EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 85, 23 May 1846, Page 3

EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK.

We have put together in a connected narrative the particulars of the attack on the troops last Saturday, and an account of the events of the past week. It may he necessary however, lor the information of our readers at a distance to state, thut during the preceeding week a very general opinion was eutertained that some sudden movement was in contemplation by Rangihaeata and the natives acting under him. Tneir firing on the reconnoitring party from the camp at Porirua on the 10 inst. was a declaration of open hostilities on their part, and as no measures were taken to punish, this outrage, it was confidently expected that Rangihaeata emboldened by impunity, would proceed to' further extremities. As we mentioned last" week, the troops stationed at Porirua were warned that a sudden attack was intended, and an order was in consequence issued that they should be under arms every morning at daybreak; E Puni's warnings and offers of assistance, as we have pieviously stated were treated by Major Richmond with indifference and neglect. On Friday, the day before the attack, Muturoa one of the principal chiefs of Pipitea Pa, called -on Major Richmond to warn him of his danger and to offer the assistance of his tribe. But his assistance was declined and his warnings despised. Accordingly at daybreak on Saturday morning, a considerable body ; of natives -amounting to about 200 in number, had arrived in the valley of the Hutt with the intention of surprising and cutting off the detachment of the 58th regiment stationed at Mr. Boulcott's section about two miles above the Stockade at the Hutt Bridge. The party of soldiers amounted to forty-two men, fourteen of whom were quartered in Mr. Boulcoit's barn, the others were dispersed in tents and the buildings in the immediate neighbourhood. Lieut. Page the officer in command, and his servant occupied Mr. Boulcott'e house, and Mr. Boulcott x and his two servants were in a small house adjoining. The rebels were under the command of Xaparetehau. Some of the rebels entered the house of a settler named M'Hardie and enjoining him and his wife to silence directed them immediately to leave the «pot. Mrs. M'Hardie on leaving her house took shelter behind a fallen tree, and from her place of refuge witnessed the whole of the engagement. The first alarm was given by the sentinel who, on hearing a noise, fired his piece and endeavoured to rouse the picquet. Immediately three heavy vollies were poured into the tents in quick succession by the natives, and they rushed on with loud yells to the work of destruction. Four of the soldiers were tomahawked on the spot in one tent. One of them who acted as bugler to the company behaved most nobly. On the first alarm he seized his bugle, and while in the act of sounding the instrument a blow from a tomahawk nearly severed his arm and struck him to the ground. But while lying in this mutilated state he seized the bugle with his other hand and attempted to warn his comrades of their danger, when a second stroke of the tomahawk nearly severed his head from his body. The rebels evidently calculated on taking the party by surprise, and hoped that in the confusion of an unexpected attack they would fall an easy prey. But though surprised and surrounded by superior numbers, the troops fought with the most devoted courage and gallantry, and fully sustained the reputation of British soldiers. Lieut. Page had some difficulty in cutting his way from his house, which was surrounded by the rebels-; this at length he effected, and putting himself at the head of his men, animated them by his presence and example. The party stationed in the barn behaved with the utmost coolness. They divided themselves into two parties of seven each, firing by turns, and then retreated under cover of the barn to load again. In the height of the engagement a party of seven of the Hutt militia who had been disbanded on the previous .Monday, attraotedby the sound of firing, most

