IMPORTANT NEWS FROM TARANAKI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 347, 11 June 1863, Page 3

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM TARANAKI.

By tlie ai’rival of the Sea Gull, Capt Champion, from New Plymouth, we are enabled to furnish our. readers with the following intelligence from the seat of war. [From the “ New Zealand Gov. Gazette ] June 4, 1863. His Excellency the Governor directs to be notified that Lieut-General Cameron, 0.8., left the town of New' Plymouth, at 9 p.rn on the 3rd instant, accompanied by a military force, and arrived at Tataraimaka 4 a.m., this morning (the 4tli inst). The force under his command at that point being made up of the Head Quarter Companies of the 57tli and 70th Regts., of a detachment of the 65th regt., o x ‘ three A rm,strong guns and the greater part of ther men of Captain Mercer’s battery, and a small detachment of the Royal Engineers. The force being in all about 650 stroug. The attack commenced at 6§ a.m. this morning. The force crossed tlie Katikara river and attacked the enemy’s position on the left bank of that .stream, which it carried, totally routing the enemy who fled iu confusion, leaving twenty two of his dead on one part of the field. The Lieut-General states that Colonel Warre, C. 8., and the 57th Regt. under his command availed themselves of an opportunity afforded them by carrying, with the greatest gallantry, a redoubt of the enemy’s where the principal fighting took place. The loss on our side was one private killed and 2 severely wounded of the 57th regt. —and 1 private severely wounded of the 70th regt. H.M.S. Eclipse, under the command of Capt. Mayne, E N., sailed from New Plymouth at 34 a.m. this morning, and arrived off the Katikara river at the hour arranged with the Lieut.-General, so as bo co-operate most usefully with the military force from tlie commencement of the attack by shelling tlie enemy’s works. The J ,ieut. General and part of the force I’eturned in H.M.S. Eclipse to New Plymouth, reaching that place at 1 p.m. The remainder of the force marching back to town. Taranaki, June 4th, 1863.

57tii .REGIMENT. Edward Martin, Dead. H. Shipman, mortal, wound in head. J. Osborne, dangerously, wound of abdomen. P. Flaherty, severely, gunshot shoulder. J. Evans, severly, gunshot wrist. M. Fox. slight thumb wounded. J. Deagan, slight, gunshot face. D. Hurley, slight, ankle tomahawk. Isaac Morton, severely, contusion wound both thighs. B. Stackpool, severely, shin tomahawk. 70th I’egt. Win. Wallace, severly, gun shot elbow.— Taranaki News.

Extract from a private letter to Capt, Cameron, Marangai, dated “ Friday, June 5.

“ We have great news. A grand attack was made yesterday morning on the

Maories at Tataraimaka, when they got a licking to the tune of 55 killed ; but an officer who has just come in tells me that they are finding lots more up to the number of 7 5 ; and more, I have no doubt, will yet be found. They never got such a fatal dressing. I have not heal’d of a single prisoner—the 57th are regular fire-eaters.

“ The Waitara Kingites have sent up to warn us that they deolare hostilities to-morrow. So much the better. We are all in high spirits,”

A Maori named Komene, who was called in to identify the bodies of the slain, recognised oue of them as Tamati Hone Itaukawa, the head chief of Ngatiruanui. The others he declared to be all or nearly all strangers, and most probably Waitotara or Wanganui men, as these, being new-comers, were sure to be put foremost in the fight.

There is little doubt that Komene is right as to his opinion, as, not only were the Maories killed by Lieut. Brutton’s men at the Katikaia, natives of this neighbourhood, but the Taranaki Herald. of May 13th, says of the pahs surrounding Tataraimaka, —“ Kaitake, on the spur of the ranges, is occupied by Parenga Kingi and Tamati Oraukawa ; Aliualm, near the northern boundary of Tataraimaka, by Aperahama and the Warea people ; and Te Tutu, across the Katiltara stream, by Hori Patene of Wanganui. Another pah, called Gwhaora, stands seaward of Te Tutu.” The last two seem to have been the scene of the contest , and we learn from a Wanganui chief, who is apparently well informed on the subject, that they were erected by Hore Patene and his people, wlio selected this part of the rebel line in preference to the Ahuahu, where the Ngatiruanui wished to place them, because it gave them the command of the road from Tataraimaka to Wanganui. This information makes it less likely that Tamati Hone Oraukawa is killed, as his presence, unless as a visitor, would be objected to at such a time by the Wauganuis.

