The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-17 00:00:00

THE SITN, LON.DON, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 17, 1863

THE INSURRECTION IN NEW ZEALAND.

(From a Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, OTAGO, May 18.

The assurance given to the House of Commons by
the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies as to
the prospects of peace in New Zealand will not
have prepared the British public for the announce-
ment that the colony is on the eve of another war,
if hostilities have not by this time been commenced
by the Governor, for the natives have already
struck the first blow. Another of those murderous
attacks which characterised the opening period of
the last Taranaki war has just occurred at "farkenaki,
resulting in the deaths of two officers and six men
of the .57th Regiment. They were escorting some
provision carte, and, surprised by a Mori ambus-
cade, were shot down and tomahawked. their
bodies being anerwards horribly mutilated. Before
proceeding to detail t'te circueostbnces in connexion
with this melancholy affair, I will briefly recapi u-
tato the events which have ied to it. The condition
of the settlement of Taranaki has for a long time
been a scandal to the colony. The unfortunate
settlers, whom the last war had made houseless and
homeless, and who were earning only a scanty pit-
tance as road labourers, had anxiously expected a
visit from Sir George Grey ever since his arrival in
the colony, but it was not until the early part of
March last that his Excsllency bad been able to
proceed to Taranaki. The General Assembly in
the last Session passed a v me of £200,000 " for the
reinstatement of Taranaki," such reinstatement
be effected in such mintier as his Excellency and
his advisers should deem advisable. It was for this
purpose that his Excellency visited the settle-
went, and it is from this visit that have arisen
the circumstances which have followed. During
the list war at Taranaki the settlers lo-
cated on a block of lend a few miles to the south
of New Piymouth, which is known as the
'''ratatimxka Block," were compelled, owing to the
unprotected state of the position, to desert then
farms and come into the town. Toe Tataraimaka
t+ as of no value as a strategic point, and the enemy
were allowed to occupy it, and destroy and plunder
the deserted homes of the settlers. At the cessation
of hostilities there was no agreement made as to
the restoration of Tetaraimaka, and the natives occu-
pying it were permitted to rest in possession; at least,
no attempt was made to dislodge them. Consequently
ever since the close of the last war, until quite re-
cently the " Tataraimeka Block" has remained in
the possession of the natives, who, with some show
of reason, claimed to have conquered it by force of
aims, It must be borne in mind that there was no
question of title involved in the possession of this
block of land. The legal right of the Europeans to
it was never called in question by the natives;
therefore its occupation was a question affecting
only the natives immediately concerned, and not.
as in the csse of the Welfare, a matter in panicle the
whole native population, or at least numerous
powerful nines of it, was interested. It was oh
vious that no reinstatement of the settlement ot
New Plymouth could bet ffected so long as a body
t rebellious natives occupied one of the finest por-
tions of the district, the actual propel ty of the
settlers, and within a few miles of the town.
was, therefore, always expected that the reoccupa-
tion of the" Tataraimake Block" would be one of
the first steps of his Excellency, and it was tolerably
certain that if this was effected by force a general
disturbance would be the result. His Excellency
had evidently paved the way for this step months
before; and while the colonists were blaming him
tor neglecting Taranaki, he had, by a wise and far-
sighted policy, been taking measures tor the restore-
