Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1869. THE MOHAKA RAID.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 673, 15 April 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1869. THE MOHAKA RAID.

In our Monday morning's paper we were able mnrely to 9tate the fact that Mohaka had been attacked by hauhaus, and that the local forces of militia and volunteers had been dispatched for the defence of the place and chastisement of the rebels. We are now enabled to supply further particulars. A bant 5 a.m. on Saturday, the rebels, some 400 strong, under Te ICooti, made the first onslaught on a small pa inland of Mohaka. The inmates all appear to have escaped except two children who were killed. The firing at this attack alarmed such of thy settlers who were within hearing, some of whom started at once for Napier, giving warning to those settlers whose houses they passed ; others seem to have escaped and scattered through the a third party made their escape by sea ; and came to port in a whale boat. These arrived about midnight, those who came overland having previously come in.

But little reliaVe information could be gathered from these people, beyond the fact of the actual raid, it was known that one ot the pas at Mohaka was being besieged, and that several whares were burnt, Mr Henrici (ship-builder), who brought down the whale boat, stated that he saw a body of natives marching against Paora Rerepu's pa with black and white flags flying, he brought, away with two Europeans, two half-caste girls, and a native woman. In order to gain reliable intelligence, and to render any required assistance to persons on the coast, the authorities dispatched Captain Cellem early on Sunday morning with the life-boat to Mohaka. Capt. Cellem returned to port on Monday afternoon and reported having heard heavy firing across the river, and seen what appeared to be a burning pa. He seems to have had a narrow escape from the rebel*, for seeing the door of the block-house half open he was tempted to land and see if any wounded person might be inside, but he did not do so, as it was near dark, and he was anxious to get back; his not going on shore in all probability saved his life, for no sooner had his boat put off than a party of the rebels came out of the block-house and fired at the crew, the bullets dropping round in close proximity to the boat. After this they retired hehin4 the block-house and fired two buildings supposed to be the residence and wool-shed belonging to Mr Pearc©.

During Sunday afternoon another boat came in, bringing the.informntion that Paora Bei-epu's pa was captured, after a desperate resistance, on Sunday morning, and some 27 of its inmates killed, the ammunition was also taken, though how much is not exactly known. We have heard that the greater portion was not in the pa, but was buried outside. The quantity taken by the rebels probably does not exceed 3 or 4 kegs. Soon after we had gone to presa on Monday the schooner Muriwai arrived from Wairoa, bringing the families of 14 settlers whose names we give in our shipping column, as also the following particulars of the raid by Te Kooti on the Mohaka settlement, which v-e have received from Mr Burton, one of those who took an active part in the defence, and whose statements can be relied on:—

Upwards of 200 natives started on an expedition to Waikare Moana Lake, and on reaching Tukirangi they became very anxiom to return to Wairoa. About 140 made up their minds to return on the 9th while some 60 went on to Te Kiwi, meeting with 20 of the enemy, and killed 7 of their number, loss on our side 3. The most of the expedition arrived in Clyde on the 10th and 11th inst. An old e who escaped from tha pa at Mohaka on Saturday morning* came over to Mr Lamplough at Waihua, and told him that the Hauhaus had come down upon them in the night. We did not belie*, e it at first, as we have so many report* of that nature. Mr Lamplough and I started off at once for Mohaka, to ascertain the facts of the matter, on reaching which place, we saw the enemy in considerable force. Sent off an orderly for "Wairoa to get assistance; 100 natives at once started and reached Mohaka on Sunday morning about 9 o'clock. We hoisted our flag, and those in the pa hoisted theirs, showing us they were still in possession. Ihaka Whanga and Hamana marched on towards the pa to lelease the friend lie* ; some 40 of the Mohaka natives who were on the expedition got into the pa while Ihaka kept the hill abo.-e. The Haubaus then made an attempt to cut us off from Wairoa, which they almost did. They then came to Waihua, a distance of 9 miles from Wairoa, when reinforcements came up from Wairoa and drove them back to Mohaka. On Monday, 12th inst., the friendly natives were still in possession of the pa. I cannot say whether we have lost, any or not.

The following memorandum in pencil from Mr Weber to Mr Ormond was received early yesterday morning by l the return of the Government boat, which left at 6 p.ni, on Tuesday ;

Mohaka, Tuesday, 12th, Gp.m. Towgood and his men, Tanner, and the whole party arrived at Mohaka this morning, numbering in all about 100 men. Found that Te Kooti had left yesterday morning. The Mohaka natives held out in the Big Pa, reinforced by a small party from Wairoa. Te Kooti baid to he killed. Loss on our tide, La\in's family, Coopei, and Wilkinson, (known) and about 40 natives, principally women and children. Hauhau loss said to be about 12 killed. Enemy retreated towards Putere. Our main force under Tanner at the pa: 20 men under Brathwaite at Mohaka blockhouse, Colonel Lambert expected to-night at Waikari; our force will await his arrival. Thd force in want of ammunition.

"When the news arrived an Tuesday of Te Kooti's retreat a force of Militia and Volnnteers were already on their way to Mohaka. The Volunteers who started at dawn, had reached Tongoio, and we e much disappointed at having to retrace the heavy beach road between Tongoio and Petane. . t The party of Mi* Utia who started an hour or twa

after, had only marched some 3J miles when they were stopped by the orders from Wairoa, and returned to camp. We understand that the representative of the General Government has been acting most cordially with Mr Ormond, the Deputy Superintendent, in measures for the defence of the Province. This is as it should be; arms, ammunition, and rations, were at once supplied to equip a certain number of natives to co-oper-ate with Colonel Lambert's force in the relief of Mohaka.