The Wanganui natives who arrived last Friday, stated- that they had returned in consequence of a quarrel with the Taranakis, whom they accused of starving them ; the daily allowance of food being only six potatoes each for the chiefs, and three for commoners. They also reported that the Ngarauru and Ngatiruauni were at loggerheads from the same cause; The news they brought refers principally to the shelling of Tukipapa by the Eclipse on the 22nd inst ; on which occasion 21 natives were killed, and the pa blown to atoms. Twelve of the slain belonged to a party of boys playing near the beach, amongst whom the first shell fell ; and another Tiopara, the only Putiki native who has gone to the war, was cut in two while standing at a wliare door in Tukipapa, by the first shell which fell there. They also stated there liacl been a morning attack in which the Wanganui’s had suffered heavily ; though they could give no particulars, and our natives were very loth to believe them. The news by the Seagull was therefore the first definite account of the affair, and it was circulated among them by Mr. White as quickly as possible ; so as to secure their furnishing any further particulars in return, which they did as soon as they received them on Tuesday, the first being contained in four letters sent in by Wanganui natives from Waitotara whither they had gone to watch the roads, and prevent any hostile parties returning from the war, from passing through our district ; and another forwarded by the Wanganui natives, to whom it was sent by one Reilmna, who with several others has been forbidden by a komiti at Perelcawa, to pi'oceed to Tataraimaka to revenge the death of his relative Aropeta. Komene was either wrong in identifying one of the slain as Tamati Hone, or the soldiers misunderstood him ; as the body was probably that of Hori Patene the Pipiriki chief, the only man among the dead whom lie was likelv. to know. We give Reihaua’s letter in full :

“ Friends, —The Taranaki mail lias come. Pakehas and Maovies have fallen. On Wednesday, the 3rd, the steamer came. Wanganui saw it ; twenty men went out, and afterwards three more. The twenty saw a boat, which they fired at, and it returned seawards. On turning round they saw the Pakehas, 500 of whom had come to the gate of the pa ; the three, seeing them, fired on them, and the Pakehas fired on the 500 of Wanganui. Epiha shouted Fire ! and when the smoke cleared the front rank had fallen. The Maories were then surrounded, and four ranks fell all dead. The pa was stormed. The dead (Hori Patene) saw it ; he took a gun—fired and killed—fired and killed.. Four Europeans fell. He then seized another gun, which he threw away, and took a whalebone (paraoa). He cried out, Farewell to to the world ! and went out ; he spoke to Mold, who went out too, and they fought side by side ; that is all. The pa was overthrown and 12 killed, but with those in the night 25. Hori Tanmiti and Tipene escaped. Never mind the Pakehas—who could count them 1 This is all. From Ruihana.” The more correct account as drawn from the other letter is as follows:

At daybreak the troops were seen advancing up the hill, and they fixed bayonets and charged . Hori, who had with 30 of his own peojde and 35 Taranaki,s, ordered a volley .to be fired on the troops p on the smoke lifting the line of soldiers was seen nearer, and apparently unhurt. The Taranakis then shout', d to abandon the pa and fled, accompanied by Hori’s son and another lad named Piripi. Hori, in reply, sung. “No ! I must stay, lest the beloved of others should despise

me ; I must die where I stand, lest shame should cover my face.” He and his men then fired another volley on the troops, who by this were leaping into the pa, and' retiring into a corner, be defended himself with a whalebone paraoa till lie was i-lain with all his companions. Among the slain were Hori Patene, Iliaia, Merekai, Mold te Hike, and 24 others of inferior rank. The native letters speak in the highest terms of the bravery of the troops, in not wavering under the volleys, as well as in the subsequent hand to hand contest ; and it would appear from their account that the soldiers never fired at all, unless ou the runaway Taranakis, but trusted entirely to cold steel. The Wanganui Maories ai'e highly indignant at the conduct of the Taranakis in deserting those who had in reality gone to assist them, and there can be little doubt that such conduct Avill greatly tend to cheek the enthusiasm of any natives who might have thought of joining in the war. Through them we also learn, that a groat meeting is to he held at Taiporolienui, to discuss the question —“ W by the Almighty had permitted them to be drubbed in tliis manner ?”

