THE NATIVE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 1066, 2 December 1868, Page 6

THE NATIVE WAR.

The following summary of Northern news is taken from the Dunedin papers : — Napiee, November 16th. The Ahuriri arrived here to-day from Poverty Bay. She reports that four Friendlies were shot by Te Kooti on Saturday, and seven ■were bound and were to be killed yester- . day. Most of Tamihana's people — a friendly tribe — na ve gone over to Te Kooti's farce '; which is 500 strong and strongly posted near Westrupp's position. A reconnoitring party was to start from the redoubt on Saturday. A gooe chance is afforded just now for an elective attack j but more men are wasted. Westrupp^ force numbers 280 men ; j bvA is insufficient both to hold the re- j doubt and make an attack. I In Napier, much anxiety is felt ; and ; the Third Class Militia have been called out for picket duty . The St. Kilda is about to leave with 22 •constabulary from Wellington, a^d other reinforcements.

The following telegrams appear in this morning's Advertiser, having been com- \ muflicated by the Government :— Wellington, Monday* Napiee, Saturday, 4 p.m. 8 p.m. The enemy is still at Patutahi, two or three miles from the scene of the massacre. They have been largely reinforced, and now probably muster 600. They consist of original prisoners, Upper Wairoas, Ureweras, and straggling parties from other tribes. The European force at present consists of 50 refugee settlers in the redoubt, 100 Poetaihi men, and 70 Karatiawas men from here. They have three good officers — Westrupp, Tuke, and Gascoigne. At Wairoa we have 158 Ngatiporas, about 100 Europeans (settlers in all) and 100 natives of Wairoa, exclusive ot Thaka. Many are out on marauding parties. The Mohaka settlers are coming in. It is not certain where Thaka is. He was said to be making for Poverty Bay with some followers. If so, his main force will go to protect the respective settlements. Only 80 of them are armed. There is no lack of stores at Turanganui. Major Lambert is at Wairoa. The refugees state that the number of Europeans killed was 43. Some of^these, however, may be missing. Archdeacon Williams says that about 20 Natives were killed. A great many women and children escaped barefooted in their night clothes, Johnson and party of 20 escaped to Wanga Maihi, throngh the bush. They were taken up yesterday by the Ahuriri to the stockade at Turanga. Biggs was shot while loading his rifle. He said to his wife, " I am killed ; fly to the flax bushes." She died by his side, with her infant. The Hauhaus took everything away from the houses burnt by them. It is supposed that there were more arms than the one each settler had, with an average complement of ammunition. Drays were seen taking away the goods. Puketapu pa is supposed to have a strong force, a large party having come to Mara Mara, who fired volleys and then retreated to Puketapu. This latter is a Maori report brought overland, and is not reliable.

Wellington, November 17th. The Wanganui Frendlies have been disbanded. There are few houses now occupied more than a mile or two outside Wanganui. Tha Wereroa redoubt, which was attacked on Thursday evening, was successfully defended for three hours without loss by the first-class Militia, and a few rebels were killed. The redoubt has since been abandoned. The main body of the rebels continues to move towards Wanganui, followed by Colonel Whitmore. The former skirts the bush and has it always ready for a cover ; the latter keeps in the open, watching and waiting for any favorable opportunity for making an attack.

Nelson, November 17th. Last night an enthusiastic meeting was held sympathising with the suffering colonists in the North Island, the Superintendent in the chair. Seven hundred persons were present. The first resolution, expressing sympathy, was proposed by the Bishop, and seconded by Mr Elliott. The second resolution was moved by Mr Barnicoat (the Speaker of the Council), and was seconded by Father Garner that the Superintendent be requested to take means to extend timely aid to the wounded, sick, and destitute persons, if wanted. The third resolution was proposed by Dr Irvine, and seconded by Mr James Burnett, that while not expressing an opinion as to the way in which the war had been heretofore conducted, this meeting, consisting cf persons of all political parties, testifies to an earnest and unanimous desire that the people of Nelson afford moral and material support to the Government during the present emergency, in any energetic and efficient measures they may adopt for punishing and repressing rebellion and outrage. The above motions were unanimously agreed to. Several influential people addressed the meeting.

