OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

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

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

The Lieutenant- Governor has much pleasure in <H~ secting the publication of the following Despatches from Major Last, 99th regt., commanding the troops Southern District, detailing the nature of the recent operations against the rebels, by which they have been driven from all the strongholds they previously occupied in this portion of New Zealand, and have been compelled to retreat after losing some, and leaving in captivity several, of the disaffected chiefs. He will take care to represent, in the strong terms which they merit, the gallantry which has been evinced by Major Last, and the officers and men of the com - bined naval and military force which was engaged in these operations j the privations and fatigues necessarily attendant upon the conduct of which, in so unfavourable a season of the year, were supported by all in a manner which deserves the warmest expression of the Lieutenant- Governor's gratitude and approbation. The Lieutenant-Governor avails himself of the same opportunity of stating*. his entire satisfaction at the manner in which the officers and men of the Militia of this district have acquitted themselves. The settlers have shown-thatrthey can use their arms well, that they are ! a most useful body of men in military operations in this country, and that they are ready cheei fully to encounter any dangers or difficulties. They may take an honest ! pride in feeling that they have fully shown that they possess those qualities so essential to the men who entered upon the task of colonising New Zealand. When the inhabitants of a countiy can thus rely upon their own efficiency and courage, no fear need be entertained for the safety of their homes and familits. Nothing could have been more gratifying than the kind and friendly feeling evinced for each other by the settlers and large force of native allies when serving side by side,— a feeling which clearly showed that they are mutually attached to each other, that they felt they were one people, bound together by common interests, and were willing aud able jointly to defend themselves against any enemy who should attempt to injure either race. The Lieutenant-Governor felt, ,in witnessing this most gratifying sight, that it constituted in itself a complete guarantee for the ultimate .tranquillity and prosperity of this part of New Zealand. | To the numerous native chiefs .who so nobly came 1 forward on this occasion, the Lieutenant-Governor reI turns his thanks for their services. The intercoiirse he I has had with many of them will make him take a lasting interest in their welfare— and for the future he will I watch over, and endeavour to promote, the progress of j themselves and their families in prosperity and the con- ! veniences of civilized life, not only as Governor of th« Colony, but as one who is personally interested in the welfare of men who have established such just and strong claims upon his esteem. By command of His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor, M. Richmond, Superintendent. Wellington, 16th August, 1846. 9 p. m.

i Poriruu, 4th August, 1846. ' Sir, — After frequent consultations with your Excellency since your arrival from Auckland, relative to the movements of the Force under my command, particularly after the receipt of intelligence by the Government that a number of disaffected natives had left Wanganui, and were moving down the coast with a view of forming a junction with Rangihaeata, and the rebels at his pa of Pauhatanui, in the northern branch of the Porirua river ; and that this movement was being made with the sanction and connivance of Te Rauparaha, and some (disaffected chiefs of the Ngatitoa tiibe residing in the immediate neighbourhood of our position, it was determined that an effort should be made to destroy this party, or to induce the friendly natives on the coast to prevent their progress : also, that an attempt should be made to arrest Te Rauparaha, and the disaffected, chiefs with him, in the event of obtaining further evidence against them ; and, should these movements be attended with success, it would enable us to make an attack upon Rangihaeata and his followers, without the apprehension of Te Rauparaha, or any evil disposed Ngatitoas aiding him : and then the pa at Pauhatanui could be regularly invested, and the rebels destroyed.

