THE CAPTIVE REBELS.

Press, Volume III, Issue 349, 12 December 1863, Page 3

THE CAPTIVE REBELS.

Tho following official communications from the seat of war were laid on the table of the House of Representatives by the Colonial Secretary .- — From Mr. Mainwauixg to the Native Mimstku. Auckland, Nov. 25, 1563. Sin, —I proceeded at once to Pokeno on Monday after 1 received your orders. As no orderlies wore expected to leave Drury, I proceeded alma and shortly afterwards overtook Mr. Lloyd. We arrived at the Redoubt about 5 p.m., and having reported myself to Colonel Murr.iy, I was allowed to see the prisoners. They were divided into four different parties, strongly guarded. 1 got permission for some of them to exchange into different rooms so as to be with their own people. Being personally known to a great number of them, the}' were far les3 restrained with mc than with the sureties iv the Redoubt. 1 found that Malutaera. was not in tho engagement at all. Ng.itinuini.'.poto arc gone up the country, and T fancy (though Tioriori did not say decisively) that they hiive had n quarrel w.th Ngutil aua, and will go on their own responsibility to Tarauaki or remain quiet up beyond Mokau. The soldiers took » very large quantity of ammunition a id tomahawks. They soy also that tbe natives tbrc-.v a great number of guns into the river when making their escape, Te Wharepuwas mortally wounded, but escaped. I endeavoured to ascertain what • passed between Thompson and Ouudry, but the latter gentleman being at Rangariri, I did not succeed. On the passage down the river the steamer ran on si sand bank, and one of the prisoners jumped overboard, but was fired at, and being hit in the leg was re-captured. 1 am told that tbe military wore astonished at the strength and clever engineering of the post tit Rangariri, and the General complimented the natives on the brave manner in which they behaved. As no orderlies wore leaving the Redoubt yesterday till late in the day, I started ulouc at 9 a.m. iind overtook Archdeacon Mauuseil on the road. That gentleman is in possession of some letters found at Rtuigariri. The prisoners wore very anxious to be supplied ! with pens and papers. I told Mr. Spencer to ask j Colonel Murray about it, though I told Tioriori I I thought he had better wait until he got to town. j Wi Kumcte is the man who acted as customhouse officer on the river. Tarahawaiki is the supposed murderer of Meredith and son. I have, 4c., R. C. Mainwaiuso. - From Mr. W. J. Gcxdbt. to the Native Mixisteu. Rtuigariri, Nov. 22, 1863. Sin,—-I have the honor to report for your information that R-tsigariri has boon taken. Th ■'. position of the Maoris w;i« very strong ; tie figi t lustvil 10" hoars. Commenced iv the afternoon oi» the 20th anl lasted until G o'clock a.-.a. on the 21st inst, the casualties on our side being ■\c-y heavr. three or four o'licers dead, and s«.ve.i or badly wjaiuL'il, thirty-eight men kti'c.l. I The h>is of the Maoris thirty-nine killed, five or j si< wounded. The killed wore buried to-day. j There are a groat- many more dead in : j fie. Wuikarj Lik-j, which v»vre shot vrl ci ] swimming n.ri)>g. Their !->tS 1 s! oaid | cjtiiiuite to bo ->'.) or 5'J kilted an.l wounded. j The e:viiiy's position was first shelleJ, and then \ rusht'd by t'.c fro »;».? and carried except tin; \ centre portion of the ri.ile pi:*, which the Maoris i hold with great obaliiuwy, keeping tip a deadly

fire. Several attempts were made by the troop? to dislodge them, but failed owing to the mtneati way in which the rille pits were made. About ( o'clock in the morning, just when the troops wen going to drive the Maoris out, a Maori came for ward with a white flag, on which the soldiersprang in amongst them and commenced shakm: hands n with the Maoris. Soon after the Genera came and ordered them to give up their arms, ant he would treat them well as prisoners because of their brave conduct. They v anted to make peaci as they were the-prineipal chiefs of Waikato. Tin General told them he could not do that until tin Governor arrived. The chiefs that were taken were Takerei Tioriori, Tarahawaiki; WircinuKumete, Waikato: Te Kchirini, Te Abo, Te Rakatau, Poiroroku, Tapiana, Raniera, Te Whiti, Maih Katipa, and several minor chiefs. The number of prisoners taken altogether were 175; several men escaped during the night, amongst whom were Tamihana and Te Warepu. the latter badly wounded. White flags were flying all about the'native settlements. The prisoners seem very well contented at present, as the soldiers treat them well. Te Wheoro accompanied the General from Mere Mere to Rnngiriri, and was very useful as a guide, and also Mr. Edwards did good service as a guide. In mv opinion the Maoris will give up their arms when his Excellency comes up here. I could not write before as I had so much to do in looking after the prisoners, the wounded, and looking for and burring the dead Maoris. The chiefs that are dead, are Te Herewihi of Ngatinoho, Raniera of Ngaungau, Mokena of Ngatimahutu, Te Tutere of Ngatihaua, Amuteke Takerei son of Takerei and Hori Mtrneha. I have, &c., W. G. GrvnuY, Interpreter.