From the Captain of the Sea Cn l we learn that it was reported in New 1 lymouth that Major Logan was. the first man who entered the pah, and that he van a Maori through the body, whose gun had just missed fire in an attempt to shoot him. The Government issued a notice on Friday, in consequence of information received that morning, warning the settlers not to be moving about carelessly in any part of the district north of the town. From Auckland, our latest dates from which are to the 30th ult., we learn that a number of the Volunteers had offered themselves for service at Taranaki, if required. From Nelson we learn that a number of strange Maories had been buying, or trying to buy, saltpetre, and had purchased a great quantity of marbles. They were believed to have arrived via Picton. Considerable purchases of marbles, as well as of zinc-lined eases, are said to have been lately made by natives in Wanganui. The Aryus of the 21st ult., states : “ The New Zealand news has caused great > excitement. The Harrier and Miranda will be despatched hence immediately.”

From tlie Ifercddlu “JOURNAL OF EVENTS.”

Saturday. —At 2 p.m. Lt. Waller, 57th, proceeded towards Poutoko, and about 2.15 several shots were heard by the people at Oakura and the Tapuae ford. The sounds were supposed to proceed from the vicinity of Mr. Carrington’s house. Major Logan immediately ordered 15 men under Ensign Duncan, and subsequently Capt Short with 15 more to proceed to the Tapuae, directing that the picket of 30 men at that place should at once advance to 'Mr. Carrington's house. Lieut. Warburtou, R.E., rode off to communicate the orders to the Tapuae party, and proceeded on to Carrington’s house.

At the bottom of the gully a horse was lying apparently dead. Two orderlies passed the spot with intelligence that Lieut. Waller was safe in Poutoko camp, and that a native had been killed. Almost on their heels a party under Capt. Russell, 57th regt., arrived at the scene of action, but such was the expedition displayed by the Oakura party, that the latter came to the spot only two or three minutes afterwards. The combined parties under Colonel Warrc, who presently arrived, entered the adjoining bush in the gully, and, after a careful search, a native, unwomuled, was discover e l and seized by Private Miley, 57th regt., of the Oakura party. The man was taken alive, and on his person was found the watch and chain and other valuables of Lieut, 'i ragett, and a rifle belonging to one of the victims on that melancholy occasion. Lieut. Waller states that he was proceeding down the gully along the road, having taken out his revolver as a precaution, in consequence of warnings received from Mr. W. Carrington. After rising the hill towards Poutoko, he was saluted with a volley from the hill above. His horse fell, shot through the head, and, with difficulty disengaging himself, he cocked his revolver and went behind a piece of fern. One man advanced to wards him, and taking a deliberate aim Lieut. Waller shot him in the body. The man fell in the road and close to the horse. The second shot missed tire, but the natives seemed cowed and did not advance One man fired a second time at Lieut Waller, but happily without success. He accomplished hi.s retreat into camp successfully, having shouted first as if help were at hand, which caused the assailants to disappear. There is no doubt that the man shot by Lieut Waller was carried away by the remaining five, and they carried tb j half-cast a.-jfkr as they could without endangering tin ir safety. But it was impossible for them to carry away two men. The man shot by Lieut. Waller was probably at the head of the party. Lieut. Waller’s escape was hailed with repeated cheers as he roturned to Oakura camp. Sunday, May 31 —Weather fine.—ln our hasty J ccouut yesterday of the capture of Hori by the combined parties from Oakura and Poutoko under Colonel Warre, we omitted to mention that Hori has been brought up in Ngapuhi, and was horn in the Bay of Islands. His mother, a Taranaki slave, was allowed to return to her tribe, the Upukoiuutu, at

