To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 21st May, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 85, 23 May 1846, Page 4

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 21st May, 1846.

Sir, — At the desire of his Honor Major Richmond, I beg to hand you copies of the reports of Major Last and Lieut. Page, relative to the late attack by the natives on the detachment of the 58th Regiment stationed at Mr. Boulcott's farm on the Hutt, in order that the public may be in possession of authentic information on the subject. I am Sir, your s obediently, S. E. Grimstone, Secretary.

(Copy.) Wellington, 18th May, 1846. -Sir, — I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter from Lieutenant Page, 58th Regiment, detailing an attack made upon him by the natives, on the morning of the 16th instant, in which I regret to state our loss has been severe, as will be seen by the annexed list of killed and wounded out of the fifty men under his command, that were in the position he and his small party so bravely defended at Boulcott's

farm, about two miles in advance of the Stockade, containing fifty more of the same regiment under Captain Hardy. On hearing of the attack, I instantly despatched an order for Captain Hardy and his men to move forward to Lieutenant Page's support, sending the same number of the 99th Regiment from Wellington by a forced march, to replace them in the Stockade, proceeding myself as quickly as possible to the scene of action, and on reaching the position, about 11 a. m., just before the reinforcement had arrived, I found the enemy were still hovering in the vicinity of the position, and firing on us at intervals from the thick scrub on the opposite bank of the river* At this time Captain Hardy and party came up and several volunteers, when I immediately advanced with my whole force (as far as practicable) in extended order, and directed a heavy fire of musketry, whkh drove the enemy back and silenced them. 4 The thickness of the forest precluded our being able to ascertain what casualties occurred, but there is no doubt they must have been considerable. . Dr. Galbraith of the 99th Regt. on his arrival, paid every attention to the wounded, whose cases he received over from Dr. Turnbull, who happened to be in the neighbourhood at the time, to whom I am under great obligations for his skill and care until Doctor Galbraith came up, and I am happy to say the wounded men are doing well. I have the honor to be, Sir, If our most obedient servant, (Signed) Edward Last, Major 99th Regiment, commanding the Troops Southern District. His Honor the Superintendent, &c. &c. &c. Wellington.

Return of the killed and wounded of the force under the command of Lieutenant Page, 58th regiment, .while resisting an attack of the rehellious natives in the valley of the Hutt, on the morning of the 16th May 1846. KILLED. i 58th Regiment. Lance Corporal James Dockrell Private William Allen Private Robert Brett Private Thomas Bolt Private J. M'Fadden Private T. Sonham Total killed 6 WOUNDED. Lance Sergeant E. Ingram, wounded severely Private Patrick Bevan Private Thomas Tayler Private John Ward Total wounded 4

(Copy.) Camp, River Hutt, May 16, 1846. Sir, — I have the honor to state that about half an hour before daylight this morning the sentry in front of where the inlying picquet was posted, observed several Maories creeping towards him, he fired, when immediately a heavy rush was made from all parts of the surrounding wood. The picquet was overpowered in an instant. The Maories then surrounded the outhouses occupied by part of the troops, at the same time keeping up a heavy fire ; Sergeant Norton here succeeded in checking them with a few men who got out of the houses. I rushed from the back part of my house with two servants, but we were driven back directly. We sallied forth again, and with a few men who joined up, made our way at last to the barn, round which I had made a small stockade, occupied hy half my force (twenty-five.) On arriving there, I advanced in extended order, with as many more of the men as I could in all safety take from the stockade, and drove the enemy across the river. They then plundered a house belonging to a settler of the name of M'Hardy. From .the darkness we were unable to judge accurately of their numbers ; from those we saw, and the war dance they had afterwards, I should suppose there were about two hundred. I feel convinced but that for the alertness of all in turning out, and the determination of the men, we should all have fallen. The enemy were so completely superior in numbers, and having the advantage of knowing the ground, and watching us for some time before the alarm was given. It was impossible to remain in the outhouses, as none of them would resist a bullet in the slightest degree. lam sorry to say oar loss has been severe for the number of men engaged j several of the enemy were killed, but carried away hy others directly they fell. T have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) G. Hyde Page, Lieut. 58 th regt. Major Last, 99th regt.