HUIRANGI.

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

HUIRANGI.

Thursday evening, March 14. ' At (he beginning of the week every one here felt certain of seeing the British flag floating over Te Arei pah by to-day at the farthest, for our men worked with such increased energy as they neared the enemy, that on Monday evening the sap was pushed within eighty yards of the pa. The fire of the natives decreased daily as we advanced, the distance being so short that they could not for an instant show themselves anywhere in the vicinity of the pa without a certainty of falling under the accurate aim of our coverers. Some pits" situate behind the brow of a cliff that leans over the river, midway bejtween the head of the sap and the pa, were however occupied by the enemy on Monday, and early in the morning a shot from that quarter entered the sap and wounded one of the 57th slightly in the head; yet it was evident, from the large amount of shell, shot, and rifle bullets that scoured them, and from the feeble opposition of the natives, that tne enemy's positions were becoming untenable, and the total evacuation of Te Arei was daily expected. But events do not always happen exactly as we anticipate, for no one can foresee what a few hours may bring forth. The first object of interest that became visible to us at daybreak on Tuesday morning was a large flag of truce flying over the besieged pa. This (the 12th of March) being the day pioposed by..the natives for hoisting the Maori King's standard throughout New Zealand, the white flag was at first regarded with suspicion; every glass in the camp was brought to bear on it, but no insignia of any kind could be discerned, and a few minutes served to reassure every one. The truce was acknowledged; the working parties were dispensed with, and returned to their respective camps without entering the sap ; the Maories showed themselves in front of the pa, and many of therri walked about confidently under the eyes of the troops. A messenger from the insurgents approached No. 8 redoubt and asked for an interpreter. Colonel Leslie instantly despatched a mounted orderly to acquaint the General of the circumstance, and in a very short time the Adjutant-General, accompanied by M'-. D. Hay, of the .Native Department, arrived irom Waitaiu and proceeded to the front. Letters were brought down by the Maories, and the remainder of Tuesday and all the time since was occupied in a succession of interviews between the natives and the interpreter. Yesterday a Maori came to No. 8 redoubt for the purpose of exchanging his flag of truce for one from the camp.

This morning (Thursday) the interviews were again renewed. Mr. Hay having arrived early from Waitara moved up to the pa with a flag o( truce. A native, also bearing a flag, approached and met him half-way, and, after exchanging a few words, the Maori conducted M;. Hay into Te Arei pa, where he remained in conference with the insurgents for several hours. It may be woithy of remark that, while Mr. Hay was approaching Te Arei, the hills on the right of it were covered with Maori spectators, but when he entered the pa they all disappeared like a shadow. Every one here is in suspense as to the object and the probable issue of the truce, and it is amusing to see the eagerness with which groups of men gather around the several horsemen that gallop to and fro with despatches, endeavouring to read in their faces the purport of their message, and whether it presages war or peace. (From the Herald.)