The * Colonist' of this morning advocates the suspension of the Constitution in the North Island, and placing it under the direct rule of a Commissioner appointed by the Queen, until the Natire

disturbance is quelled. The article declares the acceptance of Native responsibility to be a mistake, and adds: — The Maoris who formerly venerated the Governor, as the real representative of the Queen, have discovered that as things now are, he is only a plastic instrument in the hands of the Ministry, who are again a changeable body, resting on the will of Parliament. Hence, al] but the shadow of authority has vanished in the eyes of the Maori, and with it has also, all but the shadow of their former respect, and that respect will not reappear until feudal chieftaney is again assumed on behalf of Her Majesty with regard to the Maoris of the North Island. Wellington, Nov. 14, 7.45 p>m> The Governor and Mr Stafford returned this morning in the Sturt. One of the men missing after the last defeat has turned up, and he reports that four others o f the refugees weve in j the bush after the retreat. j The news from Hawke's Bay is that . the wife of Capt. Wilson, who was mur- j dered during the late massacre at Poverty Bay, has been found alive* pierced with six bayonet wounds • but hopes of her recovery are entertained. Her son escaped unhurt, and was thus enabled to save his mother's life. On last Tuesday a memorial from the settlers was presented to the Governor at Wanganui, in the presence of Mr Stafford and Colonel Haultain. The Governor listened with attention, and ! promised to give a written reply. Mr Stafford gave a verbal reply, which led to an animated discussion. < The Alhambra has arrived with 12 armed constabulary frcin Nelson, and 28 from Hokitika. The office of the ' "Wairarapa Mercury' was burnt down this morning at 4 o'clock. The ' Independent' strongly advises a war of extermination and are ward of £100 for Tito Kowaru's head, and £10 for each Hau-hau, on the production of his head. The news from Poverty Bay has created immense sensation in Auckland. An expedition has gone to reinforce Westrupp, who has now 280 men. The St. Kilda left Napier on Wednesday, for Poverty Bay with 200 Natives of Tareha's, M.H.R., party, and Hapuku and Eenata, well-known friendly chiefs, residing near Napier. Captain Kennedy, of the Napier Militia, commands them. The Ahuriri has gone to the Coast to raise the Ngatiporas to assist at Poverty Bay against Te Kooti, now in the open, plain. Napier is patrolled every night. The Wairo refugees left all their property behind. Mr Eobert Pharzyn's homestead, near Wanganui, has been burnt by the rebels, and his stock has been lost. Other houses have also been burnt, excepting when they contained produce useful to the Hau-haus. At a largely attended public meeting in Wanganui, on the evening of the Governor's arrival there, it was unanimously resolved that the present policy of the Government in Native affairs having failed, a more vigorous policy be adopted, and a price put on the head of every rebel ; that the people of the town and district have no confidence in the present Defence Minister, in consequence of his weakness and want ability ; and that such as he should no longer be permitted to hold office. Other resolutions were passed : the feeling against Colonel Haultain is very strong. Redoubts thrown up at great cost have been abandoned one after the other, to be garrisoned by the enemy. In his reply to the address of the Wanganui settlers, the Governor referred to the work of the early New Zealand settlers. It reminded him of the days of Kaliegh and his adventurous contemporaries. The settlers found that the work of colonisation required the lighter qualities of enterprise and readiness, which lead to success in the Australian Savannahs. The ' Wanganui Herald ' says that the Turakina out-settlers are abandoning their homesteads, and are nocking into Wanganui. Wellington, Nov. 20. The steamer which has just arrived from Wanganui reports that matters at the Front look worse and worse. The Wanganui people were never so desponing as now. Colonel Whitmore's tactics appear to be simply to retreat. As was to be expected, no less than six more settlers' houses have been burned. Four settlers, aided by the same number of stockmen, pursued the Hauhaus who set fire to Moore's house, which stands on this side of Kai Iwi, within gunshot of Colonel Whitmore's camp. The Governor met 96 of the Wanganui natives on Tuesday last. They complained of the abandonment of the outposts, and expressed their want of confidence in Colonel Whitmore as a fighting commander, which induced the latter to address His Excellency, detailing the plans he had intended to have carried out at Okutuku, but which were now frustrated. The Governor called for a Volunteer force, to be called " the Governor's Taua," to which Kemp and others responded. On the same day, when the settlers presented their memorial to the Governor, Mr Stafford, during the conversation which arose, expressed his entire concurrence in all that Colonel Haultain had | done, and stated that the Government had been thwarted in their vigorous prosecution of the war by the Press and people of Wanganui. The ex parte statements had been re-published, and made a handle of in the South. If the Assembly had been sitting, a proposition to cut off Wanganui from the rest of the colony would probably have been made and carried. The deputation responded very warmly, indignantly repelling the accusations made by Mr Stafford, and declaring that while they were anxious to defend their homes, they declined to have more than was absolutely necessary to do with the

