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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 31, 18 January 1864, Page 6 (Supplement)

maj urge to iho contrary) that lliore were more 'natives killed iu tlie aff-ir on the 2nd ult. than 1 told you before. There was only one killed, i'e Nganui, of Aramoho, a village only two miles above this town, and all the rest who were wounded are well again. The information I get is authentic, and I gather it from' many sources. There is hardly a pah on the-, river from which some two or three have not gone to fight your way, and some of them a long way up; all the young men are gone. Old Pehi returned with ten men on ' Saturday ; last' ki te tutu taua (fo raise men), letters. having- come before him and sent np -the river and to Taupe urging them to 'hasten' (Ida ! ere), as ihey intend, about the beginning of December, to make a grand attack, together 'with'' 200' of the Ngatimaniapoto under .-VVirtmu -Kingi te Rangitnke and the Ngatiawa, of -'.Waitara, 0:1 the stockades, and on the Bush Rangers ; the latter they hope to waylay and murder the lot. The attack will be a ■combined one from the Waitara way, and 'from- Omata. It is agreed that ihe Taranaki tribes, as yet have not done any fighting,; are to take the lead, supported by your natives. The reason they have been so quiet of -late is owing to their having no food. Now they say the potatoes are ripe, and a man will take enough on his back lo Jast him three days, and they expect to catch a party of Militia and Vbiunteers. They tell with a great amount of satisfaction of the manner in which small parties have stolen into the neighborhood of. the town, hid themselves in the hedges and ditches, and allowed the volunteers and soldiers to come close up and even look and examine the very places in which they were concealed, and pass on without 'noticing theui." TARANAKI. (From the Herald, 28U-JN"oreniber.) Native. — Two Maori women came over from the enemy on 'Thursday to the Poutoko natives now living at the Institution. They report that Kaitake is " filled" with Wanganuis, who are still bent on revenging the death of JL-lori Patene, and ar_ intending to make a grand attack shortly. From this somewhat premature return of the southern natives, it will be seen that the thistling which had just been actively began must be suspended foi-a while, as it will *no longer b.e safe, for any but large parties to go about the bush ; indeed, they expressa hopepf eutchingthe Hush Rangers unawares, and murdering them all. Th_ latter must, therefore, keep their weather eye cpen. It is probable, however, that after another such skirmish as that ou the 2nd October, we shall have another chance of dealing with an enemy almost as formidable as the Maories themselves, ie., the Scotch thistles ; but in' the meantime the utmost caution should be used. A correspondent at the camp says in a letter of yesterday's date : — '.' The rebels have got on their legs once more, and seem to be preparing for another fight. They have been "busy for the last three day_ lighting large fires both on the ranges and on the Tataraimaka block; they are burning the bush off the side of the ranges, for what purpose I am at a loss tu conjecture. Last night fires wereobserved close to the Oaktira Kedoabt, w-hich left no doubt that the enemy were lurking about in that direction. Two horses (one the property of Mr 'Kenwood) w,hich strayed away from Poutoko a few days ago, were seen to he picketed on the ranges this morning. The mounted orderly who arrived in camp at about noon to-day, brought a -report from the Omata Stockade to the -effect that filing was heard in the bush in the direction of Ratapihiphi and Dingle's ancl Elliot's farms, probably natives shooting cattle." The following extract from a Canterbury paper, speaks of the utter want of sympathy on the part of the Natives of the Middle Island with the rebels in the North. It appears that an emissary from the rebel Maories has lately found his way down to Kaiapoi, in the Canterbury province, but met with a rather chilly reception. This envoy, who rejoices in the name of Cl*-*ophas Te Jvoho, has been summoned before a runanga' by the Kaiapoi natives, and sentenced to confinement. Tehori, the Native^ Assessor, thus communicates the particulars of this affair : — " Kaiapoi, Dec. 1, 1563. Friends — Ye people who live on this island. Listen, O ye of this end and of that end, and of the midland part of this island ; all ye white people who live on the Middle Island, a>-d all ye who inhabit the Northern Island, too, where the fire of Mahuika is burning. Listen ye all. Raukawa is the boundary. Let not the Maori ot the Northern Island come across to this island and treat the law with contempt; neither