TAURANGA.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 35, 26 August 1867, Page 212

TAURANGA.

[from our own correspondent.] 13th August, ,1867. Tauranga 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 New Zealand, —excepting, perhaps, the district of Poverty Bay, which is the acknowledged garden'of the East Coast. I have no inclination in this, my first communication, to enter into the eauses which prevents us from ‘ prospering as we otherwise simply because I do not .wish to he considered a grumbler ; still, the fact is patent to all that we are suffering, 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 (9th inst.) the Waioka 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 soon on their way to render assistance to their comrades. On their Being perceived the enemy at once fled and took shelter under some bushes, and then opened fire upon the major, who, in company with a sergeant, was iu 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 be 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 be simply something in the following strain : —“ My hands are tied ; I have no earthly power to call out a force—the Government having strictly forbidden me 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 you will 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 referred to by our correspondent will be found under the heading of Opotiki.— Ed ]