To effect these objects, a combined naval and military force was embarked on board Her Majesty's Steamer Driver, under my command. We found it, however, impracticable to attack the Wangamu natives as they proceeded down the coast, as gales of wind and excessive bad weather prevented the landing of the troops; but the rebels were precluded making a further progress than Ohau, as the friendly natives opposed them. The next movement, F am happy to inform your Excellency, was completely successful, as, on the morning of the 23rd ultimo, I disembarked before daylight, in boats of Her Majesty's Steamer Driver, with 1 officer and 30 men of the 58th regt., 3 officers and 70 men of the 99th regt, 4 officers and 30 men of H. M. S. Calliope, accompanied by Captain Stanley, together with the Inspector (Capt. Durie, of the Militia), and some Armed Police, surrounded the pa, and accomplished our object without any collision, from the admirable steadiness of the whole party, bringing with us Te Rauparaha, Kanae, Hoapu, and some others, who are now prisoners on board H. M. S. Calliope, as well as disarmed the disaffected pait of the tiibe. Annexed is a list of the arms and ammunition taken at the time. Nothing now remained but to attack Rangihaeata and the rebels in the pa at Pauhatanui ; for this object, after leaving 100 men to reinforce the camp at Parramatta Point, the Driver returned to Wellington, in order that the portion of the Calliope's crew which had embarked on the D) iver might return on board, and that both ships, with the detachment of the 65th regt., just arrived from Sydney, might return to Porirua. On the 29th ult, your Excellency received intelligence, which you did me the honor to communicate, that Rangihaeata, alarmed at the movements that were going on, had evacuated his pa, and fled; but where was uncertain : it was, however, supposed that himself and a few of his followers were remaining in the vicinity of his former position. Apprehensions being entertained that the greater number of Rangihaeata' s followers might have returned to the hills in the neighbourhood of the Hutt, it was considered unsafe to detach, for any length of time, a large body of troops from Wellington, until the country between the Hutt district and Porirua harbour had been thoroughly reconnoitred. To accomplish this, a mixed force of Militia, Armed Police, and Friendly Natives, were therefore ordered to move from the Hutt in the direction of Pauhatanui, sweeping the country as they went along, and either investing or taking possession of the pa on their arrival, as opportunity offered. A simultaneous movement was directed to be made by the troops under my command, which, I regret to say, was defeated, from H. M. S. Calliope being delayed from stress of weather ; but on our arrival, on the Ist inst., we found the movement of the force from the Hutt had been successful, having found the pa evacuated, with the exception of some scouts, one of which (an influential chief) they captured, and another chief was captured in the course of the same evening by the friendly natives. On the 2nd inst., I proceeded to the pa at daylight, in boats supplied ,by Captain Stanley, of H. M. S. Calliope, with Major Arney, 58th, 7 officers and 160 men of the 58th, 65th, and 99th regts., which, on reaching, I found occupied by the Militia, Armed Police, and Native Allies. On examining the pa, I found it to be built on a very strong position, having a double row of timber palisades, with trenches and traverses across, about 80 paces long, and 35 broad, in the shape of a parallelogram, with flanking defences. There was also a bank of earth thrown up on the scarp-side of the trenches, which, owing to the heavy rain, were full of water. The position altogether is a very strong one, and would have been almost impregnable without artillery ; hut a hill about 500 yards distant opposite the front face commanded it completely. Therefore, had the enemy remained, we might soon have dislodged them with our guns, which were in readiness at Porirua, in command of Captain Henderson, R. A. The pa stands on a very high ground fronting the harbour ; at the foot of it runs a deep narrow creek, fordable at low watery the ground about it is excessively swampy, which the troops had to pass over. On the side the pa stands rises a very steep bank, which, even without opposition, the men had difficulty in mounting. And on proper left of the position is a very deep ravine, the side of which is thickly wooded. The right face is also thickly wooded, and the ground gradually slopes away into the valley. The rear was the weakest part as to its defence, the ground covered with thick scrub ; but from its locality, I do not consider a position could have been taken up by us on that side. The defences on the front face were of a stronger description than any other. On the morning of of tha 3rd instant, a combined movement was made from the pa at Pauhatanui and Porirua, consisting of 6 officers and 120 men of the 58th, 65th, and 99th Regts., and 30 Militia, followed by 150 Native Allies, from the former, and 4 officers, 100 men of the Royal Artillery, 58th, 65th Regts., with 80 Native Allies, under command of Major Arney, from the latter place, for the purpose of attacking the rebel chief, and preventing his escape from the Horokiwi valley. We proceeded about four miles into the woods, covering our advance with the usual precautions. The enemy soon discovered our approach, and quickly retired ; but from his fires being still alight, it was evident he had fled into the bush that morning. Night coming on, and being uncertain as to the direction of the enemy, or the route they had taken, I deemed it then unadvisable to proceed further. Although our efforts have only led to the dispersion, and not to the total destruction, of the rebels, which was my anxious wish to have accomplished, yet, by gaining possession of the stronghold of the enemy, we are enabled to complete the line of outposts at Porirua, so as effectually to prevent any return of the rebels to the district of the Hutt. I beg to assure your Excellency that all under my command have well earned from their superiors every credit and approbation for the zeal and cheerfulness they have exhibited under the severe trials and privations to which they have been subjected for a long time past. Your Excellency having been present with the troops on this occasion, will, I trust, bear testimony to the efforts and exertions made by the officers and men of both services; but I must not omit to offer my best thanks for the ready assistance and cooperation rendered me by Captain Stanley of Hi M, S. Calliope,

