TARANANI.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 329, 14 December 1860, Page 3

TARANANI.

SEUGEANT MAJORUM. Camp, Waitara, New Zealand, 19th November, 1860. Address to our well-beloved friend and fellowsoldier, Sergeant William Majorum, H.M. Royal Artillery, Having been apprised of your projected departure from Taranalri, the scene of your many labors, for England, in consequence of severe indisposition, we, the non-commissioned officers, petty officers, seamen, and soldiers of the various corps, in camp, cannot let you depart without an expression of our deepest sympathy and heartfelt sorrow at your removal from amongst us. Your many acts of kindness and benevolence towards the sick and wounded in camp command our utmost respect and gratitude; we cannot thank you or give expression to our feelings as we desire, but were our hearts laid bare you could theu observe each fond and silent thought poured out in earnest prayer. Long as life shall lasc will your Christian teaching be remembered by us, and we humbly pray that Almighty God may restore you speedily to health, and that you may devote the remainder of your days in the cause which you have so nobly begun and pursued amongst your fellowsoldiers with so much profit and success. And remember that those by whom you are now addressed duly appreciate your truly Christian and benevolent character, and when you shall be wafted far, far from us o'er the mighty deep, our prayers shall be for your prosperous, safe, and happy voyage to the dear old Mother Land. We beg to subscribe ourselves your grateful and much obliged servants. OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. / Head Quarters, New Plymouth, Taranaki, 6th November, iB6O. Sir—l have the honor to state, for the information of your Excellency and the members of the Government, that yesterday afternoon information reached me that the Waikatos had crossed the Waitara river that morning ir, force to join Wi Kingi, and that they would possibly next morning be in the neighborhood of Maboetahi. lat once arranged that a force from this, and another from the camp at the Waitara should march so as to join early in the morning at that place j we did so, and met the Waikatos, and after an action which lasted about two hours, they were defeated and fled, with very considerable loss, I write these hurried lines, and send them by the Victoria, to enable you to communicate with the Home Government by the present mail, and will send full details hereafter. Amongst the killed are three very influential chiefs. The first, I am told.fwas the leading chief in the Maori King movement, the two others powerful and leading men. There are also many other chiefs killed of minor importance. I enclose lists of those already known up to this hour. Our loss was two officers and fourteen men wounded, and four men killed; nothing could exceed the behaviour of the troops of all arms, as I shall detail at length in my despatch. The loss of the enemy is not yet ascertained, but from the number killed and buried I should say they must have had between 80 and 100 killed and wounded. I enclose an insulting letter sent by the Waikato chiefs a few days ago, and it is a curious fact, that the two chiefs who signed it were both killed the very day after they crossed the Waitara. In communication with the gentlemen of the native department, I brought into town the bodies of the three principal chiefs for proper interment, the other Waikatos killed were interred in a pit on the field. We have taken six prisoners and a considerable number of very fine arms, rifles and double-barrelled guns. I shall be obliged by the Victoria being sent back without delay, as I have discharged the Wonga WoDga. I have, &c, T.S.Pratt, Major-General Commanding. List of Natives Killed. Wetini Taiporutu (chief). Ngatiapakura Tribe.—Wharangi (chief), Ngatikoura Tribe.—Hakopa (chief) Ngatiruru Tribe.—Tamu, Tamihana, Herai Karena. j Ngatihaua Tribe*-—Hikaraia, Pan, Wharawara, Hakopa. Ngatikoroki Tribe.—Hakopa, Tamihana. Te Urikopi Tribe.—Heneriko. Wirihana. Nagatihaua Tribe.—-Harawira. Ngatikabukura Tribe.—Tamati, Hirini. | Twelve others whose names I have not obtained. Five prisoners badly wounded, one prisoner not wounded. ! PiObt. Parris, Assistant Native Secretary. Pukekohe, November Ist, 1860. To Mr. Parris, Friend—l have heard the word about coming Ito fight me, that is very good j come on the [ laud, mi let us meet each other; the sea is the

place for fish to fight in. Come on the land where we may stand on.our.feet; make haste, make haste, doat delay. Tliat is all I have to say to you—make haste. ' v V : From Wetini Taipoeutu, From Porokueu, From all the Chiefs of Ngatihaua and Waikato.