THE WAR IN AUCKLAND. QUEEN'S REDOUBT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) October 13.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1950, 16 October 1863, Page 3

THE WAR IN AUCKLAND. QUEEN'S REDOUBT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) October 13.

His Excellenoy the Governor did nob sfcaifc for town to-day ; but, in company with the General, paid a visit to Whaugamarino. An enquiry was made this morning into the circumstances ot' the death of Sergeant Johnson, when tho evidence qf the man James Con way, was to the following effect : That ho was rofcurning to camp off lpavc in company with the deceased, and on arriving jivtf opposite tho old artillery stables, was about three paces in advance, when some shots were fit ed fiom the right rear, and Sergfc. Johnson fell. Ho then saw six Maoris advancing towards him, and, taking up the sergeant's rifle and ammunition pouch. He ran into tho store at tho end of the stables, closely pursued by tho onomy. As they came up he fired both rifles, bringing down a man at ench shot, and then loaded both rifles quickly, and whilo the Maoris were Ax agging away tho two that ho had shot, he fired and shot a thiul. Putting a cartridge iuto the empty rifle, he came out qf tho store and ran up tho road, but, unfortunately, stumbled and fell, when tho three Maoris made towards him again, and without rising to his feet, he fired two shots at them, which made them retire. ITe then got up, and ran for tho redoubt. His evidence as to tho number of shots was corroborated by a man at McLeans house, who said that ho heard soven. Con way also stated that tho Maoris had rifles similar to his own, and the wound in Johuson's chest, where tho ball came out, had tho appeal auce of having been caused by a conical rifle ball, which, in its exit, makes a largo hole. As I mentioned in my last repoit, no marks of tho skirmish could bo traced the next morning, and even on tho spot whore Johnson was found no tiaces of blood could be seen ; so whether or not three of tho enemy weie killed or wounded by Con way, is likely to remain a matter of uncertainty. The funeral of Johnson will take place to-moirow. The 'flying column' have been out every day, and scoured the bush towards Pokeno. The enemy have evidently Laken thomselves off, and the x recenb dty weather presents tiacks being uo easily followed as wheu tho giound was i>oaked with lam. October 14. His Excellency tho Governor stalled for town this morning, tho escort to Rhodes' clo.n ing being f urnitihed fiom the ' flying column.' Soi jeant Johnson's remains wcie buried this morning with mihtaiy hoiiouis. Tho funeral left tho lcdoubt at ten o'clock, and proceeded dowii tho road to the burial ground, which is only a .short distance from the spot wheio he met his death. The untimely fate of this man affotds another bad instanco of the folly of lecklessly disicgaiding tho older ngaiubt tiavolling on the road without proper escort. His death has depi ived the regiment of one of its smai test non-com-missioned ofHcers. Mr. Gundiy will leave for town to appear against the native Hikikohe, as soon as he is relieved fiom his duties heie, which will most probably bo to-morrow. In that case ho will start on Fi ulay morning.