TARANAKI

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 9 October 1863, Page 2

TARANAKI

MORE FIGHTING—ONE OFFICER AND EIGHT MEN OF THE 57th WOUNDED.

(From the Taranaki Herald, Oct. 3.) On Tuesday last occurred the third successive skirmish with the Maories, in which they have suffered loss and inflicted none. At 3-30 a.m. on that morning, the two companies of Bushrangers (Captain Atkinson’s and Captain Webster’s) left town, and, crossing the Bell Block, lay in ambush on the run beside the road leading from Eaipakopako, in the hopes of catching any natives who might he coming on the block to drive off cattle or to murder any stray pakehas, some of whom, wo are sorry to say, are still rash and foolish enough to go down there for cattle. After lying there till about 9 a.m., and no prey appearing, the party struck inland, and on emerging from a piece of hush into a fern patch (at a place called Eorongia) the advanced guard discovered a party of fifteen or twenty natives standing near together about 200 yards further on. One, who seemed to be their leader, seeing only a few of our men.

rushed them, brandishing his gun, apparently inciting his men to come with him, thinking probably he had got some fit subjects for murdering. He, no doubt, changed his mind, however, when the leading section gave him a volley ; for lie turned and ran down behind a little ridge and fell, but must have been helped away into the bush close by into which all the natives went. He left his sou’-westor and mat stained with blood where he fell. Another was shot as he was entering the bush. When in the bush they began firing, and kept it up for some little time, but without effect, though it was noticed that they shot better than Maories commonly do. Their fire was returned as long ns it lasted, and then an unsuccessful search was made for (lie owner of the sou’wester, but Capt. Atkinson did not think it desirable to follow them up considering the large force known to be in the neighborhood, and the Bushrangers therefore proceeded on their way,—Capt. Webster’s company now taking the lead.

On reaching Greenway’s clearing, three Maories were seen by the advanced guard, under Captain Messenger, on the ridge overlooking the Mangoraka, and these were shortly joined by sis more. This was communicated to Captain Webster, who immediately ordered a charge, and while the men were advancing at the double they received a volley from the nine, and also from a party in the bush to the left, but no harm was done, though, again there were some narrow escapes. After firing, the Natives fled precipitately clown the bank and across the Mangoraka, though not with impunity, as was evidenced by bloodstained mats and shawls left behind them, and one man was seen to be dragged up the other bank of the river. They also left a bag of bullets, a box of caps, and a kit of food containing, among other thirgs, some tempting Jcaanga pirau. It is probable that these Natives were on the look out for the party from the Bell Blockhouse who come there for firewood, and who, indeed, arrived there about twenty minutes after the skirmish, and they were, therefore, very opportunely disturbed. It is probable also that the first party fallen upon were intended to co-operate. The following is a list of the Maori casualties on these occasions as obtained by a Native who has just visited Mataitawa : Earauria, through the body, from one shoulder to the other. Enoka, in the arm, badly. Kereoma, in the cheek, slightly. One of the Pakakohe (name not given) flesh of arm.

Tipene, in the leg. Waati, in little finger, flesh stripped off. Hami, through the car. —They are all Ngatiruanuis. Ivarauria was (he owner of the sou’-wester, and was formerly a resident in the town pa ; his wound is probably mortal. lie is part owner of the Puketotara reserve.

