THE NATIVE WAR. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SKIRMISH.

West Coast Times, Issue 355, 12 November 1866, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NATIVE WAR. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SKIRMISH.

(FROM THE •WELLINGTON ADVEETISEE, NOV. 7.) The latest despatches from his Excellency the Governor to his Ministers are dated the 30th of October, and we are indebted to the courtesy of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary for being able to lay before our readers an account of a successful expedition into the bush made by^lajor M'Donnell and his force, in wTii^li they again completely routed the rebels. At two o'clock on the morning of the 29th ultimo the force marched on a village- belonging to Akitana, named Papaia, about six miles inland.. Near the village the force fell in with a stroi\g stockade formed across the road, and delcnded by a largo party of rebels. Our troops charged and carried the position with, great gallantry. In tho attacka trooper of the Wanganui Cavalry, named Hanley, was killed, and a native named Panata, belonging to the Wanganui Militia, was slightly wounded. On the side of the rebels, the chief Arama Karaka was killed, and three other natives wounded. xVkitana is the man who some time ago laid an ambuscade for Major McDonnell, and fired on him and his escort. It will be recollected by our readers that this ambuscade was the principal case of Major McDonnell's expedition to Ketemarae. It was also Akitana' s people who laid the ambuscade in which a trooper on escort was shot down and tomahawked. There is great pleasure in learning, therefore, that they arc vow meeting their deserts. Mai or McDonnell sprained his ankle, but will soon be fit for service again. Captain McDonnell is recovering. We take the following additional items of news respecting atfairs at the front from the " Wanganui Times" of the 2nd instant : — " A battle has been fought, and the rebel stronghold of Keteonatea taken, with the loss of two killed on our side. We arc in hourly expectation of full particulars.. Some companies of the 18lh Royal Irish, under Major Roeke, took part in the engagement. We are told that his Excellency the Governor has determined to carry out the " unconditioual surrender, or fight it out policy* in its integrity. He also purposes visiting Taupo, previous to his departure for Kawau. The forces now in the Patea districts are sufficient to carry out all the objects which his Excellency has in view. Lieutenant Gudgeon, with about 180 Kupapas, left for Patea by the p.s. Sturt on Tuesday last, but we doubt if their services will be required in the Patea district. When news reached town of Captain M'Donnell being wounded, and the Governor sending for reinforcements, Captain Ross, though still suffering from his wound, prepared to start for the front. With his left arm iv a sling he started with the Kupapas on Tuesday last, determined to use the right. Such are the men who compose the European branch of our colonial force, and if that force had been properly treated by the Government, Sir George Grey would have no occasion to send for the Kupapas. We buy that had the European branch ol' thai force been properly treated the Governor could, within twenty-four hour?, call out and enrol as many European volunteers in Wanganui as would enable Major M'Donnell to sweep all the rebels between Patea and New Plymouth before him without the assistance of the Kupapas.