THE NATIVE WAR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 109, 10 March 1870, Page 5

THE NATIVE WAR.

PARTICULARS OF THE ENGAGEMENT

AT ROTORUA. (From the "Southern Cross.") Daring the evening (February 10), and just as the Sturt w<is starting, a messenger arrived from Rotorua with the intelligence that an engagement with Te Kooti's forces had taken place- at Waikorowhitu, about three miles distant from the pah at Ohinemutu,, where- a small force of the Arawa engaged! 80 of Te Kooti's men, Te Kooti looking on inactive. These men were inarching through the district, a great many being unarmed, accompanied by women and children, emigrating to the Urewera or Ruatahuna country, or where they can find the means of support. I enclose you the translation of a letter given me by the chief Rewi Tareanuku, which gives a description of the attack and its results. I may also state that Rewi informed me that at the Ohinemutu pah the force consisted only of 70 men, many of

whom were elderly, and unable to follow the enemy into the bush. On learning from some of the women, who had just returned from the bush, where they had been getting potatoes, that Te Kooti was on the move in the neighbourhood, and not knowing whether he was going, a council was held, and the propriety of sending a party was warmly debated; and at last the step was decided upon, at the urgent wish of Rewi, Kiharoa, and Okiwi, who were chosen from the elders, the remainder being comparatively young men. They were joined by Lieutenant G. Mair, who accompanied them. On nearing the place, aud ascending a hill, they could distinctly see the enemy, who were marching on at a rapid rate. Many of them, about one-half, were unarmed, and amongst them a great number of women and children, with a good sprinkling of infirm. A straggler from amongst them being recognised, inquiry was made as to their strength, which he stated to be about 400 able-bodied men, headed by Te Kooti, Kereopa, and Hakaraia. The following is a translation of the letter referred to: — " Tauranga, February 9, 18T0.— Friend— This is an account of an engagement with the forces of Te Kooti at Rotorua, which I now give you for information to Europeans. On the 'Tth of February, the Ngatiwhakawe (the name of the principal hapu of the Arawa tribe), at about three miles distance from Ohinemutu, had a skirmish, the enemy numbering from 300 to 400 men, besides many women and chilclien. At 2 p.m. firing commenced. The name of the place was Waikorowhitu. Our force consisted of 20 men of the Ngatewhakawe tribe, and 10 men of the Ngaiterangi tribe ; altogether 30, chiefly young men, the elderly ones being myself, Kiharoa, Okiwi, Te Warihi, and our pakeha, Lieutenant Gilbert Mair. As we neared the enemy, Te Kooti told off 70 to 80 men to fight us. We continued to fire for an hour, when the enemy ceased, and marched to the main body. In this engagement we had two wounded, called Hori te Rapa, and Te Waka. The Hauhaus left 10 killed on the field, and their heads were at once severed from their bodies. I saw this number on the field, but there is every reason to believe that there may still be more bodies in the swamp, because I saw one of the Hauhaus trying to conceal one of the dead there. We afterwards followed the Hauhaus a distance of 17 miles, and the Tuhourangi joined us in the pursuit, when Te Karanama received a wound from the enemy (of which he has since died). I then returned to Ohinemutu, and the following morning left for Tauranga. When I left our people had not returned, but wero still pursuing. My opinion is that Te Kooti and Kereopa have by this reached Ruatahuna. This is all I have to say about the skirmish. — From your friend, Rewi Terbanuka." After I had left Rotorua, a search was made, and six dead were found, making the number of the enemy killed sixteen. Lieutenant Way. formerly of the Ist Waikato Regiment, lately engaged in transport service for the expeditionary forces in pursuit of Te Kooti, recently performed quite a feat of expedition and endurance which deserves honourable mention. On Thursday, January 27. he started from Maketu with eighteen packhorses for Ohinemutn, which place he reached on Saturday, the sth February, having within the short space of nine days packed to its destination at the front, in several trips. 6,2481 b. of stores for the use of the army in the field. The stores consisted of — biscuit, 5,1241 b ; coffee, 1141 b ; salt, 1351 b ; bacon, 501 b ; salt beef, 3001 b ; sugar 521 b. Such an exploit displaying unwonted celerity and energy has not been accomplished before, and Lieutenant Way deserves: the highest commendation for having acquitted himself so admirably in an arduous and very useful branch of the service. Nearly about dusk last evening Colonel M 'Donnell's division, numbering about 300, consisting of Arawas and a few of the Armed Constabulary, arrived here from the Wairaa, bringing with them quite a train of women, baggage, and horses. They camped for the niglit in Te Papa, and it was said that they were intended to proceed ta Rotorua to-day. I had forgotton to state that Lieutenant Mair left here the day before yesterday.