let the Maori of this i.land go to that and (rifle with the la tv there. There is a dividing space between them and us, like -unto that between Jacob and Laban, which continues a perpetual testament for us. That island is [separated from us, together with- their king. We have a king, that is Tuahuriri. Although he is dead his authority remains with- us— his offspring. ..We 'have got great mountains on this island — Tap _aenuku, Kaitaurau, Maungatere, Ahupatiki, Tarahaua, Mihiwaka, and llakiura. Friends^ let riot the Maori of that island no longer come over to this and work deceitfully. Omy friend, the Governor, salq tions to you. On. the 25th November, 1863, 1 Went to Port Levy. It was on a Wednesday. Early in the day I. summoned a runanga ; it was at 6 a.m. on the 25th; it was to examine a Maori of the other island, who**e name is Cleophas Te Koko. Then we found out the wrong-doing of that man. He brought hither the working of Satan, and was working deceit among the people, — that is, he told lies, and wrote to the other island, saying that all the Maories of this settlement are for the king. This is a lie, and therefore I had him tried by the runanga, and that man' Cleophas, is in confinement for his bad doing. If any man will invent lies, let him suffer for his wicked deeds. This _s *all. • From your sincere friend. From Peter Tehoki, Native Assessor of Canterbury, Jiving at Kaiapoi." The New Zealand Gazette of the 16th December last, contains the following notification of the occupation by General Cameron, of Ngariawahia, the Maori King's capital : — . Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, l_th December, 1863. His -Excellency the "Governor directs the publication of the following despatch from Lieut.-General Cameron, <_.B. Thomas Russell. lie-ten 4.nt-general cameron, c.b., to THE GOVERNOR. ~ " Head Quarters, Ngaruawahia, 9th December, 1863. Sir — I have the honor to report to your Excellency that after lhe action at Ran-

giriri. I was. obliged to waitfor the. arrival of supplies, .arid was uriabje to advance, before tlie 2nd inst., on which "day -I "moved"the Gam}) nbout a mile above the imti'ye villageof Paitai. 4 a As the :twb outlets which run into the river from Lake Waikyre between Rangiriri and 1 Paitai "wei-e not fordahle, the troops with their tents und baggage were conveyed up the river in' boats, manned hy seamen of the Royal Navy, under command of"' (Ja plain Plnllimore, H.M.S. Curagoa. The following day the troops again moved on, and encamped abreast of the Island of Taipovi, close to wliicli the Pioneer anchored the snme day. ..."••'-',' 'I was again del.iyed waiting for provisions until "'the 7th inst , when I moved the Camp about five miles higher up the river, and met the Pioneer, which had safely passed the last shoal below Ngaruavvahia. On the following morning, I went up the river in the Pioneer, with Commodore Sir W. Wiseman, as far as Ngaruawahia, which we found deserted. -We immediately returned to the Camp, and having embarked 500 men of the 05th ; and 40 ih Regiments on board the Pioneer, again proceeded up the river and landed at Ngaruawahia, where I have established , my head quarters. We have hot/seen a single armed native since we left Rangiriri. Ihave, &c, D. A. Cameron, Lieut .-General. Mis Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., '&c. .The correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross describing Ngaruavvahia and its vicinity, writes : — In the way of fortification, the Maoris have not been idle, for round tiie banks for some distance, facing the rivers, on both sid-es, are rifle pits, and on the banks ol the Waipa, is a redoubt in a halffinished state, but still sufficiently advanced to show what a formidable construction it would have been, if lime had been al'owed t» carry out the plan. It is thirty yards square, and surrounded by a ditch, which is cut diagonally, with a parapet behind corresponding in shape. The inside is cut in the saute way all round, hut is only partially dug out. The pits inside the parapet communicate witli the outer ones by passages cut through underneath. As it stands at present, a spring wiil take you froui the outside of the ditch to the top of tbe parapet, Tut it is not likely that such would have been the case had the work beeu completed. The works at Rangiriri and this halffinished redoubt here go to- prove the. talent of the Maoris for constructing defensive works, behind which they have proved themselves no despicable enemies. To construct such wrks, however, ihey mu->t have time: and if the wai* is to continue, I have no doubt that the General will give them but a very short breathingtime, and if they can't light in the open, they must take to the bush or come to our terms. On