WELLINGTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1010, 26 August 1868, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(PBOM OVB. OWN COBBESPOSTDESTT.) August 24th. A.t "WanganuL on the 22nd of Augnst we learu tlhtt the fortified pah, Te Ngutu 6 Te Mana, was captured yesterday and hurnt to the ground. Two hundred and seventy men, under command of Major M'Donnell, started yesterday morning at half-past seven o'clock in two divisions, intending to attack the rebel capital. i Major Von Tempsky'sarmed constabui lary, and Buck's and Page's campanies of i the Taranaki volunteers, composed the attacking forces. The pah was reached a little after ten, thus making three hours to thread their way through bush for a distance of twelve miles from Waihi (the base of operations.) Maori scouts were on the alert. Preparations have been made to give our forces a warm reception. Orders had been given to reserve fire until within pistol-shot of the. enemy, who kept np a smart fire when our men appeared in sight. "When within twenty paces of the parapet, our troops opened a galling fire, and rushed helter skelter, bent on escalading the breastworks and gaining a footing inside. ....... The first man to enter was "Wallace, who was shot through the head, and fell dead on the spot. The men rushed boldly torward, and in a few moments one-half of our force had fairly established themselves within the defence. The Maories fought bravely, but could not stand against our men, who, armed with tomahawks, revolvers, and long knives, made short work of them. The attack lasted twenty minutes, and at the end of an honr from the time we j opened fire, not a vestige of the pah was ( to be seen. j The Maories effected a good retreat after nine had fallen. The Natives were able to carry off their wounded. Three of our men were killed and eight wounded, one of whom, H. Gearly, is since dead. The names of those killed are, E. "Wallace, Kerr, and Mackay. At half-past eleven o'clock, Major M'Donnell commenced to march back, when he soon found that the enemy had concentrated upon his rear-guard. Their fire was returned, and ultimately the Maories retired and allowed the troops to effect their retreat without further molesting them. Major M'Donnell arrived at Patea at midnight. The behaviour of the officers and men was excellent.