The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-15 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND.

(From the Correspondent of the Timm)
WELLINGTON, Dec. 15.
The past month has been almost barren of poli-
tical interest. There has been no visible token of a
change by Mr. Stafford in the policy pursued by the
Weld Ministry, if, indeed, there has been any in
reality. On the contrary, not only is the 70th being
massed at Auckland for embarkation home, but
steamers have been chartered expressly to redistri-
bute the troops with a view to facilitate the depar-
ture of others ; and not only has no reduction been
effected in the colonial forces, but a further enrol-
ment both of Europeans and natives has been
ordered. Nearly barren, however, as the month has
been politically, it would have been quite so were
it not for the explanations which most of the lead-
ing members of Assembly have been affording
their constituents, and the impetus which has
thereby been given to the preparations for [(the
general elections to take place in February next.
Everywhere separation has cropped up as the para-
mount question for decision. Both in Auckland
and Otago separation has been vehemently advo-
cated as the panacea for all the ills that New Zea-
land is or is likely to be heir to ; but in nearly all
the other provinces the unity of the colony is
as strongly insisted on. The interest at present
centres in the view Canterbury may eventually
adopt. That province is now chief in population
and wealth on the Middle Island, and has hitherto
been opposed to separation, regarding the native
question as one that must in a very few years cease
to give trouble ; but the financial propositions of
last session have there, as elsewhere, to some ex-
tent favoured separation as a hustings cry. To
carry out the policy of dispensing with the troops
manifestly implies a large and immediate,
temporary, increase of taxation ; while the reten-
tion of the troops, should the Imperial demand
for capitation money be enforced, necessitates a
still larger, although, not perhaps, such an imme-
diate pecuniary burden. The Government of the
natives, in either case, is therefore regarded by some
of the Middle Island politicians as likely to continue
to be a very expensive business, involving heavy
and permanent taxation, and it is with a view to
prevent this very practical result from affecting the
South that separation is there is being agitated. Its
advocates most unfairly argue on the assumption
that the war is never coming to an end, and that
the expenditure of the past few years is to be taken
as the basis of that in the future, creating the fear
that the revenues of the provinces, territorial as
well as customs, will in great measure be absorbed
for native purposes. Hence it is that in the Middle
Island the one question of separation swallows up
and is made to represent so many others. With
Auckland the reasons are different. Its cry for
separation arose immediately on Mr. Weld's as-
suming office, the actual loss of the seat of Govern-
ment and the contemplated removal of the troops in-
ducing its members to submit resolutions expressive
of their desire that Auckland should be erected into
a separate and, strange to say, purely Crown colony.
Foiled in this, Auckland has become a convert to
separation in a larger sense—to the separation of
the two islands, notwithstanding it is obvious that
if the burden of native government is so oppressive
to the entire colony it must be wholly beyond the
power of the Northern Island to bear it alone. Ido
not, however, regard separation as being anything
more than one of those clap-trap cries which, after
they have served a hustings or other temporary
purpose, are laid by as stock for stump orations ;
and especially is this likely to be the case if Mr.
Cardwell continues to set his face against affording
it the slightest encouragement as resolutely as he
has hitherto clone.