the arrival of tho troops yesterday, a piece of paper was picked up on which was drawn part of a plan of fortifications of the most, intricate description, but which bears no resemblance to any that have been commenced. This paper is * much worn at the edges, and bears mirks of having been carried in lhe pocket for some time. The part that is missing might contain the redoubt, but the lines drawn on that found are entrenchments, having communication with one another; and 0:1 the ri«ht is a veiy novel affair in a circular form, the line of pits winding round into the centre, which would make it a formidable place lo attack without mortars ; but the defenders once hemmed in could have no means of escape. The d^sijjuer certainly deserves credit for his inventive genius. The situation and scenery around her;: is very pretty. Towards the east and south the eye finds- room to roam over a large tract of level country, with lhe high summit of Pironghia in the distance; ami reversing the aspect, you have the range of mountains from the north running away along the opposite bank of the Waipu, and divided from you only by the stream, which is about fifty yards wide The great want of firewood which was felt lower down the river will hardly be so here, as the hills ami gullies are covered ivith timber, which wails but the axe to convert it into use. Had the Maories made n stand here they would have been compelled to fight it out or surrender, as the great facilities of approach on both sides by water would have macle it an easy matter to cut off all retreat, and the depth of water enabled the steamer to •manoeuvre with ea-e. Probably they took this ihto consideration when evacuating the place, the disaster at Rangiriri being too fresh on their minds to risk such another. The New Zealand Gazette of the 18th uit. contains the following notification of a gallant skirmish with the Maories and arrest of the murderers : — Papakura, Dec. 14th, 1864. Sir, — I have the honor to report for the information of the L'eutentcGeneral Commanding, that, in accordance with your instructions, I started on Fiiday, the llth instant, at 1.15 p.m., with a force of mv Company of Forest Rangers (1 sergeant, 1 subaltern, 2 ' corporals, 'and 23 privates), on an expedition towards the Wairoa river. At 6.30 p.m. on that day I camped on the Hunua. .river, and started thence at 4.30 next morning ; at 6.30 a.m. we struck native tracks, whicli appeared to be quite fresh; at IU 30 a.m. we found a camping ground which was capable of accommodating thirty or forty natives;, one of the fires here . was still hot. At 4.30 we got to another camping ground,. the five fires of which were quite hot ;. we had evidently gained a day's march on the enemy., I continued our. marcii till 6.15 p m., when finding we had, overrun the track I camped for the night. On Sunday, December 141h,.l broke. camp at 5.30 a.m., and turned back to re-exariiine'". the path, and found tracks diverging to ; the left. I then posted some men to look out for smoke, which was soon discovered rising out of the ranges. We went very quietly towards i», and, by using -great caution, succeeded in surprising : the enemy about 8.40 a.m. We had got between their sentry and their camp. : When about twelve or fifteen yards from the enemy j I. halted my men on an eminence, to give iherh breath, and gave orders "tbat they should first attack the enemy withtheir carbines, and then rush them with tbeir revolvers. The Maoris were then cleaning their guns.' The surprise was complete. After our carbines were discharged, the enemy, apparently expecting we had only, empty pieces, turned upon us with their guns, tomahawks, &c, but the revolver soon senfc them to the right about. Several of the enemy who were weunded by the discharge ofthe car-

bines, werejassisted away by the women, who. were very busy removing arms, dead, and Wounded. I saw two or three natives hit 'wlio were immediately helped away by women. I bad directed my men not to . fire at the women, and £am happy to say they did nofcl; tliouglv ii. is very possible that some of the women and children may have got hurt in the affray ; but I. only knowof one instance, a woman, I believe, was wounded in the leg by a stray shot. The affair lasted only four or five miuutes.' I saw three dead men taken off, nnd four of, their dead \vere left in our bands. Two of the natives, when stir- j 'rounded, endeavored to -tab iny' men, one | using ahowie knife, and the other a large j carving knife, butjhe revolver made shbrtJ work of them. One native* at great risk, j returned, and attempted to carry away a small tin box,., but a bullet made him drop it and run oif. Many of those who escaped were Wounded.'