THE FRONT,

Tauranga Argus and Opotiki Reporter, Volume 1, Issue 3, 8 December 1866, Page 3

THE FRONT,

the 8pecial rkporter of the tauranga argu. .

BV

OMANAWA. This place is situated about twelves from Te Papa on this sfde the Wairoa, and if we itave a boisterous w inter it would be impossible to reach it by land unless a good strong bridge was thrown over two of what , they cali Kew Z airtnd creeks, that is, if you attempt to cross eitlier on horse back or foot, the chances are that you will never be seen again. By water ihe distance is about five-and-twenty miles. I left Te Papa in company with Eusigns Coates, Hallowes, and Mr. Rowjey. We crossed that bugbear the beach at lovv water about ten a m. on Sun-' day, December 2, and arrived at Omanawa about one o'cloek, having been detained about an hour at one of the above-mentioned creeks by one of the hcrses getting bogged, Captain Goldstnith, (who commenced and nearly coinpleted a redoubt built on a high, clear hill, which commands the view of large tracts of useless land for settle-nent),- had left the day before for a place ealled Tawahiti, six miles further on, with Ensign Hunter and fifry-five rnen, leaving Lieutenant Pitt, (in charge of the redoubt) and Ensign Atkyn, with forty-five men. The redoubt is ealled Moir's Redoubt, after Captain Moir, late of the lst Waikato Regiment but now struck off pay, who was there also as well as Ensign Curtis, struck off pay. I learnt from thisparty that watch lights had been seen by the guard on Saturday night and Sunday, morning, a sure indication that the rebels were in the vicinity. Ensign Atkyn who had returned with the Convoy. from Tawahiti informed me that a number of Hauhaus were seen there, some of them coming into the redoubt to sell fish to the men. I heard nothing more of importance. If it is the intention of the Government to foist this land upon the lst . Waikatos they will find themselves in it. The land for agrieultural purposes is not worth three pence an acre, and tlie men have expressed their determination not to liave it. If the rebels choose they could coine down upon the handful of men that are out there and thin their nnrpber considerably in a night, and should such a ea; astrophe .occur} and it may even to-night. I ask who is to blame ? The wbole of the land that they are now huilding redoubts to protect is not worth the life of one of our settlers. If the Government wish to drive our men away they -

are adopting the very course to do so, I ask have the authorities reeeived the sanction of Government to place a portion of the lst Waikato Regiment on this block, or are doin£ it on their o'wu responsibiiity ? This matter, should. before it is too late,-be inonired into so as to save further trouble and pethaps hloodshed again in our midst.