THE MAORI WAR.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 357, 26 March 1861, Page 3

THE MAORI WAR.

TARANAKI.

[From the Herald, March 16.)

LATEST FROM WAITARA.

From the field, Friday 15th, 5 p.m. TflE fighting, or rather the bombardment of Te Arei is being prosecuted more vigorously than ever.

At 6 this morning, 320 men of the 57th and 65th advanced to the front and here divided into working parties and coverers. The sap leading to Te Arei was repumed, and a branch sap was also carried from No. 8 redoubt to sweep the rifle pits on the verge of the valley. The Maoris observed this at first with apparent indifference, and continued to fly the flag of truce in the pah. About 7 a.m., however, Captain Mercer arrived from Waitara with 60 of the Royal Artilleiy, three of the celebrated Armstrong guns, and two 8-inch and two 10-inch mortars. A bastion for the Artillery was made to the left of No. 7 redoubt, and all our works went on without the slightest sign of opposition from the enemy until 11 o'clock, when the white flag was lowered from the Maori staff, and replaced by a blood-red war flag. In a lew minutes it was lowered, and one solitary shot from the natives invited us to the combat. The troops were not yet allowed to reply, and the Maoris, after hoisting and lowering, their war flag three thries, opened fire in good earnest, and poured volleys from their pits. The coverers and the guard of No. 8 redoubt returned the fire warmly, and in a few minutes more the 8-inch gun, the Armstrong guns, and the large mortars showered their destructive projectiles from No. 7 redoubt on every position ot ihe enemy. I have barely time to say that the practice of all the guns is excellent, and becoming more and more accurate every successive shot. One of the 14th has just been wounded in the wrist. The pah will be in our hands, in all probability, by Sunday evening. The firing is still going on.