/ Uad my party been larger, I think .T could easily have surrounded the enemy and taken • them all prisoners. None of my men were hurt, as only those of the enemy who were on the outskirts of their camp coiild find time to load and fire on us. and they were just as likely to hit their own men as mine. : I estimate the number of the enemy to have been over forty men. One of the natives, before he died, lold me there Were twenty-eicht, and on being again asked he said there were iwcntyeisjht, double -—holding.' up two of his fingers ; be also said his tribe was the iS Tg;atipaoa. He would not tell his own name, but said the man next Tii in was a chief named Matariki. The Scene ofthe engagement/Was in the ranges, about live miles due north of Paparata. The natives retreated in an easterly direction ; one of the sentries I ha.d posted informed me some time after we had left the place, that a broad track led easterly froir near where he was posted, and that he saw a man on horseback go up it: The enemy appealed to have plenty of provisions ; we found a good deal of tea and sugar and some flour; there was abundance of fern root : three or i'oui' kapura maori had meat in them, and a good quantity of pork was hanging up. ln the box which the native tried to secure — mentioned above — were three flags, one a large red flag, on which was embroidered a white cross and star and the word Aotearoa iv white letters. It is made of silk and is neat and handsome. Another flag is a large red pendant with a white cross; the remaining Hig is a handkerchief of the union jack pattern. The other spoils are a double- harrelled gun. a large horse-pistol, .and a smaller pistol, three or four cav;ndge boxes, a great deal, of property which had helon^ed to settlers, such ns scarlet hangings, fancy windowblinds, small work boxes & c -» some papers belonging to Mr Richardson of Wairoa, and a coat belonging to Mr Johnson of the same place, several articles of which were stolen by the natives from Mr M -.Donald at the time Trust's children were murdered neeir llowiclc. I therefore conclude these natives were of the parly who committed those murders. One of my men lias two small packets of hair, I, think European ; they are evidently relics; he will give them up to anyone who may claim them. We could not bring away much of tlie " loot," as we were heavily loaded with our arms, blankets, &c ; but 1 think 1 biought away sullicient. to prove the character of the party we fell in with. We destroyed several packages and tins of gunpowder, and threw a great number of bullets into the creak. I have great pleasure to report that my men behaved with great coolness and courage ; there was no firing at random. 1 am anxious to bring to your special notice the brave and cool conduct of Ensign Westrup, who was foremost iv tbe attack, and made every shot of his revolver tell ; also of private John Smith, who had a severe hand-to-hand struggle with a powerful native. — 1 have, ike, Wm*. Jackson, Captain Commanding Forest Rangers. Lieut. - Colonel Nixon, Commanding Moveable Column. We extract the following account of the murders at Kaipara, and arrest of the murderers, from ihe Southern Cross : — We have since the morninp received the follo-.ving additional particulars of the unfortunate oc-cun-t-nce from Mr William Giace, from near Iv-iipara, and who came into town this morning. He says Mrs Thompson's daughters came to Mr W. Goon's between o and 4 o'clock this morn-, ing, and gave the following account of the murders; — ''Thompson's house is about eight or nine miles from Good's. She said tbat at about 8 or 4 o'clock on the previous afternoon (Monday) a Maori came to her mother's house and wanted to buy some sugar. Her mother weigheo out 31b. of sugar, and said she could spare no more. When she asked payment for it the Maori gave her abusive language and went away taking the sugar away with him without paying for it. In about an hour's time he came back and a*ked for more, and Mrs Thompson said she had no more sugar to spare. On her saying this, the Maori stepped forward to go into Mrs Thompson's room, when her daughter (tiie same one who related this to Grace) went before him, and put her hands up to keep him back, saying that he had no business there. Qu that he turned round, uttered some more abusive language, and went outside ihe door and was still more abusive. Prom there he went to tlie stockyard, and went back and forward between there and 'the., .'house several times. The stockyard is distant from, ihe house about sixty or seventy yards. Oh returning to the house the- last- time, he took ■ a new falling axe and struck Mi's Thompson on the head with it, and her head; was opened up by it. Mrs Thompson fell dead on the floor of the house uttering not a word, so instantaneous was her