Commander Hayes of H. M. Steamer Driver, and my second in command Major Arney, commanding detachment 58th Regiment, stationed in this district. I also beg to recommend Mr. M'Kellup of H. M. S. Calliope to your Excellency's notice, who has rendered me great service while in the command of the gun-boat Stationed at Porirua. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, Major 99th Regiment, Commanding the Troops Southern District. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c, &c.

LIST of Arms and Ammunition taken from the pa of Te Rauparaha and the disaffected natives at Taupo, on the 23rd of July, 1846;— Muskets, single barrel 30 j Do. double do 2 J Axes 23 Powder-flasks * 2 Pouches . 20 Small iron gun and carriage .... 1 Casks of powder ' • • 5 Half do 3 Empty do 1 Edward Last, Major 99th Regt, Commanding the Troops Southern District

Porirua, lQth August, 1846. Sir,— Soon after addressing your Excellency on the 4th inst., I received intelligence that the native allies, who were left to watch the movements of the rebels, had discovered that they were retreating ; I therefore deemed it right to proceed to their support, knowing that such a movement would accord with your Excellency's wishes, and thinking it would be the means of destroying Rangihaeata and his followers. At daylight on the morning of the sth inst., I proceeded in boats belonging to Her Majesty's Ships Cal~ Hope and Driver, up the harbour of Porirua, landed about a mile and a half distant, and pressed forward into the Horokiwi valley, five or six miles over a road almost impassable for troops, crossing numerous streams and deep rivulets, passing various encampments that the enemy had recently left, evidently retreating in the greatest confusion, leaving behind them the bugle taken from the troops in the attack which was so gallantly repulsed by the detachment of the 58th regt., in the valley of the Hutt, on the 16th May last, which had been retained by the rebels as a trophy, and was recovered by the Militia. About half-past 2 o'clock p. ra., we came up with our native allies and a party of Militia, under the command of Captain M'Donogh, who were lying at the foot of a precipitous hill thickly covered with wood, near the summit of which, I learned that the enemy were supposed to be posted. The troops then commenced hutting themselves for the night. On the following morning, I gave orders for the advance, directing the native allies to proceed on to cover it. The Ist division, consisting of 7 officers and 127 men of the force, made up of seamen, soldiers, militia, and armed police, was under the command of Major Arney, 58th regt. The~2nd division, of 5 officers and 117 men of similar detail, was under the command of Captain Armstrong, 99th regt. At about nine o'clock a m., we ascended the hill, preceded by an officer and a party of men with tools to cut away the wood to facilitate our getting up — after ascending with great difficulty about a mile, we suddenly discovered that the enemy had established himself in a stockade on the spur of a hill, which was not only excessively steep and precipitous upon each side, but so narrow in places that only a few men could proceed abreast. The stockade that was visible appeared evidently very strong, composed of heavy logs of timber placed horizontally one over another, with loop holes to fire through. Some of the enemy having appeared in front, a heavy fire was opened on both sides—they made repeated attempts to turn our left flank, but vjere driven back with great loss to their position. I regret to state, that in the action our loss was severe, having two killed and nine wounded, as will be seen by the annexed return. I particularly lament the loss of a most promising young officer, Ensign Blackburn, 99th regt., who was acting Brigade Major, and who evinced the greatest zeal and gallantry on the occasion. The firing lasted till dark, when finding my position unfavourable to occupy at night, I left 2 officers and 120 men to assist our native allies to watch the enemy, and again took up the post I had left in the morning. The enemy admit to have lost five killed and two wounded, among the number one chief named "Te Oroj" and"Tapuke," the murderer of Richard Rush, at the Hutt. On the Bth inst., having been reinforced by a captain, subaltern, and eleven of the Royal Artillery, with two small mortars, under the direction of Captain Henderson, of that corps, I again advanced towards the position, although I found great obstacles in using shells from the loftiness of the trees, which intercepted our view of the enemy. "We, however, succeeded in throwing a number into the stockade, and so continued to harrass them throughout the day. The enemy kept up a fire upon us during the whole time. His position having been thus felt and ascertained to be defended by strong entrenchments thrown 'across the steep and narrow ridge of a lofty and densely , wooded hill. The rebels being in retreat, there was 1 every reason to believe that their intention was to pour 1 a few destructive vollies into our men as they advanced,

