TAURANGA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XII, Issue 501, 19 August 1867, Page 2

TAURANGA.

[moil our ow.v coanEsroxaE-N'T.] 13 th August, 18157. Tattr.vnga and its district seems doomed to trouble and adversity. We are blessed with a good harbor, a most delightful climate, and a soil capable of producing the necessaries of life second to none in Xew Zealand, —excepting, perhaps, the district of I’overty Bay, which is the acknowledged garden of the East Coast. I have no "’inclination in this, my first communication, [to enter into tlie causes which prevents I from prospering as we otherwise should, simply because I do not wish to bo considered a grumbler ; still, the fact is patent to all that we are sulfering, and if justice—common justice—is not dealt out to us, we shall have to abandon our homes and habitations, and seek elsewhere shelter and support which our wise Government in Wellington deny us in Tauranga. To day we were startled with the news which two mounted troopers from Opotiki brought into town, to the effect that on Friday night last (Oth inst.) the AVaioka redoubt, which is situated about 5 miles from the Opotiki settlement, was attacked by a number of wild savage fanatics, who were determined in their way to storm it, or otherwise compel our small force of 2U men to surrender; but in this they were sadly mistaken. Lieut. Lawson, who was in command, taking advantage of a good breeze from the south, ordered his men to fire a united volley, in order that the report might be heard at Opotiki. In this he was not mistaken. Major St. John, the commanding officer, with 30 well-tried veterans, were so on on their way to render assistance to their comrades. On their being perceived the enemy at once fled and took shelter under some budies, and then opened fire upon the major, who, in company with a sergeant, was in advance of his men. Their horses were shot under them, but happily the brave major and the sergeant escaped unhurt. When daylight came, not a remnant of these savages could bo seen, but the tracings of blood were perceptible for miles, which evidently denoted that they must have sustained considerable loss from Lieut. Lawson’s party. The major with his small party are now out, following up these wretches, but with what success remains yet to be seen. The troopers who brought these despatches to Colonel Harrington are now returning with instructions, which we can easily guess will bo simply something iu the following strain:—“My hands are tied; I have no earthly power to call out a force—the Government having strictly forbidden mo doing so. Do your best with your handful of men, and I will write to Wellington and tell the stony hearts there what brave men you are.” In the Record 3’ou w ill find an account of man of the name of Cannon, who was supposed to have been murdered. This appears to be incorrect—the man being now, I believe, at Maketu. [The account r. ferred to by our correspondent will be found under the heading of Opotiki.— Ed ]