WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 249, 7 April 1865, Page 3

WANGANUI.

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE SKIR MISH WITH THE REBELS.

[From the correspondent of the Wanganui Chronicle.'} Camp Te Awa, March 13.

The head-quarters Field Force, consisting of portions of the 57th, 50th, and 6Stb Regiment, Cavalry, local, and Military, Artillery and En - gineers, the whole numbering (including the Transport Corps) about 1,400, began their march this morning towards Taranak i. The Lieutenant-Ge-neral commanding, Colonel Weare, 60th Regiment taking the place of Brigadier-General Waddv,' who is still in Wanganui under medical treatment. The force moved off in the direction of the village which is only about four miles Torn camp, and where the natives have been seen everv day for the last fortnight moving about. The head of the column had scarcely advanced a mile from camp, when the rebels, who were perched on tire crown of a hill bet ween the camp and the village alluded to, opened fire oh the troops. The were not entrenched, and did not oven occupy rifle pits, which is a new feature in Maori warfare. The 57th, under Major Butler, who was in front, pushed up the hill, and returned tiie fire ; at the same lime the Artillery, under Colonel William's, un limbered and came into action. The Cavalry and the Wanganui Defence Force, under their respective leaders, made a circuit, to the left, and, accompanied by a body of infantry, got between the rebels and their village. After a few rounds from the Armstrong guns, along with the well-directed fire of the infantry, the rebels found the place too hot for them, and commenced to retreat towards their village, but here they encountered an obstacle they had little dreamed of, as the cavalry had fairly intercepted their retreat on the village. The iufautry in rear was rapidly following the retreating rebels falling from its 'effects, and I am happy to say their fire doing very little damage to us. When the rebels found that they had been outflanked, a number of them made for the river, still followed by the infantry. Numbers of them were killed in the water, although several got safely across to the oposite side; others boldly ran the gauntlet through the cavalry, who sabred several of them. The whole affair lasted about an hour and a half, and the fight extended over about a couple of miles of up-hills and down-hills, through swamps and flax-bushes ; and on the termination of the affair and the arrival of the whole of the force at the native village, where it is now encamped, it was found that our loss was one man killed and three men wonnded, namely. Private Nixon, 57th Regiment, killed; Private Bates, same regiment, wounded ; Sergeant Cassell, 68th Regiment, wounded ; and Private Nicol, of the Military Train Cavalry, wounded. The Maori loss is estimated at about 50 casualties; I myself counted 21 dead bodies scattered over the ground. A party was sent out this afternoon for the purpose of burying the Maori dead and bringing in the wounded. They brought in two dead bodies, and were intending to carry them all into camp but for an order which was despatched to the officer in command of the party to bury them where found. I was informed by several of the burying party on their return that they interred 35 dead bodies. Two Maories and a boy, apparently not more than twelve years of age, were brought in wounded and placed in the hospital. Two prisoners were also brought in they were found lurking in a swamp. They were both unwounded, and will be forwarded to town. They are old men, and X suppose were unable to give leg bail for it. One of the wounded prisonnera said that only 100 rebels were opposed to the troops, and they expected a reinforcement from down the river either to-day or to-morrow; hut I am inclined to disbelieve this statement, as from my own personal experience in numbers, I should'say that the rebels numbered about two hundred strong. It will naturally be supposed that the casualties among the rebels should have been greater under the circumstances; hut owing to the nature and extent of the ground occupied by the enemy it is impossible to arrive at the correct number of casualties, and I have no doubl whatever In my,own mind but it far exceeds fifty.

