BAY OF ISLANDS. The New Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 34, 24 January 1846, Page 2

BAY OF ISLANDS.

The New Zealander.

Be just and fear not : Let all the ends thon aims't at, be thy Country's, Thy God's, and huth's.

We announced, in our last publication, the arrival of His Excellency Governor Grey from the seat of war, on the morning of Saturday last, and the intelligence that Kawiti and Heke had been driven fiom the Pah of Ruapekapeka, which was subsequently destroyed. On Saturday evening, the Government Gazette appeared, containing despatches fiom Colonel Despard to Governor Grey, detailing the recent operations of the combined lorces in the neighbourhood of the Bay of Islands. The Gazette of last Saturday we published on Monday morning, in a second edition. On Wednesday last, the Government re- published the Gazette, with two additional despatches from Colonel Despard, dated the 9th and 1 4th January, — and we have this day re-pub-lished the whole of these documents. The despatches are prefaced by a notification from the Colonial Secretary, by His Excellency's command, that these operations have "resulted in a series of successes, which must produce the most beneficial consequences for this portion of Her Majesty's dominions." With this introduction, it might be anticipated that the despatches would detail brilliant actions and skilful tactics. The actual result of the present campaign in the northern distiict — more especially that Kawiti and Heke are now suing for peace — is, certainly source of great satisfaction, however fortuitously such

event may have been brought about : but the manner in which possession was obtained of Kawiti's pah, did not, in our opinion, justify the lengthened, pompous, commendatory despatch of Colonel Despard, in Wiiich a mere casualty— of the defenders being at prayers without the pah, enabling our troops and allies to enter, unperceived and unmolested — is teinn-d, — " the capture of a fortress, of extraordinary strength, by assault, and nobly defended by a brave and determined enemy "—" — We consider, therefore, that a plain, unvarnished narrative of the facts, from authentic sources, will be accep cable to our readers. It appears that on the ]st of January, the British forces established themselves in a strong stockade, in the middle of a wood, distant about four hundred yards from the pah of Kawiti, and in which, subsequently, were mounted two 32-pounders, and four small 5| inch mortars, and the wood in front of the guns being cut down, the western face of the pah was exposed to their fire. On the 2nd instant, Kawiti made a sortie from his pah, for the puipose of turning the flank of this stockade, and destroying it, before it was finished ; but Nene and our allies drove them back, killing four and wounding several of the enemy The British troops were not engaged in this affair, at the particular desire of the loyal native chiefs. After this sally from the pah, another small stockade, but more advanced — about 1 60 yards from the pah, was erected, mounting one 18-pounder, and one 12 -pound howitzer, for tne purpose of destroying the south-west angle of the pah. The main camp was distant, about half a- [ mile from the pah, situated on a ridge, surrounded on all sides by thick woods. In front of the camp were thiee guns, with an apparatus for throwing rockets. On Saturday the 10th instant, all the batteries being completed, a general fire was commenced from the whole of them, for the purpose of effecting a breach, and rockets were likewise discharged, in order- to annoy the enemy within the pah. Towards evening, the outer works evinced the effect of the guns, and three breaches were made. An assault was then contemplated by the commanding officer, and two hundred of the troops were told off, to lead the attack. During the afternoon a great number of natives had been seen from the battery to enter, stealthily, the pah, in small parties ; and it was very clear tha. the natives within the pah were considerably reinforced, and, also, that they were well prepared, anticipating an assault. The chief iVJohi Tawai remonstrated with th§. command- 1 ing officer, asserting, that it would be sacri ficing the lives of brave men to attempt the assault on that evening ; and that by continuing the breaching, the object would be accomplished in a few days The troops were then ordered back to the camp. On the following morning, Sunday the 1 Lth about twelve of Nene's natives, with William Walker, his brother, approached the breaches to reconnoitre, and not perceiving or hearing any natives within the outer stockades of th pah, they entered — and as soon as they found they were unopposed, conveyed signals to our forces in the batteries, when the sailors and troops rushed forward into the pah, before Kawiti's natives, who were outside the p.iii engaged at their karakia (worship), could reenter. As soon as they ascertained that they had thus, by negligence, lost possession of their stronghold, they commenced a heavy fire on our troops from the woods, and from the back part of the pah ; but the numeiical strength of the European forces and native allies, in addition to the protection afforded by the internal defences of the pah, rendered all attempts unavailing; and if our troops and seamen had remained within the pah, instead of rus'.ing out to contend with the natives in the woods, very few casualties would have occurred. After continuing the fire, in ord';r to carry off their killed and wounded, the natives retired into the woods to a pah, about three miles distant, recently erected by Heke (who joined Kawiti on Saturday afternoon) as a place of refuge for Kawiti, in case he should be expelled from Ruapekapeka. The loss of the European forces was twelve killed, of which number nine were seamen and marines — and thirty wounded, inclusive of seventeen seamen and marines. The native rebels suffered a loss of twenty-five killed, as correctly as it could be ascertained. Within the pa'i no ammunition or provisions were found. The former had been di vided among them on the Saturday evening, anticipating the attack ; and they had been subsisting on fern-root alone, for some time previously His Excellency Governor Grey was present during t e whole of the operations, and was eye-witness to this anomalous assault on an enemy's fortification, which had no enemy within it — " the ext aordinary strength of which, in its interior defences — every hut being a complete fortiess in itself, and the whole stockaded all round with heavy timbers, with a strong embankment behind them,"— enabled the combined European and Native forces, above one thousand men, to keep out the original native possessors, in numbers very little exceeding four hundred fighting men. In the Brigade Order of the 1 1 th January, it is stated that — " the capture of a fortress

