WAITARA. Huirangi, Wednesday, 13th Feb., 1861.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1379, 1 March 1861, Page 6

WAITARA. Huirangi, Wednesday, 13th Feb., 1861.

The natives who were very quiet for a few days after the Huirangi was taken, commenced hostilities again on Thursday lasj. A party of them who were in am« buscade fired on Commodore Seymour and an officer of the Royal Engineer*, whilst they were patrolling round the coverers and viwting the working parties. On Friday they fired on the coverers, and wounded one of the Naval Brigade, and on Saturday evening again they fired on the troops when they were retiring for the night. On Sunday, the 10th instant, a force of about 800 men, including detachments of the Naval Brigade, Royal Artillery, and Royal Engineers the whole commanded by the General, advanced through the " avenue" covered by skirmishing parties of each regiment, for the purpose of taking up a position close to Pukeangiora. The groundin rear of the Huirangi was free from bush, and the natives soon observed our approach and prepared for the contest They were situated on a range of hills in front of us, and along a gully between our position and the hills. When within sor 6 hundred yards of Hapurona's pa the enemy commenced firing. The troops returned a heavy fire, and the guns and mortars were also brought to play npon the enemy's positions, (for they had several) — the outlines of a redoubt was at the same time marked out by Colonel Mould, R. E., and strong working parties were told off to carry on the work. The enemy, notwithstanding the annoyance caused to them by our guns and skirmishers, kept up a heavy and a constant fire on our men in every direction, and early in the day Captain Strange, 65th regiment, who was skirmishing with his Company, was shot through the thigh. He was at once borne from the field, and all that medical and surgical skill could accomplish was done for him without eftect —an ai-teiy was cut, and the gallant officer survived his wound but a few hours. His death is deeply deplored by the officers and men of the 65th regiment where he had served zealously, both as Captain and Adjutant for many years. The firing was kept up warmly until evening, when the new redoubt was garrisoned Ly about 400 men of the 12th, 40th, and 65th under command of Colonel Wyatt- Our casualties during the action was Captain Strange, killed, and nine men of all corps wounded, viz :— Royal Artillery— 2, 12th— 2, 40th— 1 65th— 3 Militia — 1. The firing has not ceased day or night since Sunday — the 40th took possession of No. 7 redoubt on Monday morning, and through the course of the day suffered a loss of 1 corporal — killed, and one private wounded. On Tuesday a body of between 4 and 500 men marched into the Waitara valley at the left of No. 7 redoubt to destroy native crops, a considable space of ground was under cultivation, and the whole of the produce, consisting chiefly of Indian corn was soon destroyed, excepting a small crop of potatoes which were taken for the use of the troops. While this work •was going on along the back of the river, two divisions of the 40th engaged the attention of the enemy in front, and actually advanced within 150 or 200 yards of the pa. Most of the men with their bayonets fixed, and anxious to charge it, but the brave fellows were not allowed. The natives opened a heavy fire on them, especially when retiring, and three of the gallant 40th were wounded in the skirmish. An 8-inch gun hus been sent up to Colonel Leslie* position to-day, and before the week is out, we expect to advance in force and route the enemy from the hills of Pukirangiora. We have been anxious to give an accurate account of the wounded by name, but have not yet been able to procure it.