Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 565, 3 April 1858, Page 4

Colonial.

AHURIRI. FINAL EVACUATION OF TE HAPUKA's PA, AND ITS DESTRUCTION BY FIRE. (From a Cor. of the Hawke's Bay Herald, March 13.) On the evening of Thursday, 4th inst., Te Hapnka's pa at Wakatu was set fire to by that chief, preparatory to his final departure from the territory so long the cause of dispute between his tribe and that of Moana Nui.

Messrs. M'Lean, Cooper, and party, arrived at the pa on Thursday morning, and found that Te Hapuka—who had been making, during the previous week, most strenuous exertions to complete his preparations—had removed nearly all his people and goods to the opposite side of the river, where they were bivouacked in sight of their former home. The old chief, however, having determined on making a striking exit from the scene, would not be persuaded to anticipate his departure, which had been arranged for the following day. The scene during Wednssday (the previous day) would have been most touching to persons unacquainted with the facility with which the native women can make an affecting one out of far less materials than that of a last visit to the burial place of their relatives. The bodies of the principal men killed during the war had been previously removed, but several others were still lying in the little burial ground attached to the Catholic Mission at Pahowhai; and the lamentations of the women, as they sat round the graves, near the dismantle* Mission House, could not fail, under the peculiar circumstances, to impress even those accustomed to the native tangi. During the afternoon of Thursday, the last canoe-full, laden with household goods and household animals—pet dogs and cats sitting quietly in the stern—crossed from Wakatu. It may have been fancy, but we thought there was a feeling of "leaving nothing behind," exemplified in the manner in which we saw a Maori woman paddle back to pick up a miserable half-drowned kitten which had fallen into the-water. A few straggling shots in the pa indicated the fate of some obstinately irremovable pigs; and nothing was left but the huildmgs—some of which were fine specimens of native architecture—and the surrounding stockade. Just after sunset these were fired, and, by the time it was dusk, the whole length of the pa was in a blaze. Volley after volley of musketry was discharged in honour of the event—a feu de joie at departing with the honours of war, or a farewell salute for fallen comrades; probably both. As whare j! after whare biased up, and the flames ran ,| along the dry joists forming tho stockade, the I scene from the other side the river was strik-

ing in the extreme. Natives were seen run. ning up and down outside the pa, throwing in beams and posts, and then firing off their guns Amongst them we noticed, besides the old chief, particularly one stout grey-beard, who had lost one arm, but who, with his' g un tucked under his stump, was the most active of the active. We hear he had been equally active during the war. The near side of the river was lined by natives, who kept up a heavy but harmless fire ; and the women behind, from time to time broke forth in a regular native wail. The only building left standing was the little church, outside the defences, though the overhanging trees were scorched by the fi re As the flames gradually went down, the last of the natives withdrew across the river to the camp; the firing ceased,and the^bivouacs were made for the night. During the burning of the pa,' the natives of Moana Nui's party responded to the event by similar fires, &c in their own pa, which Te Hapuka and his people seemed to regard as a mark of good feeling on account of the removal of the cause of their long feud. That such this step on Te Hapuka's part will prove we firmly believe. This, war has been carried on in a chivalrous spirit on both sides; as an instance of which we may mention that, lately, during a cessation of hostilities, a present of fish was made by one chief to another in a complimentary manner. No pretext now existing for carrying on the war and both parties having retired from it with' honour, we believe that the feud will, unless unforeseen circumstances should occur to revive it, gradually die a natural death.

On Friday morning, after a war dance, and an unlimited discharge of firearms, Te Hapuka and his tribe left for Pukpuke, accompanied by Mr. M'Lean. ■:..... *