Huirangi, Wednesday, 27th Feb., 1861.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1379, 1 March 1861, Page 3

Huirangi, Wednesday, 27th Feb., 1861.

I write in haste, for we are exceedingly busy, The insurgent natives cannot hold Pukerangiora much longer — the sap is now within 200 yards of the pa, and will be double for the remainder of the distance —that is, instead of being protected only on one side, it will be a trench having two breastworki parallel with each other. The natives crept up to the advanced end of the sap about 11 o'clock last night, and set fire to some small gabions that had not been used yesterday, and the sap rolls have entirely disappeared. The moment the gabions kindled the natives gave ft loud yell and fired a few shots. A gun loaded with cannister wai discharged at them, and they dispersed. The troops in No. 6 redoubt, as well at those in No. 7 were out and under arms. The maories have dug a new line of trenchei round a large mound to the right of Pukerangiora — they have performed this work by night, favoured by the moon-light. The front and sides of the mound are very steep, tha herbage has been all burned off, and there is no access to it excepting by crowing the deep gullies that surround it. The enemy do not keep up ai brisk a fiie a formerly, excepting in the morning when the troops are going to their work, and in the evening when they are retiring, and on these occasions they salute our men with volleys; but when the men are posted and going on with the work the natives watch for good opportunities and fire with too much accuracy. We had four men wounded this week. A bombardier of the B.A.wm shot through the thigh on Sunday while working a cohorn mortar at the head of the tap, and soon afterwards one of the 12th was severely wounded through the shoulders. On Monday one of the 40th was struck in the head, and on Tuesday one of the 57th was wounded dangerously in the breast. Some of the enemy's rifle pits that commanded the approach to the pa by the left flank, have been found by the skirmishers. A few small trees in their vicinity were riddled with rifle bullets, and probably the natives did not abandon them before they suffered lost.