commander of the Militia who had been . inflicted on them, and assured the Governor that in saying that Colonel Haultain also Was incompetent, they expressed the all but unanimous opinion Of the public. Hawke'a Bay papers, although containing full particulars of the late massacre at Poverty Bay, relate but little beyond what has already been telegraphed. Further telegrams state that Captain Tuke's party, on proceeding to the scene of the massacre, discovered Mrs Wilson. A second party was to go out to bury the dead. Mr Woodward has been appointed Receiver General. Adjutant Stack of Hokitika proceeds to Australia in the Otneo fbf the purpose : ofrecruitiag. Wellington, Nov. 21. The latest news this morning is that ; 400 Friendlies encountered the enemy , yesterday, and killed two. _ j There were no casualties on our side, | and the men are in good spirits. j The bodies of the Maories tied up by ! Te Kooti have been found and buried. Intense indignation is felt in Auckland, where the greatest sympathy prevails. Archdeacon Williams remains at the redoubt at Turanganui, where he has shown an excellent example by his courage and hopefulness under the most depressing circumstances. Agents' private advices report no change in the state of wool in the London markets The date of the Governor's departure for the South is not yet fixed. The news of the defeat of our men at Turoturomokai, and the escape of the prisoners from the Chatham Islands has reached London, and has created great uneasiness in New Zealand affairs. A special messenger who has just arrived from Wanganui, states that it is rumored that Tito Kowaru is on the Eangitikei side of Wanganui, having crossed over the river. This isvery important and alarmingnews. The messenger is now waiting at the residence of Mr Stafford, who is out with Mr Hadfield, and the details of the despatch are consequently as yet unknown. WELLtSGTOST, NOV. 23. The messenger, Braithwaite, left Wanganui at 2 o'clock yesterday morning. On passing through Turakinaj he heard that Tito Kowaru had crossed over at Kai Waike, and was supposed to be coming down the Turakina river. A party of Hauhaus were at Eangitikei, ready to join him. Colonel Whitmore is still at Woodall's redoubt. The town of Wauganui was thrown into a state t>f consternation on .Friday night. It was arranged that the signal of alarm should be the firing of two guns, and two steamers on arriving each fired a gun, which caused a great panic for a time. The Sturt was nearly burned at sea, through a bale of patent aprons igniting spontaneously. All last night, Wellington was in a state of great consternation, owing to the ill news received, so many in the town having relatives, friends, or property in the districts threatened. Some waited on the Governor, who knew nothing about the matter. Others waited on Mr Stafford, who stated that despatches received from Colonel Haultain, dated seven o'clock on Saturday evening, did not mention it, and that he himself disbelieved it. In connection with the calling out of the Militia to-morrow, an article in the New Zealand ' Advertiser ' — the Government organ — of this morning, has created considerable uneasiness, as the probability of sending the first-class Militia, comprising our young men, to the Front is therein hinted at pretty strongly. After stating that the Waikatos threatens to be a third centre of active rebellion, it continues: — Horrible cannibalism and midnight massacre have made it an impossibility to deal gently or to make terms with the insurgent. A force consisting of 700 disciplined Europeans has now been collected on the West Coast, and the handful of men on the East Coast and in the Waikato country are receiving weekly accessions from all parts of the colony, whilst recruiting will in a few days be begun in Victoria. The hostile forces are well placed between two settlements, against either of which an attack can be directed, while we are distracted by the wealth of our people. We cannot easily reconcile ourselves to the destruction of our flocks, herds, homes, beds, <fee, and so their seeming inferiority in numbers is more than made up to the enemy by our embarrassments. ' It will soon become a question, unless the enemy should lay themselves open to blows and receive the terrible punishment they deserve, whether it will not be both wise and necessary to abandon, so far as our permanent forces are concerned the attempt to protect fixed property in the rural districts, so as to utilise our active army to the utmost. In order to hold the country it may be necessary to leave it more than has hitherto been done to the care of the residents alone. This is true of the Militia, and in this the Militia of the towns ought to bear its share with that of the country, for, as the old fable of the belly and its members shows, the Town cannot do without the Country." Great activity consequently is evidenced in getting up volunteer and cavalry corps, a naval brigade, <&c. The ' Advertiser' says :— " Private advices from Wanganui inform, us that there is every reason to believe that Tito Kowara. is using every exertion to promote a general rising of the Natives throughout the colony. If the battle of extermination has to be fought, it might just as well take place now as at any other time. The present inconvenience to the European population will be more than balanced by the speedy settlement of our dificulties."

