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

ME SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 17, 1863.

THE INSURRECTION IN NEW ZITALAND.

(Fran a arresp7ncrent.)

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 Tarannki,
resulting in the deaths of two officers and six men
of the 67th Regiment. They were escorting some
provision carts, and, surprised by a Maori ambus-
cade, were shot down and tomahawked, their
bodies being afterwards horribly mutilated. Before
proceeding to detail the circumstances in connexion
with this melancholy affair, I will briefly recapitu-
late the events which have led 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 Excellency had been able to
proceed to Taranaki. The General Assembly in
the last Session passed a vale of £200,000 "for the
reinstatement of Taranaki," such reinstatement to
be effected in such manner as his Excellency and
his aavisers 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 last war at Taranaki the settlers he
cated on a block of land a few miles to the south
of New Plymouth, which is known as the
" Tatarimaka Block," were compelled, owing to the
unprotected state of the position, to desert their
farms and come into the town. The Tataraimaka
was 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 Tataraimaka, 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 " Tataraimaka Block" has remained in
the possession of the natives, who, with some show
of reason, claimed, to have conquered it by force of
arms. 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 case of the Waitara, a matter in which the '
whole native population, or at least numerous
powerful tribes of it, was interested. It was ob
vious that no reinstatement of the settlement of
New Plymouth could bee fleeted so long as a body
of rebellious natives occupied one of the finest por-
tions of the district, the actual property of the
settlers, and within a few miles of the town. It
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
for neglecting Taranaki, he had, by a wise and far-
sighted policy, been taking measures for the restora-
tion of the rand peaceably and quietly. A short
time before proceeding to Taranaki, Sir George
G. ey made a flying visit, privately and without
ceremony to the Waikutoes—a numerous and
powerful section of natives living on the Waikato
river. TheWeikato is the stronghold of the "King"
party, and here reside the Maori King and his most
iefluential supporters. Ugly rumours had been
promulgated respecting the disorganised state 01
ttia district, and Sir George determined to see for
ntmself. lie accordingly left Auckland, attendee
my by two or three chiefs in the employ of the
Government, and, unannounced and unexpected, he
succeeded in reachieg the very centre of 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, and the news
spread like wildfire that the Governor was among
them. Deputations of chiefs came in from all direc
trots, all anxious to rub noses " with their father
the Governor." There was universal rejoicing all
along the river; a picked crew of young
chiet
paddled the Governor's canoe from place to place,
young girls and women chanted songs ofwelcome,
and the greatest kindliness prevailed. Still, it is
worthy of remark, as sheaving how little reliance is
to be placed on these manifestations of personal
regard, that they went DO further than this. The
natives forgot the Governor in the friend, and so
long as his Excellency maintained that position they
were content to bury the remembrance of 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 die.
suade them from the suicidal opposition to his plans
which had been organised. A magician's wand
could, not have wrought a more sudden change than
did theintroduction of political subjects. The chiefs
who had been foremost in their demonstrations
of welcome now grew cold and silent. In reply to
his Excellency's advice to give up their "King"
movement, as it would certainly bring them into
trouble, they positively refused to do so. They were
disposed to concede every other 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 embodi
meat of a distinct nationality. A sudden attack of
illness compelled Sir George Grey to return without
extending his visit as he had intended, but before be
!eft 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 Tataraimaka.
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 land to the Governor.

On March 6th his Excellency, accompanied by
Gan. Cameron and the Colonial Secretary and
Naive Minister, left Auckland for Taranaki. He
first had an interview with the Taranaki settlers.
and his next step was to order the mi►itary in gar-
rison to march out and occupy Waireka-hill, a com
mending position south of the town,thege.itant taking
of which during the last war by the men of the
Niger, under Capt. Cracroft, will be remembered.
This position, abandoned after the war, and since
occupied by the Maoriea, lay between the town and
the Tataraimaka Block. It was quietly taken pos-
session of by the troops, and a stockade completed
on the 17th of March, just three years that very day
since the outbreak of the last war. Deputations of
native chiefs waited upon the Governor to deprecate
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
Waitara, it should be investigated. In order to
prepare for any emergency, as the attitude of the
natives round Taranaki was not very assuring,
strong reinforcements wer.: sent for from Auckland,
and 100 men of the Royal Artillery, under Captain
Mercer, were formed into a body of irregular cavalry
to co-operate with the mountcd force being orga-
nied under the Colonial Defence Act passed last
session. This latter force has been placed under the
cam enaud of Lieut.-Col. Nixon. A demonstration of
the troops in garrison was made in the direction of
the 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,
a strong force, consisting of 200 of the 570, under
Col. Warre, and 100 artillerymen acting as cavalry,
but having two guns, under Capt, Mercer, Ina 84

