CAPTURE OF A PA.—THREE MEN KILLED AND EIGHT WOUNDED.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3473, 2 September 1868, Page 7

CAPTURE OF A PA.— THREE MEN KILLED AND EIGHT WOUNDED.

A messenger arrived at Wellington on the 24th August, with the intelligence that tbe pa of Te Ngutu o te Manu had been captured ou Friday, the 2lafc. The following are the particulars :— 270 men, in two divisions, uuder the command of Colonel McDonnell, started for the p-t at 7 a.m. Major Voa Teinpsky led the Armel Constabulary and Tarauaki Volunteers. Back's and Page'u compauies composed the atticking force. There were no native allies engaged. The pa was reached at 10 a.m., the force thus taking only three hours to thread then way through the bush from Waihi, the base of operatioui, a distance of twelve miles. Maori scouts were on the alert, and preparations had been made to giro our forces a w*rm reception. When within twenty pases of the parapet, our troops poured in a galhug fire, and then rushed helter-skelter for the pa, escaladed the breastwork, and gained a footing inside — one-half fairly establisbiug themselves within the defences in a few miuutes. The first man killed was Wallace, who was shot through the bead, and died on the spot. The Maoris fought bravely, but could not stand against our men, who, armed with tomahawks, revolvers, and long knives, made short work of it. The whole attack lasted only twenty minute? and' in one hour from its commencement not a vesti&e of the pa could be seen. Thd Maoris effected a good retreat, after nine of them had fallen, and were abb to carry off their wuuuded. Three of our men weie killed, and eight wounded —one of whom, H. Gearv, has since died. The killed are, ft. Wallace, , Kerr, Mackay. They were attended by Dr. Walker on the field. At half-past eleven Colonel McDonnell commenced to march back, whan he found tbe enemy had c>ncentlrateJ on his rear, and were keeping up a desultory! fire. The fire was returned, and ultimately the Maori* retreated and allowed our troojn to retire without further molestation. McDonnell arrived at Patea at midnight. The behaviour of the force, both officers and men, was 'excellent.