It is rumored that Colonel Gorton has been superseded in his command by Major Noakes. Every precaution against a surprise is being taken at Wanganui. Armed patrols, 200 strong, nightly parade the streets, and the utmost vigilance is observed. A circular has been issued from the Defence Office to the officers commanding the various voluoteer companies, in which they are requested to send in the names of all volunteers who may absent them; selves from inspection more than two or three ordinary paradesj in order that their names may be struck off the list. The ' Wanganui Herald' states that the body of men raised at Auckland to reinforce the Armed Constabulary at "Wanganui, had been detained in consequence of the threatening aspect of affairs at Waikato. Napier papers State that steps are - being taken for the early commencement of the construction of the line of telegraph from Napier northwards, teuders being invited for the supply of 500 telegraph posts. The line will follow the present dray road as far as Minga Kopikopiko, thence crossing the leading ridge on the right slope of the Esk Valley, to a point above the Kaiwaka side cutting, thence following again the present road to Mohaka. . The contract for the conveyance of the mails between "Wellington and Wanganui has passed into the hands of Messrs Young and Sheppard, of Hokitika. Mr Young is also negotiating for the purchase of the plant of Cobb's line of coaches. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church holds its annual sitting this week, in "Willis Street Church. Public worship will be held this evening, when the retiring Moderator, the Eev Patrick Calder, A.M. of Nelson, will preach,, The ranks of the Volunteer Artillery Corps have received an unexpected accession in the shape ot no less persons age than the Attorney- General who has to-day taken the requisite oath. The Ahuriri arrived at Napier from Poverty Bay to-day at 8 a.m. She reports all quiet. The rebels have retired to the back country. The bodies of four more Friendlies j have been found mutilated and unrecog- ! iiisable; The Government have received a telegram stating that the Friendlies are following up Te Kooti, but not with so much spirit as was hoped. Te Kooti is abandoning his loot as he retreats. Great satisfaction has teen caused here by the offer of the Otago Government to give shelter to a limited number of refugees, if needed. 8 p.m. On the Imperial Troops question, the article already quoted says — " Generals hastened in 1860 and 1861 to do their duty — to be at the post of danger, or to prove their title to highest rank and honor in confessedly difficult tasks. The day of that sort of thing is gone by. Our i land has been the grave of military reputations and hopes, and though decorations have been showered with an indiscriminate liberality which does and ought to make them worthless and a bye- word, of honor but little has been achieved. Generals will not again hasten to the rescue. They will hang back behind the letter of instructions dictated by Colonial office indifference as to what may happen here so long as there is no further demand on the Imperial treasury. General Chute's instructions enable him to refuse assistance, unless under a pressure from the Governors of the several colonies, which it would be asking some patriotism to expect them to put on him after the recent warning example of Sir George Grey. It must be three months before the Imperial succour can arrive, use what expedition we may. Three months of summer weather fit for campaigning, three months of dispair for onr rural population, three months of brooding discontent for the politicians of the Separation school, and those whom they lead. If we can obtain Imperial help it will come too late to save us from ruin. This alone forces on the conviction that we have to rely on ourselves, and that any proposal which has a tendency to make us relax our efforts to stem the evil by our own strength — nay, fatal. The firing by Colonel Whitmore's force on the Europeans pursuing the rebel incendiaries, is explained by the fact, that they were mistaken for rebels.