Ivapoaiaia, not many years ago, ami IT . ..I has been entirely brought up amongst the natives. It is now said that he was the man fired at by Mr. Waller, and that the statement that Mr. 'Waller had killed a man who was carried away is not correct. Hori was stunned by Mr Waller’s bullet, and was left to his face by his comrades. We hear that he lias given a good deal of information, but it lias been kej.it from the jmblie, and all that has come to our knowledge is, that he lias said that he is the fifth man lost b) the rebels since the murders—two men having been killed by 1 ieut. Brutton’s party on the 18th ultimo and cue taken away, and another by one of the shells from the Eclijise on the 22ucl ult. He has given thoir names, but we have only learnt the names of two—Tinilturi, of Tangalioe, and Tiojiiri, Oliangai, both of the Ngatiruanui tribe. A Ngarauru native is one of the killed. Tinikuri was a man of some importance. Hori is kept a close prisoner,, and it is not known what will be done with him. Lieut. Tragett’s gold watch,, and Dr. Hope’s chain were found on his person, besides a rifle and accoutrements belonging: to oue of the murdered men. He has given information of the fate of Private P. Ryan, the missing man in the Wairan her oh murders. He says lie was shot and buried by the natives in a certain spot near the beach , and in consequence of this information, a party from the Oakura redoubt, under Major Logan, searched the Wairau in every direction to-day for his grave, but without success ; the party went about 500 yards uj> the Wairau road. Monday, June I.—A general muster of the Militia and Volunteers took place to-day at 9 p.m. as a preparatory step to receiving a month’s pay. The names were called out by Ensign Hempton, paymaster ; after which the companies formed into hollow square, when the commandingofficer, Captain Brown, addressed the men at Some length. Amongst other things, he said That liacl ex- s pressed to him his anxiety to consult tlie convenience and interests of the force ; that a quantity of clothing, blankets, waterproofs, and boots, at the General’s recommendation, would be served out as sooii as they could be procured. A quantity of tlie former was unfortunately carried on in the Aireda'e, otherwise they would have been supplied with them today. Knee boots would be served out to the men as soon as arrangements were completed for their manufacture here. There was another subject he wished to bring before them to day. It was proposed to send parties of men out into the country, whowoifcl be pine ‘d under.-officers chosen 1 y the men themselves, and lie would like the men to talk the matter over amongst themselves, and then those who were willing to perform this duty could volunteer. If they did not wish to choose him for a leader, he was quite willing to go in the ranks with a rifle. It was quite optional with them to have whom they choosed for a leader. Statements liacl been made by individuals that the Taranaki settlers were not willing to help themselves and would not come forward for this service. It is left entirely by the General in their 11011138, and he had no doubt it would be seen to-day that these are unfoinu cl >d aspersion. The men were then dismissed for a short time, to talk over the ma ter, and on fal’.i ig in again, 170 men, and all the officers, stepped forward as Volunteers for secret service. No. 3 Company of Militia—the third class men—vqluntered almost to a man. No. 2 Company of Volunteers, consisting chiefly of fyoung men and bush settlers all voluntered with about only six exceptions—persons whose business duties pro eludes them from sparing the time. About half of No 1 Company Militia and No. 1 Company Volunteers stepped forward. The names of the Volunteers for this service were taken do vn, each company selectingtheii* captains for leaders. We are informed that the General has accepted the services of 50, who are for this duty during the current month in conjunction with the military. ‘ Fifty of No. 2 company Volunteers have been tolcl off for this month under Captain Atkinson. This system of having armed bodies of men moving about the country will afford great protection to the town,- and it is an iminence ityprovenient upon the system adopted during the last War, when the natives were permitted to come within rifle range of the town, murder settlers and fire houses in broad daylight. To have the run of the country instead of the natives lias found great favour with the civilian force. It has already been seen how successfully the 57t'n have carried out the system. A party of the 70th were on this service to day under Captain Ralston, W. Newland and E. Shaw actting as guides.

-1 uesday, June 2.—A party of 300 men of the 57 th regt. under Colonel Warre C B. went yesterday in search of the body of Patrick Ryan. They marched up within 500 yards of the pa on the spur of the ranges. Two shots were fired at them from the rifle pits, aud an attempt at a yell made. Ryan’s body was found huddled into a potatoe pit, about 130 yards from the scene of the murders up the Wairau road with one bullet wound in the head aud two tomahawk cuts in the back. He was no doubt s hot the same d ty will the rest, and was tiled while trying to make his escape across country. His body was exhumed and brought to Oakma for decent burial. Ryan makes nine out of ten British, soldiers, who were savagely murdered by the southern natives on the fatal 4 th of M ay. Colonel AY arm’s force skirmished over the intervening country, and visited the Tataraimnka camp, and found the troops there well and hearty, and ready for any service. The enemy is hard at work constructing positions beyond the lvatilcara stream, and occasionally fire harmless volleys at the redoubt. Women also and children

