IMPORTANT NEWS FROM TARANAKI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 343, 14 May 1863, Page 4

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM TARANAKI.

[From the Independent Extra] The three-masted schooner Rifleman Capt. McClutehie anived in this harbour last night from Taranaki which she left on Monday at 10 p. m. with hews of the foul murder of Dr. Hope, and Lieut. Tragett, and six privates of the 57th Regt. She has brought Government despatches. Word was sent down by the Governor to Capt. McClutehie that if he spoke any vessel in the Straits bound for Wanganui to warn the settlers to go into town. Taranaki, May 4. It is with extreme sorrow that I write to inform you that hostilities have again commenced, and this time there is no doubt that the maories are the first. Last Monday a threat was sent to the Governor of stopping the escort this Monday ; they have carried this threat into execution by tomahawking Dr. Hope and Lieut. Tragett, 57th regt., and six of the transport corps. The bodies have not yet been brought into town. The 'Volunteers are again under arms—and report states that the troops have taken position at the Oakura. W. I. G. Per favour of Mr. G. W. Woon. Taranaki, May 4. Sir,—l hear the liifleman may be sent to Wellington to-day, and to make sure I scribble these few lined by the Captain to tell you that an awful tragedy was committed to-day on the beach between the Tataraimaka block and the Oakura river, when a lot of natives of the Patukai, Ngatiruanui, arid Ngarauni natives, sitting in ambush, shot down and brutally tomahawked Dr. Hope, 57th, Lieut. Tragett, 57th, and six privates, who were escorting provision carts. This foul murder was committed without provocation, and was as sudden as it was unexpected. The bodies are brought into town, a fearful spectacle, and another instance of how little we know of native intentions : —The Governor has been under the impression that all was promising favourably, and has even been advising the settlers to go upon their farms and cultivate them. His eyes I should hope are at length opened. The Herald's version of native matters has proved substantially correct, and it’s prediction on S aturday fearfully fulfilled.

The following description of the locality of the murders, which appeared in the Nelson Colonist, of the 28th ult., shows that after the natives’ distinct announcement that they would commence hostilities on Monday there was every reason for proceeding with the utmost caution between Tatarainmka and the town of New Plymouth, particularly as a force of 200 or 300 Waikatos was expected at Tatarainmka about the 2nd Inst : Taranaki is a few guiles distant from the Waireka camp, or Wilkinson’s redoubt, and the camp is seven or eight miles distant from the Tatarainmka camp. The route between these points lies through dense bush and scrub, and partly along the cliffs. This affords easy hiding for the natives, and: a well laid ambush, we are told, could empty half the saddles of the force of 100 mounted artillerymen should they attempt to pass along such a road, for the enemy .could tire volley after volley without a chance of retaliation. It is considered scarcely possible for the Europeans to keep up inland communication between these points, through such a road; and the only way to do so effectually is by the sea.

The natives have built three strong pahs at different sides of the Tataraimaka block, and in such positions as to command the river Tapuae and the greater part of Tatar'aimaka. These are built on ground of the most broken and irregular description, very difficult ot access to organised troops and impassable for horses. But it is said that they all.

communicate through the fern and scrub, and the natives after lying in ambush on the road could readily retreat to the pahs. The force of Europeans in the district is about 1,700, with 100 mounted artillerymen, two Armstrong guns, and a large number of field pieces.

The native meetingat Taiporohenui was hastily broken up on receipt of the news of the outbreak; at Taranaki, and most of the Maoris present started for the scene of strife ; though some of the Wanganui and Ngatikahungunu returned southwards. They report that the demeanour of the Taranaki and Ngatirnanui natives was most hostile, and that any speeoh of a peaceable, or even reasonable, character, was quite scouted. Two of our Wanganui natives, who went on towards Taranaki to gather the latest intelligence, arrived in town on Friday afternoon, having ridden: from Whareroa, 70 miles, that day. Their report, which has since been confirmed, is that the troops at Tataraimaka were entirely surrounded by the natives, and that they had heard heavy firing there all day on Wednesday.