ARRIVAL OF THE p.s. STURT FROM POVERTY BAY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1012, 9 January 1869, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE p.s. STURT FROM POVERTY BAY.

FALL OF NGATEPA, WITH LOSS TO ENEMY OF 120 KILLLD. The Colonial Government paddle steamer Sturt arrived in Napier in the forenoon of Thursday last, bringing the gratifying intelligence that Ngatepa had been taken by the forces under Colonel Whitmore, and great loss inflicted on the enemy — 120 being killed, and 80, chiefly women and children, taken prisoners. Many details of this successful aftair has not reached vs — the policy of the officer commanding being to deprive the press of information except that conveyed through an authorised correspondent — a gentleman furnished with rations and forage at the expense of the Government, and who would be expected to give a quid pro quo in the shape of an account that would prove in all respects palatable to the military and other authorities. Such particulars as we can gather are subjoined. On the Monday and Tuesday the pa was shelled — the practice being represented as very good. One shell is said to have hit a Hauhauin the chest, and to have blown him to pieces — at the same time killing five others. In connection with the operations before Ngatepa, a good Etory (which we believe to be well founded) is told of the Hon. J. C. Richmond. Ammunition was wanted at the front. It was placed on a dray for transmission, but no one could be found to drive it without an escort ; whereupon Mr. Richmond jumped on the cart, took the reins, and himself conveyed the ammunition to where it was wanted. Whilst the shelling was going on, the work of sapping in front of the place was going on vigorously, and the assailing party was close to the enemy's position on Monday night. The assault was made at daylight on Tuesday morning by the main body of the forces, who had^been engaged sapping in front ; Major Fraser and his men scaling the rocky ridge in the rear, There were not men enough to surround the hill upon the summit of which the enemy had taken position ; and, in consequence, he had begun to make his escape by dropping over the cliffs to the right. His immunity, however, was very short-lived. Sixty of the enemy were left dead in the trenches — a good many of whom were killed by shell ; and sixty more were destroyed in the pursuit. Among the dead are Nikora and Rangiaho. The career of the former is well known, and it is said that £50 was given for his head. Rangiaho was at the head of a small body of Uriweras, some 40 or 50 in number. This party, in the pursuit, made a stand in the bush, but were attacked by Ngatiporo, and 18 killed on the spot. Unfortunately, the arch villain Te Kooti was among the number who escaped, but the pursuit was being briskly followed up, and there was little chance of his ultimate escape. Eighty prisoners were taken, 14 of whom were men ; the rest women and children. Mr. F. E. Hamlin, we learn on good authority, was the first man to enter the fortified position of the enemy. The sight was truly sickening — many of the dead being in a state of incipient decomposition, and awfully mangled from the effects of shell. The enemy would appear to have been nearly out of food, and to have had very little ammunition left. A few watches, some clothing, and £50 or £60 in money, part of the Turanga plunder, were found in the place. The old men, women and children were fearfully emaoiated, the law having been lately that, provisions being Bhort, only the best fighting men should be fed. Ngatepa is a wedge-shaped mountain, originally covered with bush and dense scrub to the top, and estimated to be 2000 feet above the level of the sea. Te Kooti had cleared the summit of its timber, and used the trees for defensive purposes ; the remainder being still densely wooded. There was a deep gully up the gentlest slope, and it was up this that our troops made their ascent. The trench work was tedious and laborious, but it was considered that to attack it in any other fashion would involve a fearful sacrifice of life. Te Kooti is supposed to be making for Maungapowhatu, in the Urewera country. This, taken with the fact of a Urewera chief having been engaged against us, renders it probable that the pursuit may extend to that place, which would be a very good thing, if practicable. It was rumoured in Poverty Bay that it was the intention of Colonel Whitmore to leave a force there of 100 mounted men, and to proceed, with the remainder, to the West Coast. The Sturt, soon after her arrival, proceeded to the Wairoa for 30 horses belonging to Eraser's division of Armed Constabulary, to convey the same to Poverty Bay. Among the Hau Haus killed, in addition to the two chiefs named above were Wiremu Kingi Paia, and Paora te Riri. One of the prisoners taken is Kepa, son of Paora te Arawhariki, who is reported to have taken part in the murders of Messrs. Finlayson and Ferguson. Our loss is said to be one officer killed and one wounded ; ten men killed and ten wounded, only one dangerously. The names, so far as we know, have been communicated to no one here.