REMARKS ON THE BATTLE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 37, 21 June 1845, Page 4

REMARKS ON THE BATTLE.

It was known by the officer in command that Heki's pa "was strongly fortified : he had viewed it through his glass, and was made acquainted with "its arrangements and its strength. To surmount these difficulties, it was, proposed that the rockets should fire the pa, in order to drive the defendants outside; but, having failed in -their intended effect, the question would naturally occur as to the possibility of taking a fortress which was musket proof without the aid of artillery, and where also the defenders were completely sheltered while their assailants were exposed to a murderous fire ; the fortifications being of such a character that the most determined courage on the part of our men -could not have carried them. The hill to the right of the pa appeared to be a good position for commanding it, and -it was accordingly taken possession of by the order of our commanding officer. The site of the pa was so admirably selected, that, had it been stormed, the natives «ould easily have retreated to the forest in their rear. On the left of the fortress was a forest, iJanked by a hill which was unoccupied, and which, in the event of our taking it, would kave enabled us to cut off the natives.: this could only have followed in the event of a breach having been made for the entrance of the troops, Kowaiti's people retreated from the breastwork to ■& wood at the rear of our men, who took possession of it. He afterwards advanced with 400 natives, and had approached them within forty yards, when they were discovered by a native named Honi Ropiha, who gave the alarm. Kowaiti's people were gallantly charged by the regulars, and a terrible slaughter took place. I was standing near to a group of natives at the ■time, and they all allowed that our men engaged in that charge acted most gallantly. From all I can gather of the opinions of the natives in this engagement, -I am persuaded' they feel the complete and utter superiority of our country- ; •men. Of the soldiers and sailors especially ' they speak in the highest terms of praise. The consequence of this engagement, in the opinions of the natives, is this — that Kowaiti is broken and dispersed, or, to use his own language, he is like a canoe bottom upwards, Heki has retired with a few followers to another stronghold >he has, where there can be no doubt bat he will still defy the English Government, and be the /means, so long as he lives, of disturbing the peace and security of English residents in the •vicinity of the Bay of Islands. James Merrety.