once merchcd out to Tataraimaka, his Excellency

and Gen. Cameron (Iccomparaying 4Z. No opposition
was offtred ; on the contrary, the 'Governor was re-
ceived with white flags 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
that they could not count upon any active assist-
ance, in case of resistance, from their powerful
allies, the Waikatoes. Although they had given up
Tataraimake, so quietly, more than one dark hint
was thrown out that the Governor must stay his
hand there, or else trouble would result. It was
not long before a complication arose. I must state
that the Tataraimaka block of land is divided from
the settlement of New Plymouth by a belt of country
the property of natives, and through which no Eu-
ropean is allowed to pass. The road to the Tata-
raimaka from New Plymouth skirts along the beach.
Some alterations were deemed necessary in this
road, and a military road party was put on it. It
had occasion to take some stones out of the bed of a
rivulet running from and through the native land.
Tnis proceeding gave great offence to the Maories,
and their attitude was esteemed so dangerous that
fearful 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 Tataraimaka had been given up was nothing
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
serge a force, the Governor would be content with
simply taking possession of his own land. The whole
native population in the neighbourhood 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-
ment. From the Waikato district the news was dis-
court, ging. An armed party of 200 natives, under the
flag of the King, had proceeded to pull down a court-
house being built by the Government; they had then
marched to the establishment of Mr. Garet, the com-
missioner of the district, and who had lately incurred
some odium among the rebel natives by issuing a news-
paper in the native tongue to counteract the journal
published by the Maori King. Mr. Gorst was not
at home at the time, and the Maories broke open his
printing-dace and carried off the printing-press,
type, ar.c. It was evident mischief was brewing in
that locality, and it was not long before Mr. Gent
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 half-caste chil-
dren had been carefully educated and well brought
up ; these the natives, in conformity with their old
customs, have taken possession of. Even the mis-
sionaries have been driven from the district.
Intelligence was received in Au ckland that a
large party of Waikato natives were marching down
to Taranaki, and Gen. Cameron, who had only left
the latter place a few days previously, at once hur-
ried back in the steamer. He did not arrive at all
too soon. Matters were looking decidedly ugly ;
all sorts of rumours were flying about, end it was
considered advisable to take extra precautions. On
April 25 a warning was sent to the Governor by
some friendly natives that the rebels intended to
commence fighting on the day bat 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 they
had nothing to fear. It was a most fortunate thing
that his advice was not taken, and that it had not
been necessary to send out smell detached parties of
.niaitary during that day, as it was afterwards dice
covered that an arab u.,11 of three armed parties of
rebel natives had been stationed on the road be-
tween New Plymouth and Tataraimaki, with the
vowed intention of cutting off the first Euro-
peans who should pass that way. Still, singular
as it may seem, although the threatening atti-
tude 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—to guard against 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.
['he result is soon told, and a melancholy tale it is.
Two esc,►rt parties were passing along the Tatarai•
make 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 Staff Assistant
Surgeon W. A. Hope, M. 8., Lieut. T. H. Tradgett,
57th Regiment, Sergeant Samuel Hill, 57th Regi-
ment, and Privates Edward Kelly, John Flynn,
Bartholomew Macarthy, end William Beaks, filth
Regiment. When found, the bodies presented a
frightful spectacle, and those of the officers had been
almost entirely stripped of their clothing. Mr. Hope
had been shot through the right shoulder, the ball
having penetrated both lungs and lodged near the
spine on the left side. There was a tomakawk wound
over the left side of his head,and a deep spear wound
through the face and upper jaw. Lieut. Tradgett
had been shot through the chest and through the
thigh, but had no other wound. The other victims
had 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 hard
with his assailants. The sergeant was senior colour-
sergeant of his regiment, and Kelly had five medals.
The receipt of the intelligence produced a pro-
found sensation in Taranaki. Alarm guns were
fired from the redoubt on Marsland hill, and mes-
sengers despatched into the country to order all the
out•settiers 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 hastily
constructed. No natives were encountered.
I forgot to state that the arms and ammunition
of the murdered men and the carts of provisions
were taken possession of and driven off by the
natives. Sic George Grey adopted the plan of re-
garding this outrage as a murder, and thus, if Pos-
athlo,depriving the circumstanced of the character of
a successful combat. Au 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 taken.

The greatest excitement prevails all over the
colony. Her Majesty's ship Eclipse has just returned
with a reinforcement of 300 troops from Auckland,
and has gone back for more. The Governor has
delegated his authority to the Superintendents of
the North bland Provinces, authorising them
to call out the militia it necessary, and by tbr:,
steamer just arrived at Port Otago a cotnlluni-
cation has been received from the Governor stating
that the GJvernment have determined on occupying
the native land between New Plymouth and the
Tatarimaka, in orler 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 of
military tenure. Stockades are to be built on the
land. The greatest enthusiasm on the subject pre-
vails in Otago, and I have no doubt a sufficient
number of voluntzera will come forward. There
are UM 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 pt the late outrage. By the last advices,
a lirge body of Waikato natives were marching
down to Taranaki, and if the Governor should find
it necessary to proceed to hostilities it is very pro-

.4..---
babe that the wh)le native pcpu:ation sotth of
Auckland will be drawn into the. struggle. L may
be safely stated tivAt 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 confine 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 commends 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 ensue it will be nothing of his seeking, and
he will be the better enabled to strike boldly when
the 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.