CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 October 1860, Page 3

CONTINUATION OF JOURNAL OF EVENTS.

Saturday, Sept. B.—The Anne Longton for Valparaiso, Wonga Wonga for Waitara, and the Will Watch for Manukau, sailed to-day. The Wonga Wonga returned this afternoon from Waitara, and sails to-night for Manukau. 100 men, under Lieuts. Richardson and Lowry, and Ensign La Touche, —a portion of the detachment of the 12th at Bell Block, —came into town to-day, and encamped in King-street. Weather fine and calm. Sunday, 9.—The Ariel and Jupiter for Nelson, Traveller’s Bride for Wanganui, Parininihi for Mokau, and Wonga Wonga for Waitara sailed to-day. The Wonga Wonga took a large quantity of ammunition for the Waitara camp. The Tasmanian Maid is repairing the injury to her boiler, and the arrival of tiie Wonga Wonga is very opportune. In consequence of a contemplated movement against the enemy, at Waitara, she is detained for the purpose of conveying men and stores thither. At 4 p.m., the forces manned the trenches and were inspected by MajorGeneral Gold; after which, the two companies of Volunteer Rifles were marched to the Militia Office, and informed by Captain Stapp that an expedition would start to-morrow for Waitara, and that 50 Volunteers would be allowed to join, and asked those who wished to do so to step out. The call was responded to above the number, and the men were ordered to hold themselves in readiness for the march. An attack upon the rebels in their strongholds is contemplated. The force from town will act in concert with Major Nelson’s and Captain Seymour’s force at Waitara, and will number about 1,400 men. Weather fine, and roads in excellent order. Monday, September 10.—At at early hour this morning every one was astir preparing for the expedition. Numerous carts were loading with ammunition, camp equipage, stores, &c. The forces were told off into three divisions, viz., No. 1 division, Major Nelson’s force at Waitara, and commanded by him, consisted of 557 men of the 40th and naval brigade, under Captains Bowdler and Richards, Lieutenants Armstrong, Dowman, and Jackson, Ensign and Adjutant Whelan, and Assistant Surgeon Styles; Lieutenant Warburton, R.E.; Commodore Coring, C. 8., Lieutenant Hume, Secretary Parish, Lieutenant Bent, R.M., Gunner Buckle, Boatswain Frogley, Midshipmen Heneage, Crohan, and Horn ; Captain Seymour, Lieutenant Battiscoinbe, Lieutenant Kelly, Lieutenant Morris, R.M.A., Assistant Surgeon Edwards, and Midshipmen Hotham, Wadlow, and Garnett. No. 2 division, commanded by Major Hutchins, 12th Regiment, consisted of 464 men of the 65th Regiment, royal artillery, and royal engineers, under Captain Strover, R.A., Captain Mould, R.E., Captain Turner, (commanding 65th,', Captains Strange, Barton, Lieutenants Bailie, Urquhart, Whitbread, Wrixon, Pennefathcr, Chevalier, White, Talbot, Dr. White, Dr. Niven, Quarter-master Withers 6-sth Regiment, and twenty men of the mounted escort, under Captain Des Vceux. No. 3 division, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Leslie, 40th Regiment, consisted of 333 men of the 40th Regiment, and royal artillery, under Captains Hare and Shaw, Lieutenants Gibson, Hobbs, Ensigns Clarke, Burton, Lieutenant and Adjutant Johnstone, Quarter-master Barnes, and Dr. Murray, 40th Regiment; Lieutenant M‘Naughten, R.A., and fifty Volunteer Rifles, under Captain and Adjutant Stapp, Captain Watt, Lieutenants Hirst and Webster. A number of friendly natives with Mr. M’Lean. and Mr. Parri% accompanied this division, At 12, the