bravely repaired to the spot, and by their presence inspired the troops with renewed courage, and materially contributed to the success of the day for the rebels believing that further re-in-forcements were close at hand, began to give way, and were finally driven across the river, taking with them their dead and wounded. The firing lasted about an hour and a half. The loss on the part of the troops is six killed (four of whom were tomahawked at the commencement of the attack) and five wounded. We refer to the official despatches for the names of the killed and wounded. The loss on the part of the rebels has not been correctly ascertained, as they carefully carried off every man who fell in the engagement. Two were known to have been killed, and several were wounded very badly. It is believed that the total amount of their killed and wounded is thirteen. There is no question that they were completely repulsed, and were forced to recross the river by this heroic little band. The tents were completely rid- j died with bullets, the Maories firing low in the belief that the soldiers were in bed. A party of the Maories fired several volleys into Mr. JBoulcott's house, under the impression that it was occupied by soldiers. We are concerned to add that a ball struck Thomas Hoseman, Mr. Boulcott's servant, in the act of getting out of bed. The ball passed through his body, inflicting a mortal wound, and lodged in his back, from which it was subsequently extracted by Dr. Galbraith of the of the 99th. Mr. Boulcott himself uarrowly escaped the same fate. Immediately on receiving the despatch informing him of what had occurred, Major Last directed 50 men of the 99th Regt. to proceed to the stockade at the Hutt bridge with instructions to Capt. Hardy, the officer in command, to advance with his men to the support of their comrades — and shortly afterwards, himself proceeded to the scene of action in company with Major Richmond. On his arrival he found the rel'els had crossed the river, and under the protection of the standing bush they kept up a straggling fire on the troops. The order was now given for the soldiers to advance in extended line, and drive them out of the bush. Bpuni, who accompanied Major List, was very much struck with the gallant manuer in which thi- manoeuvre was executed. Throughout this and the following day (Suuday) the rebels remained in the Hutt, occupying the ground on which the troops were formerly encamped about half a mile beyond Mr. Boulcott's section. On Saturday they robbed M'Hardie's house,. killed his 'pigs for food, and took away or destroyed all his property. In obedience to a message from Raugihaeata they returned to Porirua on Monday. During the whole of Saturday the town of Wellington was in the most painful state of alarm and excitement. Families were flocking in from the Hutt. Fathers and heads of families were sending their wives and children to Wellington as a place of safety, and rumours of all kinds were in circulation. At one time it was believed that the party of militia and police stationed at Taita as an outpost, about three miles above tie camp, were cut off by the natives. In the early part of the week Major Richmond, disregarding the warnings he had received from different quarters had, from motives of economy disbanded the militia in Wellington, and reduced the company in the Hutt to twenty-five men, and but two days previous to the attack had informed Mr. Turnbull, the only acting officer that his services would be dispensed with. So that, on Saturday morning, the men at Taita were only under the command of a sergeant. Fortunately, however, they succeeded in effecting their retreat, and joined the troops without meeting with any opposition. Every assistance was rendered by Captain Stanley. Two of the Calliope's boats were sent in the afternoon of Saturday to Petoni, one with arms, and the other to bring away the women and children to Wellington. The wounded who received every attention and assistance from Dr. Turnbull until the arrival of Dr. Galbraitb, were also sent over to Wellington to be placed in the hospital. The slain were buried on Sunday on the field of battle. Various measures of precaution and defence were now adopted, among others that of arming the natives. Epuni's offer, which was before treated with coldness and indifference was now eagerly embraced, and with a little solicitation the old chief was persuaded to arm with his tribe and fight with the settlers against his old enemy. Accordingly a hundred stand of arms were sent over to Fetoni for the use of his tribe. On Monday the natives of the pas at Waiffetu, Pipitea, and Tearo were also supplied with arms, though the manner in which this was done by the Superintendent was calculated rather to repel I them, than to enlist their services heartily in the cause. The natives are placed under the command of Mr. David Scott, who will act.as the organ of communication between them and the Com-

