HAIRINI.

Franklin Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 22, 22 February 1928, Page 5

HAIRINI.

To-day is the 64th anniversary of the engagement at Hairini, on February The capture of Rangiaowhia, briefly told in the Times last Monday, inflicted a great blow on the Waikatos and Ngatimaniapotos, who burned to retrieve its loss, or at any rate to avenge it. They mustered in great strength on the crest of a ridge at Hairini, overlooking the country they had lost, and evacuating all the pas to the south, which they knew now they could not hold without the provisions Rangiaowhia would have provided. General Cameron determined to attack them before they had time to throw up defences, and this he did with the 50th Regiment, two guns of the Royal Artillery, one naval gunall three 6-pounders, and Nixon's Cavalry. The 50th got up within 300 yards and lay down in. the fern, while a heavv fusilade was kept up at them by the natives. Over their heads shrieked the shells of the little Armstrong guns, as they lay awaiting the order to charge. At length it came and the 50th swept on with a rush. The glittering line of steel was too much for the resolution of the Maoris, who broke and fled pell mell. Then came the chance of the mounted men. Burning to avenge the death of their beloved leader the day before, they rode after the..,flying natives, cutting down many of them with their sabres. But the great bulk of them got away across a swamp where the horses could not follow them.