Telegraphic Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 977, 12 September 1868, Page 2

Telegraphic Intelligence.

ENGAGEMENT AND REPULSE AT

NGUTU-O-TE-MANU,

YON TEMPSKY AND 21 OTHERS

KILLED, 25 WOUNDED

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Intbb-Peovinoial Telegbaph.J

(PBOM OUR WELLINGTON COBBEBPONDENT.)

LA portion of the following appeared in a Hkbaxd extra issued on Wednesday last.T

Wellington, Wednesday, 1 p.m. The Wanganui Times, just received by the " Sturt," contai as the following: — On Monday, at 4 a.m., our forces left Waihi in quest of the enemy. At 2 p.m. they encountered the Hauhaus atNgutu-o-te-manu, but, this time, they were thoroughly prepared to give us a warm reception. Not only were rifle pits, but the tops of trees manned, by the enemy, who poured deadly volleys upon our men, who, however, cheered on by their officers, bravely pushed forward and returned tbe fire with murderous effect. Twenty-seven Maories were killed; how many wounded was not known. We retired in good order, and prepared for another attack. Our loss was severe. Most of our men were killed by Hauhaus perched on the top of trees. The colony will grieve to hear that the gallant Von Tempsky is among the dead; but he nobly fell in battle. Brave Capt. Buck and their equally brave fellow officers, Capt. Palmer, Lieut. Hastings, and Lieut. Hunter, are among the killed. Lieut. Rowan is dangerously wounded. Our killed numbered in all 14 men, but the names of the others are not recorded in the brief intelligence to hand.

Friday, 4 p.m.

The Wanganui, steamer, arrived this morning from Wanganui, brings particulars of the engagement at Ngutu-o-te-manu, and a detailed list of the killed and wounded. They number — killed (includingfiveofficers) 22, wounded (including one officer and one surgeon) 25, missing 2. The dead and all the wounded who could not walk were left on the field. The JVanganui Chronicle extra gives the following account : —

The following particulars are to hand of the attack on Ruaruru, about a quarter of a mile in the rear of Ngutu-o-te-manu. The force, numbering about 200 Europeans and 100 Wanganui natives, left Waihi at 3 a.m. on Monday, September 7, in two divisions. The first was commanded by Major Von Tempsky and the following officers — Sub-Inspectors Roberts, Brown, and Cumming, Capt. Palmer, Lieutenants Hastings, Hunter, and Hirtzel. No. 2 by Major Hunter, Captains Buck and O'Halloran, Sub-Inspectors ETewland and Young, and Lieut. Rowan. Dr. Walker and Surgeon Best accompanied the expedition.

The force had to make a long detour to the right ot JSTguru-o-te-manu, and, by 2 p.m. had arrived in the rear of Ruaruru. Here, they came across the enemy's outlying piquet, who were fired into by the Wanganui natives. The force continued the advance and took ground in a small gully 200 yards from the rebel position, under a very heavy fire from all sides. They remained here 10 minutes- without any casualty. Trooper Hogan was then hit in the thigh 5 and, soon after, Lieut. Rowan, dangerously, in the face. Men then began to fall rapidly. Major Von Tempsky was shot dead, followed by Capt. Buck, Capt. Palmer, and Lieut. Hunter. Colonel McDonnell then ordered the force to retire. The Wanganui natives led the retreat, supported by 70 Europeans; the wounded men followed, in charge of the rear guard, under command of Lieut. Hastings and Ensign Hirtzel. The former was killed while retreating. Men and officers are described as having behaved well — the Wanganui natives particularly so. But for them, indeed, the casualties must have been much heavier. All the dead were left on the field, as well as all the wounded who could not walk.

The position of natives who have hitherto been neutral, has, since this disaster, become very unsatisfactory.

Subjoined is a list of the killed and wounded :— Killed. Major Von Tempsky. Captains Palmer and Buck. Lieutenants Hastings and Hunter. Corporal Eussell. Constables — Elyin, Finnessy, Hart, Gilgru, J. Davis, E. Larram, Volunteers — D. George, Hughes, G. Lumsden, Grant, Decks. Five friendly natives. Wounded. Lieutenant Rowan. Dr. Best, (severely.) Constables — H. Ouston, O'Brien, O'Connor, Burke, Hogan, "Walton, Fulton, Shannigan, Sergeant Towey. Volunteers — McGenesgin, Harris, Caldwell, McManus, Walden, Griffiths, Locker, Quinsey, Wells, Melvyn, Hamblyn, Holloway, Hyland, Flynn; Missing. Two men, Downs, Darlington. — Of the rebels, 28 to 31 were killed. The Wanganui Times says that all the wounded were conveyed safely to camp, and that Colonel McDonnell's clothes were shot through in many places. The debate on the "No confidence" motion of Mr. Fox is still going on ; the result is very doubtful.

A Bill was introduced with the object of enabling Provincial Councils to elect the Superintendent their chairman ; also, for defining and restricting the powers of Superintendents and Provincial Councils. 5 p.m. A deputation of settlers interested in Hawke's Bay waited to-day upon the Government, to protest against the intended removal of Major Fraser and his force to Patea, for which purpose the Sturt has sailed for your port.