PETANE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 431, 22 October 1866, Page 2

PETANE.

[feom obb own cohbestondent.]

Saturday, 20th Oct., 1860. At or about daybreak on Friday, 12th instant, Major Fraser and his men arrived here. They took several prisoners at'the Po Pah, amongst whom was Kupi, a weU-known Hau-hau spy. This gentleman was in the act of leaving in order to give the rebels notice of Major Fraser’s arrival, when he was taken. At eight o’clock the party marched to Captain Carr’s station, where, after a short rest, notice was given of the arrival of 22 Hau-haus, under the chiefs Paora Toki and Kangihiroa. Our gallant Major immediately ordered his men to take up a position commanding the road, which they quickly did, —the rebels meanwhile marching on, all nnconseious of the presence of this brave company. When they (the rebels) had arrived opposite to the position taken up by the Military Settlers, Major Fraser requested Mr M. Hamlin to require them to give up their arms; Upon which order being made, they replied, ‘‘wait a little” at the same time deliberately loading their pieces, A similar answer was returned to a repetition of the request, when Major Fraser seeing that they were about to fire upon his men, threatened them that he would fire on them, if they did not lay down their arms at once. This not being done the word was given to fire. Several of the Hau-haus fell at the first discharge. Mr W. Richardson, _ M.S. shot Te Kangihiroa, the bullet entering his mouth and glancing upwards, carried the top of his skull completely away. His hat was found next day containing it. After about fifteen minutes firing, six of them turned and fled, pursued by Mr St. George, who captured and brought back two of the number. Mr Crispe twice exchanged shots with Paora Toki, but did not succeed in killing him; it is believed, however, that he was wounded iu the shoulder. The loss on the part of the Hau-haus is 12 killed, 3 wounded, and 2 prisoners. Two others are believed to have fallen into the river, but whose bodies have not been recovered. There were several horses (laden with kits of ammunition,) taken as loot. A party of volunteers left for Pakaraitai shortly after the engagement, returning at night, after having made a fruitless journey. On Sunday, 14th inst., a party of mounted volunteers, numbering eleven men, all well armed, left for Tangqio, having heard that several rebels (including Maika, Ta Manu, and old Heta, who was wounded in the engagement on Friday) had arrived there on Saturday night. After two hours of very heavy travelling they arrived at their destination, hut the rebels wore non est, having taken their departure at daylight. Titiokura was the next place to which attention was directed. Accordingly on the morning of Monday, 15th inst., a party of mounted volunteers, provided with three days’ provisions, started for the rebel stronghold. A fresh track of a native was discovered about eight miles from the Polmi hush, but he was not overtaken at 3 p,m., at which hour Titiokura was reached, and taken—for the placo was completely deserted. On Tuesday, Lieut.-Oolonel Whitmore arrived at Titiokura. The Patane Volunteers pushed on for Mohaka that day, but the river was found to be impassable in consequence of a heavy fresh. On Wednesday, we had a taste of horse flesh — being compelled to shoot a fine animal in consequence of the scarcity of provisions of all sorts.

On Thursday, pushed on for To Haroto, which, like Titiokura, Was found to be deserted. On Friday, the journey was continued, and ere night fall, the end of the Hawke’s Bay Province was reached. A very lino t Hau-hau pole was standing in the centre of a pa there —the last pa in the Province ; and which had for its garrison one miserable looking old man, and ono old woman. The pole was shot at by all hands, and was then cut down j and thus ended this great expedition, which may not, however, be without its good results. On Friday last, I am informed, Mr Bussell’s men, who are staying about six miles from Tangoio, were fired upon by some natives. As this is only a stray report I cannot vouch for the truth cf the statement. However, I have no reason to doubt its veracity.