NEW PLYMOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 260, 28 April 1855, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH.

We extract from the Taranaki Herald the following letter from His Excellency the Officer administering the Government to the Superintendent of New Plymouth with reference to the Native disturbances in that Province. New Plymouth, 7th April, 1855. Sia,—l am directed to acquaint you that it is with extreme regret the Officer administering the Government finds that his unwearied exertions during his pojourn at Taranaki have failed to secure that happy result (so earnestly aimed at from a visit to this settlement) on the minds of the surrounding natives connected with the feud that has been so long existing amongst them. At one time he was in hopes, by the support of the bulk of the chiefs, to have arrived at a conclusion that would have been satisfactory to all; but the absence of a feeling of subordination or deference to the British supremacy on the part of a few, has convinced his Excellency ■that any prolonged exertions on his part would only lessen the influence the European authorities ought to have. And whilst he much laments this conclusion he has the satisfaction of having ascertained from personal enquiry that the 'reports made by yourself and'the Resident Magistrate have been fully borne out, and that the present state of the settlement of Taranaki is one calling for tbe earnest and serious consideration of the fostering care of the Imperial Government. During His Excellency's stay no time has been lost to meet any emergency, and while contemplating a negotiation with the contending natives, steps have also been taken to prepare for military occupation. His Excellency will consider it his duty to represent to the coming Governor, and also to the General commanding in chief the urgent necessity which appears to him to exist for a force being stationed at Taranaki, such as may ..not only protect the European inhabitants, but support the British authority.

With this feeling His Excellency feels the propriety of stationing in tbe Province of New Plymouth a considerable detachment of troops (considerable in reference to the force detailed for the colony) which coupled with local exertions may in his estimation be sufficient to secure the object in view. If therefore a detachment of 300 men, supported by guns can be supplied for this post, it*will be the duty, as he believes it will be the disposition of the hyhabitants, (under the peculiar position of the mother country) to lend their cordial aid by the formation of a local corps, for the arming of which he will use h'l3 utmost endeavours to secure the necessary supply of weapons and ammunition, provided such a force be placed under th« authority and command of an officer enjoying the confidence of the General Government. I am to add that His Excellency will be pleased to receive from you a nominal return of such, settlers as may wish to enrol themselves for the sake of self-preservation, and for the purpose of acting in conjunction with Her 'Majesty's forces when placed in position, and for which purpose no unnecessary time will be lost, although this moment may be considered most unfortunate—a moment when the military of New Zealand are undergoing a change in disposition, although not in actual numbers. A copy of this communication, as also a copy of His Excellency's enquiries during his stay in Taranaki, will be furnished to tbe Secretary of State, and laid before the new Governor on his arrival, and I am directed to add that any suggestions the constituted authorities of New Plymouth may be disposed to introduce to his notice shall meet with bis best consideration. His Excellency from his enquiries, does not apprehend any immediate annoyance to the inhabitants from the existing state of things, although at the same time he thinks it advisable to leave his admonition that the Europeans should studiously avoid all interference whatever with the differences existing between the Natives, in order that they may have no cause whatever to justify any, even the slightest, molestation. The feeling of the inhabitants has so far merited his highest approval, and from their display of forbearance he attributes the all but universal attachment of the natives to the settlers on the soil from whom they derive so many and such substantial advantages. His Excellency has requested me to draw your special notice to the cordial support and candid information he has, during his sojourn received from Tahana, Rauiera, and iTamata Wiremu, native assessors, in wbom the utmost confidence he considers may be placed. He also wishes me to remark that the feelings of William King have been decidedly for peace and for the preservation of a good understanding with the Europeans; »«d that evtn Katatore has been anxious to assist him in bis undertaking so far as to relinquish to the Crown the boundary in dispute up to the Mangoraki river, lhaia has also evinced his desire for peace, thus reducing the numbers positively inimical to art adjustment to a few in tbe Huoh Pah, with whom, however, Arama Karaka has now announced his disposition to unite. F. J. Tbavers, Private Secretary. To His Honor the Superintendent, New Plymouth.'" The editor of the Herald remarking on his Excellency's visit to the Province, concludes with the following observations : — " The entire absence of all regard by the natives of these districts for British rule, and their systematic'defiance of. all legal restraints have, we understand, produced a profound impression on his Excellency's mind, and are considered as most menacing facts in estimating the danger of our situation. . It is impossible for any one accustomed to the power of constituted authority and the sanctity of British law to realize the prostrate position of this Province umier the Native yoke. The permanent supiemacy of the law within the settled portions of the Province is, it is understood, next to a care for our immediate safety, the object ol Col. Wyuyarus solicitude, aud its establishment in this hitherto unprotected settlement, will bind its inhabitants in a debt of gratitude UrHis Excellency that will not.be soon forgotten.'' We learn from a private source that 200 m*n belonging to the 60th regiment on duty at Wellington were to proceed to Taranaki by the " Nelson," under the command of Major Murray and Captain Meyler.

PnoroKTioN ok Lossbs.—The conduct of the Coldstream Guards should immortalize their name. They fought literally to the death. They went into action with 16 officers and about 400 men, and out of this small number had eight officers killed, five wounded, and upwards of 200 iank and file kilM »nd wounded. The Grenadiers aud Fusileers also performed prodigies. On the whole, the Brigade of Guards lost thirteen officers killed, fifteen wounded, and 580 rank and file, out of about 1,600 men engaged. The Coldstreams charged the enemy at the point of the bayonet eleven times. At each time the Russians crossed bayonets and fought fiercely, but were slaughtered like sheep by our gallant fellows. After the Guards, the 2nd and 4th Divisions, have suffered most. The 951h and 30th regiments are the principal sufferers, having lost most of their officers and men. The unfortunate 23rd regiment of the Light Division which was so terribly cut up at tbe Alma, again lost heavily. The 20th and 65th regiments, of the 4th Division, have lost many men and officers, as well as the 51st, 47th. and 49th regiments, of the 2nd Division.— From the Times' Correspondent's account of the battle of Inkermar<n The following anecdote is related by the Black Seacorrespondentof iheTimes. "Karani is a snug little village on the road from Balaclava to the Monastery of St. George. Its inhabitants, like the rest of the Greek colonies in the south of the Crimea, although belonging to the Oriental Church, are not incorporated with the Russian Orthodox Church, but have their own clergy. The other day a curious proof of this was furnished by the priest of the village of Karani himself. The dragoman attached to the colonel of the French Gendarmerie, who is liti»f in the village, fell in love with a Greek girl, and, without asking his superior's leave induced the priest of Karani to marry them. Next day he presented himself, with bis young wife, to the colonel, who had him sent to Constantinople to enjoy his honeymoon. The colonel likewise wanted to give the priest some good advice, but this latter, very likely too much accustomed to Russian ways, thought it safest to run, and be disappeared, leaving bis flock to get on as best it could. The French colonel now proposed to have one of the Russian monks from the monastery to perform service, but the people declined, asserting that they were not of the same rile."