THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wanganui, August 2, 1860.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 202, 2 August 1860, Page 2

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Vérité sans peur.” Wanganui, August 2, 1860.

There is no later authentic intelligence from Taranaki ; but a communication was received at the end of last week from the Maories, to the effect that the camp, at Waitara had been evacuated and set fire to, after some further skirmishing unfavourable to our side; that the troops there had retired to Taranaki; and that that unfortunate place was regularly blockaded by the. Maories,. of .whotn each tribe present—'the, Taranakis, the jVgatiru.anu.is, the Waikatos, W. Kingi’s followers, and a miniher.of. men from P.ukekolie-~-had taken up a separate 'position afdtimk it/ 1 from which they could not be dislodged by shot or shell from the vessels in the harbour or the stockades. Theie are sundry other part ! culars given which are scarcely credible, and. therefore not worth'mentioning. Indeed, were it. not for the antecedent proceedings' of the military authorities atTaranaki, even" this news would be incredible ; but it is too. much, we fear, in accordance with what might be expected, not to have some foundation in truth, if it is not strictly accurate. Thejutte'* fatuousness which-has been displayed throughout the whole of the sad period that has elapsed since the.old women -repulsed the surveyors from the disputed land, sets all calculation at defiance as to what is to be the issue of the-contest at Taranaki,; if it does not forbode,’too surely,., still further reverses to our. arms, and disgrace to the British name* brought on it by those who, from their posi t.ion and responsibility, ought, to be willing to die a hundred deaths, - rather than that such should by any 'possibility appear to be true of them. But incompetency is always self-conceited, unconscious of error, and jealous of superior abilities.

There lias of late been a good deal of correspondence in our -columns about stockades and telegraphs for .the protection of the neighbouring country. It appears to us that both are best. Stockades of any size would require such a large number of men to defend them as would seriously weaken the force left to protect the town ; and as it is the place in which the most precious possessions of the colonists will be placed for security, it would be madness to risk its safety in an attempt to protect the country districts. But stations in commanding positions, in those districts most exposed to attack (and the only one in the mean time is the north-west) might be fortified, so that they might be defended by a dozen or fifteen men, who could observe the approach of an enemy, and telegraph intelligence to town, .from which ' a force might be immediately sent out to meet the foe, or if not strong enough to attack, yet aide to relieve the garrisons of the blockhouses, and bring them safely in. Such stations would be at once a place of refuge‘to the outsettlers and’a protection to the town—warning, as they would, its 1 inhabitants of any coming danger, and preventing the Hear approach of any enemy to harrass and molest. For it would be foolish indeed, if it can possibly he helped, to allow the town to he beleaguered, and those called upon to defend it to he worn out with watching ami night work, and reduced to the necessity of merely standing on the defensive until tardy succour arrived. Bgt though it is well to be prepared, and to take the best measures for self-defence, we trust that the efficiency of these measures will never he practicably put to the test. It will he observed by a letter in another column, from the respected Romish clergyman of this place, that the natives up the river are desirous of peaceand his .statements are corroborated by those of others who are thoroughly acquainted with the tribe. Not that it-is to be supposed that no influence, lias been brought to bear on them to induce them to take part in the fray. /Then a, Waikato is going through the province ot Otago endeavouring to find recruits for Wi Kitigi, it is not likely the //’angamii natives have been overlooked. But these, besides preferring to cultivate 1 their against the Waikato, which, apart altogether irom the merits of the question,, disinclines them from taking part in a movement in which the Waikatos take the lead! . On Friday evening last there was a meeting, at Putiki, of Putiki ami Aranio. Maories, at which also were present Abraham, the chief of . the -• ■Waitotara.s, ami some of his tribe. About 80 men attended, arid they were unanimous in their wish to preserve amicable relations with the Europeans. ; Our only fear then is from Taranaki. “If Taranaki be taken and sacked,” say the alarmists. The idea, even with all the incompetency evident there, is too absurd to be 'entertained for an infant,