THE NATIVE WAR.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 640, 24 February 1870, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR.

PARTICULARS OF THE ENGAGEMENT ATROTORUA. [SOUTHERN CROSS, FEB. 14.] During the evening (Feb. 10), and just as the Sturt was starting, a messenger arrived from Rotorua with the intelligence that an engagement withTeKooti'sforcea had taken place at Waikorowhitu, about three miles distant from thepahatOhinemntu, where a small force of the Arawa engaged 80 of Te Kooti's men, Te Kooti looking on inactive. These men were marching through the district, a great many being unarmed, accompanied' by women and children, emigrating to the Urewera or Ruatahuna country, or where they can find the means of support. I en» ■close you the translation of a letter . given me by the chief Rewi Tareanuku, which gives a description of the attack and its results. I may also state that Rewi informed me that at the Ohinemutupah the force consisted only of 70 men, many of whom were elderly, and unable to follow the enemy into the bush. On learning from some of their women, who had just, returned from the bush, where they had been getting potatoes, that Te Kooti was. on the move in the neighborhood, and not knowing whither he was going, a. council was held, and the propriety of sending a party was warmly debated ; and at last the step was decided upon, at the urgent wish of Rewi, Kiharoa, and Okiwi, who were chosen from the elders, the remainder being comparatively young men. They were joined by Lieutenant G. Mair, who accompanied them. On nearing the place, and ascending a hill, they could distinctly see the enemy,^ who were marching on at a rapid rate. Many of them, about one-half, were unarmed, and amongst them a great number of women and children, with a good sprinkling of infirm. A straggler from amongst them being recognised, inquiry was made as to their strength, which he stated to be about 400 able-bodied men, headed by Te Kooti, Kereopa, and Hakaraia. The following is a translation of the letter referred to : — "Taurapga, Feb. 9, 1870.— Friend t -^

This is an account of an engagement with the forces of Te Kooti at Rotorua, which I now give you for information to Europeans. On the 7th of February, the Ngatiwhakawe (the name of the principal hapu of the Arawa tribe), at about three miles distance from Ohinemutu, had a skirmish, the enemy numbering from 300 . to 400 men, besides many women and children. At 2 p.m. firing commenced. The name of the place was Waikorowhitu. Our force consisted of 20 men of the Ngatewhakawe tribe, and 10 men of the Nj^aiterangi tribe ; altogether SO, chiefly young men, the elderly ones being myself, JKihuroa, Okiwi, Te Warihi, anJ our pakeha, Lieutenant Gilbert Mair. As we neared the enemy, Te Kooti told off 70 to 80 men to fight 113. We continued to fire for an hour, when the enemy ceased, and marched to the main body. In this c n ;agement we had two wounded, called Hori te Rapa, and Te Waka. The Hau-hau left 10 killed on the field, and their heads were at once severed from their bodies. I saw this number on the field, but there is every reason to believe that there may still more bodies in the swamp, 'because I saw one of the Hau-haus trying to conceal one of the dead there. We afterwards followed the Hauhau a distance of 17 miles, and the Tuhourangi joined us in the pursuit, when Te Karanama received a wound from the enemy (of which he has since died). I then returned to Ohinemntu, and the following morning left for Tauranga. When I left our people had not returned, but were still pursuing. My opinion is that Te Kooti and Kereopa have by this reached Rnatahuna. f J his is all 1 have to say about the skirmish. — From your friend, Rewi Tereantjela." After I had left Rotorua, a search was made, and six dead were found, making the number of the enemy killed sixteen.' Lieutenant Way. formerly of the Ist Waikato Regiment, lately engaged in transport service for the expeditionary forces in pursuit of Te Kooti, recently performed quite a feat of expedition and endurance which deserves honouraple mention. On Thursday, January 27, he started from Maketu with eighteen packhorses for Ohinemutu, which place he reached on Saturday, the sth February, having within the short space of nine days packed to its destination at the front, in several trips, 6,2481 b. of stores for the use of the army in the field. The stores consisted of— biscuit, 5,1241 b; coffee, 1141 b; salt, 1531 b ; bacon, 501 b ; salt beef, 3001 b; sugar, 521 b. Such an exploit, displaying unwonted celerity and energy, has not been accomplished before, and Lieutenant Way deserves high commendation for haying acquitted himself so admirably in an arduous and very useful branch of the service. Nearly about dusk last evening Colonel M'DonnelTs division, numbering about 300, consisting of Arawas an d a few of the Armed Constabulary, arrived here from the Wairoa, bringing with them quite a train of women, baggage, and horses. They camped for the night in Te Papa, and it was said that they were intended to proceed to Rotorua to-day. I had forgotten to state that Major Mair left here the day before yesterday,