of such extraordinary strength, by assault, and nobly defended by a brave and determined enemy, is of itself sufficient to prove the intrepid--ity and gallantry of all concerned;" — and Colonel Despard, in his despatch to His Excellency, on the following day, remarks — that as Governor Grey was an eye-witness to all the operations, and, likewise, actively engaged in the assault of the fortress, it might be considered unnecessary to particularise those individuals who conspicuously distinguished themselves ; but he feels so much satisfaction I in recording his obligations, that he perseveres I in immortalizing twenty-one individuals — and lastly, His Excellency himself participates in the lavish applause. On this occasion we fear that the diummers and fifers will feel themselves deprived of their lauiels in this assault, from the omission of a paragraph complimentary of their services. That praise and promotion should be awarded in the highest degree, arid to the fullest extent, for meritorious services, no one will deny ; but care should be taken that justice is strictly and impaitially rendered to all, and that no omissions are made in the commendatory list. That the whole of the officers and troops have, individually, endured great privations, and most arduous duties, in a warfare quite novt-1 — in a country perhaps unequalled as to difficulty in military operations — and with an enemy fierce, wily, and courageous, exceeding; anticipation — there cannot exist difference of opinion ; and for the devotion, zeal, and bravery evinced by all — whether seamen, marines, troops of the line, artillery of the H. E. I. C. .Service, or the Auckland volunteer militia — all are deserving ofthf highest praise and the grateful thanks of every settler in New Zealand. But however fortunately these events havec >me to pass, we have the greatest pleasure in announcing to our readers that they have occasioned serious overtures of peacefrotn Heke and Kawiti. On Sunday last, Heke and Kawiti went to Pomare's pah, at the head of the Karetu, but that wily chief would not admit them, for fear of implicating himself, and incurring the censure and punishment ot the Governor. They sent to Nene requesting him to meet them, in order to convey to »he Governor their request for peace Nene would neither go to them, nor suffer them to come to him, but deputed his brotner, William ,Wa'<a, to. receive their communication. Being convinced that they are really sin* cere in their de>ire for a termination of hostilities, Nene has come to Auckland in the Victoria, with the concurrence of the other friendly chiefs in alliance with him, to acquaint his Excellency of the submission ot Heke and Kawiti, and to intercede n their behalf The two rebel chiefs ihrow themselves wholly on the mercy of his Excellency, resigning all their lands, and leaving ft entirely to him, to dictate the terms, on which peace and order are to be re-esta-blished at the northern.part of the island. *Ye understand that his Excellency d«>es not intend to deprive Heke and Kawiti of their iands, or to make them an appendage to the property of the Crown. We consider this to be most wise policy, and its moral effect on the minds of the natives, throughout the islands, will be great and beneficial; as it will prove that the Queen does not take up arms and carry on wars for the purpose of depriving the natives of their lands and properties, but to enforce submission to the laws. If our loyal allies are anxious, that the rebels should be spared further chastisement, and are also well assured, that theirpresent submission is sincere, and attributable to the effect and proof recently given to them, that the Queen will not allow insult to her Flag, or robbery and outrage to her subjects, to pass with impunity ; then we consider it would be no less consistent with justice than with mercy, at once to grant full pardon and obliterate the past. We learn, that Nene will return immediately to the Bay of Islands, and that peace will soon be permanently established in that district. The blockade will be removed, from the northern ports, on' the Ist February,and the Customs re-es'a blished. Two hundred troops will remain there, with the Racehorse and Ospveifc men of war.

