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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 123, 12 June 1863, Page 2

[Erom the Daily Southern Cross, June 6]. On Monday morning a largo expedition started southward, consisting of -about 800 men .and a great many carts, guns, &c. Almost every soldier was taken from the town, which was left in charge of the Militia and volunteers, and as the duties were thus rendered very heavy, those who {had procured substitutes and others exempt from duty turned out voluntarily to take their share. The intention was, I believe, to attack and surround the rifle pits south of the Tatara camp (some of which are only 300 or 400 yards from it) the Eclipse at the same time creating a diversion by shelling a little further down. The expedition only got as far as Oakura on the first day, and unfortunately on the same evening it became known in town that some of the enemy (two or more, but not many) had been seen at Puketotara, about two miles from town. It was also reported that they had left their rifle pits at Tatara. Putting these two things together, it is said, Sir George Grey anticipated an attack on the town, and so immediately recalled the expedition, which returned the next morning in disgust. The weather, however, was very unfavorable. On the 15th ult. Lieut. Waller, of the 57th, and a party of thirty men, stole up to the Kaitako pa, and fired several volleys into it, to tempt the Maories out. They appeared in considerable numbers, cursed a good deal in English, but kept out of harm’s way. For this the troops were complimented by General Cameron, who has been much pleased with the conduct of the gallant 57th, under Colonel Warre, C.B. Subsequent to these proceedings, which were regarded here as an earnest of a future of activity and a foretaste of a happy consummation of the war, we find that the natives carried their bravado to a considerable length. On the night of the 27th they came to the house of Mr. Sharland, within ten minutes walk of the centre of the town, cut down his flagstaff, the blocks and tackle and smashed the windows. Fortunately Mr. Sharland had left his suburban residence, feeling it insecure, so that no lives were lost.

On tho day following Lieut. Waller had a very narrow escape. When riding from the St. Andrew’s redoubt to Poutoke alone he was fired upon by an ambush of seven natives, who were concealed at a gully, and hia horse was shot under him. Thinking him injured, a native rushed upon him, to finish him with his tomahawk ; but Lieutenant Waller

had disentangled himself from his horse, and fired at this assailant with his revolver. The ruffian fell, and by firing at the place of ambush where the Maories were, he deterred them pursuing, and effected his escape. The firing was heard by our troops; two parties were speedily on the spot, who beat the bush, and discovered a Bay of Islands half-caste; the man struck by the bullet, we presume, but who was only stunned. He had a rifle of one offthe murdered 57th, and wore the watch of Lieutenant Tragett, who was likewise murdered on the 4th of May, and a variety of trifling articles belonging to the murdered men. He implored to be shot, but his request was not granted. What is to be done with him we cannot say. This prisoner says the murdered men died fighting, but did not kill any of the natives ; ho likewise says that a shell from the Eclipse killed one native as he was haranguing his companions in arms. We can hardly say, however, how many of the natives have been killed, but their loss on the whole has been greater than our own. The I.P.R.M. steamship Lady Bird arrived in the Manukau on the 4th, and brought intelligence that an expedition against the Tatara rifle pits was to start on the 3rd from New Plymouth. Expectation was raised on this account, and it v as hoped that it would be successful, seeing that the previous column of attack had been withdrawn to the town, without effecting anything, on account of the misleading intelligence supplied by that very plentiful and very trustworthy class of people, “friendly natives.” However, the public were not kept in doubt for many hours, as the arrival of H.M.S. sloop Eclipse in the Manukau yesterday morning, placed us in possession of the facts. The attack had been made by sea and land, and likewise entirely successful. The attacking column consisted of 650 men, being made up of the head quarter companies of the 57th and 70th Regiments, a detachment of the 65th Regiment, three Armstrong guns, and the greater part of the C field Battery under the command of Captain Mercer, R.A. There was a small party of the Royal Engineers engaged. Colonel Warre, C. 8., and the 57th stormed the redoubt of the enemy, carrying it at the point of the bayonet, and it was here the principal fighting took place. The practice of Captain Mercer’s battery, we have been informed by a gentleman who was present, was perfect, and the fire from the Eclipse did great execution. The whole affair did not last an hour. The pursuit extended over several miles, when many of the enemy must have fallen, who are not included in the returns. Indeed, before the Eclipse left, it was understood in New Plymouth that several dead bodies, besides those enumerated, bad been found. It was believed on examination, that a great many of the slain Maories were Wanganuis. The chief Tamati One was amongst the number. His body was hardly recognisable. He was killed by a shell. The attack began at daylight on the 4th instant; the red flag was hoisted, and everything done with precision. There was no surprise; and the Maories fought for a little on the open.

SiOEiriNG the Maoei Woeks. —ln another column -we publish the only details wo have received of the attack on the Maori position, at Tataraimaka, on the morning of the 4th instant. We have been informed by a gentleman who was present, that the engagement did not last more ihan an hour. The Maories fought for some time in the open, but they were unable to cope witli our troops, who drove them before them in confusion. There was a hand-to-hand encounter for some little time, during which a few cuts from tomahawks were received, but these arc generally slight. It is believed that the chief Tamati One has been killed. After the action the corpses of the Maories were examined by Mr Parris and Komene, and but few of them were recognised. The men killed in action are believed to have come from a distance —principally from the Wanganui country. Among the corpses was that of the chief above named. The body was dreadfully mutilated by a shell from the Eclipse. The firing of the Armstrong guns of Captain Mercer’s Battery was perfect, and did great damage to the enemy ; and the Armstrong guns on board H.M.S sloop Eclipse , Commander Mayne, were equally well-served. The attacking column, 650 strong, under the command of Lieutenant General Cameron, C. 8., moved out of New Plymouth at nine p.m., on the 3rd, and after marching all night came to the enemy’s position at the point of the bayonet. A number of them fled into their redoubt, which was carried in gallant style by Colonel Warro and the 57th. It was here that the hardest fighting took place, but the resistance of the enemy was unavailing. A large party of the Maories fled by the coast, and was pursued by the troops, the pursuit extending over several miles. That many of the rebels were killed during the chase there is reason to believe, as wo understand before the Eclipse left New Plymouth on tho Evening of the 4th (Thursday), there were several dead bodies found that had not previously been enumerated. The troops behaved with great coolness and bravery. His Excellency the Governor left New Plymouth on board the Eclipse at 4 a.m. on the 4th, and the vessel arrived otf the Tatara works at the pre-arranged hour. The Eclipse shelled the enemy’s position during tho attack. Tho .thanks of the colony are due to the General commanding and the forces engaged; and to Commander Mayne and officers and men of the Eclipse for their gallant and successful enterorise. Tho r>restig'e of the British arms has been established in New Zealand, and from henceforth we expect to hear no more of Maories being superior to English soldiers properly led. — Daily Southern Cross, June 6.