death. The daughter went forward to. raise the lifeless corpse of her mother, and finding that she was quite dead, slie laid her down again. In the meantime, one of Mrs Thompson's little giris, about fourten or fifteen years of age, endeavored to make htr escape by the door near where the Maori' was standing. The villain; however, raised the axe a second time, and struck the poor little girl on the head, and she fell on the floor. Another of Mrs Thompson's little girls did escape through the door, and ihe Maori ran after her with the axe in his hand. Miss Thompson! seeing that her mother was dead, and- her young sister ■ hopelessly wounded and all but dead, 'if not quite dead," she took up her little infant sister in ber arms, and, barring the^door, made hei escape in' o the bush. It f: *was when she was making her escape that she saw the Maori chasing her other bister, and she is not able to say whether she escaped or has fallen a victim.' Af.er getting into the bush she got on to the surveyor's track, and following it up, reached Mrs Thomas

Smith's house at Areremu,- about four or five miles from' tjie sr.vne of the murder. This, was about 12/ ©.'clock <>n Slonday night, and when Hearing /the house, fshe , gave th-,/' alarin;described the .murders that hid been committed, an 1 said she* believe Ithe Maories were coining. IVlr Smith went to meet her, brought her into his house, although Miss Thompson was anxious to return. Mr Smith, however, persuaded her hot to attempt it, as she could do no good by going bacK. The sawyers in Mr | Smith's house went out and gave the | alarm to the other bushmen in the neigh- \ boihood. and formed themselves into/a [body, arid accompanied, 'by* women and 'children, went down to Mr Good's house, about five miles from Mr Smith's. She wanted Miss Thompson to go with them, but she heroically refused, wishing to go; back to be by the corpse of her mother and sister.' One family of the name of Regan remained behind, arid did not go ■ with the fiist party that started for Good's house, but. they also left shortly afterwards, and they induced Miss Thompson to accompany them. Miss Thompson remained at Good's, and tvvo or three of the men and Mrs Good and Mrs Smith and some others c^me up to town. Miss Thompson said distinctly at Mr Grood's house thai, she would know -the Maori that murdered her mother and sister in twenty years' time if she saw liim. He is said to be brother-in-law of a chief at Kaipara, and the chief's name is mentioned, but as there is some uncertainty about it, we- forbear giving it. The Maori said in Mrs Thompson's house that there were 100 Maories at hand, but she saw none. Between the time'that he came for the sugar the first time, and when he returned for more, Miss Thompson saw four Maories passing, but excepting them< she saw nothing, else to indicate their presence. The above tire the facts" so far as we have been able to obtain them. In accordance with previous arrangement the Hon. Mr Fojjstaned from Auckland on Friday morning, at about six o'clock, fov the purpose of being present al the muster of Kaipara n Hives, of the Ngatiwhatua tribe, at Mr M'Leod's, when, ; Miss Thomson would be afforded the opportunity of pointing out the murderer ot her mottier and sister, at Kaukapakapa, if, as suspected he belonged to the " hapu " of Tamati Davis. Mr Fox was convej'ed up the Waifemata in a boat, as far as Good's landing; and was accompauied by the chief Paul, of Orakei. Mr Rice, of the Native Ullice; Mr Hardington ; your Special Reporter; Moses, a native; ami otiiers started about the same hour, and travelled along the Great North Road. It was understood Miss Thomson wuuld be in waiting at Lamb s mill when Mr Fox arrived, in order to he conveyed to Mr M'Leod's ; but this it appeared was not to be. Mr Fos reached Good's landing about eleven o'clock, and Mr Kice and party arrived about twelve o'clock. No tidings having been received that Miss Thomson was oii her way, Mr Fox instructed MiRice to proceed to the house of Mr Thomson — the scene of the murders — and bring Miss Thomson back wish him. Mr Fox then started for the place of muster, in Mr iVl'Leoa's carriage, which had heen kindly piacad at his service for the occasion. Mr Fox, on arriving at the settlement, was informed by Mr Munroe, who had remained there since Tuesday, that the natives were prepared to allow Miss Thomson to point out the suspected man if- she could. Also tliat Ruarangi was with the hapu. Mr Pox tben despatched Police Corporal Scott* with a summons td Miss Thomson to attend. Mr Lamb and Mr Dacre also kindly volunteered to endeavor to persuade Mr Thomson lo permit his daughter to visit the Kaipara. Corporal Scott and party had been started aboutan Lour when Mr Fox and Mr Rice left Mr