The " Driver."— H. M. War Steamer' Driver, Commander Courteney O. Hayes, arrived in our harbour on Tuesday morning last, from Hong-Kong, via Swan River, Hobart Town, and Sydney. Being the first steamer that has arrived in the Colony, she has excited much interest. She is 1058 tons, and 280 horse power, carrying four large guns, — two 68-pounders, and two 84-pounders, with a crew of 175 men, including marines and a party of marine artillery for bomb and rocket exeroi&e. The names of her officers are — Lieutenants Kisbee, Marcuard, Connolly, and Bromley, Dr. Houghton, Dr. Costello, and Air. Crispin.

The "North Star.'' — Associated as this gallant Man of War has been with the stirring events iv this Colony, during the last twelve months, we cannot but regret her departure from it ; and we trust that, on her arrival in England, the servlees of Sir Evebabd Home, will be duly appreciated, and that he and his brave officers will meet with commensurate promotion and honors. The conduct of the crew, and the urbanity of those entrusted with the command, have been such during their sojourn in New Zealand, as will ensure the most grateful reminiscences for their bravery and assistance in quelling the receni rebellion, and ensuring to the settlers permanent peace and security.

Town Major. — The recent arrival of so "many troops in Auckland, and the certainty of still greater force being stationed here, renders it necessary, in our opinion, that some prudent measures should be adopted, in order to preserve order in the town ; as well as to prevent any mis-understanding or ill-feeling arising between the inhabitants and the military. In the present state of Auckland, without enclosed barracks, it is impossible to prevent the soldiers from being in the town, at all times, and hence, the probability of occasional nightly disturbances. Exclusive of this reason, for caution and proper controul of the military, it is essential, that due vigilance should be exercised, to prevent any surprise or sudden attack from the natives. In order to effect these objects, we think that a Town Major should be immediately appointed, selected from the Officers of Her Majesty's regiments now stationed here. The duties of Town Major are multifarious and require the ability of a good officer. It is his duty to secure the safety of the town ; to post sentinels, and to issue the patrole and counter-sign ; to superintend the embarkation and disembarkation of the troops ; in fact, he is chief of the military police of the town, for he has the power, with concurrence of the senior military officer, of prohibiting the troops from frequenting such public houses, as are conducted in a disorderly manner, — and he can send out patroles to act in the event of any quarrels between the population and soldiers. The institution of this ancient excellent officer in Auckland at the present time would be conducive not only to good order, but would also inspire confidence among the inhabitants.

Disembarkation of the Troops from the Bay of Islands.— On Tuesday afternoon, the divisions of the 58th ami 991h Regiments disembarked from the ships of war on their return fio the Bay ol Islands. The 58th Regiment after nine months absence from here, bore strong marks of the liard service they hud undergone. After they Lad quitted the boats, they were formed under the diiection of that active brave officer, Adjutant M'Cleary, and in excellent spit its, headed In their gallant Colonel Wynjard, inarched to the -cheering airs of their excellent band, to the new bariacks. The 99th followed soon after. The Lloyds is daily expected from S)dney, with a fun her detachment of the 99th, consisting of 100 men, under the command of Major Last, Cap'ain Armstrong, and Lieutenant DeWinton.