CAPTURE OF TE ORO.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 65, 29 August 1846, Page 1

CAPTURE OF TE ORO.

On their March over to Pautahamn, from the Hutt, Tamati Hapimana, a native of i'ipitea pah was, a little distance in advance of Hie main body, in the middle of the wood, when he was suddenly surprised by the chief above named, who struck at Tamati from behind a ti cc, on the road side with a long handled tomahawk ; but Tamati with the coolness and dexterity for which he is celebrated amongst the natives, warded off the blow, receiving only a slight m ound between his fore finger and thumb. The prisoner instantly endeavoured to make his escape, oy jumping into a rivulet with a view of being able to reach the opposite bank, but Tamati fearing that he might gain an advantage over him bv doirg so, followed him into the rivulet and after a stout scuffle, seized him by the hair of the head, and took him prisoner. This native has a great reputation amongst his tribe for taking prisoners.

Rangihaeata, after evacuating | Pauhautanui, retired to a fastness, situated on a range of mountains in i the Pukerua district, which from ! its strength, has been called " Gibraltar." The following, from the Independent , furnishes some cine to \ the cause of Rauparaha being placed under restraint, though it does not give particulars. Our news from Porinia is important. The rebel chief Rangibaeata has thrown himself into a strong pah situated on the range of mountains in the Pukerua district where lie has been followed by the British forces under the command of Major Last. The position is described as one of exceeding strength, both in its natural, as well t as artificial, defences. Instead of having rows of palisades, as is usually the case in fortified pahs ( the savage but no less acute, chief, has surrounded ] his position with logs laid lengthways, thus rendeiing the defences still more formidable. The

nature of the country is such as almost to preclude the conveyance of artillery. Cut nothing seems impossible to British soldiers and sailors, and we feel confident that by some inetins or other, artillery will before long be belching forth on this stronghold of the rebels. And here w e cannot refrain from making a few observations Whenj Rangihaeata evacuated Pauhautanui, it was generally believed that Jbe had no other pah to fall back upon. Indeed, up to three o'clock of Thursday afternoon, the colonists were in ignorance of-lbe fact. Now some of the natives must have been acquainted with its existence, for a pah of its strength could not h ave been erected without many of the maories being aware of the circumstance. We. believe that Rauparaha, who was apprehended with the proofs of his treacheiy about him, was the chief who planned, and superintended, its erection.— Lieut. Blackbnrn, who has met such an untimely end, was engaged during the war in the north in which he greatly distinguished himself, We have heard the conduct of Major Last, the officer in command, and that of the entire force under his command, spoken of in the highest terras of praise.