NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 566, 21 September 1866, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

YvAN&ANtn:,

HG-HT NEAR KETEMARAL

(From the " Wangatmi Times.)" Camp Hawea, 3rd Sept My last communication will have informed you that active operations against the natives still in arms has been interrupted by Mr Parris's futile attempts at persuading them to come to terms, and I confidently predicted that talking was useless, and that nothing but vigorous measures and hard blowa would ever extinguish the rebellion in this district. My prediction has been fulfilled much more speedily than I anticipated. Yesterday Major M'Donnell received a letter from the. Civil Commissioner, informing him that the natives refused point blank to come to terms, and that he had done all he could do, and that his mission being fruitless, he would return to Itfew Plymouth. Major M'Donnell received this letter on his way from Patea to this place, and determined at once to give the Hau-haus a specimen of his mode of talking to them. He at once pushed on for camp, and at nine p.m. the same evening (yesterday) inarched out a mixed force of 180 European and natives in the direction of Ketemarai.

At half-past twelve a.m. this morning, the force entered the buse, and feeling its way cautiously, halted at dawn. Captain* Kemp, Native Contingent, was then sent to the front with sixteen men to reconnoitre. He soon came in sight of a number of Hau-haus going in the direction of our main body, but before he could send word back to that effect, they had discovered us, and at once opened fire. The Eangers and Contingent immediately rushed at them in a gallant style, and one of the smartest skirmishes on record ensued. The Hau-haus, who fought bravely, soon broke and fled, and were pursued by the force right through the bnso, across a natural clearing (here Captain Eoss was wounded), and into tha bush on the other side for some distance, where they were seen dragging their wounded over an earthwork. As M'Donnell wisely did not wish to risk a general engagement with a tired force, and eneumbsred with wounded, he called a halt, and shortly after the force returned to camp. The casualties on our side were as follows : —

Captain Eoss, "Wanganui Bangers, musket ball, left forearm, severely. Seigeant Coffer, No. 10 Co., T.M.S. musket ball left thigh, dangerously. Corporal Gruthrie, Patea Eangers, musket ball right arm, dangerously. Private Corbett, Patea Eangers, musket ball right arm, dangerously. Of the Hau haus, six dead bodies were counted on the line of pursuit. Their wounded were all dragged away, or hidden in the dense undergrowth. ITive guns, besides tomahawks, &c, were captured. No prisoners taken. The Friendly Natives of Waingongora report the loss of the enemy to be very heavy. The force, both European and Native, is delighted with this brash after its late inactivity. The behavior of all ranks was beyond praise. The Native Contingent in particular fought in a most dashing style. Now that hard blows and not talking is the order of the day, we feel acutely the want of a sufficient force to finish the affair out of hand Major M'Donnell is just leaving for Patea, rumoa says to report his proceedings to Major Eoeke, commanding 18th Eoyal Irish, and to ask for his co-operation with as many of his regiment as can be spared from the Imperial post. Should Major Eocke's instructions allow him to comply with this request, we may fairly anticipate a speedy solution of the difficulty ; but then, again, where are the settlers who should occupy the land when it is surveyed ?