ENGAGEMENT WITH THE REBELS NEAR DRURY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 146, 30 October 1863, Page 3

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE REBELS NEAR DRURY.

“ New-Zeaxandek” Office", Saturday, 2 p.m.Tiie following was received by a special messenger, from our Drury correspondent. DEUEY. Eriday, lO’a.mV During this afternoon a messenger arrived at the Camp from the Mauku, with account? of a large body of Maories having been seen near the BaldHill’s, and on a clearing about a mite' from the’ Mauku church. The Colonel in command—Col.Chapman—speedily sent 80 men of the Ist Waikato Regiment; upon the arrival of the troops at the Stockade, it was found that a serious engagement had taken place between a body consisting of the Mauku Volunteers and Pitt’s Volunteers, iiv number about 70. The rebels had chosen good ground and had evidently been firing volleys to entice the men out, knowing their body was ; not so largo, and in this they succeeded. A warm engagement then took place, in which unfortunately Lieutenant Percival of tho Ist WaikatoRegiment (late lI.M. 55th) was shot, and almost immediately expired. Two others were also seen to be shot belonging to tho Volunteer Forces, and twelve others were missing shortly before the messenger left ; but five came in previous to his leaving. It is certain that a considerable number of the rebels were killed, but no time was left to ascertain numbers, and the Volunteer Force was so inadequate fortius large number of the enemy, roughly estimated at 500. This district should never have been lefttobedefendedbesosmallabody of men, and bad the track to Pura Pura, so often before alluded to have been stopped this sad affair might in all probability have been prevented. Why is the Defence Department so tardy in taking these important steps? STARTLING SEWS FPvOM HOWICK. cnirDßEiv tomahawked. Three settlers have arrived in Auckland, reporting that two children of Mr. Trust, on Kennedy’s farm, have been tomahawked by the Maoris, and one shot through the breast. One hundred natives were at Kennedy’s farm. Major Peacocke had just started with a force for the scene of the murders. Tiis men who bring the information were fired on by Maoris, between Church’s and Kennedy’s farm, and one of them, Courtenay, was shot through the leg. —Southern Cross, Oct. 24. Startling reports are hourly reaching Drury, and our forces and the rebels are said to be engaged.