Our men on this occasion fired on an average about 2 or 2£ rounds a man, that is, from 200 to 250 altogether ; and as there were seven wounds inflicted, the cost to the Government (inammunition) was about 2si or 2s. Gd. a wound, which was not dear, we should think, excepting perhaps in the case ofliatni : it is questionable whether earmarking a rebel is worth half-a-crown. A much more serious affair occurred yesterday on the South side of the town, at Omata. At <5 o’clock in the morning, Lieut. Mills, 57th Regt., started from the Redoubt with the intention of laying an ambush at Hurford’s Hill. Happily, however, before they had got as far as that, they came upon an outlying picket of the enemy, who fired at them, but without effect. The Natives were charged and driven back with the loss of one or two killed, and Lieut. Mills, hearing the voices about in different parts of the bush, of course retired, bringing away a tomahawk and some mats with him. Some time after daylight the rebels were seen about Mr. W. Carrington’s housed and near Raugiuru, the pa lately occupied by the Poutoko natives, and also inland by Touot’s shed, which they burned, and they soon commenced, in great numbers, firing into the Poutoko Redoubt, where Captain Wright, 70tli Regt., was in command. News of this was instantly sent to Colonel Warre, and Major Butler, with 80 men of the 57th Regt., was at once despatched from town to reinforce the redoubt, Colonel Warre, C. 8.. and staff following. Capt. Short!, witli 90 men and two companies of Bushrangers, were told to follow immediately, which they did at a very smart pace. When Major Butler knew that support was at hand, he advanced from the redoubt up the road towards Touct’s, and as the advanced guard, under Ensign Powys, were passing Gilbert’s garden, they received a heavy volley from behind the hedge and among the trees, wounding Ensign Powys badly and two soldiers. About the same time, Captain Shortt was advancing up the new road, at the head of the Waireka gully, and behind the Rev. Mr. Bayly’s place. The first volley killed the regimental dog, a great favorite. After this, fighting was very sharp here for some time, the enemy being in great numbers in the bush all round, and also on Allen’s hill, from which latter place, however, they were very soon driven. In places the soldiers and natives were only a few yards apart, and Captain Shortt’s party were very hardly pressed until the arrival of the volunteers, who, upon coming to the scene of action (by the old road across the Waireka gully), were immediately extended along'the little ridge at right angles to the road, and overlooking Gilbert’s garden, in which a great many of the Natives were. This drew off a considerable part of the fire from Captain Short, and enabled him, after sending in his wounded, to join the main body. This left the volunteers on the left front ; after a few minutes they got the word to retire behind the next rise, where they remained for perhaps an hour. Hero they received some very heavy volleys, knocking up the ground and whistling overhead, but doing no harm ; there were also some fair single shots from rifles: After a while Captain Atkinson’s party was withdrawn, and left Capt. Webster’s alone, behind a hedge to draw the natives on, but this they seemed disinclined for, though a good many shots were exchanged. Some notion of the number of the enemy may be gained from the fact that they extended from Fort Robert (Raugiuru) right round to Touet’s place. A little howitzer practice was made upon them near the former place.

What the Maori loss lias been it is impossible to say. Several were seen dov n, and we have no doubt they suffered heavily, for two reasons because our men fire much more coolly, and much belter than the Maoris, and because the latter ceased firing when we did ; and because they did not attempt to oppose the recrossing of the Wairoka gully as they certainly would have done had they been in good spirits. Colonel Warrc, who was personally in command during the engagement directing the various movements, after it was over thanked the volunteers for the important help they had rendered him, complimenting them on the orderly and prompt way in which they hud executed the orders they received. “He was only sorry lie had not men enough to follow the enemy up,” and wo are certain that nothing would have pleased officers and men better if the gallant Colonel had been in a position to let them make a closer acquaintance with the enemy.

The following is a list of the casualties on our side. They are all of the gallant 57th regiment. Ensign B. E. Powys, severe Sergeant Samuel Harvey, severe Corporal Edward Boa, dangerous Drummer Dudley Stagpool, slight Private William Beeves, dangerous Private Thomas Finn, mortal Private Michael Foley, severe Private Henry Cain, dangerous. We cannot conclude even a hasty account like the present without noticing the perfect coolness and steadiness of the persons engaged, and we are sorry wc cannot as yet record, as it deserves, the conspicuous bravery of many under as heavy a fire as lias often been experienced—here at least. It is evident now, what has for some time been conjectured on good grounds, that the natives are in large numbers on the south as well as on the north side of the town. Speaking in round numbers we doubt whether it would be an exaggeration to say that there are 500 men on each side of ns, and it is clear that if we are to hold the country, as we have been doing, we shall have to fight and fight hard. Bnshranging is still (he right thing, wc believe, for it is in the bush we shall have to meet them, but it must he with a ‘ wise valour,’ as the poet says —the strength of the bush parties being greatly increased, as no doubt it will bo after the timely demonstration of the force of the enemy yesterday, and some regular system of supports be adopted.