IMPORTANT FROM OPOTIKI. REBEL PAHS STORMED AND DESTROYED. MAJOR BRASSEY UNDER ARREST.

Evening Post, Issue 219, 20 October 1865, Page 2

IMPORTANT FROM OPOTIKI. REBEL PAHS STORMED AND DESTROYED. MAJOR BRASSEY UNDER ARREST.

A correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald writes from Opotiki, Oct. 7th, 1865. Since my last communication, the Hau Haus have received a severe lesson of the intentions of the pakeha, and one which has thoroughly discouraged them. On the afternoon of the sth October, the rebels were seen hovering on the hills in our neighbourhood watching our motions. The majority of the native contingent under Majors McDonnell and George being in the meantime on the plains for cattle &c> the cavalry under Capt. McPherson, were ordered out to reconnoitre ; on going inland some few miles, they came upon a party of the enemy engaged in foraging, who quickly decamped to a pa at the foot of the ranges. Capt. McPherson now planned and executed a ruse deguerre, in which the rebels suffered severely. It was, as far as I can learn, as follows :— Captain McPherson dismounted hi* men and led them on towards the pa ; the fanatics then commenced a dance around the Pa; Marire pole, after which, seeing only a few dismounted troopers, they rushed with yells to the attack. Our cavalry retired quietly to their horses, followed by the fanatic?, elated with their fancied successWhen the horses were reached and mounted, the word was, "Charge," and with a British cheer they rushed on to the attack. The Hau Haus, when overtaken, discharged their pieces at arms' length at our men, inflicting several severe wounds. The next moment eight of the rebels fell lifeless on the plain, sabred or trampled under foot by our brave fellows ; the remaifider dispersed to cover, among them several wounded. I believe this is the first occasion on which the enemy have been brought into contact with our European cavalry, a lasting lesson they received of their efficiency. One wounded prisoner was brought in with a sword cut in the head, through which the brain was actually protruding. In the meantime the pa had been surrounded by the native contingent under Major McDonnell, and also two companies ot rangers. A brisk fire was kept up by both parties at a distance of 180 yards ; our losses at 6 p.m. were one European killed, three Europeans and one Maori wounded. At this time the 6-pounder, manned by eight volunteers from the Huntress, arrived in charge of

Capt. Stalker, supported by an officer and guard of military settlers. The volunteerst with the assistance of six soldiers, dug a rifle pit and parapet for their gun. under a heavy fire from the pah, and very quickly had her in position, eager to give the defenders a dose of pills somewhat larger and harder than those concocted by Parr. Shortly afterwards, one of their leaders demanded a parley, which was granted. By this time the moon wa«» shining brightly and, excepting three wreaths of smoke which hung over the pa and its besiegers, not a cloud was visible ; the rattle of nearly 300 rifles was suddenly hushed, but, although the same number of men surrounded the pa, excepting two or three mounted orderlies gallopping from post to post, scarcely a man was to be seen. Major McDonnell, accompanied by Major Stapp, who commanded the attack, went to the front with our terms, namely, unconditional surrender. After the lapse of an hour, the wretches accepted or pretended to accept them. Then was enacted one of the blackest scenes of treachery ever perpetrated by the noble savage. Two companies, who fortunately held the entrance to the pa, were ordered to fall in with the intention of fettering the prisoners. They marched up; some were actually inside, when, seeing the entrance unguarded, the Hau Haus rushed out like demons, literally naked, some actually jumping over the heads of our men, others discharging their guns in mad haste. The treachery was discovered almost too late ; but the gun belched out its canister the rifles cracked, and the smoke, in addition to the darkness, obscured everything ; the bayonet and revolver then did their work, and in a few, minutes eleven dead Hau Haus lay at the entrance to the pa. One of our men was found in the pa shot through the head, and another died shortly afterwards ot' his wounds; six Europeans and one native contingent wounded, but all are now progressing favourably. We have since learned from two prisoners detained this morning, that only five of the defenders arrived at the pa in the rear in safety and with whole skins, and that many were missing. The pah was searched and three bodies were found covered with fern, probabably killed iv the rifle pits. Amongst the dead was found the man (recognised by the name on his arm) who placed the rope on Volkuer's. neck. The pallisading was destroyed and burnt, camp flrts were lighted, and it was on the whole a scene worthy the artist's pencil, to sketch the men seen by the glare of the fires, some in groups relating their individual escapes and mourning their lost comrades ; others surveying their dead enemies, but none with pity stamped on their features, treachery having cost them their lives. It was now near midnight ; the dead rebels were buried, our own dead and wounded carried to camp in drays and stretchers (our loss was thiee Europeans killed, nine Europeans and two Maoris wounded) and our men lay down wearied on the frosty ground to snuteh a little sleep provio >s to attacking the pahs, which were supposed to contain Kereopa The cavalry and volunteers from '.he Huntress returned to camp, the former having been out the whole of the previous day, the latter having started without iood or sufficient clothing. In an hour and v half they again left camp for the front, to man the gun in the ensuing attack. At about half past six two of the rebels came in with a flag of truce, offering to allow us to search their pa for Rereopa, provided we left them unmolested. Our commander wisely refused to listen to any terms after their late infidelity, and retained them as prisoners } the men. too, were burning to attack the enemy. 6th October, 7 iv m. The whole force, with the exception of a guard, marched io the attack. By this time Major Brassey arrived on the scene of action and assumed command. Before going farther, I must endeavour to give you an idea of the position of the enemy. Tlse three pahs stood thus : the first at the base of a hill about 300 feet high, the second on the summit, and the third on the summit of a second hill commanding the first — the whole of the base beiug surrounded by a palisading. On seeing our force the enemy retreated into the upper pahs ; meanwhile the gun was brought within 50 yards of the pallisading r and the troops took a sweep round the base

of the works to surround it, but too late. Oil our plan they fled, without a shot f into the almost inaccessible scrub immediately behind. A party of cavalry and a company of rangers penetrated two miles farther to the right, burning a village and supplies of provisions. The pahs were burnt, and after the whole was completed the troops retired, leaving the ashes still burning. On arrival we found that the Arawa's schooner Mavis had arrived, bringing news of capture of Whakatane by their tribe witiiout loss, and the seizure of one of the murderers at the Kate massacre, whom they brought to our camp. Messrs. Nesbit and ¦¦¦ came by her, and an o ulcer for service at Opotiki, besides two deserters from Tauranga. It appears that the latter were picked up at Maketu by an open boat containing four wood-splitters, who, as they affirm, were on their way from Cabbage Bay, Auckland, to Napier. They were overhauled by the Mavis and towed here. The Whakatane prisoner is to stand his trial shortly. 7th October. Major Brassey has been placed under arrest by Majors Stapp, M'Donnell, and George. Cause Hot yet explained. Major Stapp takes command. I ______