as a wounded Maori will stow himself away in a flax bush, and make it almost impossible to discover his retreat unless a very close inspection bo made, which was not done in this instance. There were two women unaroidbiy killed in the skirmish 5 one had evidently been hit by a shell, the other was killed from a rifle. The rebels have anticipated our arrival in this part of their district, as very few cattle are to be seen ; a few horses were driven in and sold by public auction this evening : one realised £2O and another £1 ss. There are any amount of wild pigs running about ; I am sure upward of 100 have been slaughtered this evening within the camp. There are little or no cultivations in the bush, which is close behind the village. Wc came across a place where they had been lying in ambush close to the track which the force took, and from the appearance of the place they hud not left many hours. Very likely they expected a night march on Sunday night, and intended giving the force a surprise. A redoubt is to be established, when the force will move forward—very probably on Wednesday. I must not omit to mention that the Wanganui cavalry behaved admrably under fire, and many of them were engaged in hand fo hand encounters with the enemy. I think the superiority of the sword over the long-handled tomahawk of the Maori was demonstrated to several of the rebels who came to grief at the hands of the cavalry. None of our wounded are considered in danger, I am happy to state, the severest being Nk-oi, of the Military Train cavalry ; the ball passed through his thigh and lodged in his saddle. March 14. The order has been issued for the force to move forward at. nine o’clock this morning, the tents to be struck at half-past eight o’clock. One of the wounded, the boy mentioned above, died in hospital shortly after he was brought in. The man of the 57th Regiment who was killed was buried this afternoon, close to the camp. Camp Manttahi, March 15. The head quarters of the field force left Camp Teawa, or rather Kakararnea, as it was afterwards termed, with a force of about eight hundred men, not including Transport Corps, Ac. The troops marched about ten o’clock, accompanied by a very large convoy, conveying, I understand, about ten days’ provisions for the force. The troops arrived at the above camp about half-past four o’clock p.m., but the last of the convoy did not get in until after 10 o’clock. The road is pretty fair, and with very little labour could be made passable at all seasons of the year ; a few create require to be bridged over, and a few side-cuttings made to make it passable in wet weather. The troops are encamped in and around the native settlement which is called by the name at the head of this letter, and which is the largest native settlement we' have yet come across. At the entrance of the settlement the troops had to passs through a bush about two hundred yards broad ; they fully expected a salute from the rebels here, but were. allowed to pass through unmolested. Tnc whole of the whares in the settlement were locked, and ffie late residents had evidently left in haste, as all. kinds of sundries were found insjele, and in the stockyard which adjoins the settlement they left a bullock, half dressed, in a few whares outside the settlement fires were found burning. They are not far from here now, as we could see the smoke from their fires in the bush, and this morning 1 heard the cocks crowing, which is a very good indication of their presence in this locality. A large number of cattle (upwards of 50) were driven in and placed in the stockyard ; several of them have the brand of settlers belonging to Taranaki. lam of the opinion that all of them are the cattle and produce of the Taranaki settlers, and which were driven away by the Southern natives on the commencement of hostilities in that province in 1860. The soldiers are in clover here, in having not wild but tame pigs, as many as they like to kill, running in the camp ; potatoes both in the ground and in pits, peaches, Capo gooseberries, sweet potatoes, and every description of vegetable. I think the force will remain here for a few days until we get up a further reserve of provisions, and established a redoubt, and then move on again. About thirty of the Cavalry Yolunteers are with the force and do duty with the military cavalry, under Captain Witchell. It is strange that this number of men belonging to the local forces should not have an officer of their own with them. I believe a sergeant is in charge. P.S. —I should think the distance of this post from Patea is about twelve or fourten miles. (From the correspondent of the Taranaki Herald.) March 16. When I last wrote to you we had not heard the particulars of the engagement at Kakararnea, eleven miles inland from the camp at the mouth of the river Patea. Kakararnea is near Manutahi—you perhaps recollect it. I have made particular inquiries relative to what took place on Monday last, and find out that the General ordered the whole of the available force to march on at ah early hour. The 57th, under Major Butler, led the advance, followed by the 68th and 50th. When within a short distance of the pa, the natives (I am told not more than 200) opposed their onward march." After a short engagement, the enemy were completely routed, leaving 33 dead. Our casualties are, one killed and a few wounded. [.See paper of last night,] The soldiers soon rushed into the pa, and found a quantity of food just cooked. The Maoris were going to breakfast, and there was no end of pork, bullocks, fowls, <fcc., and about seven tons flour in 1001 b. bags. Captain Fairchild, of the ‘ Gimdagai ’ tells me that it must have been taken there by small vessels, and he reports that it is the impression at the camp that there are now two small schooners up about Ohinemutu, the upper f^rry. There was also a quantity of poison about, and Captain Fairchild says it is supposed the flour is poisoned. The road the General is taking now, I presume —(lforgot to say that Major Butler took two Maori prisoners, who are taken oil as guides, and are told if they lead them astray they will be shot forthwith) —is inland, and is mak ng straight for Ohangai, where I hope you will soon hear of his having arrived.

