ARRIVAL OF THE PHŒBE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1165, 3 December 1863, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE PHŒBE.

LATEST news prom the NORTH. total defeat of the rebels at RANGARIRI. FLIGHT OF THE MAORI KING. 37 BRITISH KILLED AND 93 WOUNDED. HEAVY LOSS ON THE REBEL SIDE. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THREE PRISONERS. r A nortioa of the following appeared in our •Extra' of Tuesday last.] The steam ship Phoebe arrived on Tuesday morning at 7 a.m., bringing important news from Auckland. We take the following from the 'Independent' €Xtrft ' BATTLE OF RANGARIRI (FROM THE NEW ZEALAND HEBALD, NOV. 23.) The following is the telegraphic dispatch transmitted by the General Commanding to Ins Excellency the Governor:— " November 21,1863. « We assaulted the enemy's intrenched position at Bangariri at 4.30 p.m., on the 20th, and carried it after a desperate engagement. I regret to say our loss is severe. Lieutenant Murphy, 12th, and Midshipman Watkins, R.N., and 35 men killed, 13 officers and 80 men wounded, including Colonel Austin, 14th Regiment, Captain Mayne, lieutenants Alexander, Downes, and R.N., Captain Mercer, R.A., Captain Phelps, 14th Regiment; Captain Gresson, Lieutenant Talbot, Lieut. Chevalier, Adjutant Lewis. 65th; Captain Brooks, R.E., Ensign Pucrow, 40th Regiment; the greater part severely. The enemy fought with the greatest determination, and held the strongest part of his position during the whole night. Being completely surrounded and cut off, they surrendered unconditionally at 5.30 a.m. this day; 183 in number are now prisoners of war, amongst them several chiefs of note. Enemy's loss has not yet been ascertained, but it is known to be very great. A party of 400, under William Thompson, approached the position from the East, with a flag of truce, after the surrender. Interpreter was sent, who states that Wm. Thompson appeared inclined to surrender, but his people were opposed, and went back; he has sent in his «mere' by the interpreter, with what object I am not aware. The King was present at Rangariri, and escaped during the night by swimming across the swamp, as did several others. " Total number of enemy present at engagement not known." Scarcely did it transpire that the foregoing had been placed in our hands than our office was besieged by excited multitudes clamouring for ' Extras,' and leaving us barely sufficient space to work them off. Upwards of 2000 copies were put in speedy circulation, and, for more than two hours, the throng reminded us of the rush at the pit of the Covent Garden, in the old time, on the first performance of a new tragedy. The blow which General Cameron has so happily struck is a crushing one. It has restored the prestige of the British arms, which rebel insolence and pro-Maori sympathisers had affected to despise. The gallant Chief has all along proved himself to be pre-eminently qualified for the position which he occupies. We rejoice for his own sake and for that of New Zealand that his once contemplated resignation did not take place. He is the only leader that has yet been able to show how Maoris are to be vanquished—he has inspired his soldiery—disheartened and dispirited by sap—by giving the bayonet free scope, and by treating stockades and rifle-pits with the consideration they deserve. It has been a fashion to deride the Native Rebellion as a mere war with savages; but the heavy casualties at Rangariri and the Ohaioliai, in 1845, are practical demonstrations of the sanguinary and desperate character of the strife. At Taranaki and on the Waikato, General Cameron has led his troops from victory to victory. He has displled the illusion of Maori invincibility, and has incontestably proved his high qualifications for the perilous and onerous command which so many of his brother generals declined to accept.

The victory at Rangariri, may be said to have taken the colony by surprise. The strength of the position was unknown; and after their hurried evacuation of Meremere, it was generally supposed the rebels would make no further stand. The able disposition of General Cameron, and the conspicuous gallantry of the officers and soldiers under his command, have been the means of teaching the enemy a lesson calculated to make no slight impression upon Mae friends and waverers, only too much disposed to show their teeth. The casualties on our side, though heavy, are by no means equal to the slaughter at Ohaiohai, from whence we were repulsed without a single black-skin having been scarred. The number of officers struck down affords a convincing proof how emulous they •* must have been of each other. Our old and valiant protectors the 65th appear to have been in the thick of the fight, where they nobly justified the confidence the colony has all along reposed in them. That distinguished officer Colonel Austin, who, as well as Captain Phelps, of the gallant 14th, was so conspicuous in the action at Koheroa, is again among the wounded, but we heartily hope that neither is dangerously hit. As yet, the particulars of the action are unknown, and to make more than passing mention of particular corps or persons, where all seem to have varied with each other, would be unjust. We must await until we are in possession of details, and then we shall neither be slack or slow in rendering honor where honor shall be found to be due. The battle of Rangariri, in our opinion, disposes of every difficulty in the question of confiscation of the Waikato. The King and the King-maker were both in the fight. What need of further evidence of rebellion and the consequences rebellion invariably entails ? The following are the latest items of intelligence: —On Saturday, fifty rebel prisoners were taken on board the Pioneer at Rangariri, for the Queen's Redoubt. They were placed on deck, the seamen of the Curagoa manning the cupolas, and keeping a bright look out to prevent escape. During the passage down the Waikato, the rebels upon the river banks fired upon the Pioneer, to the great constern ation of the captives, who shouted to their compatriots to desist, but without effect. They then begged Commodore Wiseman to hoist the white flag, with wHcii solicitation lie complied. These fifty

are at present in safe keeping at the Queen's Redoubt, but have exhibited every disposition to escape One of them in making the attempt was shot through the leg. He of course was kept fast. Government have very properly resolved to remove all the prisoners to Auckland forthwith. On arrival here they will be put on board the Curagoa, where they will remain until such time as the Marion hulk can be prepared for their safe keeping. When the first attack upon the rifle pits was made, the rebels did not offer much resistance, but ran away with great swiftness. Numbers were shot down whilst endeavoring to escape. Yery few were bayonetted, because our troops were unable to get at them. They effected their escape by canoes, and by swimming across the Waikari lake, in which they had a jetty communicating with their position. It has been said that they made a desperate resistance. The fact is, that, like rats pinned up in a corner, they fought hard in their redoubt, on finding themselves surrounded, and seeing no means of escape. On perceiving they were doomed, they surrendered. The energy of the Government is most commendable; and we have the utmost confidence that they will conduct the good work they have so manfully commenced to a safe and permanent conclusion. They must treat the white flag of the Maori with the contempt it merits. Had it been so regarded when displayed before Huirangi, and the rebels then driven to extremity, we should not have had the present struggle renewed. "No " surrender must be their watch-word now. The colony expects it from them; and without it, Auckland cannot hope for peace and prosperity for which she is so anxiously and confidently looks forward. The cutter Midnight took her departure for the Thames yesterday morning with despatches for Colonel Carey. Himalaya sails for Sydney on Saturday, and from thence for England, carrying invalids and condemned stores. She goes via Cape Horn, and will touch at Ascension.