are to be seen busily employed in the erection ! of earthworks at the enemy’s position. Captain Atkinson’s party left town to-day on special service. ■ The Eclipse returned from Manukau at an early hour this morning. She has not brought any news. Everything is quiet at Auckland.' Thursday, June, 4.—This day, exactly a- month since the Wairau beach massacre, and exactly two since the occupation of Tataraimaka, will be long remembered bv the southern natives. An expedition for several days past has been preparing for an attack upon the enemy’s positions south of Tataraimaka, on the Katilcara stream. Everything has been very properly kept secret, and nothing was known of any intended movement until a late hour last night, when an the fine moon-

light night;; the forces, numbering about •15') men, silently marched from town, leaving it in the care of the civilian force under Major Mould, R. E. We believe

that the carts, with necessary'-supplies, ammunition, &c., had been previously * sent to Oakura. so that the troops marched away noiselessly, and it was almost impossible lor any native spies to eonvey intelligence to the enemy of a movement fronrfcbwn. The consequence is that the - cnem’y has been taken by surprise. At 4 a. in. the Eclipse, with the Governor on

board, left-for Tataraimaka; and from an early hour the reports of guns has been heard in town. At TO, a telegram;was received : from Tataraimaka by M'aior Mould from The General with the following brief but pleasing intelligence : —- “ Tataraimaka, 9 a. m., Enemy completely routed with heavy loss and positions carried ; we lost'only one man killed and four wounded,” Great excitement in

town, and anxiety to hear further news. It is gratifying to all to know that a day of-reckoning to the Southern murderershas arrived, and that the murders on the 4th May have been avenged 12 noon.-— Mr. Jas. Bayly, a Tatarainjitka settler, who accompanied the troops this aborning in the attack on the natives, has just arrived in town. ILe says the troops rushed a native position about a mile and a half from the liatikara stream,' near Johnny’s flat, with the point of bayonet and killed every native foilnd in it. ’He says lie'shot three himself. About 100 natives escaped - before the place was rushed. It is known a great number of natives are killed ; 19 bodies were brought to St. George’s redoubt, thx-ee more were burnt in a whare in the pa, and others were left in the fern—Tamati Hone Oraukawa, chief of Hgatiruanui, is one of them. Our easnalities are—l killed, 2 motaily wounded, and 8 slightly wounded. 2 p.m.—The Eclipse has returned from Tataraimaka, and has brought up , the body of the soldier killed and the wounded men. A portion of the troops engaged also came back in the Eclipse, and also the Governor and General Cameron ; the latter was heartily cheered when he landed, on the beach, and three cheers were also given to his Excellency. The Eclipse, we are told, did good service by shelling the native position ; and Captain Mercer’s battery of two Armstrong guns was very effective, the practice having been excellent. The native position, which was stonned by the 57th, was an earthwork in, course of completion, in which were the usual underground chambers and whares. The natives killed were difficult to recognize ; even Kornehe who saw them all could only recognise Tamati Hone. It is believed that the bodies are all Wanganui and Waitotara native-. The reports in circulation regarding the number of natives killed and the details of the action are, as usual, very conflicting, and we must therefore defer any further account of this eventful day’s proceedings until we can get authentic particulars, which, together with the names of the officers and regiments engaged and a list of the killed and wounded we will give to-morrow when we expect to get 'them.—The results following upon the defeat and loss of the rebels are difficult to imagine; but it may be considered that one of two things will be certain-—submisson, or a general rising of the tribes. 7 p.m.— We have just heard that an ambuscade of natives- was laid this evening at Wairau beach, at the same spot where the massacre took place on the 4th ultimo, who fired at Messrs. Farris, Carrington, Innes, and others, who were riding back from Tataraimaka in advance of the troops. The natives fired one volley and then decamped, but did not succeed in hitting anybody. This act on the part of the enemy, after the chastise inent they received in the morning, proves that it had no salutary effect upon them. The Eclipse left at dusk for Manukan with the Governor and suite. It is not known when he will return, or whether he will return at all.