MAORI WARFARE.

Evening Post, Issue 107, 13 June 1865, Page 2

MAORI WARFARE.

It in a remarkable circumstance that, while the victories of the troops over the Maoris often partake of the nature and produce the moral effects of a defeat, the very defeats of our colonial forces have all the eclat and inspiriting influence ol a victory. A Raugiriri is a very grand affair, but it costs .a great many lives, and the enemy get away without being much disheartened or depressed. But it is with feelings of vexotion and dismay that the natives at Kakaramca will remember their encounter with Major Yon Tcmpsky and his rangers. In our opinion, this affair is the only one which, as a model of the tactics which we ought to pursue in Maori warfare, rivals the engagement at Mauku under Captain Lusk. In both cases the colonial force was outnumbered and compelled to retreat, and ill both the retreat was sucesai'nlly conducted, although in the Aiauku affair t^e killed were necessarily left on the field. We know what an expression this action left on the minds of the natives; and we have no doubt that the gallant exploit of Major Yon Tempsky will prove even still more discouraging to the enemy, since they will no longer feel secure in their own villages. The coolness and success with which the retreat was effected, are not the least admirable part of the performance 5 and a few such actions as this would go far to remove all apprehensions from the minds of the colonists with regard to the loss of the troops. Not that we undervalue the services of the lattef iv conquering territory for the settlement ; but the Maoris will never believe themselves fairly beaten when they are only beaten by regiments of regular troops and heavy guns. They will only acknowledge our superiority when we meet them, as Major Yon Tempsky has done, in their own fastnesses, and with no advantage but that of superior nerve and steadiness.— New Zealander.