Head Quarters, New Plymouth, Taranaki, 6th November, 1860.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1349, 13 November 1860, Page 3

Head Quarters, New Plymouth, Taranaki, 6th November, 1860.

Sir, — 1 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 in force to join Win. Kingi, and that they would possibly next morning be in the neighbourhood of Mahoetahi. Tat once arranged that a force from thjs, and another from the camp at the Waitara should march so as to join in the morning at that place ; 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 lam told was the leading chief hi the Maori King movement, the two others powerful and leading men. There arc -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 li men wounded, and 4 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 Bhould 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 6 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 h*ve discharged the ',Wonga Wonga." I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most obedient servant, T. S. Pbatt, Major-General Commanding. To His Excellency Col. Gore Browne, C.8., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, New Zealand.