NGATAPA AND PUKETAPU.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 653, 4 February 1869, Page 2

NGATAPA AND PUKETAPU.

To the Edi'or of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sir, —It would be scarcely necessary for us to take notice of the infatuation of some persons, who persist in asserting that all the honor is due to Mr M'Lean for the success at ISFgatapa, but that perhaps silence might be construed into assent to there absurd notions, and although we know better, persons at a distance might be misled. We will therefore just glance at what Colonel Whitmore did, and the time occupied in doing it. Commencing on the 13th December, Colonel Whitmore started with his Constabulary from Turanganui, (Mr M'Lean's little native army having previously returned home) —from the 13th to say 28th Dec, lie was actively employed getting up his men, making roads or tracks where possible, building temporary redou.bis, getting up his supplies (something more than for his daily requirements), pushing forward to the front cohorns, ammunition, &c, part of which had to be carried on men's backs, the roughness of the

ground being such as to prevent even pack-horses travelling. The Colonel was then delayed for a short time until liopata and his men should arrive ; on their arrival the forces were placed in position, and by the sth January Colonel Whitmore had pos session of Ngatapa. For that success, great praise is due to Colonel Whitmore for his energy and courage, and on this occasion for judgment; and to all those under him who cheerfully assisted in carrying out his plans. 1 regret that the Colonel and the men with him did not land at Napier, that some of us at any rate might have had an opportunity of expressing oitr approbation; but apparently his public duty did not permit, although the Herald surmised he would have remained in Napier 24 hours, for attention to home and private affairs; and we should also presume, after such energetic and successful services to the! country, so long an absence from! his landed property, <fcc. he was' fairly entitled to a little relaxation;! —but not so. Two hours after drop-! ping anchor saw the Colonel off! again for Wellington; little time was lost there, but with alacrity he started fqr Wanganui, where no doubt, if he is spared, in time he will be victorious. Of course the absurdnotion of some persons, of Titokowaru and his force being caught and conquered in a day or two, we can pa-:s over.- No doubt Colonel Whitmore will prove as energetic and plucky on the West Coast as he has on this.

But I am following the Colonel too far. To return to Ngatapa—as Mr M'Lean's natives had left Po\ erty Bay—as Mr M'Lean was not there personally—how can any honor beJong to him 1 Surely no one would presume to say that Colonel Whitmore would receive any instructions from Mr M'Lean!

Well, then, give praise to whom it is due—to WMtmore for Ngatapa; to M'Lean for for — Ah! thatisJit, Mr Editor! that'ia where these good persons get con* fused I was another little ex. pedition, you. know, started about the 20th December--some 400 na-tives-from here, accompanied by Mr M%ean to .where they were joined by another leetle army of natives. They made tracks to Puketapu, and made tracks back again, you remember, arriving here between the Ist and Bth January, not having found an enemy. This is the expe. dition these good persons must be thinking about, and we will not seek to deprive Mr M'Lean of tlie honor (?) of that expedition; but fori the future recognize the Colonel by his " warrior's wreath," and for the Wairoa services have, say, a Knighthood created; and the recipient thereof might further be awarded a Super scarlet (blanket) Robe, and a beautiful and very expensively-woiked flour-and-sugar Crown. I am trespassing at some length on your space, but I think you wiilf allow, Mr Editor, that too much! has not yet been said or written iij praise of the rightful victor's great! success at Ngatapa—now even I| can remember Omaranui.

I I vill conclude by thanking yoai for the space granted me, and re-; main yours, &c, Fair Play. I Napier, 30th January, 1869.