CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 332, 25 December 1860, Page 3

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

(From the Taranaki Herald.) Saturday, B.—The gunboat Caroline arrived from Manukau to-day. The Caroline, becalmed in the offing was communicated with by the Tasmanian Maid. She brought despatches for. the General, and sailed for Manukau at four p.m. The Niger, with some of of the Iris's crew, was to leave Manukau to-monow for Wellington, to navigate the Pelorus to Auckland harbor, where she-will be stationed, the Fawn taking her place at Wellington. Commodore Seymoar has hoisted the broad pennant, and now commands the naval squadron in the Australian colonies. The Niger will be stationed at New Plymouth, to be relieved at intervals of a month by the Cordelia and Pelorus. The Naval Brigade at Waitara will remain for the present there. ; Sunday, 9.—The schooner Baven, from Whaingaroa, came in to-day. Her master, Mr. Hopkins, states that 800 Waikatos were on their way to Waitara, and that large reinforcements were preparing to start from different parts of the country, and from the east coast. A party of about 200 natives were observed from the Bell Blockhouse yesterday morning, passing laden with pikaus, towards Waitara. These natives are the Waikatos who have been south to Taranaki to procure provisions. No movement of the Ngatiruanuis has yet taken place. Since the murdei of Saiten, native sentinels have been stationed on the road to the Henui, to prevent any person (excepting natives) 'going beyond the outposts. At a garrison parade of the 65th, this morning, Colonel Wyatt presented medals for long service and good conduct to Sergeant John Willis, and Privates George Mulligan and William Adams, of the 65th Regiment. Monday, 10.—An armed party military, under Lieutenant Urquhart, 65th Regiment, escorted carts this morning into the bush for timber and firewood. No natives were seen. Weather continues very fine. The ■ head-quarters of the 40th, and about 200 men (leaving ; about eighty in town), marched to Waitara this morni ing, to reinforce the Waitara garrison; the baggage ■ and camp equipage went down by the steamer Tasmanian Maid. : Tuesday, 11 .-—The Tasmanian Maid, from Waitara, came up this morning. The rebels, in their pah at Matarikoriko, have hoisted their flags, and have ; erected a yard-arm on the staff, on which they carry ;on a mock system of telegraphing, in imitation of our signal stations at Puketakauere and the camp. A reconnoitring party of 200 men, commanded by Colonel Wyatt, 65th Regiment, consisting of 50 of the 12ch, and 15 of the4oth, under Captain Leeson and ' Ensign La touche, and 135 men of the 65th Regiment, under Lieutenants Urquhart, Wrixon, Talbot, Butler, and Adjutant Lewis, with Dr. Niven, medical officer, left town at eleven, a.m., to reconnoitre the country in the vicinity of the Bell Block. Thirty men fr un the Bell Blockhouse, under Captain Buck, accompanied the party. The troops turned up to the right from Goddard's public house in the Hua village, and skirmished through Hirst's gully, and from thence to the Kaipakopako, Tiina, Puke, and Ninia pahs, without meeting any rebels. A considerable breadth of potatoes are growing between the Kaipakopako and Tima pahs. The party returned at six p.m An accident, which was nearly attended with fatal consequences, occurred during the afternoon. A bullock driver, son of Simon Andrews, was run over and kicked by a bullock. He was taken up insensible with both bones of the leg broken. Wednesday, 12.—At four, a.m., 48 men of 12th, under Captain Williams and Lieutenant Lowry; 16 men of the 40th, and 106 men of. the 65th regiments, under Captain Bulkely and Lieutenant White; and 47 Militia and Riiie Volunteers, under Captain \V. King and Lieutenant M'Kechney; the whole in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Young, 65th Regiment; with Dr. Lynch, 12th Regiment, in medical charge, proceeded to the Tima, and Kaipakopako pahs to reconnoitre. No natives were seen, and the force returned at three p.m., with six cartloads of potatoes. The Caroline gunboat again made her appearance this morning from Manukau, with a supplementary mail for t*ie mail steamer for Sydney, This little vessel has become famous for her despatch. She only left this port at four p.m. on Saturday, and having remained in the Manukau twenty-eight hours, has made the run to and fro in the unprecedented time of thirty-five hours. She returned to Manukau during the afternoon. The news from Waikato by the Caroline is to the effect that William Thompson, Tarapipipi, an influential chief of Waikato, and son of one of the Waikatos principle warriors, is likely to join the rebels atWaitara. The Victoria steamed to Waitara with despatches for the commanding officer there, and returned immediately. At four p.m., the Airedale, the mail steamer for Sydney, ■ was signalled, and having shipped a large mail for Australia and England, left at nine, p.m.:—weather calm and fine. Thursday, 13.—At four p.m., the garrison manned the trenches and were inspected by Colonel Wyatt, 65th Regiment. We are credibly informed that Rewi has intimated that the Waikatos at Maohatahi lost in killed, wounded, and missing, seventy-one men, all of whom were picked men from the Waikato tribes. Twenty reached Huirangi wounded, several of whom afterwards died. Rowi considers it was a fair fight, " it wns fought in daylight, and the men were on their feet." He hopes the General will not attack him by night! We are told that in the skirmish near the Waiongona river, on the day preceding the fight at Mahoatahi, between a party of 65th and the Waikatos, and when private Lai ly received his death wound, tea of thftKtab. were. kiHed and wounded*