,ion of the itind peaceably and quietly. A short
time before proceeding to Taranaki, Sir George
Grey made a flying visit, privately and without
ceremony to the Waikatoes—a numerous and
powerful section of natives living on the Waikato
river, TheWaikat:e is the stronghold of the "King"
party, and here reside the Maori King and his most
influential supporters. Ugly rumours had been
promulgated respecting the disorganised state of
this district, and Sir George determined to see for
himself. He accordingly lett Auckland, attendee
only by two or three chiefs in the employ of the
Government, and, unannounced and unexpected, he
succeeded in reaching the very centre cf disaffection,
and pene!rated even to the sanctum sanctorum of
Maori Royalty, but the dusky Monarch was away
with his Court at some other place. It was not
long before Sir George was recognised, anti the news
spread like wildfire that the Governor was among
them. Deputations of chiefs came in from till direc
nous, all anxious to rub noses " with their father
t'se Governor." There was universal rejoicing all
along the river; a picked crew of young chiefs
padded the Governor's canoe from p ace to place,
young girls and women chanted songs of welcome,
and the greatest kindliness prevailed. Still, it is,
worthy of remark, as ste )wing how little reliance is
to be placed on these manifestations of personal
regard, that they went eo further than this. The
natives forgot the Governor in the tii-nd, and so
long as his Excellency maintained that position they
were content to bury the remembrance ot the
quarrels and disputes which had occurred previously
But it would not do for the Governor to content
himself with paying and receiving friendly compli-
ments. He had come to judge for himself of the
intentions of the natives, and to endeavour to dis
suede them hone the suicidal opposition to his plans
which had been organised. A magician's wand
could, not have wrought a more sudden change than
did the introduci ion of political sulj -cts. The chiefs
who had been foremost in tee it demonstrations
of welcome now grew cold and silent. In reply to
his Excellency's advice to give up their "Kiog"
movement, as it would certainly bring them into
trouble, they positively refused to do so. They were
disposed to concede every ether demand but this.
Their opposition to roads and steamers, and the
Taranaki question, were minor considerations com-
pared to their support of their King, as the embooi
meet of a distinct nationality. A sudden attack ot
illness compelled Sir George Grey to return without
extending his visit as he bad intended, but before he
left he made a memorable declaration to the "King"
chiefs. He told them he intended to go to Taranaki
and take possession of his land there, meaning
Tataraimaka. It is tolerably certain that his Ex-
cellency obtained a promise from the Waikato chiefs
not to interfere with his movements at Tataraitneka.
This promise, there is reason to believe, has been
kept, as evidence is given of letters having been
sent to the Taranaki natives, counselling them to
give up the lane to the Governor.
On March 6th his Excellency, accompanied by
Gen. Cameron and the Colonial Secretary and
Native Minister, left Auckland for Teraneki.
first had an interview with the Taranaki settlers,
No,ott ,icfn
ced;twiTedphrh,lii,
ens:
cduagnhrnibeidoyx(i
under
nsturit
tsarhicitkoene
ainpampstow,,t.i
uhooactereshikreltdo:soct:rttoohriwedr theerrwwbi military in gar-
rison to march out ,end occupy Weireka-hili, a tom
Tnis position, abandoned after ntlyihitbhbeeewg
arameri imae
and
nt
dot
bLif
eskiritnenhedge:
session of by the troops, and llaty
waa s
stockade
quietlybetweentoc ka
dt
eh et
completeda t
koewu e n
pus.d
ea the 17th of March, just three years that very day
sincev thee
chiefsout br ak
waited
o f h
upon
poe
nlastthe
w e Governor
r nor to Deputations
deprecate of
the steps he was taking, but his excellency told them
very plainly he intended to take possession of all

