THE WEST COAST.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 659, 25 February 1869, Page 3

THE WEST COAST.

NARRATIVE OF EVENTS

From Ist to 9th February.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESVONBENT.)

On the Ist February the troops "were entrenched in camps by divisions on a half circle, the radius of which -was about a mile, The object of this disposition was to prevent the enemy from discovering the point at which he was to be attacked, and to prevent his making any attempt to get round to the rear. All night the Hauhaus kept up an incessant yelling, and howled out refreshing defiances— (t Come to us, our food," and so on.

At daylight the troops drew out from their camps, and marched convergently towards the pa, The enemy showed at first on the ridges to the right, and the famous white hoi'se was distinctly seen galloping to and fro. Presently, however, when Kemp's natives approached, these horsemen retired, and No. 1 following Kemp found no enemy to dispute their advance. The Colonel came up with his right flank, as befitted, for it seemed the most likely to be opposed; but with the exception of a few shots fired at him and his staff the enemy made no sign.

The next division to No. 1 was No. 2, and this was now brought up close into line and joined Colonel Fraser to the old cart-road. On this the Wanganui Cavalry, at some 400 or 500 yards, were exchanging shots with the defenders of the pa, against whom they cheiished so deep a hate, and on whom they burned to avenge the death of poor Maxwell. The Colonel, however, withdrew them, and sent them to watch the ridge beyond his right flank, and brought No. 6 forward to seize the bank and ditch of the Nukumaru Reserve, which runs close to the pa at its en trance to the bush.

No. 3, under Colonel Lyon, pro-j longed the line, and formed an entrenched camp to serve as a depot for the Armstrong guns, which were escorted to the spot by the Volunteer Horse.

As soon as the preparations were complete the Colonel returned to his Napier men, taking his new lo\ e the Arawa Division with him. Orders were now given for a lurther advance, and a prettier sight does not often ocourthan the forward movement of Col. Fraser and the right flank. No. 1 dashed on by the main road in single file, and swiftly gained possession of the cross bank and ditch which forms the boundary of the Nukumaru Native Reserve, the leasehold of Mr W. Handley. This brought them to within 100 or 150 yards of the pa, and to obtain a front of fire Colonel Fraser extended rapidly to his right, so as to gain the bank for some 200 yards into the bush. Directly Fraser got his orders, the Arawas bounded from the sheltering cover of the roadside ditch and began advancing in the open, digging little rifle pits. Kemp, however, who was most advanced, at first seemed unwilling to lose his lead, and all his men ran on with him to lake the bush on Eraser's right. This the Arawas could not stand, so abandoning their systematic riflepit approach, they rushed forward to get before the Ngatihau. All these movements took plaoe nearly simultaneously, and Fraser's men got up in front by a few minutes, but it was an inspiriting sight to see race and tribe vieing with one another under a smart lire in their efforts to close with the enemy, The Nukumaru Reserve bank being in our hands the Wanganui side of the pa was secure. Neither could the enemy hope to escape that way nor to do any harm by his fire. On the other hand our rifles at a very easy range were constantly directed on the pa and rifle-pits, so that every shot from them was at once returned with interest.

The Armstrongs now opened upon the seaward face of the pa, and their practice was beautiful. The enemy evidently felt disinclined to make any forward movement, or to leave the protection of his pa, which, after all his boasting, had been confidently expected. Those with the Arm-

strongs say that a Hauhau was cut down by one of the first shots of the guns; at any rate no more were seen outside till the guns ceased firing. The great difficulty was to obtain information respecting the exact nature of the ground, for, concealed as it was by bash, local experience alone would have enabled Colonel Whitmore to approach so formidable a position within a short distance. Nobody, however, appeared to know the ground out of the large number of surveyors and inhabitants who had speno so much time in that neighborhood. The afternoon and evening were, therefore, spent in endeavoring by reconnaissances and scouting parties to obtain some knowledge of the ground, and several very gallant efforts were made to carry out this service by the Arawa guides and men of No, 1, About 5 p.m. the baggage was moved up, and the troops were encamped close to the guard of trenches.

The Arawas and Nos. 3 and 6 were now collected at No. 3 camp; and orders given for a movement at dawn to olo3e up the seaward face. The Volunteer Horse was ordered to take post at "W, Handley's, and march to occupy the Weraroa road. All night the yelling in the pa continued, and Colonel M'Donnell had some conversation with Wharematangi, in which the latter declared that they meant to wage a long war—an expression which was reported to the Colonel who, who at once observed " I fear they mean to bolt." At dawn the seaward face was taken, and the cavalry moved to the rear of the pa. The Colonel went across to the right, where the mortars were already at work. Here he prepared to extend through the bush to complete the investment, when one or two men of No. 1 reported that in scouting tliey had observed very few men in the pa. Inclined as the Colonel was to doubt Titokowaru's fighting since Wharematangi's speech had been reported to him, he at once concluded that the enemy was decamping, and ordered an immediate advance. No. 1 closed up and got into the pa just before the Arawas, who rushed forward when they ?aw the intention of assaulting the place. The pa, however, was empty. Titokowaru had beat a retreat, and there remained nothing but to pursue. The cavalry galloped to Weraroa, and the natives followed up the trail, bnt as it divided they got scattered, Kemp only with a few men overtaking the rear guard. Kemp, however, being fired upon, fought bravely, and though he lost one man he killed five, Col. Lyons now coming up with No. 3 came into action, and the enemy, preparatory to a bolt, fired heavily on him, and he had several hit. He was at once supported, but the day was waning, and the men hungry and faint; so the Colonel left the pursuit till the next day. The enemy had then disappeared, and the village of Papatupa was burnt without opposition. In the afternoon the troops moved on across the Waitotara, and encamped at Te Ori and Wairoa. Here intelligence was brought that Messrs'. Brewer and Williams had ventured out to forage for horses and cattle at Papatupu, and being attacked had had to run for their lives. Major Roberts was sent back with his division to try and save them at dawn, while Col. Whitmore and No. 1 with the Arawas, and Kemp's natives pushed on to Moturoa, which they destroyed, and Okotuku, where large stores of potatoes were burnt. The same evening the Colonel re-crossed the Waitoatra, and resumed his positions at Weraroa and Nukumara. The rain falling in torrents prevented anything being done the next day, but the Commodore landed at Waitotara, and took a look at the pa with his suite, On the Bth, No. 1, the Arawas, and Kemp's natives, made another movement in search of the enemy, who appeared to be across the Waitotara, and at the same time parties from Patea and Wairoa searched the country carefully. This day Colonel M'Donnell has gone out, and the possible hiding places of Titokowaru are becoming few.

! Meanwhile, to guard against any flank movement, Colonel Lyon was sent back to Kai Iwi, where he has a considerable force. The worst of the Constabulary are being discharged, and a Native Force is about to be raised, to act with a European scouting corps in hunting the bush.