New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 29, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 113, 29 August 1846, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, August 29, 1846.

The campaign -appears to have ended for the present, in the dispersion and flight of Rangihaeata's party. After the fight at Poawa, a high hill at the back of Wainui, of which we gave a -short account in our last number, the rebels continued theirfl ight towards Waikanae along the range of hills paral'el to the coast. On Monday a grand feast was held at Waikanae by our native allies, at which a great number of pigs and an immense quantity of potatoes, kumeras,taii3 pumpkins, were consumed. Owing to the judicious arrangements of Mr. Power the commissary, three hundred large baskets of kumeras, and upwards of two thousand pounds of pork, were provided for the feast. The baskets of kumeras were all arranged in a long line, and on each basket was placed a joint of pork ; a great many Maori ovens f©r cooking the food were prepared, and while this process was going on, a most magnificent war-dance took place, of three hundred natives all armed vith muskets. They divided themselves. at first into two bodies, the Ngatitoas under Puaha, and the Port Nicholson natives under their respective chiefs, and fought a sham battle, going through all the evolutions of maori warfare.creeping stealthily along and attempting to surprise each other. When they approached within a short distance of each other, they suddenly started up and rushed together with a terrific yell. They afterwards formed into line and danced thcwar^dance, flourishing their muskets and keeping admirable time. After the wardance was concluded the feasting commenced, and when this was despatched a korero was held, when it was unanimously resolved to pursue the rebels the next day, following their track along the hills towards Manawatu. On Tuesday morning three women and a child belonging to the rebels gave themselves up to the party of Police stationed at Waikanae under Major Durie. They were in a miserable half-starved condition, and stated that they belonged to a small party of the rebels, about ten in number, but had surrendered, unable to proceed any further for want of food. They said that the rebels, whose force did not exceed one hundred and forty fighting men, had broken up into small parties, and were endeavouring to make their way to the northward, or to the interior. In the recent engagement between our allies and the rebels, they said the latter had four killed and several wounded ; one of these -was a woman wJio they were carrying with them, and this circumstance greatly impeded their progress ; she was so badly wounded that they thought she could not long survive. They also said that in the attack in the Horokiwi valley the rebels xJid not lose a single man, and that Te Oro, who had been slightly wounded, had recovered from his wound. In order to induce William King and his tribe to engage more eagerly in the .pursuit of Rangihaeata and his. fugitives, Captain Stanley despatched Mr! Strode and twenty of the armed Police to Waikanae for the protection of the women and children that were left in the pa, and he himself followed

shortly afterwards with a party of forty sailors from the Calliope, the Militia under Captain M'Donogh and Mr. White, and the remainder of the Police under Major Durie. In a few hours, however, William King and his natives returned from the pursuit, which they had continued only to the extent of their cultivated grounds. They alleged as their reason for abandoning the pursuit, that they had done all that had been required of them by the Governor ; that they had taken up the position at Wainui, where they had captured eight prisoners ; that they had prevented the rebels from coming down to the coast, and had chased them through their own district. The enemy having escaped, part of the Port Nicholson natives have returned, and the whole of them will probably be back again by the end of this week. It is greatly to be regretted that the pledge given to the Governor by Major Last in his despatches, in which he assured his Excellency that in conjunction with the naval officer he would not fail to assist in the pursuit, and use every exertion in his power to cut off the rebels, was not fulfilled. Since 16th inst. no movement has been made by the troops, who have retired to their quarters. It is generally believed that if a detachment of troops had been advanced towards Wainui, to act as a reserve and to support and encourage our native allies, and arrangements had been made to supply the latter with provisions, Rangihaeata would not have -escaped. After our allies had invested his position at Poawa, he seized the opportunity cf their absence to procure food to get away, and by dispersing his party, has contrived to elude his pursuers. From the evidences left behind at Poawa, as well as from the subsequent confession of the women who were made prisoners at Waikanae, Rangihaeata and his adherents must have been very much distressed for want of food ; they had used the bark of trees and other substances never resorted to by the natives except in cases of extremity. In the stockade or position at Poawa were found the knapsack of Serjeant Ingram, who was mortally wounded in the attack on the camp on the 16th May, and some other things which had been kept by the rebels as trophies, and which they had now left behind them. These were recovered by the Militia and Armed Police. The mat usually worn by Te Karamu the Waaganui chief, was also left behind, from which it is conjectured that he was either killed or seriously wounded. Te Pau, the murderer of Gillespie's son, was shot by E Tako. If Rangihaeata should make his way to the Manawatu, the settlers there are considered quite safe, as they are under the protection of the natives of that district. Whether he will be able to do any mischief at Wan-gan-ui must remain for the present a matter of painful uncertainty. Those who understand the native character are of opinion that his influence as a chief is destroyed, as he has been driven out from his own district and is now a fugitive, and in the late contest the greater part of his tribe under Puaha fought against him. It is therefore very doubtful if he will ever be able to get up another war party. From his savage and ferocious character however, a certain degree of apprehension must always be entertained by the outsettlers as long as he is at large, and perhaps if a reward were offered for the capture, dead or alive, of Rangihaeata, Karamu, Kaparetehau, and a few of the other ringleaders, it might lead to their apprehension. We have previously alluded to the despatches, and we again reluctantly refer to them to express our regret at not finding in them any mention of Mr. D. Scott or Mr. A. C. Strode. Both these gentlemen have ably and gallantly discharged their duty. They were both at the capture of Pauatahanui; Mr. Strode commanded the covering party in the attack on Rangihaeata; and Mr. Scott has greatly exerted himself throughout the late operations, and cheerfully submitted to great hardships and privations while in command of our native allies. Mr. Swainson also distinguished himself by his coolness and gallantry in the