manding officer. They are intended to form a sort of guerilla corps, fighting with the enemy after his own fashion, and falling back on the troops in case of need for support and assistance. Great dissatisfaction was felt by the natives at the miserable description of arms supplied to them from the Government stores. The equipment of a New Zealander for the fightis very simple. A good musket, and a cartouchebox, to contain his ammunition, strapped round his waist are all that he requires. But so little preparation against any emergency has been made by the Superintendent, that a great proportion of the muskets delivered to the natives were returned as unfit for use, the ammunition had been formerly wet and was unserviceable, and there were very few cartouche boxes for the supply of aur allies : the greater part of the cartouche boxes given out to the natives were obtained from the Com- i pany's stores. It will hardly be believed out of the settlement, that although the militia have been called out since the destruction of Kororarika now a period of fifteen months, and have been more v or less employed during this interval, they have not even yet been supplied with scabbards for their bayonets. The greater body of the natives belonging to the pas in Wellington, went over to Petoni on Tues !ay, and are now encamped between the Stockade and Mr. Boulcott's section. The number of frieudly natives under E Puni amounts to nearly 250 men. They had a war dance on Weduesday evening, and speeches were made by the chiefs expressive of their determination to make common cause with the settlers. " Why" they said " should we wait until some of our own people are killed before we take up arms ? It is true we may remain here and not be attacked, but are we to allow our pakehas, our friends, to be killed before our face ? No — we will shew our love to the pakehas and identify our interest with theirs." Rangihaeata is busily engaged strengthening the defences of his pa at Pawaitanganui, and thinks, now that the Ngatiawas are arming against him, that affa ; rs are assuming a more serious aspect. After these defences, which are on the plan of those at the North, are completed, he intend* to send out parties to kill and plander in every direction. The natives say he openly expresses his determination " to continue to kill white people ; that when he is himself killed, he may previously have obtained a great utu. He is determined to continue fighting ; he will never end." We have thus endeavoured to give a succinct but faithful narrative of the events of the past week. We do not pretend to decide where responsibilityrests,butitmust rest somewhere; Tellauparaha,in a communication lately received irom him, distinctly states, that on their visit to Porirua last week, " he said to Major Richmond and Major Last, an attark will be made on the Hutt ; — when you reach (Wellington) take precautions ; concentrate the people."* Major Richmond was repeatedly, deliberately warned, from various quarters that an attack was contemplated. — What measures were adopted to ward off the blow ? — What is intended to be done ? — The natives have engaged heart and hand with the settlers from motives honorable to both parties — and their present conduct is the most satisfactory refutation of the calumnies so often repeated by those, who wishing to excuse the conduct of the Local Government with reference to the Land Claims, have asserted that the settlers of Cook's Strait were the oppressors of the native race. We do not repeat idle reports, we are satisfied from our sources of information, that we express the honest sentiments of the great majority of the natives in the neighbouring districts, when we say that in thus committing themselves to this contest, of which they might have remained unconcerned spectators, they have been actuated by a sincere good will towards the settlers, and a desire to uphold the supremacy of the Government; that they have made common cause with us in a spirit of justice, and for the maintenance of peace and good order. They know that Rangihaeata is actuated by a savage thirst of blood, by an insatiable desire of destruction — that he is at the head of a band of robbers and murderers, the outcasts of every tribe, who herd together for every evil purpose, and that the safety of the communiiydepends on their being put down. They know that' he has only two hundred men at the utmost at his command, that at present there is little probability of his being reinforced. E Puni has two hundred and fifty warriors armed and eager for the fight, and the Ngatiawas at Waikanai and Queen Charlotte's Sound who will join, them number six hundred more. We repeat, what is intended to be done ? Wilt the authorities take advantage of the present feeling of the natives in their favour and crush this common pest, or will

* The following is the original of Rauparaha's letter : — " Kihai i mate nga pakeha na kua ki atu ano au ki a te Ritimona raua ko te Rati kei Heretaunga te huaki ai, c tae, Ida raohio huihuia atu nga pakeha."

they suffer their zeal to grow cold by inaction and delay \ — We warn them — for the public good, and the present crisis require us as Public Journalists boldly to proclaim the truth — We warn them that the natives are unable to account for the delay that has already taken, place. They say if it had rested with them not one would have returned to Rangihaeata to give an account of the conflict on the Hutr, and tat if it had been their quarrel they w ould have ended k in a week, and they suppose the pakeha to be afraid or unable to defend himself. We warn them of the mischief occasioned by the wasting of precious time— of the reports which the emissaries of Rangihaeata will circulate to our prejudice — of the effect of these reports at the North, exaggerated as they will be in their progress. — We warn them that the murder of the Gil] espies was no common crime to be dealt with by ths ordinary tribunals. — It was a deliberate challenge by Rangihaeata. — The challenge was repeated when the boats were fired upon at Porirua. — It was repeated when Gillespie's hut was burned the day previous to the attack, although the authorities remained unacquainted of the fact, — It was repeated in characters of blood on Saturday. — Whether Rangihaeata will be permitted to complete his defences, and deal indiscriminate ruin and destruction through the land, or be signally arrested in his career depends entirely on the use they make of the present opportunity. The time is passing !-— God grant we may not have to record — The time is past I

In consequence of the report of an attack on the camp, the Sheriff in the absence of his Honor the Superintendent (who had gone to the Hutt without leaving any instructions behind him) called a meeting of the settlers on Saturday afternoon at Barrett's Hotel, for the purpose of adopting measures of defence. Mr. Revans having been called to the chair, Mr. Lyon said that he had been requested by the Sheriff to explain that the Magistrates had, in the absence of his Honor, requested the officer in command of the Militia to call out the whole of that force, and that they had applied to Captain Stanley of the Calliope to land the marines and small amis men. Mr. Vincent and Mr. R. Davis then moved a resolution that a deputation should wait upon his Hjnor to asceitain what steps he intended to take lor the protection of ths town; and that Capt. Daniel], Mr. Boulcott and Mr. Lyon should form such deputation. The gentlemen named however immediately declined waiting upon his Honor, on the ground that Major Richmond had proved himself utterly incompetent to discharge the duties of his office, and bad so grossly neglected the warnings given him, that they deemed it not merely useless to hold any communication with him, but that they were unwilling in any degree to induce a belief that any confidence could be placed in the Superintendent. Other parties were then proposed, but they all declined to form part of any deputation to his Honor the Superintendent.