The graves have been discovered on a mound to the right of the Devon line. We may, therefore, put. down the VVaikato loss at ninety killed and wounded on the sth and 6th November. It is also certain that the murders prior to, and since the Maohetahi fight, have been comtnitteed by Wirernu Kingi's people, and his allies, the Puketapu, with Tamihana at their head. Friday, 14 Weather wet. The Tasmanian Maid, from Waitara, arrived this morning. No news from the camp. Ir is reported that a small party of Waikatos, with Anatipa (a notorious Kawhia native, who was with the Waikatos on their first visit, and who was, concerned in the destruction of property at Henui in August last), and Te Waharoa, are at Urenui, on their way to Waitara; and the main body are at Mokau. A handsome tablet and light Gothic fence, designed and executed by L. Smith, R.E., has been erected, by his comrades, to the memory of private F. Rooney, 6"lth Regiment, who fell at Mahoetahi, as a mark of their esteem and respect. We should like to see similar tokens of remembrance of other brave fellows Who fell at Mahoetahi. Saturday, 15.—The Tasraanian Maid arrived this morning from Waitara. The schooner Pariainihi (owned by Mokau natives and commanded by Wetere, son of the late Mokau chief TakereU was in the river, having arrived last night. 100 Waikatos are reported by Wetere to be at Miini, with, the important addition that two Mokau chiefs, Tikaokao and Tati have joined the ranks of the rebels ;—weather oppressive and threatening. Sunday, 16—Weather wet. No parade in the trenches to-day. Monday, 17.—A continuation of the rain seems to have put an end, for the time, to anything like news. Tuesday, 18.—Weather moderate.—-We have seen a letter from Mataitawa written by Matiu to his brother Raniera at the Henui, in which he leports the death of Te Paretene, of Kaipakopako, and one. of Kind's men from sickness. Matiu strongly urges his brother, and the natives with the pakeha, to be cautious in going far from their pahs, as the Waikatos intend to take the guns from any they may meet. We may infer from th's that the enemy are not well supplied with arms, Wednesday, 19.—We have been told by some natives who have recently visited the rebels at Huirangi that the Waikatos at Matarikoriko and Huirangi were expecting reinforcements. About 150 or 200 including women had arrived at Mimi, and were to join their friends on Thursday or Friday. Among these are several who were here before and returned with so much booty. Anatipa, Pumipi, Makuare &c. The Waikatos say they have had nothing to do with the konini, i.e., murders, and they also say (what may be urged upon the attention of our fellow-settlers in the way of warning) that the Ngatiawas (King's people) will adhere to the customs of their forefathers. The Waikatos urge that we should give up our prisoners and wounded men, «yen as they spared the lives of Mr. Parris and Mr. Everett, and allow them to return to their homes. As for making peace and ending tlw. war, they say, " Let the Governor drop it and then it will be all right." Thursday, 20.—Before daylight this morning large fires were seen from the Bell Block at Huirangi, and at daybreak a large number of horses were moving about. It is believed that a party of Waikatos have arrived. A fresh gale from the N.E. The Victotia and Tasmanian Maid put to sea, the latter towing out the schooner Paraninihi, which, otherwise, must have been driven ashore by the breeze and swell which had set in. We are informed that, npon Commodore Seymour ordering the schooner to quit the Waitara, Wetere and three or four hands, all natives, left the vessel in charge of the remaining hands, and proceeded to Mokau by land. Friday, 21.—A steamer was sighted this morning from the North, supposed to be the Niger, which has been expected from Manukau for some days but found to be H.M.S. Cordelia, Commander Hume, with despatches for Major-General Pratt. Our Auckland papers are to the 18th inst. The Cordelia left on the 20th, yet we have not the New Zealander of the 19th. The Boanerges, with the second detachment of the 14th, had not arrived at Auckland the 13th Foot was under orders to leave India for New Zealand. The Cordelia steamed to Waitara, to communicate with the Commodore, and returned at three p.m. The Victoria sailed for Auckland at seven p.m., and will return with the military bag by the October mail in Auckland. The Tasmanian Maid having, in all probability, run for Nelson yesterday, we shall get the remainder of the English mail, via Nelson,, some days earlier than if brought on by the Lord Ashley. The weather extremely fine all day, and the sea quite calm, forming a striking contrast to yesterday, (From the Taranahi Herald.) Merit.—On Sunday, the 19th instant, the very interesting ceremony of presentation of medals for " long service and meritorious conduct " took place at Marsland Hill. Colonel Wyatt, commanding the 65th regiment, in a short and appropriate address, delivered the gifts of Her Majesty, ending with the kind wish " that they may live long and many happy years to enjoy their well-earned reward." The recipients were Sergeant John Willis, Private William Adams, and Private William Mulligan. The service of Sergeant Willis extends over a period of 23 years, and judging from the latter six which have been spent in Taranaki, we must congratulate the gallant old regiment on having such a non-commissioned officer. The services of Privates Adams and Mulligan approaches 20 years, and when, from our acquaintance with martial law, we know what a trifling offence will debar the soldier from these benefits, we heartily wish the good old soliers many happy years to enjoy the honored gifts of their Queen and country. j