LATEST FROM TARANAKI.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 365, 23 April 1861, Page 3

LATEST FROM TARANAKI.

(From the Tarandki News, April 18.) The complexion of affairs here partakes of so many variations that it is with difficulty and with uncertainty that we arrive at any conclusions. Last week we had occasion to give the terms of peace offered to the 11 Waitara Insurgents" illustrated by a letter from the Native Secretary, and by the explanations given by his Excellency to the deputation that waited on him, to ascertain the views of his government; and out of which much that had been previously considered unsatisfactory disappeared and an approach to reliance arrived at. Tho Governor's reply is already before our readers. Then there was an idea abroad of the immediate departure of his Excellency, and preparations were making for punishing, as they deserve, the contumacious natives of the south, if prompt and satisfactory submission were not made. This view of affairs has undergone an entire change. His Excellency has departed for Auckland, leaving behind him some additional information regarding the proposals made to the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki tribes—which we have furnished in another column j and the Niger has come down and carried away part of the 65th, and will it is understood return with the Fawn to embark more. The military force here is to be reduced to some 750 or 800 men to be divided between the camps at Waitara and the town; and the General and staff will leave for Auckland before the end of the coming week.—These are simply matters of detail, and we are constrained to confess they set our powers of speculation at defiance. The key to all this is said to be the state of the Waikato district brought fey the Niger. In the outlaying places of Auckland, as here, the friendly natives have it seems given partial notice of mischief brewing, and those who but the other day said, stay where you are—now ■ay, go, it is not safe for you to stay. The movement of the troops then seems to indicate that the war, if further war is to be, will presently be transferred to the north, and we must wait with what patience we can muster the development of the •diplomacy at work. Turning to the prospects of the Province in the position in which it seems likely it will be left, we see nothing but gloom 'Twelve months of military imbecility have •sufficed for the destruction of nearly all that was valuable of property, and by fiction we are described as at peace with the murdering hordes of Taranaki and Ngatiruanui. We do not pretend to offer any ■solution of the inconsistencies we. have described—but we forsee that if the Governor's pledge that restitution of property from the natives south be not quickly insisted on, and accomplished, his peace proposals will not prevent the settlers going down to claim their own. A practical way of treating the matter which might possibly inconveniently disturb his diplomacy. Since our last H.M.S.S. Fawn came up to the anchorage waiting for his Excellency, who had it appears made arrangements for a more speedy departure than was anticipated. On Monday the Niger arrived from Manukau, and as soon as Captain Cracroft had waited on the Governor, boih steamersHeft. The Fawn for Manukau with his and suite; the Niger for Wai■tara. During the day the steamship Corio ■arrived with cattle and sheep for the conitractor from Nelson. On the 16th Big Joe escaped from the 'Court House prison between six and eight ;a.m., and has not been heard of since. The Superintendent has offered a reward of £10 ifor his apprehension. A portion of the -'57th Regt. stationed at Waitara marched iinto town to join the head-quarters, they, were met by their band and a large con*course of civilians at the Henui. The left the Waitara with 295 of the 65th ißegt. in charge of Col. Young for Manukau, ;the remainder of the regiment will follow at tthe end of the week. The Corio also •Bailed for the Manukau, and we understand it is proposed to run her fortnightly between Nelson, New Plymouth and Manukau. A military board sat to-day at the Brigade office from 11 to three to receive, parties for damages sustained by the 'military works about the town since the of the war—Thursday the 118 th inst., is the last day for preferring iclaims by a notice posted purporting to be 'official from the Brigade office, but bearing no signature. It will no doubt be quickly •discovered that the short notice given is quite incompatible with any idea of justice to the claimants. The scattered condition of the population requires and will no doubton mature consideration by the authorities, receive the sufferance it demands, and full and fair opportunity be given to all just claims. On Wednesday morning it was rumored that the rebel Tamihana of Kaipakopako, and other natives of the Puketapu tribe, were coming into town to submit to the terms offered by the Governor to Hapurona and the Ngatiawas. Considerable excitement prevailed, and his Honor the Superintendent was requested to accompany a few gentlemen of the late deputation to wait on Mr. M'Lean, and remonstrate against their being permitted to enter the town for fear of •consequences, and to protest against their being admitted on the same terms, after having refused to submit within the time prescribed. On being made acquainted with tho nature of the visit, Mr. M'Lean said that, he was not surprised at the violent feelings entertained against Tamihana and the rebel Puketapu, and resetted that he had no inductions as to other terms than those made with the Ngatiawas. It was urged that those terms were fartoolenient for the heinous •offences of these men and that it would be •desirable and prudent to treat with them toeyond the boundaries of the town. The de-

putation left the affair with these premises in Mr.M'Lean's hands. We hearthat the whole of them have since decamped advised by their compatriots in the friendly camp that they might find the place too hot for them. General Cameron rode into town to-day. It is stated that he has consented to the return of families from Nelson. Under what conditions has not transpired, but will no doubt be presently notified officially.