M'Leod's, «i h a led horse — also with the intention of taking further steps if necessary to compel the attendance of the young lady. Air Fox ancl Mr Rice arrived at Lamb's mill about ten o'clock ; but Mr Thomson was found more determined than ever to resist any attempt to take his daughter to Mr M'Leod's, abusing tbe Government for their proceedings in the matter, and altogether behaving in a very strange manner. He also expressed his resolve to start for Auckland with his children on tiie first opportunity. Mr Rice was then despatched to Auckland for the purpose of informing his^ Excellency tbe Governor and Mr Whitaker, the Prime Miuister, as to the course affairs had. taken. A police guard was placed during the nigh t over the house in which Mr Thomson slept, to prevent his taking his daughters away, and thus in all probability defeating the ends of justice by prevention the identification and apprehension of the murderer. Mr Thomson rose three tinies with the idea of getting away, but was prevented. The result of Mr Rice's visit to Auckland was that Mr Commissioner Naughton, JSer»eant Foster and six other policemen, were despatched to Lamb's Mill — stariin^ from Auckland at five o'clock on Saturday morning, and arriving there shortly after seven o'clock. Mr Thomson then saw resistance would be useless, and the whole party proceeded to Mr M'Leod's, Mr Fox and Mr Rice riding in advance to prepare the Maories for the examination. On arrival 'at 'the top of.the hill overlooking the native settlement ithe party halted. It was then determined thai Mr Thomson should' remain with two policemen at the top of the hill, for fear that the intense excitement under which * the unfortunate man was suffering, should cause some unpleasantness, by his attempting to carry his threat into execution, of killing the first Maori he met with. 'Mr. Lamb then led the two; daughter?, Flo-, rinda, the eldest, and Hannah Matilda, the ■third daughter, towards the place where the Maoris were seated, and was followed by Mr Naugliton and constables, Mr Fox,. Mr Monroe, Mr Rice. Mr M'Leod, Mr Bonar-, Rev. Mr Gittos, and other European", were already on the. ground,standing in a group to the right of the' Maories. - The natives .formed themselves into three groups. The Orakei party mustered under a flag hoisted for the occasion, having the word "Orakei"- under the Union Jack. famati D.ivis's party were grouped into a triangularly shaped body with chiefs at the apes. The remaining group was of no precise form. The principal chiefs in attendance were Ihikiera, Tinana, Otene, Pa'or'a '1 uhaere, Tamati Reweti,Reweti,Paraone, Wiremu Roweti. Hemara, Wiremu Tipene, Panama, Mali- . kuha, Watarauhi. Including the chiefs, there would be from about 250 to 300 natives present. The chief Paul, addressing the natives, ordered theni to take off t/ieir' hats or other head coverings, and this was done instan-tar. He then said when the girl points out the man, sit quite quiet. Be patient and be quiet. That is all I have 'to tell you. If the man is here who committed the crime, and she points him out, then he will be taken.

Paul then, in an exceedingly polite tnaiinmi gave his hand to Mis*: Thomson, and led her s!o>vly towards the b^ie ofthe triangular group before mentioned. The "Rev. Mr -Gittos followed, leading Miss H Thomson. The Europeans toi rned «- " thin line" fronting the Maories, about fifieen paces distant, and viero most anxious spectators of. these proceedings. The scrutiny hud now commenced in earnest, and an imposing stillness reigned — more impressive' from the sudden cessation of the noise of so many voices, the eye alone being now employed watching intensely the movements of. Paul and Miss Thomson, as slowly they approached towards ■the middle of the first group. They passed on, and now, to the initialed — to those who knew Ru-irangi — it appeared he would not' be recognised, that in spite of her declaration that she could not fail to identify birr., ihe number of Maories present had bewildered her, and her mothers andsistei-'s murderer must escape, bhe had pot two paces past ihe line in which Ruarangi was sealed, five deep — who, half turning round, she suddenly snatched her hand from Paul's, and advancing with hurried movement, stepped between other Maories and pointed him out with her closed parasol, rle hung down his head at once, but afterwards raised it nnd made a somewhat sinister smile. ■ Miss Tnomson's delay in instant recognition may be accounted for thus, Ruarangi, on Thursday, clipped his beard close., and since his arrival at the settlement had been com plaining of illness, thus enabling him to keep to his quarters. When preparing with others for the scrutiny, he had but toned a soldier's large frieze coat close