NEW PLYMOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 576, 12 May 1858, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH.

We ('Wellington Independent') regret to learn that tlie native disturbances in the above province are still proceeding. We extract the following particulars from the ' Taranaki News/ of the Sth ult., received by-the Kate Kearney :— The native strife at Waitara has agaiu assumed an active character. On the morning of Saturday a party of Ihaia's natives, consisting of seven, were attacked by an ambuscade of William King's people, numbering 40, aud a sharp engagement ensued, in which three of Ihaia's men were killed and several wounded, and two of William King's party killed, after which the latter fled from the conflict. Notwithstanding the loss sustained by Ihaia in this affair, he must be considered the victor, the cowardice of his opponents having left him in possession of the field. Nothing could proye more strongly the objections made to the British authority for putting an end to these disgraceful outrages than this trivial incident. The arrogant- chief, whose picked men thus fly before a" handful of their savage compeers, only a short time siuce considered himself a necessary aid to the British forces iv the Crimea; and said that the strongholds of the Russians would never be taken unless he assisted the Queen. The temporising policy^ of Government has so pufFed up the conceit of this savage that he asserts we are here on sufferance only, and that he will permit us while useful, and «o long as we are quiet, to remain. He boasts of having insulted and defied every English Governor, and, if those who well understand his tongue, and are in frequent contact with him, are to be relied on, speaks of sovereign government and settlers in language the most opprobrious and disgusting. The mission of the Superintendent to Auckland has not been in vain-—additional troops arrived yesterday by the Kate Kearney, and although the instructions of the Government to the authorities, civil and military, have not transpired, it is rumoured that a line of action

has been laid down which, if not disturbed by extraneous interference, is calculated to bring about a general pacification «ef the district. We hope And rely that the decision of the Government has even-handed justice in view to each party. Further, we have only" to express the wish that the whole conduct of the affair may have been committed to the officer commanding the troops with full discretionary powers.. The question will so receive a speedy solution—the native feuds will be quenched, and order permanently established ; or "the General Government

will be in possession of the fact that its force in the province is insufficient to the support of its authority. Either way, all the responsibility for the safety of the district will remain Avith the Government, where it more properly rests, than in the disreputable shifts and truckling which it has pa-mitted -or compelled its subordinates in the province to adopt hitherto. The following notice Avas posted this morning at the Resident Magistrate's Court:— All persons are hereby warned against going to the Waitara or in any Avay interfering Avith the present native disturbances. A disregard of this notice will oblige the officer in command of the troops to take eteps for enforcing compliance. J. Flight, G. P. MUEEAY, Brevet Major commanding. The Kate Keahney.—This vessel arrived from Manakau via Taranaki on Monday afternoon, April sth. She landed at Taranaki a detachment of 50 rank and file, belonging to the 65th. and has brought from thence another detachment of 1 officer, 3 corporals, and 68 privates, besides 8 women and 14 children also belonging to the regiment.