On Sunday last a large canoe with thirty natives loaded with provisions, for the supply of Rangihaeata and his band, was seen in the eastern arm of Porirua harbour approachinghis pa. The police boat immediately gave chase, and were rapidly gaining upon them, when the canoe reached a point beyond which the party stationed at Ponrua were forbidden by Major Last and the Superintendent on their last visit to that station to pass in pursuit of the natives, and they were therefore reluctantly compelled to turn back. The rebels immediately landed and taunted their pursuers with coarse and insolent gestures of mockery and defiance, and afterwards manned their canoe and in derision pretended to chase them, taking care however not to pass the charmed line. They have since circulated reports along the coast that they chased the Pakeha boat and nearly succeeded in capturing it. i

A public Meeting (of which unfortunately only two hours notice was given, and of which, not having ourselves been present until near its termination, we can only gire an imperfect sketch) was held at the Aurora Saloon on Monday erening, the 18th inst., at 8 o'clock. Although many parties were ignorant of its taking place, it was numerously attended. Captain Daniell, J.P., having been voted to the chair, Mr. ftevans came forward, and in a very dear and able manner detailed ths occurrences of the preceding week; proved that the most ample warnings of the intention of the rebels to attack the camp had been given to his Honor the Superintendent ; that not the slightest attention had been paid by him to these warning! j nay, that so for from. his having taken any precautions to gnard against the threatened invasion, he had rejected the offer voluntarily made by Epuni to arm his men, and to keep a good look-our, in a manner most offensive to this chief, who had ever been a warm friend and firm ally of S the settlers. — Mr. ft. then shewed that not

merely the severe loss experienced by the troops was solely attributable to Major Richmond's having disregarded the warnings given him both by Epuni and Rauparaha, but also that had it not been for the gallantry of the small band under Lieutenant Page, aided by the seven brave militiamen, who went to their aid immediately upon hearing the firing, a most frightful sacrifice of life, botb on the part of the troops and the settlers, must inevitably have ensued, and the town of Wellington itself been placed in imminent dangsr. He then argued that if it was imprudent to arm Epuni and his tribe a fortnight ago, it was doubly imprudent to arm them after such a catastrophe, inasmuch as to accede to their request at that moment was to confess that the Government was of itself unabb to defend the settlers from Rangihaeata's attacks, and that every thing depended upon Epuni's assistance. After commenting upon the evidence afforded by these, and other occurrences of bis Honor's incapacity to fulfil the duties of his present office, and the danger to which this settlement must be exposed as long as he remained Superintendent, Mr. R. concluded an able argumentative speech by moving the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Lyon : That his Honor the Superintendent has shewn his utter incapacity to discharge the duties of his office in the present alarming crisis, his Honor having been fully apprised beforehand of the intention of the rebel natives to make the attack on the camp in the Hutt, which has ended in seveie and unnecessary loss of life, and that the refusal of his Honor to aim E Puni and the Ngatiawas, when fir9t requested to do so, has placed the lives and property of her Majesty's British subjects in this settlement in imminent danger. Mr. Cooper then opposed the resolution at length, endeavouring to shew that the chief object of the settleis ought to be to devise means of defence, and moved as an amendment — That a deputation be appointed from the body of this meeting, to call upon Major Richmond to embody the whole male population in defence of their lives. Mr. Vincent seconded the amendment, accusing the supporters of the original resolution oi being actuated by interested motives. Mr. Annear supported the amendment. Mr. Wade, Mr. Clifford, and Dr. Featherston -briefly addressed , the meeting in favor of the original resolution. After two divisions the chairman decided that the amendment was -carried. Mr. Cooper and Mr. Vincent then attempted to form the deputation, aud proposed Mr. M'Donald, Mr. Bethune, and others, all of whom declined acting upon such a deputation in a very significant manner. Mr. V, and Mr. C. then proposed their own ■names, with those of four others ; but the meeting refused to sanction them as a deputation, so that the amendment fell to the ground. Proposed by Mr. Wade and seconded by Mr. Wallace — That the detachment of the sBth acting under Lieut. Page during the engagement on the Hutt on Saturday the 16fch inst., and the seven discharged militia men, who upon hearing the report of guns hastened to the support of this noble band, and who succeeded in repelling the rebels, are entitled to the gratitude of this •community. Carried by acclamation. Mr. Wade then moved, and Mr. Sutton seconded — That a committee of not less than twenty-five of the colonists, not members of the Executive Government, be elected, to be called a Committee of Public Safety, whose duty it will be to take measures for the protection of the settlement, until officials are appointed in whom the public have confidence. The chairman had great difficulty in deciding whether the meeting was in favor of or against the resolution, but ultimately declared ,it to be carried. The thanks of the meeting to the chairman were then voted, and the meeting broke up.