to the throat, covering his shirt sleeves, and of course, his arms, on which the word '•Ruarangi" was written. He hung down his head as Mi--s Thomson neared the line of which he firmed a Jink, and I other Maories did the same, possibly to give countenance io his doing so. When i slit had passed him he raised his head a little, and 'he was identified immediately. , Miss Thomson, after identifying Ruarangi appeared very much affected, and seemed on the point -of fainting as she turned away, but Mr Lamb promptly came up, and hurried her and the younger-daughter to the . summit of the 'hill, wheie they joined their father, and almost immediately started, it was said, to retui n lo their farm. - The Taranaki correspondent of the Otago Daily Times gives the following account of an abortive attempt to occupy the Kaitaki Ranges, to which we referred when we "mentioned that the spirits of Generals Pratt and Gould seem hovi ring over the scenes of their past achievements : — Taranaki, December 24, ISG3 I did trust by this communication to have reported tbe occupation of the I Kaitaki Ranges. Yesterday, Wednesday, December 24, a large force was detailed for reducing this, reputed very sirong native position, in three divisions. One was to attack in the rear, another to march down the coast, so as to amuse ihe occupants'' of. the pah on ihe further spur of the ranges, and the othrr to advance from the front with the artillery. These stsps were taken in consequence of Captain Short and Lieutenant Clark, the" Acting...'Quartermaster General, having discovered a track by which the rear of the ranges couldi With ease, be -reached. In accordance with a previously arranged plan, Capt aii\ Short, with about 40 men of the FiTdi, marched out from the L'outpUo Hedoubt-yery eary in the morning up the Hurfbrd Road, striking southwards acro*s the Tapue and : Oakura rivers, towards the back of the ranges. I have often before described Mount Egmont as a centre, round which the coast wound at an average distance of about fourteen miles from its base, the Kaitaki and main langes striking off at right angles towards the rear; the various rivers that wend their way'towards the coast have left a deep valley, which is ■ heavily limbered, between the two lines <»f. | ranges, 'this had to be crossed by Captain Nort At three -o'clock on the same morning, some 400 men under the command of Major Buller, consisting ofthe 57th, 70th, and Volunteer Bush Range is, marched out with the purpose of co-operation to th - Potouko, fro ii whence they were joined |by the Artillery Puree rid three gunsone 2-4-pounder howitzer, a 12-poundei howitzer, and a long G^poti rider, arid" two ojin Oohorn mortars which' had left town on the Tnesday afternoon The match was then continued to the Oakura Redoubt, where another halt; Was* sounded; here, fatigue parties under the directions of the Engineers were told off fbr the purpose of " .repairing the- parapet-* of the redoubt, ihe 24-pounder howitzer remaining planted on the plateau that abuts over the river \alle}'. An advance was made by the troops ' in two divisions; one continued down ihe j co^st towards the Timaru river, the bound ' of .the Tataraimaka. Block, whilst the other marched down to the 'Wai ran stream and struck inland towards the ranges, the two smaller guns and mortars accompanying this portion ofthe expedition; shortly the party halted within convenient shelling distance of the path planting the howitzer, opening fire with shell. Thfe volunteer bush rangers^ passing on to the left front, and taking position immediatelyunder the hillock upon which stands the pah. Near the pilisading two - carts were distinctly visible supposed to have been those taken on the 4th of May. Colonel Warre, C.U., who had joined the force with" his staff on the march, waited in vain until long after the middle of the day for the preconcerted signal from Captain Stuart's party, which was to have advanced from the rear of the hill, after the firing had ceased, when orders for retiring were issued. On reaching Oak'uia Redoubt, on the return- march Lieutenant Clark was found <to have returned. He stated that Captain Short hal reached the potato cultivation on the very summit of the hill, and the native guide who had accompanied him listened ai one of the huts to the conveisatiou that was going on within ; he saw, also, the man beating the signal drum that had been heard by those -returning from the front ; the whole force returning to their quarters taking with them all the appurtenances for redoubt building. When the force first commenced their inarch from the Oakura, signal fires were lighted by lhe Maoriesin a continuous line down lhe coast, showing that although the natives were not concentrated on the range at the time, a considerable force was within convenient hail. Although the first object of permanently occupying the Kaitakai Range, was not carried into.el Feet, the expedition has not been without its fruits, inasmuch as a decided .knowledge Jias been obtained as to the strength. of this poaiiion-; the fact is, that a small force, hy a combined movement, oan at auy time occupy the spot. I The natives fired from their double-