crowded as they must have been into so narrow a space along the steep ridge, and then to fly into the woods in the rear, thus abandoning without loss a position, which, from the want of supplies, it was impossible for them to retain for more than a few days. It did not appear expedient to incur so large a sacrifice of life to attain a post useless in itself, and which must soon have been ours without any loss ; moreover the destruction of so many of her Majesty's troops without an equivalent proportion on the part of the enemy, would have being regarded by the natives as a great victory on the side of Rangihaeata— might have produced a bad impressson on the country generally — and have destroyed the effect of our previous successes. Taking into consideration also the great want of facilities for provisioning so large a force, I at last accepted the offers made by the friendly chiefs, to permit them to remain on the ground and locate themselves in temporary pas whilst they cleared the scrub and erected round the enemy a palisade after the Maori system of warfare, so as to cut offhis means of obtaining either water or provisions, 'and thus either capture him or force him to fly from his position. In addition to the before mentioned obstacles opposed to me, the rear of my position was subject to constant floods, 1 therefore deemed it right to make arrangemen s for withdrawing my force from the Horokiwi valley to the pa of Pauhautanui and Porima Point, leaving the native allies to cany out their own plans, and reserving the troops for further operations when required. Your Excellency haying seen our position, and being well aware of all the difficulties and impediments, as well as hardships, to which the force under my command have been subjected, I need not dwell further in describing them. I cannot close this report without expressing my particular obligations to Major Arney, 58th Regiment, my second in command, for the advice and assistance he at all times rendered me. To Captain Armstrong, 99th Regiment, commanding the 2nd division — Gaptain Henderson, commanding Royal Artillery— Lieut. Elliott, 99th Regiment, acting Engineer — and to Ensign Servantes, 96th Regiment, interpreter to the Forces, my best thanks are due. I must thank Captain Stanley of H. M. S. Calliope, for his assistance in forwarding the operations, J also received the best aid from the officers and seamen of H.M.S. Calliope and Driver: Lieutenants Thorpe and Connelly, and all under their command deserve the highest praise. The wounded received the best attention from Dr. Galbrailli, and the other medical officers under his direction. 1 have every reason to be satisfied with the exertions of the Commissariat Department; and I must not omit to mention the meritorious conduct of Captain M'Douogh, and the militia under his command, as well as that of all the officers, non-com-missioued officers seamen, soldiers, and police force, employed on this occasion. It further affords me pleasure and satisfaction to speak of the great service the native allies from Port Nicholson rendered me, as well as the friendly portion of the Ngatitoa tribe who joined us, and beg to thank the chiefs of the several parties for the zeal and exertion of themselves and followers. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding 1 the Troops Southern Division, His Excellency Governor Grey, &c, &c.

