OPOTIKI.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 41, 7 October 1867, Page 245

OPOTIKI.

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SUCCESSFUL BAIDBZTHE REBEL It is seldom thfit communications -firm* this settlement art not seasoned with some' thing sensation U,'and this will not be fat exception to its,-; predecessors: We had begun’to fancy/,ourselves/ secuCro from ap/ further predatory/-visits;/£rom our sabl* enemies; and were : consequently a littfe surprised on the 12th instant, about eight* o’clock, to observe in the direction of Waioeka unmistakeable signs of soda© large conflagration ; it.was surmised that* the wbares in the redoubt were on fife# some shots had also been heard a sh time previous,- and there was a bare bility that the Maoris had again ventured to attack. A body-of cavalry, with th© Major, proceeded immediately to ascertain the particulars, whilst the.militia fell it* and wei e ordered to remain on the parad© ground until the return cf an orderly with orders for their future disposaL Aboufi nine o’clock the cavalry returned with th© intelligence that the Maoris had entered the blockhouse (now in course of erectiori)# carried off nearly all the tools, together with the two krgs of nails, and befor© leaving had piled all the spare timlrt© against the walls, and set the bullet-proof building on fire. -On account of its beifij? filled, however, between the lining aft® weather boards with gravel, the fire did not take such an effect as it otherwise would, but sufficient damage has been don© to remind us that they are still prowling about. A piquet/of some 15 men are no* stationed at the blockhouse, which is ouly hbout a mile an a half from the redoubt# Since the above little excitement, th© weather has proved so inviting that most* of our iutendiiig settlers are either fencing# planting, or ploughing their acres. We have been honored by a short visit from Colonel Moule, on some official busi' ness, I suppose. I hope he may take so©)© steps to cause the cash allowance in lieu of clothing to be paid to those who are ©n* titled to it, as not one shilling has yet been paid to the men here, aitiiough they were distinctly promised it by the Defeac© Minister, and it is paid on the Waik*t© long ago with the monthly pay. We had a slight;shock of an earthqaak© here on the evening of the 21st instant ? it lasted about: two minutes, and was ielt by nearly ail the inhabitants. The weatbe© continues fine,-and great progress, is being made ia the improvement of the actre© here. *