New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, August 12, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 108, 12 August 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, August 12, 1846.

No news of a decisive nature has been received from Porirua. Rangihaeata is, still in the pa to which he had retreated as mentioned in our last number, and which appears to be situated on a very precipitous hill and is very difficult of access ; here he appears determined to make his final stand. Accounts agree in stating the pa to be an old one used by the natives in their former wars, but the defences of wliich have recently been very much strengthened and improved. Towards the bottom of the hill a strong breastwork * has been thrown up of trees piled on each other presenting their ends outwards, so as to offer an effectual resistance to cannon. From this breastwork a defile so narrow as to admit of only one person at a time leads up the side of the hill to the pa, which is situated on the top. The attacking party on Thursday was divided into four bodies, the troops and the sailors occupying the centre, while the Port Nicholson natives and Puaha with his tribe were on either flank. Rangihaeata is reported to have about three hundred men with him. The attack appears to have been very warm and the defence equally obstinate. At pne time the fire from the rebels was so hot that the Port Nicholson natives were obliged to fall back j Puaha's natives are said to have fought very well and to have kept up a fire which did much'damage to the rebels. Rangihaeata on perceiving this cried out " Nga-

titoa ! Ngatitoa! you are firing on your own people !" But Puaha is reported to have paid no attention to his remonstrances, and answered this appeal with another volley. The rebels were at length driven back to the pa from the breastwork which was occupied by the attacking party for some time, but as it was found to be very much exposed to the fire of the rebels from the pa it was subsequently abandoned. It was in the attack on this Stockade that Ensign Blackburn was killed. Two other persons were also killed, a soldier, and one of the Calliope's men, and nine wounded. The body of Ensign Blackburn was buried in the camp at Paramatta, the others were buried on the field of battle. The loss on the part of the rebels is not known, but it is said that nine were seen to fall during the engagement. It is believed that a line is now being cut through the bush round the hill on which the pa is situated so as to inclose it and prevent the possibility of Rangihaeata's escape. It is reported also that the friendly natives have offered to surround the pa with a strong stockade to be erected on the line which is now being cut so as to hem the rebels in on every side, and that they have offered to complete it in three days, and that the Governor has accepted their offer, and orders have been sent to the party engaged on the Porirua road to furnish the necessary implements for the work. Two pieces of artillery (18 pounders) and some mortars have been conveyed to the position of the attacking forces, and as soon as the necessary preparations are complete and the stockade finished, they will be brought to bear on the pa. The bugle which was taken by the rebels in the first attack on the camp has been recovered from them. His Excellency left Porirua on Sunday in the Castor and proceeded to Waikanae for the purpose of having an interview with the friendly natives at that place, and at Ohou. We believe the above to be a correct summary of the intelligence that has been rereived ; and it appears to be very satisfactory. Effectual precautions are taken to prevent the escape of Rangihaeata and his adherents ; while these measures are carried out his supplies of food must be rapidly diminishing, and be will have no opportunity of recruiting them. It would then be very easy by a strict blockade to starve him out, but there is little doubt that as soon as the necessary preparations are completed vigorous measures will be adopted, and we sincerely hope soon to hear that the rebellion is completely crushed, and that these murderers have received the punishment due to their crimes.

On Sunday morning a detachment of forty of the militia under Lieut, Ross and Ensign Levin marched from Wellington to strengthen the position at Taita, at which there were only a few men left in charge, the militia stationed there having formed part of the expedition to Porirua under Messrs. M'Donogh and "White. A report had reached Wellington on Saturday that a party of natives from the upper part of the Manawatu intended to effect a junction with Rangihaeata, and that their route would be by way of the Upper Hutt, and it was considered necessary to station a sufficient force at the Taita to intercept them. The party were in high spirits, and proceeded with great alacrity to their new quarters. Messengers were also sent off to the Wairarapa to put the settlers of that district on their guard in the event of these natives proceeding thither.

On Friday night the sentinel at the stockade at Karori thought he saw three Maories stealthily approaching towards him. He discharged his piece at them, and immediately the guard turned out, and the alarm was given to the district. A strict search was made in the neighbourhood of the stockade, and the recent marks of naked feet were found in the soft earth, but no other traces were discovered, nor have any Maories been since seen in the neighbourhood.

A number of friendly natives left Wellington yesterday morning for the purpose of joining the party now acting against Rangihaeata.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Messrs. S. Mocatta, Thos. Northwood, Rev. J. P. O'Reilly, and Mr. K. Bethune, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 15th August, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 17th August.