late attack in the Horokiwi valley. But perhaps these may hare been accidental omissions. The settlers are greatly indebted to Captain Stanley, and the officers and crew of the Calliope, for the part they have taken in the late operations. Captain Stanley throughout ha 3 been indefatigable in his exertions, and the present favourable issue of. the campaign may in a great measure be attributed to his active and zealous co-ope-ration, while from his good temper and conciliating conduct, he has rendered himself a universal favourite with the friendly natives.

Te Rauparaha has, according to native customs, completely lost caste. Now that he is a prisoner, the natives look upon him as fallen from his high estate, and as little better than a slave, and his former influence with them is gone. We hope, however, that no inducement will be allowed to operate in procuring his release — Fast bind fast FiND.a proverb never stale, — is in this case very applicable.

Information was received on Wednesday night that the party of Wanganui natives who had been staying for some time past at Mannwatu had set off with the intention of joining Rangihaeata, and assisting him in his retreat. They had gone by the head of the Manawatu to the Wairarapa, and intended to come down the valley of the Hutt, and from thence cross over to Pauahatanui. Early on Thursday morning a detachment of thirty militia under Captain Dorset and Lieutenants Ross and Hunter, left Wellington for Taita; and on their way thither they would be joined by a party of twenty men from the Porirua militia, and a body of friendly natives from Petoni. In addition to this force there, is a reserve of twentyfive militia stationed at Taita. The Wairarapa natives have allowed the rebels to pass, but are following them closely, and intend to fall upoa them in their rear, whenever the Pakehas commence the attack. His Honor the Superintendent accompanied the militia. The militia under Captain M'Donogh, and Port Nicholson natives, intend returning to the Hutt by the same route by which they left it, so that if the rebels should escape from the party in pursuit of them, it is probable they may be intercepted by Captain M'Donogh and Captain Scott. The rebels are reported to be badly armed, and are under the direction of Maketu. The militia arrived at the Taita on Thursday night, and were to proceed up the valley the following morning ; four days provisions were ordered to be sent after them.

On Wednesday morning, as the Rev. R. Cole and the Rev. R. Taylor were engaged in conversation near the house of the former, a bullet from a musket discharged on the beach, passed within a few feet of where they were standing. This is another example of the want of precaution in the use of fire-arms, which might have been attended with fatal effects, and it is time some regulation was made which should prevent the recurrence of similar accidents.

On Thursday a sailing boat, manned with a crew of ten men, arrived from the Kaikoras, with information that the Ann and Sarah, a cutter of 18 tons, which was at anchor in that harbour, had gone ashore. The weather was perfectly calm, but a heavy swell had set in, and the vessel was badly found, having only a hempen cable, from which she parted. She has sustained a good deal of damage to her keel, but we hear that the, damage can be repaired on' the spot ; all her- cargo, had been safely landed. One hundred and six tuns of oil had been caught at Mr. Fyfe's station at the Kaikoras, thirty-nine tuns at Mr. Fitzherbert's station, and thirty tans at Mr. Ames' station.

The Lady of the Lake arrived yesterday from Cloudy Bay. She sailed from Manakao the beginning of this month, having- previously been thoroughly overhauled and completely repaired, and is now in good sailing trim. She reports that forty-five tuns of oil have been caught at Dougherty's station, sixteen tuns at Guard's station,, and twenty-one tuns at Thoms' station. , She brings intelligence of the arrival of the Madras at Nelson.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. S. Revans, Major Richmond, Mr. W. B. Rhodes, and Dr. Featherston, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits &t Mr. Ross's office, from seven to "eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 29th August, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to <me o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 31st August.