ATTACK ON MAORIES NEAR PAPARATA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 449, 23 December 1863, Page 3

ATTACK ON MAORIES NEAR PAPARATA.

("From the Weekly News, December 19,) This week has been signalised by a very gallant and successful attack on a Maori encampment. We allude to the " brush " which took place last Sunday morning in the direction of Paparata, twenty-six men of the Forest Rifles, under Capt. Jackson and Ensign Westrnpp, and a party of Maories whom our men surprised. Capt. Jackson and his small detachment had set out on the 11th to scour the bush, and on the following evening discovered a trail which they endeavoured to follow up, but without any result. On the succeeding (Sunday) morning at daybreak, they were more successful, as they descried smoke in the bush at a distance offom* or five miles. Having gained thiß advantage, they resolved not to allow the opportunity to slip through their fingers, so far asa cautious stealthy advance would avail' to becure it. Upon nearing the enemy, it was decided to make a joint instead of a divided attack, as they were after all few in number, and they, at that 6tage at least, did not know what force they might have, eventually, to encounter. The advanced file managed to come within thirty yards of the enemy before they became, aware of their presence. The Maori gentry was, as a preliminary stroke, Bhot dead ; the whole party then made a dash on the encampment, pouring in a close and regular volley. A partial desultory resistance was made, but the appearance of our force was so unexpected that a panic had seized nearly all the Maories in the critical moment. One of them was killed by a

shot as he stood irresolute whether to go or stay — to do or die. Another showed more " pluck," as on being wounded on the shoulder by private John Smith, formerly of the Wairoa llittes, he fired at his antagonist, but fortunately without effect ; he then had recourse to the butt end of | his weapon, a double-barrelled piece, and after a I rude passage of arms, finally grappled with Smith. The Maori kept up this physical struggle, when Ensign Westrupp emptied one barrel of a revolver into his head. The result has been four Maories killed and left on the field, including two chiefs, as was supposed from the extent and character of their tattooing; also several wounded, whom the women and others of the party succeeded in carrying off into the bush. Our men were humanely scrupulous as to the safety of the women and children. A considerable quantity of " loot " or property, principally pillaged from the abodes of the Wairoa settlers, was also recovered, together with the valuable spear of a chief and two Hags ; these last are of course retained as befitting trophies of this smart and skilfully conducted affair.