AERIVAL OF THE AIREDALE WITH TARANAKI NEWS

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 304, 18 September 1860, Page 3

AERIVAL OF THE AIREDALE WITH TARANAKI NEWS

TO 14th SEPTEMBER.

[from a corbkspondent.3

Taranaki, September 14. During the past week many and various have been the causes of excitement; mainly, during the earlier part, from the attempt of General Pratt to send away our women and children by main force, and totally against their will; and many were the stratagems employed to defeat his purpose, ending as usual, when persons endeavor by violent means to coerce women, in their own total defeat. Knots of the inhabitants were scattered about the street debating whether the General had power to take them from their houses and compel them to embark. Parties of the soldiers were paraded before the militia office and proclamations were issued to no purpose; the women said that they would not. go. Captain W. King of the militia being ordered to go with a party and compel some persons, answered that he could conimandthe.nieHi bat that' he nek ther could not would command the women ; for which speech Colonel Carey put him under arrest, which has placed the Colonel in an awkward position* as there is no Court competent to try him in New Zealand, and it will take three months to qualify his brother officers. In some instances where •oldiers were sent the houses were deserted, and a message left that as the soldiers were treating the women so badly they had gone over to the enemy and taken refuge in the pas. As a matter of course the husband was sent for to appear before a gallant Colonel or his own Adjutant. One sergeant off the force when sent ior entared with profound respect, and on it being demanded of him if his wife was ready to embark, stated that she was not, but that in his opinion all the women and children ought to go; he was accordingly sent to endeavor to persuade her. In an hour he returned full of astonishment at what he stated to be her unaccountable disappearance; on again being , sent to make enquiries he, at the expiration of an hour, appeared with a very Satisfied expression of countenance, and stated that be had been informed that she was on board the Airedale. The Adjutant is not one to be very easily deceived, and as Sergeant——was bowing himself out of the office, hedeman- j ded whether he was quite sure the information was correct, and directed him to go on the beach and ascertain the truth; and it was with a most comical expression he returned to state that he was completely at fault, as he could not hear of her on the beach or on the Airedale, and so the day passed, only a lew being Induced to leave the land they love so well; which contains all they hold dear, and trust themselves to the protection of strangen. The soldiers and sailors openly stated that they would not lay hands on a woman, and all, with the exception of ColoneL Carey and the General, seemed tptally v ashamed of the business; since then the magistrates have been persuading persons, and haye obtained the consent of a number, who will proceed by the Airedale on her next trip. Last Monday a grand .expedition proceeded to Waitara against the rebel pas, consisting of 1270 privates and in all more than 1400 men; they took many guns from town and were to procure more from Major Nelson at Waitara. The force halted at about 8 miles distant, and on Tuesday morning being joined by Major Nelson and the guns, one a 68-pounder, proceeded accompanied by about 50 Taranaki Volunteer Rifles under Captain Stapp. They most gallantly stormed 4 empty pas and burnt them; bat on attempting to enter a road leading through some. light bush to ; another pah, sonic natives who ha^ been previously observed to enter the bush fired a volley upon'the advanced guard of the 40th regt., wounding one man who fell,, the Maoris appearing to be in force. To the shame of the English it has to be recorded that the men of the 40th turned and fled in disorder,, leaving their comrade behind them, whether alive or dead they did not know, and did not Btop till they had left three cannon (posted in their rear) exposed to be captured by the Maoris, as there were only 15 men who remained with them. One of the officers it is said fellfover a stump and lost his sword, and could not afford time to regain it. The retire was then sounded and the whole force retreated having been baffled by 200 natives, who soon fired shots at them in derision from a distance. Commodore Loring with a rocket tube and six blue jackets was also left exposed by the flight if the4otb, and had to retire as best %c might. The advanced guard were again directed to advance, and at least recover their comrade; but*a second time retired in confusion; and' a general retreat was ordered, some to Waitara; and the rest to their halting place of the night before; and next clay reached town in safety. The General returned to town by the steamer from Waitara on Tuesday night, ordering more men to be placed on picquet* than had before been judged necessary. One man of the 65th regt. while in the rear was wounded by .a spent ball; a sailor lost a piece pt his ear; and a 40th man also was slightly wounded. : ;

When the, 40th retired it is said that it was intimated to the General that the 50 Taranaki Volunteers were ready to enter the bush and drive the Maoris out; but he said that where he wouldnot send soldiers he would not allow volunteers to go. So ended the great expedition, of 1400 men aaainst 200 Maoris. Surely^bme different mode of warfare must be adapted before we can tiope to defeat the Maori.