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

---------
for 6or 12 months as road labourers. There are from the Canterbury portion, while the unitecrex-
instances innumerable of how little faith ought to ports for October reached 39,624 oz., and for No-
be put in the rebels keeping the oath when induce- vember 45,2050 z. The very rainy climate of the
ment offers for breaking it; the latest is that of West Coast sadly interferes with the working, as
some 30 of these very Pukemaires, who, professing latterly there have scarcely been more than one or
to be disgusted with the deception practised upon two fine days out of the six. '.['he diggings are
them by their prophets, joined the friendly natives, almost entirely "poor men's" diggings—i.e., dis-
and in their first engagement were found biting off tributes evenly, and not in large nuggets here and
the bullet end of their cartridges, of course making there, consuming much time and money in the
up in noisy zeal for this deficiency in lead. search. Otago, although thrown into the shade by
The Colonial forces on the East coast have again some thousands having left for the Hokolika, still
distinguished themselves, the scene of their opera- yields well, 64,7890 z. being exported in the Septet!),
tions being in the neighbourhood of Turanga, in ber quarter.
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-
maire, 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
allmurderers, 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 Hauhan 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 wera 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 forceproceeded to intrench themselves.
Early on the following day (18th) Lieut. Westrup
took up an advanced position, and intrenched 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-
mise 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 Ilauhau reinforcements coming up, about five
p.m., a sally was made from the pah, and Lieut.
Wilson was surrounded. The Hauhau reinforce-
ments were at first mistaken for the expected sup-
ports, and, as the true state of the case was not ascer-
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 con-
trary to instructions, and, remembering what had
occurred the day previously, and being perfectly
sure that treachery was intended, Major Frazer
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 Waerengaahikatwo other
pahs ien 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 du 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-
btatiazilbeemly. be transported to Otago or elsewhere in the
south, if those communities do not object to receive
Rev.
I\hiere are more prisoners to be tried by the
uce
fOurriti-r:t:
commis-
sionerout to watch l the interests
The steamer li
Zealand Government beena
o f in
nthe p attendancersoners.
Southland,
returned without finding
ship-
wrecked crew. This
ignorance that the Victorian-1
one for the same purpose.
been lauded, and vegetable
parts of the island.
court-martial for having been concerned in
V lkner's murder. A civil
through-
and,cdosleeesacrept
seeds
despatched by the New
It to the Auckland Islands, has
steamer
any of the supposed
owas sent hence in
anranment had sent
provisions have
s planted in various
The auriferous character of the West Coast(Ho-
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 67,915

Railway and other Companies.

-

MIDLAND.

The report of the directors of this company states
that the traffic of the railway for the half-year end-
ing the 31st of December last had been satisfactory,
although owing to exceptional circumstances a de-
crease of £6,347 in the receipts for conveyance of
minerals, and of £2,662 in conveyance of cattle had
taken place as compared with the correspond-
ing half of 1864. The increase in the coaching
department had been £31,369, and in mer-
chandise £35,549, the total increase being £57,909,
afterdeducting£9,oo9 for thefalliug off in the cattle
and mineral traffic. The balance available for divi-
dend was £522,557, of which £4,304 was brought
from the previous half-year, and the directors re-
commended the declaration of the following divi-
dends (less income-tax), payable on the Ist March
next:—£3 10s. per cent. on the consolidated stock;
£2 16s. 3d. per cent. on the consolidated Birming-
ham and Derby Stock ; £3 10s. per cent. on the
consolidated preferential stock, and also on the Ere-
wash Valley stock ; and at the usual rates on the
eight 4 per cent., 4i per cent., and 5 per cent. pre-
ferential stocks, leaving a balance of £11,704 for the
current half-year. The sum of £973,371 had been
spent upon the capital account during the half-year.
As the greater part of the works on which this
amount as well as large sums in previous half-years
had been expended were still unproductive, and as the
interest had consequently to be defrayed out of re-
venue, those circumstances fully accounted for the
diminution in the dividend as compared with the
corresponding half of 1864. The extension to Lon-
don would approach completion in the autumn of
1867. The total train mileage run during the half
year, Mr. Kirtley reported, was 5,795,553 miles, be-
ing an increase of 118,176 miles as compared with
the corresponding period. The renewals of locomo-
tive stock during the half year had been 9 engines,
20 carriages, 19 break vans, 5 horse boxes, 7 car-
riage trucks, and 280 waggons, the entire cost of
which had been charged to revenue. Mr. Crossley
reported that the railway works were in good repair
and that 33 miles of railway had been relaid during
the half-year, the entire cost of which had been
charged to revenue. The Furness and Midland
Railway, it was expected, would be ready for traffic
early in the autumn of this year: The directors had
deemed it their duty to deposit the following bills :
—The Midland (branches, &c.), requiring a capital
of £350,000 ; the Midland (Ashby and Nuneaton),
length 25 miles, capital £290,263 ; the Midland
(additional powers), capital £130,000 ; the Mid-
land (Settle to Carlisle), length about 80 miles,
estimated cost £1,638,043. The following bills
were being promoted, in conjunction with other
companies :—The Huddersfield and Halifax ; the
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (Extension
to Liverpool) ; the Cheshire lines; the Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (new lines) ; the Liver-
pool Central Station ; and the Tottenham . and
Hampstead Junctions, requiring contributions or
subscriptions from this company of £lOO,OOO,
£250,000, £40,000, £140,000, and £25,000 respec-
tively. The capital account to the 31st of Decem-
ber last showed that £26,103,256 had been ex-
pended, leaving a balance of £101,192. The re-
venue account for the past half year showed that
£1,388,620 had been received and £635,149 ex-
pended, leaving a balance of £753,471, out of which
£210,008 was deducted for interest on loans and
preference charges, £23,394 for North Western
rental, £1,316 for Itedditch rental, and £5OO for
redemption of mortgage debentures, leaving (with a
balance of £4,304) a disposable sum of £522,587.