'On Tuesday evening a large body of the inhabitants ot Te Aro proceeded with Mr. Wade and Mr. J. H. Wallace^ to Major Richmond's, and requested his Honor to supply them with arms and ammunition. They then proceeded from Major Richmond's with H. St. Hill, Esq. P.M., to Thorndon Fort, »where arms were served out to (hem, when they marched in a body to the Aurora Ta--vern. Mr. J. H. Wallace being called to the chair, it was arranged that Mr. Wade in conjunction with several other gentlemen, should take temporary command for the night. About sixty volunteers were supplied with ammunition, and sworn in as special constables by H. St. Hill, Esq., P. M., who was in attendance at the Auroia Tavern for that purpose. They then dispersed, and met at Mr. Bevan's on Te^Aro at midnight, and -formed guards and pi'cquets to watch Te Aro and the outskirts, and continued on duty all night.* The Te Aro volunteer corps met at the Aurora Saloon the next day at 4 p.m., Mr. J. H. Wallace in the chair, when the follow-

ing gentlemen were unanimously nominated as officers of the corps : " Capt. Edwd. Daniell, J.P. to act as Capt. Kenneth Betbune, Esq Lieut. Geo. Dalrymple Monteith, Esq... Ensign Mr. Joseph Masters and Mr. Geo. Swainson, volunteered to act as Buglers. It was then resolved that the "Volunteer Corps he told off into companies, and that each company choose their own sergeant. The above nominations have since been confirmed by the Superintendent.

In consequence of the reports in circulation on Tuesday, and the apprehensions entertained that the Town would be attacked by the rebels, application was made to the Superintendent by the settlers for arras, and other measures adopted which we have above related. In order to secure the inhabitants from any sudden attack, a strong line of picquets, of the military, volunteers and militia encircled the Town and patrolled the outskirts, extending some distance on the Karori Road, and strong parties of militia were statioued for the protection of the powder magazine. Captain Stanley also landed seventy men from the Calliope to assist the settlers in the event of any attack. It is intended to adopt these judicious precautions every night. On Thursday night although it rained very heavily, the volunteers and militia cheerfully turned out in discharge of their self-imposed duties. The outsettlers at Karori and Porirua have also been armed and are on the alext. From the number of armed persons passing and repassing the Town presents quite a warlike appearance. Yesterday morning a detachment of marines were landed from the Calliope, under orders to proceed to Porirua to reinforce the troops at that station.

Accounts were received fromj Porirua on Thursday, which state that the rebels did not lose a single man in the late attack, and that only one of their number was wounded. They boast that they were on the point of making a second attack when Major Last arrived. They boast also that the party under Kaiparetehau did not exceed sixty men. In consequence of recent events, eight of the intruding natives belonging to the Wanganui tribes who were staying at Ohariu, have joined Rangihaeata.

By reference to our advertizing columns it will be seen that Mr. John Wade continues his sale at Messrs. Ridgways, Hickson & Cos. stores,' (by postponement) this day, at One o'clock. We had the pleasure of attending the sale yesterday, and were gratified from the numerous audience anJ spirited bidding at Mr. Wade's first sale to find that he had not lost his popularity after being three years out of the business, and we sincerely wish him every success.

The Fisherman on her last trip to the Manawatu river got on the pitch of the bar, and the wind suddenly failing she dropped both anchors, both chains snapped, and she went on shore on the north spit. The natives at low water recovered both anchors, and carried them out, so that the vessel was got off at the next tide without receiving any injury.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. Kenneth Bethune, Mr. J. Blyth, Mr. R. Davis, and Dr. Dorset, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from six to eight o'clock this evening, Saturday the 23d, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from ten to twelve o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 25th inst.

Died, on the 21st inst., at the residence of J. Boulcott, Esq., Te Aro, to which he had been removed, Thomas Hoseman, aged 25 years, of a musket shot wound received in the engagement on the Hutt on Saturday the 16th inst. An inquest was held on the body before Dr. Fitzgerald coroner, when the Jury" returned a verdict of " Died from a gun shot wound."