Sir George Grey is-still here. I hear from the natives that lie is riri rawa (very angry) at the murder of poor Volkner, and from what I can hear of o certain proclamation that- has been sent up the river to-day he is now in earnest. OnWednesday last, Topia, Pehi’s son came down the river, was sent for by the Governor: he was taken before Sir G. Grey, and on being asked if he was willing to renounce Kingism and hauliauisrn, he replied : —“ O Governor, I will not make peace with you, never, never; neither now nor any other time hereafter for ever; I came here (i e., to the presence of the Governor) because I was brought by the Maoris. My enmity against you will always endure. It was 1 who brought my hauhau worship to the inland districts of Wanganui. I (cut oif) the head of the pakeha (Mr. Hewett) who was murdered at Wanganui, and sent it to Tauranga. My karakia (the hauhau- or Pai Marine worship) shall not be given up until I die.” *

The Governor at once ordered him out of the house, and gave him twenty-four hours to get away, arid told him he would offer a reward for him and when he caught him he would hang him. Topia said. “Very well, lake me now shoot me, hang me at once.” Sir George Grey, said, “ You came down at my invitation. I will not take advantage of you. you can go ; but if 1 catch you tomorrow or next day I will hang you.” Topia at once started, got into his canoe, and was off. This morning a notice was sent up the river, taken up by two of the principal chiefs to this effect. The riki to come down and take the oath of allegiance and renounce kiugism. If not, soldiers are to be sent up to Hiruharama, the upper boundary of the friendly natives, and 100 Maori soldiers lo go at once to Fatea, &c. I have gathered this from the natives, and find that the Governor is inclined to make use of our native allies- A few days will show what is going lo bo done. I hear the 57th captured Brown the bandsman at Kakaramea ; ho is to be shot to-morrow morning, tie is tattooed about the face. March 17, 10 a.m. As you will see by my letter of last evening, it is written hastily, and the information therein contained is gathered from different sources, and you may rely on the same being pretty nearly _i not quite fact,. From what 1 hear on good authority I am inclined to think Sir George Grey is really in earnest now. 1 hear he his making arrangements for one hundred of friendly natives to go out to Wailotara. I have great faith in our native allies : they hare all to gain, are paid well, have lots of rations, and know it is to their interest to be on good terms with us. Major Atkinson is here, and I am told to day that the ‘Ahuriri’ is going up to Taranaki for Military SettlersFairchiidf of the Gundagai,’ tells mo that the Patea river is a very good one, and is accessible all through the year for vessels drawing between six and seven feet water, and at spring tides a craft drawing eight feet could easily get in. Since, the last rain the channel is straight out, and plenty of water after you get inside. The Chronicle of the 22nd ultimo says :—lt is pretty well known that his Excellency the Governor has within these few days considerably changed his ideas as to what should be done with the Maoris in order to obtain the pacification of the island. His eyes seem to have been considerably opened by the murder of Mr Volkner to the true nature of the spirit by which they are actuated, and as he now sees and owns the necessity of making an example of some of them if he is to bring the rebellion to a close within a reasonable time. His interview the other day with Topia was not of a character to lessen (lie effect produced on his mind by the recent murder. His Excellency, we believe, has a strong suspicion that Topia was one of the moving spirits in this matter. To that he would not confess ; but he had no hesitation in avowing his approval of anything the “hau-haus” has done, and his intention to stand by them in whatever they might do. This was enough for his Excellency, who at once dismissed him, stating at the same time that he would give him a clear day to escape, and would then send after him ; not being able to take him prisoner there and then, as he had come down under the promise of a safe conduct. His Excellency now seems determined to punish some of these hau-hau rebels in a very summary way—trying them by court martial, if he is not certain of obtaining a conviction in a civil court. There is no doubt that the effect of some severe stroke would be most salutarv. It would be, as we have said often, true mercy to be severe ; and the Governor is now beginning to show himself of the same opinion. At one time the banishment, say to Western Australia, of a number of the ringleaders would have been a sufficient determent ; now, his Excellency seems to think that something more severe is requisite, and perhaps it may be so. At any rate, few in the colony will be disposed to find fault with him though be should stretch the law to the extreme point of severity ; and at home he will now have much less to fear from doing so than he has had hitherto. A little decision and energy put forth at present would have a most happy effect after the long and lingering course of timidity and inaction which has characterised the Governor’s conduct towards the natives.”