THE TAURANGA EXPEDITION.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 40, 8 February 1864, Page 3

THE TAURANGA EXPEDITION.

(From tue Southern Cross, Jan. 22.) As the weather has to all appearance been favorable, we may expect to hoar to-day of the successful lauding of the Tauranga expedition. The troops would probably disembark some time yesterday, if no delay occurred ; and sufficient time ' will have elapsed at the close of to-day for us to receive intelligence of the disembarkation. There have been a great many loose and inaccurate reports circulated with' respect to the state of affairs amongst tlie natives on tlie lOast Coast, but we liave carefully guarded against publishing them. The intelligence that we have already given to our readers is simply the truth : that there are strong signs of disaffection amongst tho natives on a portion of the East Coast, but that this lias by no means, as yet, resulted in anything like a general rising. Bearing in mind tho impulsive character of Ihe natives, it is, of course, impossible to say whether this disaffection may or may not result in something more serious.' Our latest intelligence is that the recruiting Waikatos at Waiapu, or thereabouts, had, up to Tuesday morning, been successfid to the extent of inducing 100 men so join their ranks. From Tokomarua to Hicks' Bay, as we stated before, had been the scene of their operations, but none had, up to that time, left for the head-quarters of the rebels ; and they were all still in the neighborhood. We mention this because it has been stated that large numbers of the East Coast native.-* had started to join the rebels. No doubt this is the ultimate destination of the few who have already enlisted, but that they had started is not the truth. In our first notice of the Eust Coast natives, wo referred to a grand runauga that was to be held south of Turanga (Poverty Bay), and that a large number of natives were about |to attend it. The residt of this we could not possibly be acquainted with yet, but a runanga was held in the Waiapu district, the result of which was, as we stated, the accession of the recruiting Waikato force, And now as it regards Tauranga (Bay df Plenty), much newer home, where tho expedition hus gone, it will be soon, on reference to the map, that it is .in a line with Wliatawhata and Kaglan, or, in other words, it is in the same position ; for many purposes, it is needless to refer to in detail; but we may say. that one great, advantage of it is, that it places our forces in a position to occupy a large extent of fertile land in the Thames district and beyond it, as well as enabling the expedition to form a junction with the General's forces. It is 'well 'known that numbers of the native owners of land in the country about Tauranga are . swelling the ranks of the rebels, and that they return when, convenience prompts them,; and nothing can, . tlierefor<j,, stand ;the way of the occupation of '"their"' lands. We repeat that a glance at the map will show the important results likely td^flow from the present expedition ; audit. is;a matter for, congratulation that an officer like . Colonel Carey, who stowed such ability on the Thames' expedition, is in command of it. The.Feokt. i , .The. latest newsfi'om .the front is that no movement will takcplacp.fo^s.eyeral days, and that' store's arc Dei'ng'. accumulated at'Whata;whata, which it is -not- unlikely will be made the headquarters' dep6t. r .. ■.- ■>■ ■••-.• - - ;