land the rightful property of the Europeans. As to
Wditara, it should be investigated. In order to

prepare for any emergency, as the attitude of ttie
natives round laranakt was not very assuring,

strong reinforcements were sent for from Auckland,
and 100 men of the Royal Artillery, under Captain
Mercer, were formed iwo a body of irregular cavalry
ro co-operate with the mourPi d force being urge-
nited under the Colonial Defence Act passed last
session. This latter force has been paced under the
command of Lieut.-Col. Nixon. A demonstration of
the troops in garrison was made in the direction of
t he Tataraimaka ; but, as the reinforcements had not
arrived, no attempt at occupation of the position was
made, and the troops returned to town. No natives
were encountered, and beyond the vaguest rumours
there was no evidence of any intended opposition to
the occupation. On the arrival of the reinforcements,
't strong force, cnnsietieg of 2(10 of the 67rP, under
Col. Warre, and 100 artillery men acting as cavalr3 ,
but having two guns, under Capt. >lacer, Wab

once marched out to Tataraimaka, his Excellency
and Gen. Cameron accompanying it. No opposition
was offered ; .on the contrary, the Governor was re-
ceived with white flap flying and general shouts of
welcome by the natives, who had congregated in
considerable numbers, unarmed, to receive his Ex-
cellency. This peaceful solution was no doubt brought
about—first, by the admirable and powerful disposi-
tion of the military force ; and, secondly, by the
knowledge on the part of the natives concerned
teat they could not count upon any active assist-
ance, in case of resistance, from their powerful
allies, the Waiketoes. Although they had given up
Tataraimaka so quietly, more than one dark hint
was thrown nut that the Governor must stay his
hand there, or else trouble w mild result. It was
not long before a complication arose. I must state
that the- Tataraimaka block of land is divided from
the sett lenient te New Pi 3 mouth by a belt of country
the property of natives, and through which no Eu-
ropean is allowed to pass. The road to the Tatu-
raimaka from New Pty mouth skirts along the beach.
Some alterations were deemed necess try in this
road, and a military road party was put on it. II
had occasion to take some stones cut of the bed of a
rivulet running from and through the native land.
This proceeding gave great offence to the Maories,
And their attitwie was esteemed so dangerous that
tearful of a possible collision, the road party was
withdrawn. Every precaution was taken to avoid
disputes with the natives, and it was hoped that
hey would gradually settle down into quietness, but
it soon became evident that the quiet manner in
which Tataruimaka had been given up was noshing
upon which to build hopes of peace. The natives
distrusted the Governor, they saw he was quietly
getting round them, and they evidently felt that
they were in his toils, from which nothing but a
vigorous struggle could extricate them. Tney would
not believe that, having come so far and brought so
isrge a force, the Governor would be content with
imply taking possession of his own land. The whole
native population in the t eighbourhood of Taranaki
became excited, and the marching of armed parties,
witnessed from the redoubts, the burning of large
beacon fires at night—all denoted a high state of fer-
tneut. From the Waikato district the news was dis-
court:ging. An armed party of 200 natives, under the
flag of he King, had proceeded to pull down a court-
house being built by the Government ; they had then
marched to the establishment of Mr. Gorst, the com-
missioner of the district, and who had lately incurred
someodium emong the rebel natives by issuing a news-
paper in the native tongue to counteract the journal
published by the Mewl King. Mr. Gorst was not
at home at the time, and the Maories broke open his
printing-t ffice and carried off the printing-press,
type, &c. It was evident mischt.f was hr.- wing in
that locality, and it was not long before Mr. Gorst
and his family had to leave the district. Since then
the Europeans residing in the Waikato country
have all been compelled to leave. Many of these had
married native women, and their hail-caste chil-
dren had been ceretutly educated end well letoueht
up; these the natives, in conformity with their old
customs, have taken possession Even the mis-
sionaries have been driven from the district.

Intelligence was received in Au ckland that a

larg► party of Waikato natives were marching down

to Taranaki, and Gen. Cimeron, who had ouly lett
the latter place a few days previously, at once hur-
ried back in the steamer. did not arrive at ali

too soon. Matters were looking decidedly ugly ;
ia aorta of rumours were flying about, and it was
considered advisable to take extra precautions. On

April 25 a waining was sent to tae Governor by
'wile friendly natives that the rebels intended to
commence fighting on the day but one following
(Monday). Similar intimations had been conveyed
to the settlers living outside the town, and they
were all in a great state of trepidation, many of
them coming into town. His Excellency chose to
disregard this warning, and even endeavoured to
induce the settlers to go back to their farms, as thej
had nothing to fear. It was a most for,,unate thing
that his advice was not taken, and that it had not
been necessary to send out SUIIII detached parties of
military during that day, as it was afterwards dis
covered that an ambush of tbrt o armed parties of
rebel natives had been stationed on the road be-
tween New Plymouth and Ttitaraimaki, with the
:.vowed ictention of cutting off the first Euro-
peans who should pass that way. Still, singular
as it may seem, although the threatening attip
rude of the natives was publicly known and com-
mented on by the Taranaki journals, no steps were
,aken by the Governor—or, at any rate, only very
imperfect steps—lo guard tigainst the danger. It
would appear that his Excellency would not believe
the Maories intended to fight, and he was deter-
mined, if possible, not to be the first to strike a blow.
rne result is soon told, and a melancholy tale it is.
Two escort parties were passing along the Tatarai.
imika road on Monday, May 4, when they were fired
into by some natives in ambush. One of the escort
parties managed to retreat in safety, but the officers
and men composing the other party were, with one
exception, shot down, and their bodies afterwards
brutally mutilated. Those killed are S sir Assistant
Surgeon W. A. Hope, M. 8., Lieut. T. It Tradgetis
57th. Regiment, Sergeant Samuel Hill, 57th Regi-
ment, and Privates Euward Kelly, John Fl 3 on,
Bartholomew Macarthy, end William. Barks, 57th
Regiment. When found, the bodies
trig!) tut spectacle, and t hose of the presented a
uflieiscers had been
tallest entirely stripped of their clot hieg. Mr. Ripe
had been shot through the right shoulder, the b
having penetrated bath lungs and longed near the
.pine on the left side. There was a tomaka.wk wound

