THE NATIVE WAR.

West Coast Times, Issue 40, 5 September 1865, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR.

The "Wellington Independent" of the 24th ult. quotes from the Hawke's Bay " Herald" a full account of some skirmishing on tho East Coast, the particulars of which were received at Napior by the St. Kilda.

On Tuesday, the Ist August, the weather was so very boisterous as to preclude operations, but a plan of attack for the following morning was arranged. That plan was as follows : — Captain Fraser, with Mr Deighton, Mr Gascoigne, and 30 men of the military settlers, accompanied by the Chief Morgan, was to leave Morgan's pah (To Hatepe) at 4.30 a.m., and follow up the river Maraohara to the back of Sentry Hill ; to take the hill by surprise, and io open fire from the height across the river into the enemy's pah beneath, so soon as day broke. Lieutenant Biggs, Mr Tuke, Mr Hamlin (interpreter) and 30 volunteers, with the Chief Aropeta and another party of natives, to proceed from camp just before daylight, cross the river, . and await, on tho other side of the pah, the fire of the party, under Captain Fraser — the men to keep concealed meanwhile. This plan was admirably carried out. Fraser and his men occupied the hill, while Biggs took up a position to the left of the pah. After fire had been opened Fraser's men got within 60 yards of the pah, when both, parties charged. They did so under a heavy fire, during which five of their number were wounded, but, fortunately, none killed. Captain Fraser" was first inside, and is said to have had a narrow escape of being knocked on the head. The attack was so sudden and spirited that the rebels were panic stricken j and, although they shewed fight at first* and a short hand-to-hand conflict ensued, the butt end of the rifle and the bayonet, the latter especially, very soon settled tho affair. Twenty-two of the enemy's dead were in the pah, and three more bodies were found the next day, making in all 25 killed, besides wounded, several of whom were seen to crawl into the scrub, whe'ro they were lost. Seven women were taken prisoners. Tho enemy's position was surrounded by an outer fence about 70 yards from the en.renchment. The latter consisted of a ditch outside, with a parapet about three feet in height, at the top of which was a manuka fence, and, in the inside, riflepits, which extended all round the pah. Immediately on its being taken, the Hau-hau flagstaff was cut down, tho whares burnt, and tho fences levelled. An immense quantity of kumeras, potatoes and wheat, with several head of cattle and horses, as well as a large number of cattlo and sheep previously taken from the Chief Mokena, woro found in or near the pah, and taken possession of. During the advance and attack, a party of natives undei 1 Morgan kept the' hill, and poured in a heavy fire, covering the advance ; and as soon as the pah was taken, came down and followed the fugitives. Whilst the attack was going on, a small party of volunteers, who had been left behind as a reserve, co-operating with Aropeta and some friendly natives, attacked a settlement at Rangitukia, killing one of the people, and driving the remainder away. On the 3rd instant Morgan t>,ok two men . and fourteen women prisoners. A RAID BY MORGAN. On or about the 6th, Morgan, with forty men, started on an expedition round the East Cape, and employed himself for some days in attacking the enemy in his villages, and otherwise harrassing him. He returned on the 13th, after having destroyed two ot three kaingas, killed five men, and taken a ' large number of prisoners. The latter had not como in when the St. Kilda left, but they numbered three men and about twenty women.

Latest Intelligence. — The HauHaus, from all that could be learnt, were much dispirited at the turn affairs had taken. They were mustering at Pukeniairo, a very strong position, which, it was feared, would not be reduced without tho aid of one or two field pieces.

The banquet to General Cameron at Sydney passed off brilliantly. He embarked on the 22nd ult. per the Jeddo. A volunteer guard-of-honour escorted him to tho wharf, and Port Macquario fired a salute when he left tho harbour. Four bushrangers stuck 'up Messrs. Corrigan and Adams's stations on the Big River,- (N.S.W.)i on the 1 6th ult. They stole horses, saddles, bridles, ammunition and guns. A grand ball was given to M'Kinlay the explorer on tho 17th ult. at Gawler, (S.A.) provious to his departure for tho interior. The farewell benefit to Lady Don on tho 21st ulfc. at Adelaide was an immenso success. It is said that tho theatre was nover so crowded before. A testimonial, consisting of a silvor inkstand and a jewel case, was presented to her tho following day.

LoYALTir and Virtuous Resignation. — A Yankeo drunkard's advice is thus given : — "Every drop of lickor I swallows is taxed — taxed to support tho war. S'poso all us fols' was to stop driukin ? why tho ward stop, and tho guvmont'd stop. That's the very reason I drinks. I don't like grog. I mortal hato it. If I followed my own inclinations, I'd rathor drink butter-milk, or ginger-pop; or soda ; but I lickers for tho good of my country, and to sot an example of loyalty and virtuous resignation to the rising generation."