AUCKLAND

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 504, 2 July 1864, Page 3

AUCKLAND

[from our own correspondent.] June 23rd, 1864. [The following should have appeared in our last, but by some mischance was mislaid.] Since writing what is contained in my letter of this morning, I have received news from Tauranga of a considerable engagement between our troops and the natives, resulting in the total defeat of the natives after a short hut severe struggle. The natives did not attack our men, but rather awaited our advance in a position chosen as usual with much judgment. On the 20th about GOO of them came down and took possession of this position at Tuimata-i-a-hiri, and began to throw up a redoubt and dig rifle pits. At noon of the 21st Colonel Greer moved out to attack them with about 580 men of the Hvd, 68th, and Ist Waikato regts. The position is about four miles beyond the site of the Gate Pa and easy of approach, there being no forest and very little swamp in the district. The rebels threw out skirmishers and attacked our column as it advanced, but were at once and easily repelled and driven back upon the rifle pits which as usual surrounded the pa. The Colonel intended to send for more reinforcements on seeing the strength of the place, but was persuaded by the men to give up the idea and allow the attack to be made. Accordingly the advance was made, the 68th and Ist Waikatos being the leaders of the column. The charge was made with immense enthusiasm, and the place— rifie pits and pa— carried at the bayonet's point. A good deal of hand to hand fighting ensued, as is evident from the frequent recurrence of men's having been wounded with a spear or tomahawk. The firing upon them "vvaa very heavy, and deemed enough to have swept them away by scores, but they did not flinch ; in five minutes the thing was over, and both rifle pits and pa in our hands, while 107 natives lay in and arpund the place. The troop of Defence Force men under Capt. Pye now made themselves conspicuous for their bravery and efficiency. They rode into and through the ranks of ihe flying natives, and continued a most effectual pursuit over two miles of open country, killing a great many, of whom as yet we have no account. The number actually laid out before dark. on Tuesday (the day of the fight) was 120 bodies, while 30 prisoners were brought in, 20 of, whom were severely wounded. Eawhiri, who commanded at the Gate Pa, was killed with several other chiefs of note. Itewi nor Thompson "was on the field at all. Our loss has been 10 killed and a officers and 30 men wounded. The total loss of the rebels will not I feel confident be. found to be far short of 250 men. Full particulars in my next, when accounts arrive in full.