2nd division, with Major-General Pratt, C. 8., commanding the field force of the expedition, Lieutenant-Colonel Carey, D. A. G., Captain Pasley, R.E., Lieutenant Forster, R.A., A.D.C., and Dr. Mouat, C. 8., left town, with a long train of carts, and followed immediately afterwards by the 3rd division. The steamer Wonga Wonga left at 12 o’clock with the blue jackets from Mount Eliot, who form part of No. 1 division at Waitara. Weather still continues fine. Numerous spectators were assembled to see the troops leave the town. The whole numbered upwards of 1400 men, and is the largest force that has yet been employed together in New Zealand. At 4 o’clock the remaining Militia and Volunteers in town assembled at the Militia Office, and manned the trenches, where they were visited by Major-General Gold, Tuesday, September 11.—From a person from Bell Block we hear that the forces camped at Mahoetahi last night, started before daylight this morning, and were seen at Ngataiparirua and Kairau pahs, which were in flames, firing of artillery and small arms heard. Later in the day, the mounted escort under Des Voeux, returned, and from them we have the following particulars of the proceedings of the expedition after leaving Mahoetahi. At 4 o’clock this morning, No. 3 division proceeded by a branch road leading up to Ngataiparirua, No. 2 division continuing along the Devon road, until reaching the road from King’s pah’s to Waitara, where it turned to the right, when the Light Company of the 65th, under Lieutenants Urquhart and Whitbread, were thrown out in skirmishing order up to Ngataiparirua, when the guns were brought to the front, and three shells thrown into the pah, after which it was entered and forthwith destroyed. No. 3 division now came up, and procended to Kairau, the next pah, described as very strongly fortified, which was also found evacuated; this was also burnt, and the divisions continued their march to Huirangi, when they were joined by Major Nelson’s divisions from Waitara, who had marched up by a circuitous route on the banks of the Waitara. On reaching Huirangi, smoke was seen rising from the pah, but on reaching it, it was found, like the others, evacuated; but half-cooked food and lighted fires were evidences that the enemy had only just left it. Major Nelson’s division now sent out skirmishers, with some friendly natives, who, while proceeding along a road near a grove of peaph trees, were fired upon by an ambuscade of the natives, in a ravine, on the edge of the forest, and a private named Ramsay killed, and three wounded. The natives delivered their volley at a distance of a few yards, but fortunately with their usual bad aim, otherwise many of the 40th must have fallen. On receiving the volley, the advanced party fired and retired, and in the momentary confusion left their killed comrade, and on advancing again they found that he had been taken away by the rebels, no doubt to secure his rifle and ammunition. Ihaia, who was with the party acted with great coolness and bravery, deliberately firing his piece at the enemy before he retired with the rest. An officer—we believe Lieutenant Dowrnan —had a narrow escape, as he got tripped up by a supplejack and fell into a hole, and escaped from the enemy by a miracle, after losing his sword. The rebels now kept up a heavy fire from the bush and rifle pits on its skirt, which was answered by our forces with grape, cannister, round shot, rockets, and a smart musketry fire, the bullets from the rebels falling amongst the troops, and near to the General, who was standing with his staff within range. After firing into the bush for a considerable time, and having destroyed Huirangi and a small pah to the right, named Manutahi, which was effected by a party of forty men of the Light Company of the 65th, under Lieutenant Urquhart, who was detached from the 2nd division, the order to retire was given, and the whole force returned to camp at Waitara, which was reached at 3 p.m. We hear that not more than 150 natives were engaged, and that they consistedof W. Kingi’s immediate followers. A large number of horses and cattle were driven into camp by the mounted escort. At Ngatiparirua, a great number of sheep and lambs belonging to Bell Block settlers were lying about killed. The wells and a large sawpit were filled with their carcases. Her Majesty's colonial steam sloop Victoria, and schooner Heron, arrived from Manukau to-day, bringing Auckland news to the Bth instant. An extract from a private letter received from Auckland states “ that the Governor had received news that a telegraphic despatch from the Duke of Newcastle to the Governor-General of India to hold two regiments in readiness for New Zealand had been forwarded; and that if the following mail brought intelligence of the continuance of hostilities, they would be sent.” The general impression here is that reinforcements will arrive in the course of another month.” The Shamrock, from Sydney, also arrived to-day. The Wonga Wonga came up from Waitara this evening with the General and staff. Wednesday, 12. —The morning broke with heavy rain and wind from N.E. The Maid arrived from and returned to Waitara to-day. At 2 p.m. the forces reached town after a march from Waitara through pouring rain. The Lord Ashley (mail steamer) arrived to-day from Nelson for Sydney. The Victoria sailed for Wellington. Thursday, 13. — Weather moderating. The Airedale, from Nelson, arrived to-day. The Lord Ashley, with the mails for England, sailed at 4 p.m. Friday, 14.—The Wonga Wonga, for Manukau, sailed at noon—passengers, Commodore Loring, C. 8., who proceeds to England, and D. McLean Esq., Native Secretary.