LATER FROM TARANAKI.

Colonist, 2 March 1861, Page 1 (Supplement)

LATER FROM TARANAKI.

COLONIST OFFICE,

Saturday, 2 p.m,

The I.R.M.S. Co.'s s.s. "Victory" arrived this morning from Lyttelton, and the harbour steamer " Victoria" succeeded, in the teeth of a heavy south-west ■ gale, in bringing up the mails, including the missing box containing the English letters sent via Southampton, which, having been misdirected at home, had been forwarded to Nelson per " Prince Alfred." The latter arrived at Canterbury as the "Victory" was leaving, and the mails were promptly transhipped to her and brought forward. The " Prince Alfred" will probably arrive to-morrow, en route to Melbourne. The "Victory" leaves for Sydney via Nelson on Monday. The " Caroline," French brig, from the Mauritius, is at the Heads, with a cargo of sugar, consigned to Messrs. Cargill and Co. The papers contain some later news from Taranaki. We take the following from the " Wellington Independent" Extra, of Feb. 20 :— ■ ONE OFFICER KILLED. ELEVEN SOLDIERS WOUNDED. MURDER OF CAPT. KING.

The following is from the Taranaki papers:— "Herald" Office, Monday, Feb. 11. The " Tasmanian Maid," just arrived in the anchorage, brings us intelligence respecting the heavy firing heard yesterday at Waitara. General Pratt had resolved on constructing a redoubt about a mile in advance of redoubt No. 6, in the peach grove, and about 400 yards from Te Arei pah, near Pukerangiora. The pah is not now in a fortified state, but there is a village of a few huts on the site of an old pah, half way the slope of a ridge. There are many rifle pits on several eminences around; the ground is covered with fern, in some places very high, and there is a deep gully between the position chosen for the redoubt and Te Arei pah. A force consisting of about 1200 men of the 12th, 14th, 40th, and 65th Regiments, and Artillery, with the Royal Engineers, advanced at daybreak yesterday, and was immediately met by heavy firing from the enemy ensconced in their rifle m pits. Our men were obliged to lie down, and the working parties were covered chiefly by the fire of the Artillery, as the natives could only be seen at rare intervals. The rifles, however, were constantly in readiness to fire into the enemy when seen. The natives were full of determination, and at times came within speaking distance, inviting our men to come on, who replied by recommending them to stand out. Several old women were vociferous in encouraging the enemy. The redoubt was constructed on a small hill crowned with fern trees, commanding the gully and within easy shelling range of the village or pah Te Arei. The 40th, and Captain Strange's and Captain Turner's companies 65th, were extended in front across the^roads from the peach grove to Te Arei, the 40th on the left, the 65 on the right. The detachment of the 12th, and the light company of the 65th kept the road in rear of the working parties, extending from the peach grove to near the new redoubt. Almost every little eminence and the edges of the bush were occupied by the enemy, one party as near as 150 to 200 yards to the men of the 65th on the right front. Captain Strange's men had formed them- I selves little rifle pits, and that gallant officer was lying in one of these when he received a wound in the thigh, the bullet cutting the femoral artery, and causing death by hemhorrhage. Eleven others were wounded : three of the Royal Artillery, one of the 12th, one of the 40th, five of the 65th, and one bullock driver. Nine of the bullocks were hit, but not so as to injure them seriously. The wounds except two which are dangerous, are not of a

character to disable the men permanently. Captain Strange was universally esteemed, not only in his regiment, but by every one who came in contact with him in the whole force. The civilians in the Bell Block, where he was long in command, will hear of his death with extreme regret. No soldier in Taranaki had more respect and good will from the settlers. At present, nothing known of the Maori loss. It is conjectured by a good authority that they did suffer, and a rumour reached town this morning hy a native that two or more had been killed. Little, however, was seen of them during the day beyond the smoke of their guns. One individual placed at the foot of the hill is said to have caused a large part of the loss on our side, but though a great deal of attention was paid him in consequence, he seemed to escape. The whole of the redoubts between Kairau aud No. 6 are to be destroyed to-day. Colonel Wyatt was left in command at the new position with about 350 men. The following is a list of the casualties :— KILLED. Captain T. G. Strange, 65th Regiment. ' WOUNDED. Royal Artillery—Gunner Arthur Fradgley, severely ; Gunner John Green, severely. 40th Regiment—Private Richard Mangan, severely. 65th Regiment—Private "William Davis, severely ; Private David O'Hagan, severely; Private James Munroe, dangerously (since dead) ; Lance-Corporal Samuel Evinson, severely. Militia—Private S. Rundle, severely. The " Lord Ashley " left for Sydney at 8 p.m. with the New Zealand mails, via this port. Tuesday, Feb. 12.—Weather changed for wind and rain. H.M.S.S. " Cordelia" put to sea, and the "Tasmanian Maid " is wind-bound in the Waitara. We are therefore without intelligence from the scene of operations. Captain Strange, 65th Regt., was buried today with military honours. The procession started from the residence of Captain Sillery, D.Q.M.G., the deceased officer's father-in-law, at 3.30 p.m. The firing party consisted of 100 men of the 65th Regt., under Captain Turner and Lieuts. Chevalier and White, and was followed by the band of the regiment, and the Rifle Volunteers' band. The corpse was carried alternately by soldiers and volunteers. The regimental colour of the 65th formed the pall, borne by Lieutenant-Colonel Young, Paymaster Major Marshall, Lieut. Bailie, Lieutenant and Adjutant A. H. Lewis; Colonel Sillery, Captain Strange (cousin of the deceased), and Ensign St. Hill, 65th Regt. were chief mourners. All the 35th in garrison, detachments of Roj^al Artillery and Royal Engineers, men from the 12th and 57th Regiments, Militia and Volunteers, and the officers of all ranks in the garrison, and civilians formed the procession. His body lies next to the remains of Lieut. Jackson, 40th Kegt. who fell in action on the 23rd ult. The deceased officer was justly the favourite of his regiment, and equally so of the civilian force from time to time placed under his orders. Firing heard at intervals in the direction of Waitara. Ihaia and two natives arrived in town by land this evening, and report that yesterday the troops were engaged with the enemy in the rifle pits, and had one man of the 40th killed and one wounded. Captain Richards, of the 40th was slightly wounded.

