THE WAR ON THE EAST COAST.

Southland Times, Issue 1169, 2 June 1869, Page 3

THE WAR ON THE EAST COAST.

. — ♦— A PAH TAKEN — SIX HAUHAUS KTLLED. Tbe following despatch appeared m the ' Hawke's Bay Herald' of the 14th inst : — Ahekerera Pa, 6th May. We reached tiais place at noon, and. surprised the pa, capturing all the women of the tribe. Unfortunately most of the men were absent watching for us by another road. Nevertheless, the remainder made a stand, and Fox and the advanced guard carried the place at a rush. The other troops hurried up, but could not overtake Brown, who escaped with a few men. There are six dead, of whom one is the, chief prophet of the TTriweras, Mr Clarke informs ma. A party has now gone to ambuscade the enemy's scouting party on the Tapiri road, which I had intended to fake, and by which the Ngatipukeko were expected. A party of sixty was expected from Ruatahuna to-night, but it is probable the other column will have stopped them. I have handed the women over to the Arawa tribe, who will remove them to their own country, so that this hapu will be destroyed. Maoris and Europeans in good spirits, in spite of very bad weather ; and, up to this, Arawas are acting very obediently and cordially. I attribute this chiefly to the influence of Mr Clarke, whose tact and energy cannot be surpassed. Our track lies wholly in the bed of Several considerable streams, and the march is rendered painful and discouraging to the men by the incessant rain. Mr Skeefc is taking a rough traverse of the road, and when clear enough, gets observations, but this is rarely the case in these high lying lands. If I can get the Maories on, I shall march towards Colonel St. John to-morrow, but they are tired. He should arrive at Buatahuna by the evening. I leave a garrison in the pa, and send back for supplies, but there are great quantities of potatoes here, which I will destroy when I have no further use for the crop. Captain Moorsom with 50 troopers, and Paul Hapi with 30 men, will join Mr Pitt at Sort Galatea to-day, so there will be an escort available if the enemy compels us to send back for ammunition. Supplies from Fort Alfred should reach Port Galatea with Major Cumming tomorrow. Captain St. George's natives have not come up, and I do not want them now. The Matata line will do for the supply of Taupo, when the river navigation ia properly provided for by suitable boats. The Clyde cannot get up even in a fresh. Wnaleboats answer; canoes wet the stores. A road must be made from Fort Alfred some ten miles at various pinches, but the line generally is practicable for drays. I ordered the Sturt to go to Wairoa with stores for Herrick, and to be available if required. She should be back at Matata by the 18th. If opposed at Buatahuna, I may be later, but at present I hope to reach Waikaremoana by the 9th or 10th, and hope to find supplies, and Herrick on the opposite shore. Much, will depend on whether we get the canoes. Te Kooti is said by tbe prisoners to be there. Fox deserves great credit for the discipline he maintains, and his zealous exertions. To-day it was his company that did everything. I leave 55 men here, and shall have 100 Europeans and 300 Maories to march. St. John haa 280 Europeans and 200 Maoris. But as haste is required, owing to the season, and the fact that all our roads lie in the beds of streams, we shall be none too strong to kee-> up the supply and reduce any formidable pahs at Buatahuna and Waikare. "Without Ngatiporou, I recommend Herrick not to attempt Maungapowhatuo When I reach "Waikare, a combined movement against Maungapowhatu from both sides would be possible. Every place except that will then have been visited., To cheapen Matata supplies, some proper flat-bottomed craft is required for the river, and stores should be poled up by our own men. Fairchild says the harbour is better then Patea. It is very desirable and easy to continue the telegraph line now to Taupo. G. S. Whitmobe. DESPATCHES FROM MAJOR HEERICK. f were received this afternoon (Wednesday, May 12) from Major Herrick, dated Wairoa, 9th inst. His force had not been able to commence its march for Waikaremoana, in consequence of the refusal of the native contingent to proceed to the front. Their excuse was that they would suffer much in that high altitude" from exposure to cold, snow, and rain ; and they proposed to remain at Wairoa township to garrison it. Major Herrick had been within eight miles of Waikaremoana lake, on Saturday, and found there would be no difficulty in j getting a good pack road. The European force was employed making a practicable sledge road from the termination of the canoe transport to the lake, and would advance rapidly now on Onepoto (at the outlet), where a post would be established that would occupy a commanding position. ABBIVAIi OF THE P. S. STUBT. • The Sturt arrived last evening. She sailed from Auckland on the sth, Tauranga on the 6th, and Matata on the Bth. She subsequently touched at Tologaßay and other places along the coast, and called in at Poverty Bay. Everything was quiet. The steamer was detained for two days at Happy Jacks, where the natives had a report from Wairoa that a party of our men under Bicbardson and Spiller had been fired at near the military township, and one man had been killed and two wounded. Caph. Archibald did not see the native who brought the report, and it may only be rumor. The Maori King had applied to Ngapubi to mediate between them and the Government, and the Ngapuhi purpose to send down 600 men on this peace " mwiioiL r -'■''■ -~

The Sturt nails a?ain for Poverty Bay and Biy of Plenty "to-night or Saturday morning. She. will afterward?, we understar:'!, ij<> on to Auckland. Mr Eichmond returns to Wairoa in the S*-. Kilda this morning. Some additional European troops proceed to the front by the same opportunity.