ARRIVAL OF THE ST. KILDA WITH IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE EAST COAST!

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 299, 21 August 1865, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ST. KILDA WITH IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE EAST COAST!

Br the Government steamer St. Hilda, which arrived here on Friday morning, we have important news from the disturbed districts of the East Cape, Waiapu, &c., to the 15th inst., and Poverty Bay to the 17th inst., which, from several accounts that have reached us, we give the following condensed abstract:— The first occurrence of consquence since our last account, took place on the 28th ult., and consisted of a foraging raid by a party of friendly natives, under Te Hotene, during which a party of rebels were discovered and dispersed, leaving three of their number dead, and a supply of provisions, besides several horses and a number of guns, &c~., to the attacking party. Another slight success was also gained the next morning before daylight, resulting in the slaughter of two of the enemy’s people. "

On Monday, the 31st, the friendlies sustained a slight reverse in the loss of one of their pas, which they had left undefended while on a visit to the camp. The enenvy having news of this opportunity, lost no time m taking possession, and making themselves secure in it, but being surrounded.and hotly pressed by the owner and some of Mokena’s party, they took advantage of the cover of night to escape, leaving nine dead bodies, and five wounded of their number. The recapture of this pa was quickly followed by more successes, in which the Volunteers and Military Settlers had their share of the wort and the honor. It being considered desirable, in order to further operations against the enemy, to acquire a local acquaintance with his neighbourhood, his attention waS' in the first instance attracted by a demonstration against an elevation in his possession, by a party under Captain Fraser, Mr Deighton, and'Mr Gascoigne, and while so employed, Lieut. Bigg?' Was enabled to approach the pa with a party to - within 60 yards, and thus to acquire the necessary information. This done, and a parting salute having been discharged into the pa, he retired amid the shot of the enemy, but without loss. The enemy had a twelve-pounder which they used, firing fragments of shells, &c., but did no damage with it. A. plan of attack in accordance with the information so obtained was arranged, and successfully accomplished on Wednesday, the 2nd inst. The elevation before mentioned was attacked from the rear before daylight, and taken by Capt. Frazer, Mr Deighton, Mr Gascoigne, Mokena, and thirty Military Settlers. This elevation, commanding the pa, was a most important acquisition, as it enabled the occupants to pour in a heavy fire, and by so doing to facilitate the operations of the storming party under Lieut. Biggs, consisting of 30 volunteers and a party of natives, under Areopa, who were already concealed at hand and waiting for the commencement of the fire from the hill by Capt. Fraser’s party. All being ready by daylight, the fire was opened as agreed, and the enemy rushed to his trenches in front, giving Lieut. Biggs the opportunity of advancing to his charge,—the Native Contingent being so placed as to command the probable avenue of escape of the beseiged. At a preconcerted signal, both parties rushed on the pa at one moment, and it was eaptured without any loss of life on the party attacking, and only five men wounded, though a tremendous fire was kept up by the enemy. The enemy were panicstricken by the suddenness and spirit of the attack, and though some shew of fighting hand to hand was made, it was not much, and was quickly settled. The pole was eut down, the whares and fences demolished, and a store of provisions, horses, &c., was acquired. The number of dead found in the pa wrs 25, b.sides wounded ; hut it is supposed that there would prove to be many more than this number, as some were known to have crept away into the hush where they will not easily be found. We hear that the utmost coolness aud courage was displayed by the officers and men, and to this is mainly owing the success of the enterprise. One or two narrow escapes are mentioned, particularly that of the gallant Capt. Fraser, who was near be.ng tomahawked by one of the rebels, but was savpd by the rapid movement of private Welfitt, who interposed and bayoneted the fellow before he could acomplish his pprpose. Notwithstanding all the precautions taken on our part to prevent the escape of the rebels, by the placing of Aropeta nd his people so as to cut off retreat, several of them did succed in effecting their escape from the Pa ; and next day a party of two men and several women were discovered and brought back to camp. The men were put on board the St. Hilda, and brought on to town. Time will tell how the women will be disposed of, but they will probably have their liberty. The next event of importance occurred on the 7th inst. It consisted in au attack by Mokena pf a party of the enemy at a pa named Awatere. As before with a most complete success;—driving off the enemy, cutting down their pole, burning and destroying their whares, provisions, &c., killing 5 men and taking a nnmber of provisions and a quantity of loot consisting of horses, arms, provisions, Hau-hau flags, &c. The Hau-haus are now preparing for a struggle that will be in all probability the last in that neighborhood. Their position is a strong one; but they are dispirited at their losses and the other party are elated, this state of mind is already nearly equivalent to a decision of the matter and it is probable that our next news from these parts will be that the Hau-haus are completely defeated. LIST OF CASUALTIES. MIEITAET SETTLEES. — WOUNDED. Private W. Mawe, left breast, slight “ A. Banks, lip, “ “ L. Sadlier, leg, “ “ O. Grey, arm “ “ T. Heigan, leg “ “ D. Reid, tomahawk, head, dangerous H. B. VOLUNTEEES. Corporal C. Dearlove, tomahawk wound on head, slight.