TARANAKI.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 October 1860, Page 2

TARANAKI.

[From the Advertiser Sept. 19.] By the Airedale we have received intelligence from Taranaki to the 14th instant. We have been kindly favoured by Mr. Wo on, of the ‘Taranaki Herald, ’ with the Journal of Events up to Frida} 7 last, in which will he found an account of the unsuccessful expedition under General Pratt, the issue of which was brought last week by the Victoria. We give below an interesting letter from our own correspondent. It will be seen that two regiments from India may be expected in the course of next month. The Taranaki settlers are indignant at the conduct of the authorities, especially with reference the removal of their families to Nelson. [from our own correspondent.] New Plymouth, 14th Sept., 1860. The great event of the week has been an ‘ attempted ’ attack upon Wi Kingi’s stronghold —Mataitawa —situate some little distance in the forest, inland of Waitara. On Sunday last, while we were “ at quarters ” in the trenches, it transpired that an expedition was to start on the morrow for Waitara, headed by the General in person; and 50 men of the Volunteer Hides were asked to step forward, and under the Adjutant (Stapp) form a part of the expedition. The call was responded to, I need not say. On Monday, at noon, the expedition left town, and was the most formidable affair that has ever taken place in New Zealand. It was quite an army. A thousand men left the town, and were joined by Major Nelson’s division of 575 from the camp, with guns, mortars, rockets, and every requisite to “ astonish Wi King.” The expedition to Burton’s Hill, last week, was nothing to it. The force was divided into three divisions, commanded by Major Nelson, 40th; Major Hutchins, 12th; and Colonel Leslie, 40th. On reaching the first of Kingi’s inland pas (Ngataiparirua) it was found untenanted; the next, Kairau, was ditto, and Huirangi. the third, was also evacuated by the cunning enemy; the pahs being situate on level open country; but traces of the latter having been very recently inhabited were apparent. These pahs were all seized aud burned.. But it turned out, notwithstanding the imposing

army "brought against the rebels, that they were liot going quietly to allow us to burn even deso.ited pas, for which an advanced guard of the Light Company of the 40th (the poor 40th again), vrcre proceeding by the road some distance from the main body, a volley was poured into them iimil about 70 ambushed natives, killing one pi mr fellow, named Ramsay, a private, and wounding three others. So sudden was the volley, and fired so close upon them, that our men were obliged to retire, and, sad to relate, leaving poor Ramsay, perhaps only wounded, whose body was not found afterwards, to the mercy of the tomahawk! - they also securing another rifle and accoutrements. A hot fire was kept up by the rebels from the bush, which wasreturned by the artillery with grape, rockets, mid roundshot. The General was in the thick of it, the bullets whistling over and past him, giving his orders with great coolness. Lieutenant ] )owman, of the 40th, had a narrow escape; he ■was with the advanced party, and got entangled in a ‘karewai’ (supple-jack) swamp, and was attacked by the infuriated savages, and escaped, leaving his sword behind. The natives, who were about pouncing upon him, were driven back by some of his men, one of them being shot dead, through the body, at a distance of a few feet. It was a miracle our men got away with so few casualties. After firing for some time, the General ordered the retreat, and the whole force marched to camp at Waitara, leaving the killed Ramsay and the field to the natives, which of course they will construct into a victory on their part! Why the General did not allow the men to follow up the rebels, or occupy the ground, is best known to himself. The return to camp is considered by all as an extraordinary proceeding, and like preceding operations against the enemy, must be considered ‘ a failure !’ The attack upon the principal stronghold was abandoned, and the natives can say that they, about 200 strong, prevented the advance of 1500 British troops and caused them to retire from the ground after destroying three or four deserted pahs! We only know of one man killed on the enemy’s side, others may have fallen. This affair will again give the rebels great confidence in themselves, and unless the General is prepared to follow them into the ‘ bush ’, (this great bugbear), the natives may well defy us. Once in the bush, I don’t see why a British soldier cannot be as good as a Maori. The whole force returned to town on Wednesday evening. I am glad to see the great improvement in your paper, and hope you will be recompensed for your outlay. I have j ust heard the Victoria sailed for your port on Wednesday. No one knew that she was going your way. I have no further news to write; the natives have disappeared from our neighbourhood, and there is a rumour that the blue jackets, and a portion of the 65th, are going to Auckland. What does this mean ? Are we going to “ give in ” to the rebels, because they are in the forest, and wait till they come out again! Perhaps a move upon Auckland is apprehended. It is also reported that the troops are on their way to New Zealand from India and China. The Wonga Wonga sails to-day for Manukau. The Lord Ashley (mail steamer), left at 4 p.m. yesterday., The Airedale, from Nelson, arrived yesterday, and returns to-day—and takes these hastily written lines.