Notwithstanding the ventilation the question has
received, even now no one knows what separation
really means, none of its advocates being willing to
commit himself to details. It is already Protean in
its character, there being no less than four defini-
tions in popular use. There is the erection of each
of the nine provinces into an independent State,
with a federal government, like that of America.
Then there is the continuance of the colony as a
whole with a separate legislature for each island and
a federal government exercising control over some
half dozen matters, such as coinage, customs, ocean
postal services, &c. And there is, lastly, insular
separation of two kinds, the one consisting of a
single government for each of the colonies into
which the two islands would be erected, and the
other preserving the provincial governments as at
present, with the addition of the two general Le-
gislatures just mentioned. Although the separation
cry will be paramount for the next few months, I do
not consider that it will be allowed to assume any
other than a Buncombe shape in the Assembly,
because my conviction is that the war will not last
very many months longer, that the native expendi-
ture will be reduced by force of circumstances within
a reasonable compass, and that measures will be
taken to secure by law to the provinces those reve-
nues which some of them profess to be in danger of
losing. Auckland, too, will in time feel less sore at
the removal of the seat of government and the
troops, meanwhile recovering from the depression
which the loss of those sources of expenditure have
temporarily occasioned.
General Chute, after making an inspection of the
posts throughout the island, returned to head-
quarters at Auckland. He is now in Wanganui,
having arrived there on the 11th. At Waikato, and
elsewhere northward, the country is perfectly quiet.
At Taranaki an insignificant skirmish is reported,
and thence southward to Wanganui there have
been no further operations by the troops. In con-
sequence, however, of two murders having been
committed during the past fortnight, the small colo-
nial force of 30 Forest Rangers have been out looking
after the few rebels that still occasionally show
themselves in the neighbourhood of the Imperial
posts and shoot down their men. One of the two
who were murdered was carting for a canteen, and
was horribly mutilated ; the other belonged to the
Military Train and was one of a small escort at-
acked by 12 of the enemy. The Forest Rangers,
increased to 50, and the native contingent, increased
to 150, have been placed under Brigadier-General
Waddy's command, should the military authorities
deem it proper to take further notice of these out-
rages. There is still a talk of Gen. Chute organising
a flying column, but people are sceptical as to its
doing any good even if organised, except it be by
calling for volunteers from officers and men. The
Governor is very urgent with the General that some-
thing of the sort should be done now. The weather
and time are alike favourable. All the summer is be-
fore us, and the potato crops are ripening ; these de-
stroyed, it would be too late for planting. I believe
theis spdeGovateerhnedor goes to Wanganui as soon as this mail
The military in the hope that he may induce action.
force in what is called the Wanganui
district is
widelyexactly 2,700 men, and though they are
scattered, garrisoning redoubts, against per-
haps as many
as 200 male rebels, an effective volun-
teer column might be
draughted without any great
danger to those
left 131 charge of the very substan-
tial earthworks erected
Gover-
nor's influence is, however, each post. The r
of excepttheofh ce reom
nianding for the time being, where
his opinion coincides with that ' very little,
`that officer knows
o.
eernor the expres-
thalelretfhoarte Gfeee
how every mail brings to th.,
sion of Lord De Grey' "
Greys confide_
Cameron has done and written,candinn.
ls
assured that everything he chooses toedvoo events are tak-
ing to do
will be backed up also. Meanwhile en
place on the East Coast which inspire the utmost
confidence that if the Forest Rangers and
native
contingent are ordered to ferret out the d mur
_ erers
of the two men above alluded to they will not be
slow in obeying.
Last month I reported the very successful capture
of the occupants of the Pa Pukeinaire, on the East
Coast, numbering 300, inclusive of women and chil-
dren. They have since been allowed to go at large,
the men having their lands fireconsated and taking the
oath of allegiance. Every ecognises this latter
proceeding as regards Hauhaus to be only a farce,
but it has hitherto been generally pursued to save
the expense of keeping them in idle captivity. A
different process is, however, about to be adopted,
the Government having offered some of the super-
intendents of the Middle Island to transfer the pri-
soners taken at Wareroa last July to their custody

for 6or 12 months as road labourers. There are
instances innumerable of how little faith ought to
be put in the rebels keeping the oath when induce-
ment offers for breaking it; the late3t is that of
some 30 of these very Pukemaires, who, professing
to be disgusted with the deception practised upon
them by their prophets, joined the friendly natives,
and in their first engagement were found biting off
the bullet end of their cartridges, of course making

up in noisy zeal for this deficiency in lead.
The Colonial forces on the East coast have again
distinguished themselves, the scene of their opera-
tions being in the neighbourhood of Turanga, in
Poverty Bay, where Bishop Williams lately resided.
Although the few settlers in that locality nearly all
left their properties at the time when the Hauhau

fanaticism was so intensely accelerated by the murder
of the Rev. Mr. Volkner, they mostly returned im-

mediately afterwards, collected the remnant of the

sheep and cattle, and managed to hold their own

until the early part of November, when about 600

or 700 rebels (half of whom were women and chil-

dren) concentrated there, and compelled them once

more to abandon everything and take refuge under

protection of the garrison of the 30 men stationed
at Turanga. On this news being conveyed to Puke-
make, about 60 miles to the northward, a part of
the colonial forces and the native contingent, under

Mokena (Morgan), immediately embarked in her

Majesty's ship Esk and a coasting steamer, and ar-
rived at Turanga on the 9th. They found that the
Hauhaus were destroying houses, sheep, cattle—
everything they could lay their hands on, and there
was no time for delay. Mr. M'Lean, superintendent
of Hawkes Bay, had, however, accompanied the
expedition, and by his advice it was determined to

call on the rebels to lay down their arms, surrender
all murderers, and criminals, pay for the damage done
to the property of the Europeans, and take the oath
of allegiance. Day after day wearily passed, during
which it was from time to time reported that a con-

siderable body intended to submit to the terms im-
posed, the native contingent, which numbered about
240 (including the 30 Pukemaires already alluded
to), meanwhile receiving the very doubtful adhe-
sion of some 150 natives living about Turanga.
Noon of the 16th having expired, the European
forces and settlers, about 200 in all, accompanied by
about 400 natives more or less loyal, marched off at
3 p.m. into the Hauhau district, under the com-
mand of Major Frazer. On arriving at Bishop
Williams's residence next morning (17th), they
found it occupied as the outer position by the rebel
skirmishers. These were at once dislodged and

driven back to the pah by Lieut. Westrup, with a
loss to his party of two killed and four wounded,
and the whole force proceeded to intrench themselves.

Early on the following day (18th) Lieut. Westrup

took up an advanced position, and intrench ed himself,

with some difficulty, within 50 yards of the pah
(which is named Waerengaahika), Lieut. Wilson,

on the other flank, being also ordered to intrench
as close to the pah as possible, with the pro-

raise that some of the local natives—that I have

already alluded to as of doubtful loyalty—should
be sent to his support. These natives were, how-
ever, very lukewarm, and did not support as
ordered ; the consequence of which was that on
some il.auhau reinforcements coining up, about five
p.m., a sally was made from the pah, and Lieut.

