MAKETU.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 174, 13 May 1864, Page 6 (Supplement)

MAKETU.

(Frout, lite eor,v*pn-tth;il of the Daily Southern Crons.) On Wednesday, the 20th, a large reinforcement consisting of l!07 individuals, arrived from inland. This party consisting of Tuliourangi, Ngataimukukopako, Agatituwharcto, Xgatitarawlmi, Agatirangitihi, Ngatipehi, A'gateraugi te Aorere, Ngatiroro o te Uangi, and other tribes. On Thursday morning nothing having been heard of the enemy being in the neighbourhood, Major Colville, l-3rd Kegiment, commanding the field detachment at Maketu. accompanied by Ensign Way, commanding detachment of 3rd Waikato Militia, and an orderly, proceeded to Waihi, a distance of about a mile and a half from Maketu, for the purpose of duck shooting, ducks being very plentiful in that neighbourhood. 'When the Major and his party arrived at Waihi they were detained about fifteen minutes launching the canoe, which was high and dry on the beach. After succeeding in launching their craft they started on their expedition, and they had only been on the water but a short time when Mr. Way saw armed natives on the opposite side coming towards them, lie at once drew the Major's attention to the fact, remarking at the same time that he had no doubt that there were many more in the neighbourhood. '1 he Major (hen said to Mr. Way, “I think we had belter return,” which suggestion was immediately carried out, Mr. Way remarking, that he was glad the suggestion had come from the Major in the first instance. They at once turned the canoe back, and after proceeding about 200 yards the MajorJJcallcd out, “quick, put the canoe on shore.” The canoe was then run on a mud bank—when a volley of about 50 shots whistled round their heads—the M ajor’s orderly fell over the side of canoe, Mr. Way followed, and the Major laid down in the canoe. Almost immediately after they commenced wading to the shore, having to cross a mud flat about a quarter of a mile in breadth, every step they took sinking above sis inches in the mud. Ail this time they were closely followed by the Maoris, who continued loading and firing as fast as (hey could. After a vast amount of exertion the Major and his party succeeded in reaching the shore they had then a steep hill to mount, which they succeeded in doing after a great exertion. The Major mounting first, the orderly second, and Mr. Way last; the Maoris still following and firing, the last shot falling about two yards from Mr. Way. Eventually the Major and his orderly succeeded in reaching Fort Colville. When the Major reached the foot of the hill he stumbled and' fell, but had sufficient

strength left him to call out, “ send a picquot of 50 men direclly he then mounted , the fort, and had to retire to his tent for l!|f an-hour. In the meantime, a party of 50 men, under Capt. Smith, started of to Waihi, and also a large number of friendly natives. I forgot to mention that after reaching the top of the hill, Mr. Way was so exhausted that he fell down. A party under Sergt, Mitchell went to look for him, and after a short time discovered him, but fearfully exhausted. After a stimulant being administered he recovered and hearing that a party had gone to Waihi he could not be restrained, but wont off at once unarmed. The doctor insisted upon his being carried to the Fort on a stretcher,' but he would not listen to it, but started oif to the firing which was then distinctly heard. About half-an-hour after the Major went off he returned, ordering the Forest Rangers, under Major Nay, to proceed to our front, at the same time ordering 30 men, under Capt. Harris, to reinforce the party in the front. The rebels appeared in considerable force the opposite of Waihi, having three flags (red) poised, but they were so effectually covered by the sand hills as to be almost as safe if they had been miles off. The troops and friendly Maories remained firing there until sunset; the only casualties being 4of the 43rd Light Infantry wounded fortunately all slightly.