over the lett side of his head, and a deep spear wound
through the Nee and upper jaw. Lieut.Tradgett
had been shot through the chest and through the
thigh, but had no other wound. The other victims
nad various gunshot wound, and had been hacked

about the head with tomahawks and speared through
the chest. Mr. Tradgett appears to have died almost
instantly, but Dr. Hope must have struggled haro
with his assailants. The sergeant was senior colour-
sergeant of his regiment, and Kelly had five medals.
Tne receipt of the intelligence produced E pro-
found sensation in Taranaki. Alarm guns were

fired from the redoubt on Marsland bill, and mes-
.,engers despatched into the country to order all the
out-seitiers into the town. Two hundred volun-
teers were told off for patrol duty. On the follow-
ing day the troops were marched out and took up a
position on native land, and a redoubt was hastil3

canstructed. No natives were encountered.
1 forgot to state that the arms and ammunition
of the murdered men and the carts of provisions
were taken possession of end driven off by the
natives. Sir George Grey adopted the plan of re-
garding this outrage as a murder, and thus, if pos-
stble,depriviog the circumstances of the character of
a successful coa.bat. An inquest was accordingly
held on the bodies, when the jury found a verdict
in accordance with the circumstances, adding to
their verdict their opinion that, though the Govern-
ment were in possession of information of the dan-
gerous state of the road, owing to the threatened
recommencement of hostilities, sufficient precautions
had not been ti.ken.

The greatest excitement prevails all over the
colony. Her Majesty's ship Eclipse has just returned
with a reinfoictmeut of 300 troops from Auckland,
and has gone back for more. The Governor ha::
delegated his authority to the Superintendents of
the North Island Provinces, authorising them
to call out the militia it necessary, and by the
steamer just arrived at Port Otago a communi-
cation has been received from the Governor stating
that the G vernment have determined en occupyini:
the native land between New Plymouth and the
Tatarim.ka, in brier to place thereon a settlement
of persons able to protect themselves. Free grants
of 50 acres of land and one acre at the site of the
villages, arms, ammunition, and rations are offered
to all who will hold the land on a system c'
military tenure. Stockades are to he built on thk
land. 'file greatest enthusiasm on the subject pre-
vails in Otago, and I have no doubt a sufficien
number of volunteers will come forward. There
are now about 30,000 able-bodied men in this pro-
vince, and it is seriously contemplated to raise a
volunteer contingent of 1,000 men.

of course, it is impossible to predict what will be
the result of the late outrage. By the last advice',
large body of Waikato natives were marching
down to Taranaki, and if the Governor should find
it utceeary to proceed to hostilities it is very' P

bable that the whole native population south of
Auckland will be drawn into the struggle. It may
be safely stated that fully 20,000 natives are located
in the country between Auckland and Taranaki,
and these tribes are openly hostile to the Europeans:
It is a fortunate thing that the natives appear will-
ing to caniine hostilities to the old theatre—Tara-
naki; and, unless further complications arise, it is
improbable that any attack will be made upon
Auckland. The military road is now open to the
Waikato river, and fully commands the approach to
Auckland on the south, and it is not likely the
natives will be able to threaten the capital from any
other direction. One thing is very certain,—that.
Sir George Grey will not precipitate matters, and
the colonists have every confidence in his judgment.
If wAr endue it will be nothing of his seeking, arid
he will be the better enabled to strike boldly when
he necessity arises from the knowledge that every
other alternative has been exhausted.

SECOND EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, HALF-PAST 4 O'CLOCK.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE—This Evening.

The following appointments were made at the Admiralty
this day :
Samuel M. Spry, second master, to the Dasher.
Henry D. Short, do., to the Wye.
Albert H. Otter, do., to the Resistance.
William Horn, do., to the Medusa.