Wilson was surrounded. The Hauhau reinforce.

meats were at first mistaken for the expected sup

ports, and, as the true state of the case was not aster
trained until they opened fire, the position was most
critical, especially as the intrenchment was incom-
plete and the men fatigued. Lieutenant Wilson's
force, which consisted of 28 Europeans and three
natives, was ordered to charge, and gallantly forced
their way through four times their number, killing
8 and wounding 13, themselves having 5 killed (4
of whom were left where they fell) and 6 wounded.
Something of the same kind was attempted on Sun-
day (19th). About 8 a.m. 200 of the Hauhaus,
armed and in three companies, advanced towards
Major Frazer's main position under a flag of truce.
At such a time to respect a flag so carried is o,on-
trary to instructions, and, remembering what had
occurred the day previously, and being perfectly
sure that treachery was intended, Major Fraztr
fired as they came up. The fire was instantly re-
turned, showing that their arms were loaded, and a
fruitless fire was kept up at the same time from the
pah. A hand-to-hand fight followed on open ground,
the contending parties being about equal. Strange
to say, only one /slight casualty occurred on our
side, while the rebels, on fleeing to the pah, left
numerous dead behind them. Next morning (the
20th) a flag of truce was hoisted by Major Frazer's
orders to allow the rebels to pick up and bury their
slain, when several more bodies were discovered,
making altogether no less than 42 killed in that
encounter, many of whom fell to the fire of the
trenches, from which they were at one time only 80
yards distant. A six-pounder arrived from the
coasting steamer on the evening of the 21st, and
began to play on the morning of the 22d. The de-
feat on Sunday had, however, determined the rebels
to surrender unconditionally, which they now did.
Of the fighting men there were 180 who came out
and laid down their arms, a large number of women
and children, and somewounded; the reinforcements
. who surprised Lieutenant Wilson on the 18th having
previously left the pah, as had others also. On
hearing of the surrender of Waerengaahika two other
pahs in the neighbourhood surrendered also ; so that
Major Frazer's forces have had their hands full. Of
course we do not expect that the services of the
colonial forces can be recognised by the home au-
thorities, as Lord De Grey considers that a " sub-
stantial reward in land" is all that can animate
colonists, and Mr. Cardwell agrees with him ; but it
is, nevertheless, worth considering whether some
colonial order of distinction should not be instituted
for such valuable military services as are now being
rendered. It may be necessary, perhaps, to state
for the information of military readers that the pah
just taken, like that of Pukemaire, noted in my last
month's letter, was a very strong one. They will
otherwise scarcely believe that these pahs were in
all respects equal to those which General Cameron
found so troublesome. I have no wish to draw
comparisons, readers can do that for themselves ;
but the fact that a few hundred militia and natives
readily do what General Cameron with his large
force of men and appliances was so often urged in
vain to do requires to be stated, if only in its naked-
ness, as an act of justice to the gallant men of
whom the colonial forces and native contingent are
alike composed.
Nothing more has been done at Opotiki, from
which place the forces and natives have been par-
tially withdrawn for service elsewhere. The rebels
have taken up an inland position at the end of a
gorge through which a river pours in a narrow, deep
channel between lofty banks. It is very difficult to
attack them in front, and no way has yet been
found to the rear, but reconnoitring parties are
continually searching in the hope of finding one.
A court-martial was convened on the 6th of No-
vember for the trial of 21 natives as principals in
the murders of Mr. Fulloon, the Government inter-
preter, and Capt. Pringle and crew of the schooner
Kate, and on the 17th 12 others were tried as ac-
cessories. The findings have been sent to his Ex-
cellency for approval, but in consequence of the
absence of the Attorney-General the Governor has
not been advised thereon. Sixteen have been found
guilty and sentenced to death ; but they will pro-
bably be transported to Otago or elsewhere in the
south, if those communities do not object to receive
them. There are more prisoners to be tried by the
same court-martial for having been concerned in
the Rev. Mr. Volkner's murder. A civil commis-
sioner for natives has been in attendance through-
outZeala to watch the interests of the prisoners.
The steamer Southland, despatched by the New
returned
'ad GwoitvbeeruntmfTeinihidtiitnog the Auckland Islands, has
ignorance that the sany of the supposed ship-
steamer was sent hence in
wrecked crew.
one for the same purpose. Victorian Government had sent
and vegetable Goatsseeds
sanpcllapurtoevaisinioiv-isarhiaoLe
been landed,
pa
d.
Therts of the
auriferousan
character of the West Coast (Ho-
isl
kitika) becomes daily more apparent, and
the dig-
gers are increasing in their finds as well as extend-
ing their ground. The gold export returns for the
quarter ending September 30 show 20,7510 z. from
the Nelson portion of the West Coast, and 67,615