Wednesday, Feb. 13.—Weather still prevents the " Tasmanian Maid " from coming I up, and we are without intelligence from the scene of operations. An escort of 200 men of the 57th, 65th, and Militia and Volunteers marched for Mahoetahi at 6 a.m. to day, with provisions for the garrison at the Blockhouse, and returned at noon without incident. Considering that Mahoetahi is distant eight miles from town, and less than four from Waitara this duty might be performed with much less labour from the latter place. The southern natives still prowling over the open country around the town, and this evening drove off all Dr. Humphries' herd of cattle from his farm near Fort Niger. Families outside the town within the lines, as natives are said to be in force near the town; Waireka Hill having the appearance of being deserted.

Thursday, Feb. 14. —Weather fine. The " Tasmanian Maid " came to anchor at 1 p.m., and brings up seven wounded men. We have our correspondent's letters containing in-

teresting details of the proceedings at Huirangi and near. Hapurona's pah, Te Arei, which will he found in another place. From a private letter we learn it was intended to assault the pah to-day, but the intention was abandoned, and the troops will advance tomorrow. Capt. Richards, 40th Regiment, is slightly wounded in the groin. From a reliable native source we learn that on Sunday and Monday the native loss was four killed, viz., Wi Ropata, one of W. Kingi's leading men, and a man of considerable influence in the Ngatiawa; Netana, a Waikato chief, who was concerned in Coad's murder; Hohepa, a Ngatimaru; and one of the Ngatimaniapoto. We have not learnt the loss in wounded, but it is said to be heavy.

Friday, Feb. 15.—Several shots were heard last night about 9 p.m., in the direction of Waiwakaiho, We counted as many as twentp; some double shots evidently from double-barrelled guns. Some families outside the lines came inside, but the firing ceased before 10. This morning we are informed that Mahau's people at Waiwakaiho, and the [ Henui natives, were firing at six of their number this morning who had gone over to the enemy. The firing was at random and was to express their anger at their traitorous conduct. The southern natives have not left, as was reported; they have been engaged planting in the vicinity of Puketotara, and have kept quiet in order to draw settlers outside the outposts. 100 more Ngatiruanuis are on their way to Waireka, and it is believed that the Waikatos will move this way when driven out of their present position at Te Arei. This morning at 7, large parties of natives were seen passing along the edge of the bush towards Waireka from Waiwakaiho. They burnt several houses on their way—Roberts's, Oliver's and others. We are informed that in consequence of a rumour circulated amongst the natives that some of the prisoners in gaol had been executed a large portion of the Southerns proceeded yesterday to the vicinity of the friendly pans at Henui and Waiwakaiho, and proposed to join them in an attack on the town. Six natives, three from the Henui and three from the Waiwakaiho pahs, with their women and children, went over, the rest replying to the wishes of the rebels by firing at them. Natives are seen busily employed fortifying several positions on the land adjoining Waireka Hill. A rumour has reached us that Topini Te Mamaku, the Wanganui chief, is on his way to join the insurgents. The " Tasmanian Maid," from Waitara, at noon, brings no news of particular interest. The General has decided upon sapping up to Haptrona's pah Te Arei, which will be a work ' of ten days if fine weather continues. The sap was commenced yesterday morning. The natives continue to keep up a fire from their position, but without effect. Our casualties on Monday and Tuesday were — MONDAY. 40th Regiment—Lance corporal James Lawrence, killed; Captain T. B. Richards, slightly wounded; Private Peter Cusack ditto. TUESDAY. 40th Regiment—Private Henry Daffey, severely wounded. About twelve or fifteen acres of maize, potatoes, &c, on the banks of the Waitara, have been destroyed. Mr. Carrington, who went down on Monday last, has surveyed during the week the country lying between Kairau and No. 7 redoubt. Saturday, Feb. 16.—The " Wonga Wonga,'' from Wellington via Wanganui anchored in the roadstead this morning. We have our Wellington files to the 13th instant (Wednesday). There is no news of particular interest from Wellington' or Wanganui. It is believed that Topine Mamaku will join the insurgents at Waitara with the up-river Wanganui natives. The " Wonga Wonga " brings 200 sheep and 30 head of cattle from Wanganui, and returns at 5 p.m. this day.—The escort for Omata, to consist of troops, militia, and volunteers is ordered to leave town this day at one o'clock, with one day's provisions. The force will remain away one night.