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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 556, 2 March 1868, Page 2

THE FIGHTING AT OPOTtKI. (From the Correspondent of the New Zealand Herald.) February 11. The expeditionary force mentioned in my last despatch as having left this post under Major St. John returned to-day, having at last through heavy and fatigueing midnight marches, come upon the lair of the enemy. They started from here on the night of the Bth, and crossed in canoes to the heads, from thence went on to the Waimana plains, arriving there at 1 p.m. next day. Left again at 12 same night, and about 3 o.m. came up to a new kainga, close to Raku Raku old pa. So suddenly had our party come upon them that they were quite taken by surprise. The intention was to surprise them, but impetuosity on the part of one of the Volunteer Rangers caused a complete alteration of the plans. It appears this man came upon the enemy so suddenly that instead of waiting for orders ho fired, bringing down his man, when he was attacked by a second, and was compelled to use the butt end of his musket in self-defence. During the scuffle ho had the misfortune to break his breech-loader over the Maori’s head. This of course brought on a regular skirmish, which resulted in a loss of three killed and five wounded on the part of the enemy, and two wounded on our side.

When day broke several new kaingas were plainly perceived on the hills round the place, and from one of these fire was opened. The Rangers were ordered to the attack, when natives were seen waving blankets, &c., and calling to the whites to come up quickly. The path up the hill was extremely steep, and covered with tall fern, and the river running strongly in the rear. The retire was sounded, as with any more wounded retreat would have been difficult and dangerons, considering our small force compared with the enemy. The wounded natives were left behind, and amongst them were two women who had been wounded in the skirmish. The difference between the two sexes could not be distinguished owing to the dusk, and the similarity of apparel. A quantity of our own ammunition was found, as also a rifle bearing the 40th regimental marks, besides about a dozen of their own arms. These were all destroyed on the spot. It is said * there could not have been less than 100 rebels on the spot at the time. Michael Glennon was wounded severely, andFredk. Jones slightly ; both belonged to the Opotiki Volunteer Rangers. During the stay of tho rebels in that neighbourhood they have amused themselves by pulling up all the survey pegs. How the settlers are to Sad their respeitive lots when it is safe for them to go upon their land will be a problem for the Go-« verarnent to solve. February 17. The camp has been a little quieter the last few days. Signal fires were seen the last two evenings close to us; to-day the cavalry were called out, and proceeded in the direction of the fires. They will proceed to-morrow as far as Whakatane as an escort to Major Mair, the Resident Magistrate. I take the opportunity of sending this communication. Report says we are to have 150 Arawai* down here in a week, when further operations will bo undertaken against the rebels, and it is to be hoped a finishing stroke put to their maraudings.