Saturday, apparently with the greatest indifference ; the punishment was inflicted with more than ordinary severity. By some the sentence is considered an extremely h-srsh one, but it should be remembered that if he was not actually taken flagrante hello, it was next door to it; that he was a co-habitant with the enemy during hostilities is beyond doubt. His behaviour since his capture has been remarkably good.

A requisition to Mr John Williamson to become a candidate for the Superintendsncj has been uurnsrcasly signed, and as those who intend to vote for him are seriously by the Argus of Saturday to give iiiui u piUujpSffc tuO prcsUnipU.C?hi 15 tLvj will do 80. The want of accommodation is stil grievously felt; to meet this sixteen rooms are being added to the Masonic. Notices are posted about town to the effect that, next month, bread will be sold at 3|i the two pound loaf (present pries sd.j it this be intended for intimidation it has signally failed, as preparations for a new bakery are in rapid progress. Tuesday. The wnole of the Surveyors came into camp yesterday, and are discharged, the Government not feeling warranted in keeping them on pay, and it would be sheer madnes their going on with the respective surveys without protection. Intelligence of a startling character, has just been received from Opotiki by the Sturt, to the effect that the Whakatones had left for the bush with a view of joining the Hau-haus. They gave as a reason that they are dissatisfied with the decisions of Mr Commissioner Mair, in his adjudication of the compensation cases. Numbers of the Hau-haus are m the vicinity of the township. The Tauranga sails in a day or two for Auckland with 80 of the 12th Regt. I have just heard that an engagement has taken place at Roturua. Two Arawas killed, two Hau-haus killed, aud two taken prisoners.