barrelled guns and rifles, aiid' iii a defiant! manner dared -the* troops "to .advanoij^ Their numbers have !>een variously estiwl mated from seven to thirty. --Thei' tow^ division did not return untfl. !ate.4n r ,lbe| evening, having marched ior nearly -four*! teen hours. , Ji Of Maon news there is scarce any io| foi ward ; report states that ihere \atitfi some 70U natives collected at "Ware!; iS talk over the fate of Rangiriri. Judging! from the quietude of . the natives, -l^aiSl of opinion that a great moral effect. •Willi result from the General's deternunedi conduct, and that his brave and pftetil noble behaviour has placed' him' ih'sucfcj a position as regards the native mind, asl to command their admiration,- so thafrj they will not feel ashamed at suecuinb-f ing lo 'him. It. is certainly a grandj object to be enabled to crush the _ rebel-g lion without destroyiug all self-respecti| It is by establishing a proper self-fespect| amongst tbe natives, that we can aibnej expect permanent-peace. * Atthe Waitaraf side of the town all is -quiet. '' -| The following, from the Otago DaiM Times, would show that every attention! to the comfort and health of the Maori! prisoners is paid. We have seen a| letter from the Norfch, speakiug in any*| thing but complimentary terms of the^ cleanly habits of these prisoners : — J We are informed that the Maori pri-| sonei'S on board H.M. s.s. Curacoa/ wills shortly he removed from their ■ present! quarters to the Marion hulk, now Jy.iiigj abre-'St of H.M.S. Esk, and which is being! fitted up ny Mr Duthie, boat builder, fori "tlieir special accommodation. Operations' were commenced last Monday, and considerable progress has been m.ide during the week. It is expected that the hulk^ will be ready for the reception of the pri-| soners on Thursday next, -so that they may| spend < hristmas in iheir new quarters.! The bulwarks of the Marion- have <beeas built two feet higher, so as to prevent any] ofthe prisoners easily makin? their esc'ap^ hy jumping overboard. Two barricades! have been erected oo the .> main; deck of'tliej vessel, for .the sentries, who will thus be] sepainte from the prisoneis, and .which] will allow the sentries a "good view of . all| that is passing before them Ou the main? deck there has been constructed a large! cooking galley, about fifteen feet square.! No person can walk- to and-lro io the gal-jl ley, or any part of the vessel, with-iutf being seen by the- sentry on guard,. and itf appears almost impossible, for a prisoner to* marehis escape. 'Below there are bun knf nicely fitted up, and the jipartment is yeryj loomy, and apparently much more' com J foriable than lhe steerage berths of an| emigrant vessel. • Good ventilation- ii secured by ten port holes which ha»e beei£ made for. this purpose. Such is the'ac-3 commodfition piovided for the prisoners;;'' who will have no occasion to complain! hereafter that tln-ir belligeient rights liav^ not been attended'to. The oflioe»s aiid men? who are to be stationed on boaid as a| guard have not been forgoiten. Everys: thing Is being done that can add 10- theiri comfort or convenience. A large .house*! has been erected on the poop, with a gal-J vanised iron roof. In this is the officers*; mess room, which is separated - by a parti| tion, "and when finished it wili be as snug* and comfortable £i place as. could be wishedj for. There is a cooking galley • on-the-poop for" the officers and guard, so that) they may be quite separated fiom the pri?| sOners. We are informed that the num-| ber of men required for sentrie^ will bej three at a time — one for the forecastle "andi two for the main deck. The Marion wilfj still be used as a coal bulk, a portion of the vessel being reserved for that„purposa| We have not yet heard what ari angementi have been made, if any, for procuring, special constables for guarding the pri| soners. Probably the military guard -wilfi be re'ained ; but if not, we suspect thatthe fact of comfonable quarters having, been provided will not be an attraction' either to thh volunteeis or militia for the performance of so unpleasant 'a duiy. - \ Confiscation of rebel land has comf menced, tbe Government having taken] a piece at Remura, close tt> Auckland^; which belonged to that '"'""arch traitor* Tainati Ngapora : the land is worth; sixty or seventy pounds, an acre.:-