Return of killed and wounded of the Force under Major Last, 99th Regiment, commanding the troops in the Southern District, while engaged in action with the rebels in the Horokiwi Valley, on the 6th of August, 1846.

Killed. Ensign H. M. Blackburn, 99th Regiment. Private Thomas Tuite, ditto

Wounded, Seaman. W. Roberts, captain of the mizen-top, H.M.S. Calliope, mortally, and since dead. 58th Regiment. Private John Corr, slightly. 65th Regiment. Private Robert Miller, severely 99th Regiment. Private Patrick Darcey, severely. — Thomas Woodfield, do. — Francis O'Reilly, do. — James Henchcliff, do. — Joseph Booth, do.

Millia. Private George Farmer, severely. Edward Lasl, Major 99th Regiment, Commanding the Troops, Southern District.

Porirua, 2p. in., \Wi August 1846v STr,— l have the honor to forward the enclosed, this instant received from Mr. Servantes our interpreter, at Puaha's camp, for your Excellency's information, by which you will learn that the rehels left their position this morning and that our native ally Puaha, after sending back his women, will pursue them to-morrow |

I have sent information to Waikanae of the event-, and hope our allies there will assist in cutting them,off, should they attempt to pass that way. 1 have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, Major 99th. Regt., \ Commanding the Troop* Southern District. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c, &c.

Puaha 1 s Camp, 13th August, 1846. Sir,— l have the honor to inform you that some af the rebel natives began to fire upon our camp this morning. Puaha immediately rushed out to meat them with {his followers, and finding {them retire, proceeded up to the pa, which they entered as the others went out by the rear ; the Ngatiawa natives followed immediately afterwards. It appears that they had sent the women to the rear some time ago, together with'their baggage ; the men, it is the general opinion of the natives, only retired a short time before we entered. They had no stock of provisions, as they had being eating the manuka (which is a species of tree. fern). The place from whencethey fired upon us the other day was only an entrenchment. The pa was about 100 yards in the rear, but bad no regular stockade round it, simply a rail in some places, and in others nothing at all. Puaha sends back his women to-day, and intends to follow them up to morrow morning. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, W. F. G. SERVANTESi Major Last, 99th Regt., Commanding Troops, Ponrua.

JPelling-ton, 16th August, 1846f, Sjr— l have the honor to state that since addressing; your Excellency ou the 13th inst., reporting the continnal retreat of tho rebels, I have received in - telligence that our native allies are making every preparation for a vigorou? pursuit, and should they succeed in driving the enemy out into the open country upon the coast, I beg to assure your Excellency that in conjunction with the naval officer, I will not fail to assist in the pursuit, and use every exertion in my power to cut them off. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, , Major 99th Regt, Commanding the Troops Southern District, His Excellency Governor Grey* &c, &c.

Wellington, 16th August, 1846. 8, p. m. , Sir, — I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I have this moment received intelligence thai tin- Injector of Police (Capt. Durie of the Militia), acting 1 upon my letters informing him that the rehels had left their position at Horokiwi valley, made made the requisite communication to the chiefs al Waikanae, who had previously occupied the position pointed out to them at the Pan Pan, and that our native ally, Wiremu Kingi, and his party were immediately on the alert, and were successful in capturing eight prisoners belonging to the band under Rangihaeata, who had come down from the bills foi the purpose of obtaining 1 , food, and-had sent to th< police stalion for an escort to conduct them to Wai kanae: a good deal of firing was heard in the directioi of the Pari Pari, and on the hills above it ,and Wiremu Kingi sent word that he would make an attack on the enemy to-morrow. On the other side is a lisj of the prisoners taken :— Ko Mateu Tikiahi, Ko Te Kumete, Ko Hohepa Te Umuroa, Ko Te Weretiti, Ko Te Rahui, Ko Te Korohunga, Ko Topi, Ko Mataiumu. q I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Exellency's most obedient, hnmble servant. Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troop! Southern District. , His Excellency ' * Governor Grey, &c, &c.