WANGANUI.

West Coast Times, Issue 305, 14 September 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

WANGANUI.

M'DONNELL'S ACTION.

FIGHT NEAR KETEMAKAI.

•CAPTAIN BOSS AND TIIKEE OTHERS

WOUNDED.

SIX HAU-HAUS KILLED

The " Independent," of the 6th inst., states : —

A private letter has been received by a gentleman in town, stating that a skirmish had taken place at Katemarai, in the Ngatiruanui country. The particulars, as 'far as they arc related, are as follow: — A small party of om* forces, who were out foraging, were surprised and fired upon by a partj' of Hau-haus, about forty strong. A sharp' skirmish ensued, and after, wounding four of our men the enemy decamped, leaving- two dead bodies on the field. It is said that Major M'Donnell was about to attack the Maori position at Katemarai.

The correspondent of the " Wanganui Times" writes : — Camp Haweka, August 31.

Your readers are already aware that Civil Commissioner Pams's peace negotiations have put a stop to any active movement, for the present against the rebel stronghold near Katemarai. They can easily imagine how annoyed and dispirited the wjrole force is at thus being checked aud thwarted at the commencement of what promised to' be a short and decisive campaign, resulting in the restoration of peace iv this district, the punishment of the rebels, and the permanent settlement of the men on their hardly-earned land. The vaccillating action of the Government, and their unjust and shameful treatment of the Taranaki military settlers has not only damped the ardor of the force, but has given renewed life and vigor to the tribes dwelling between Otapawa aud Patea River, who surrendered unconditionally to Major M'Donnell after their castigation at Pokaikai. They were then cowed by Major M'Donnell' s vigorous measures, but now express great regret that they did not hold out longer, when the would have got better terms from 'Parris. Indeed, the other day, they detained two transport bullocks, which had straye4 from camp at Manawapou, and refused to give them up under LlO utu. However, on>,being told by Major M'Donnell that he would come and fetch them himself, they changed their minds and returned the animals.

While the Civil Commissioner is delighting the hearts of the rebels by rushing about between Opunaka and Waingongoro, entreating them to speak to him, which they steadily refuse to do, they in their turn are amusing themselves by firing, nearly every day, into the surveyors who are working in advance of camp, towards Waingongoro. I can confidently assert, on the most reliable information," that they have not the remotest intention of giving in until they are thoroughly well licked. Every one sees this clearly except Mr P arris. Without wishing -him any vharm, and although it seems unkind to say it, nothing would tend more to settle this unhappy conflict than the rebels tomahawking the Civil Commissioner, and thus strikingly convincing him and the Government that they must fight it out. To come to a more pleasant subject, I am delighted to state that M'Donncll has nearby recovered from the effects of his severe fall IVom his horse, although his recovery hits been much retarded by the responsibilities and worry of his command, and the false position in which he has been placed.

Major-General Chute inspected the Imperial post at Waingougora on the 29th instant, and at Manawapou and Kakarainea yesterday, returning the same evening at Patea, wheie I hear he will inspect the Royal Irish Regiment to-day. He intends going back to Wanganui on Sunday morning. The post at Kakaramea will be vacated on Monday, on which day also detachments of the 18fch march to Wauganui and Alexander's farm, to relieve the 14th Regiment stationed there. The correspondent of the " Wanganui Times " writes :—: — Camp EUwera, 3rd Sept., 1866.

My last communication will have informed you that Active operations against the natives still -in arms had been interrupted by Mi- Parries 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 blows

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 refuse point blank to come to terms, that he had done all he could do, and that his mission being fruitless he would return to New 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, marched out with a mixed force of 180 Europeans and natives in the direction of K'etemarai. At half-past twelve a.m. this morning the force entered the bush, 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 Bangers and Contingent immediately rushed at them in gallant style, and one of the smartest skirmishes on record ensued. The Hauhaus, who fought bravely,, soon broke and fled, and were pursued by theforee right through the bush, across a natural clearing (here Captain Ross was wounded) and into the bush on the other side for some distance, where they were seen dvagging their wounded over an earthwork. As M'Donncll wisely did not wish to risk a general engagement with a tired force, and encumbered with wounded, he called for a halt, and shortly after the force returned to camp, which it reached at one p.m.

The casualties on our side were as follow : —

Captain Ross, Wanganui Rangers, musket ball, left forearm, severely.

Sergeant Coffee, No. 10 Co. T.M.S., musket ball, right arm, dangerously. ♦

Private Corbett, Patea Rangers, mus»« kct 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. Five guns, besides tomahawks, &c, 'Were captured. No prisoners taken. The friendly natives of Waingongoro report the loss of the enemy to be very heavy. '

The force, both European and native, is delighted with this brush ' after its late inactivity. The behaviour of all ranks, was beyond praise. The Native Contingent in particular fought in a most dashing style.

Now that hard blows and not talkiug is the order of the day, we feel acutely the waut of a sufficient force to finish the affair out of hand. Major M'Donnell is just leaving for Patea, rumor says to report his proceedings to Major Rocke, commanding 2-18 th Royal Irish, and to ask for his co operation with as many of his regiment as can be spared from the Imperial post Should Major Rocke's proceedings 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 ?