BATTLE OF ORAKAU.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 556, 5 April 1913, Page 2

BATTLE OF ORAKAU.

Wednesday was the 49th anniver sary of the Battle of Orakau, the last engagement in the Waikato, where the Maoris concentrated their forces and put up a very stubborn resistance. One of the regiments taking part in the encounter was the 18th Royal Irish, under the command of Captain and Brevet-Major J. T. Raine, who was mortally wounded while leading bis party. A train of powder was laid on to the natives' position, and they were warned to surrender by General Cameron, but they took advantage of the withdrawal of some of the troops from an angle of the redoubt to make a frantic rush for an adjacent swamp. They were pursued by the troops, and about half of their number were shot down. The encounter resulted in 42 of the troops being killed and wounded, while the Maoris suffered a loss of 180 killed and wounded. A short time afterwards the whole of the troops were withdrawn to England with the exception of the 18th Royal Irish, who were here until 1870. The 50th anniversary of the rally of the survivors of those who took part in the battle will take place on July 4th next, and those who desire to take part in the function Bhould communicate with Mr Joseph Neylon, Green Lane, Auckland.