Napiee, Nov. 18th. The All Nations claim at the Thame3 diggings has obtained 7570z. of retorted gold from 38Olbs. of stone. The disastrous news from Poverty Bay reached Auckland on the 13th, and caused a tremendous sensation. The Kosario left at once for the Bay. The Ahuriri sailed hence last night for the East Coast to raise more levies among the Ngatiporas and the St Kilda sailed to-day witn 200 Ahuriri Eriendlies, under the command of their chief. Captain Kennedy has made other dispositions, with a view to striking a blow at the Hauhaus when in the flat country. News is hourly expected by the Star of the South. The settlers to the north of Napier are still coming in, and the patrols and guards are kept up. Napiee, Nov, 19. The Hauhaus are entrenched in the bush near Puheamionga, eight miles from Turanganui, with a high look out. A strong mounted force, numbering about 200, has been seesi. On Monday great usionishment was occasioned by the arrival at the redoubt of James Wilson, a hero of eight years, of age, son of the late Captain Wilson, who, with his mother, escaped the late massacre at Poverty Bay. The mother received seven wounds, one of which was in the thigh, and another in the abdomen. She was left for dead, but managed to crawl into the pig-stye. The baby was swung by the feet, and its brains dashed

out ; and the Bister was stabbed in twelve places. ' James escaped into the scrub, found 1 his mother on the third day after the , massacre, and supported her by means of • eggs. . ] One night they ventured to sleep in Bloomfield's house, but the Hauhaus came, and the t#o crept under the bed. Mrs "Wilson was almost destitute of clothing. Her sufferings for six. days was dreadful • but she is nevertheless ! expected to recover, and will be sent to Napier 7 by the first stermer. On the arrival of James, a party of 100 men, under Capt. Tuke, went out (the boy acting as guide) and escorted the poor lady to the redoubt. They found most of the bodies eaten by , the pigs or hawks. Only one arm remained of poor Major Biggsi , . -, Na* ms, Nov. 20An old woman has giren intimation that an attack was imminent on the stockade. It is supposed that this has occurred, and that the steamer has been detained in consequence. The mail was kept for the steamer to bring on. It is reported that Mrs Wilson is very poorly. The boy; when discovered by a reconnoitering party, had & card in his possessionj upon whicli tb.3 poor lady had written an appeal for help, commencing " Gould some kind friend come to our help for God's sake?" The Eosario had not yet arrived at Poverty Bay, but was hourly expected. Napier, Nov. 21. The St. Kilda arrived here at 10 o'clock last night from Poverty Bay. The latest bulletin states that Mrs "Wilson is fully expected to recover. No fighting had taken place, but the dead had been collected, and all that could be recognised buried on the 18th. The body of Mr Cadle unmutilated, his retriever having stayed beside it ; Six Friendlies were shot hy Te Kooti \ one escaped with several gttnshot and three bayonet Wounds; The Ahuriri, which arrived this mornings reports that 40 more Priendlies have been massacred and butchered by Te Kooti. This act can only be accounted for by his demoniac thirst for' blood; lii a skirmish between a party of the Ahuriri natives and the HauhauS, two of the latter were shot, arid the rest ran away. The Ahuriri landed 37 of the Ngatipocou tribe; but was afraid to spare nrore for fear of a surprise. The St. Kilda proceeds to Wairoa today, and the Ahuriri to Poverty Bay tonight. The Erendlies are described as being eager for the fray, and it is suposed that a combined attack on the Hauhaus is mediated. European fighting men are much wanted. Napieb, Nov. 23rd. 40 Eriendlies came in at 10 o'clock on , Saturday night, being afraid of being met by the troopers and taken for Hauhaus. , " General alarm prevails, and both the . troops and Militia are ready for action . at a few seconds notice. Mr M'Lean has ordered an advance from both places, so as to put the enemy ; between two fires. The forces at Poverty Bay are out pur- ' suing th 6 enemy, who are retreating. , Major Lambert, at Wairoa, has refused . to recognise Mr M' Lean's authority, ■ alleging that he has received separate in- ; structions. , None of the enemy have yet been seen in the "Waikaco district, but affairs there L are in a very critical condition. : Timabti,Nov. 20fch. Mr Stafford was elected to-day for i Timaru without opposition. There was a large attendance of i electors. ] — * — --^. I