TARANAKI.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 108, 30 October 1863, Page 3

TARANAKI.

(]?rom the Taranaki News, October 8.) , Since sour last something like a reliable account has been obtained of the Ipss the Maories sustained in the Oakura affair of tile 15th ultimo, conducted by Captain Russell, 57th Regt. It is.nb\nr known that five natives were killed on that occasion, one,' the owner of the Taiaha taken, being a chief from Lower Taranaki. We publish in another column a very modest despatch of Captain Russell detailing the whole affair in better manner than has yet been reported], from the General Government Gazette of the 24th ultimo. Again in the last skirmish between CSjptatns Atkinson and Webster's . parties and the natives at Bell Block on Tuesday, the 29th ult., mentioned in our last, the following list of the enemy's casualties has been furnished by or through the natives t — Karauria, through the body, from one shoulder to the other. Enoka; in the arm, badly. Kereoma, in the cheek, slightly. One of the Pakakohe (name not given) flesh of arm. Tipene, in the leg. Waati, in little finger, flesh stripped off. Ilami, through the ear. There is no doubt that this Province is again in for serious war with the natives. The arrivals from the South which heralded tile skirmishes at Bell Block were but the prelude to larger reinforcements from further down the coast, and it is now certain that not fewer than a thousand natives — we believe the number understated — surround our positions in the small radius between the Waitara and Tapuae* The emergency is well understood by the \ Colonel commanding, and his disposition of the limited force at his disposal, and the practical instructions issued to the population, have, even under a threatened assault on the town, induced a calm and quiet confidence in the people very different from what had been in past times. This state of things , arrived at the end of last week, and the discovery came out of the activity and precaution of the military force at Poutoko under Captain Wright, 70th Regt. In pursuance of tbe ambuscade movement recently found necessary, \ Lieut. Mills, 57th Regt., started from '■ the redoubt at 3 o'clock on the morning of Friday last, with 90 men for the hill on Hurford's clearing, a very imposing position (would that it could be permanently occupied), there to remain for a time concealed for what might offer. This party fell in on the road with one of the enemy's picquets and received a volley, which was returned and they were charged and driven back with, it is said, the loss of two killed. It was then that Lieut. Mills discovered that the bush there was literally alive with Maories, and with proper discretion drew his men off and retired without loss. Soon after, a line, with probable a second one, occupied the whole ground within the boundary line of the Omata block, from the Tapuae at Hurford's to the beach or to Rangiuru pa, till recently occupied by the natives belonging to Poutoko, and close to the sea — by this time garrisoned by our own people. Those who have any knowledge of the extent of tbe ground will fell assured that it required a large body of men to care for this line and the fire throughout is described as sharp and sustained ; but we have it upon what we consider perfectly reliable authority that the enemy in front must have exceeded 600. After the event we have been writing of this line appears to have been advanced so as to have closed in all the thoroughfares by which their rear could be j reached. They occupied Allen's hill where the road from Omata joins the ; bush road running from the Southern '■ trunk road to Hurford's clearing, and having accomplished this opened a smart fire on the redoubt. This position of affairs was communicated without loss of time to the town, and Major Butler with a company of the 57th regiment, left immediately to the relief of the redoubt, Col. Warre and staff following. Captain Short with further military force and the Volunteers to follow, about which there was no delay. As soon as the supports were recognisable Major Butler a.dvanced up the Bush road to dislodge the enemy now posted about Allen's JTouet'sand Gilbert's sections, and some fierce firing ensued, no doubt with great destruction to tbe enemy who were driven from the left of the road and retired to the bush in the rear of Gilbert's section, from whence they continued to fire. This was not accomplished without loss. Ensign Powys and eight soldiers being wounded more or less severely, two of the latter, we regret to say, since dead. The movement was much assisted by the advance of Captain Shortts' company and the two companies of Bushrangers handled by Captains Atkinson and Webster, who came into sharp engagement with the enemy at this point when really needed. When it was found that the enemy was not to be drawn out again the troops retired to the redoubt. Part of the troops and the Volunteers returned to town in the afternoon. Colonel Warre was present directing operations, and we are happy to hear took graceful occasion to compliment his own soldiers and the civilian force for the steady, cool, and gallant manner in which his instructions were carried out. It is to be regretted that the force at hand did not enable- Colonel Warre to make this a more decisive affair, but as it stands, all was done that could be done by brave soldiers, led by brave officers. The lear of the enemy's position is solid bush, and outnumbered as our force was, it would have been imprudent to have attempted more. Of the enemy's loss, as is usual, we are in the dark^ suffice it to say, that their attempt to hold the strong position at Allen's hill, utterly failed, and they were driven

back upon the -forest. ~ We will not state the apocryphal accounts of their loss, which are hourly suggested, they are not to be relied on, and for the present we rest satisfied with our own conviction that their loss has been very severe, and probably equal, if not beyond, what rumor states. They have for the present retired from- the ground they held, which wouldj not have l)een the , case if they considered themselves victorious. This state of things may not, however, last long, and it is probable they will shortly muster at some point with concentrated strength, for it is now suspected that the force lately ,at Mataitawa has left to join them. I