NEW PLYMOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 231, 17 January 1855, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Another Native Disturbance.—As many of our readers are probably unacquainted with the cause and circumstances of the recent native engagement at Mamaku, about 12 miles from New Plymouth, we give all the particulars we-have ascertained on the subject. The immediate cause of the attack on the Mamaku was the death of Rimene a Ngatiruanui native, who was shot by Horiaf the instance or with the concurrence of Ihaia of the Mamaku, with whose wife he was suspected, or proved, to have committed adultery. The result was, as is often the case, that Ihaia took the killing of Einiene on himself, and the news of his death having reached the Ngatiruanui natives they determined to deal with the matter according to native custom, and demand Ihaia for Kimene's death. The return of the natives to their old customs may be traced to the General Government having taken no notice of the deaths of Kawiri and his followers at the hands of Katatore and his people, when Rawiri was avowedly acting with the concurrence of the officer of the General Government, and was promised the sanction of his presence and that of the Government Surveyor in attempting to cut a proposed line for a new purchase in the neighbourhood of the Hua ; and we are. therefore, in no position to complainAbout 300 men of the Ngatiruanui tribe arrived from the south by the mountain road and were to have been followed by a reserve of 200 more. They proceeded to Ihaia's pa at Mamaku on Wednesday last, and after having fruitlessly demanded Ibaia to be given up to thesn, went to the entrance of the pa and called out all the women who would leave it for safety, and any natives who would abandon Ihaia to his fate, or whose deaths would be likely to complicate matters. They then invested the pa, and after a brave defence by Ihaia and his followers, a portion of it was carried, but before the attack was resumed, the Hua natives headed hy Haniera effected a diversion and removed Ihaia and his followers. During the attack Tahana, a chief of Kairoa, much opposed to Ihaia on the land question, was killed by a woman of Ihaia's party —Makareta—who was afterwards shot dead. The Ngatinuinui natives afterwards expressed an intention of pursuing Ihaia, but appear subsequently to have abandoned for the present the idea. After visiting Katatore at his pa, Tepakopako, fhev turned a deaf ear to his wish that they would join him in destroying the remainder of Bawiri's party .(who are his relations) and left on Christmas day for their homes, by the road they came, the path behind the mountain. So anxious were they to have no ground of quarrel with the Europeans, that alter Mamaku was abandoned to them, they particularly respected property which they were informed was owned by Europeans. Six wore killed on each side, and four wounded of Ihaia's party, and twelve on the side of the Ngaliiuanui's. The following Notice has appeared in ibe Taranaki Herald .•— To tuk European axd Native Inhabitants op the Pijovixck or New Plymouth.—All Persons are hereby warned against .proceeding to the scene of the Native Disturbance.*. Poisons disregarding this notice .must take the consequences, as the authorities cannot answer for their safety. Cuaklus. Bkown, Superintendent.