THE PATEA OUTRAGE.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 127, 25 July 1868, Page 4

THE PATEA OUTRAGE.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE FROM WAIHI,

[From the Taranaki Herald, July 18.]

The Turu-Turu-Mokai Redoubt is about three miles nearer Patea than the Waihi, and is a place of some strength, situated on a knoll, and surrounded by a ditch and bank —the former of some depth and breadth, necessitating a plank as a crossing or bridge to gain an entrance. Here, then, on Sunday last, there was a band of twenty-five

men. Captain Ross lived in a whare outside the redoubt, indicating apparently a false security of their position as regards the natives, but so it was; and another proof of ill-judged security of those at this post is to be found in the fact, as we have been informed, that even the plank that crossed the moat was not withdrawn duringthe night. Of course, it would have been an adequate defence, but the time required by the enemy in clambering up the side of the ditch would naturally have been of importance to the men within the redoubt. Two sentries (Garrett and Lacey) kept watch in the redoubt; and at about 4 p.m., on Sunday morning, one of these fancied he saw a Maori crawling among the fern outside the wall. It turned out to be no fancy, as he was immediately sure of its being a fact by observing the moving forms of several more. Objects were but dimly and imperfectly observed in the gloom, still there was no mistaking the dangerous proximity of an enemy. Private Lacey was the sentry outside, and he, on seeing the outline of a human form, challenged twice and then fired. This was the signal for a wild yell and a rush. A volley was fired by the rebels, and Lacey received a bullet in his shoulder. The redoubt was then attacked by the Maories. The men, who were woke up from their sleep, appeared panic struck at first, and some attempted to get over the walls and escape to a hiding place in the fern. It was in making their escape in this way the men were killed. Notwithstanding the wound, Lacey succeeded in loading his rifle again, but found he could not fire it off. so he handed it to Captain Ross, who at that moment was entering the gateway. Captain Ross, who, as we have already said, was sleeping in a whare outside the redoubt, and who, on hearing the report of the sentry’s gun, at once got up and ran to the redoubt, where he was encountered by the Maories, and fired at. Captain Ross fired off the rifle Lacey handed to him, and all the chambers of his revolver, but he had scarcely got three yards inside the redoubt when a ball pierced him, and he fell upon the spot. He then called out, “I am done for. Men, you must do the best you can for yourselves!” Four men then jumped over the parapet, one of whom was caught and tomahawked frightfully mutilated. Three others—Cowie, Wilkie, and Burrows —got away to Waihi. Four men held one angle of the redoubt, and two of these men, Milmoe and Johnston, being armed with bayonets, kept the natives from getting over the parapet. The rebels had cut steps in the parapet, and as soon as one showed his head he was bayonetted. A private, named Beamish, after being wounded and unable to fire, opened his pouch and handed cartridges to his remaining comrades. The men who had made their escape, crept into the flax and lay there until the Light H orse from Waihi, which place had been reached by one of the men who made their escape, scoured the country around Turu-Turu-Mokai. Dr Walker was first at the redoubt. Lacey, the sentry, is not mortally wounded, although the ball went right through his shoulder. There were three of the rebels killed— Pita, Enoka, and Pehia. These natives, Creed, the mailman, says, he saw lying dead outside the redoubt.

[From the 'Taranaki Herald Correspondent.] "Waihi, July 13. Yesterday morning, firing was heard in the neighbourhood of Turu-Turu-Mokai Redoubt, where Captain Ross and about twenty-six of the Armed Constabulary were stationed. Major Yon Tempsky and his men at once mounted and started off in that direction to see what was doing, and if necessary afford relief. On arriving in sight of the redoubt, they saw the natives actively engaged in the attack, but who, on seeing the mounted troopers coming upon them in the rear at full speed, quickly retired towards the bush. Major Yon Tempsky and his troopers tried to cut them olf, but the rebels evaded him; so after following them as far as Ohutunui, where they disappeared in the bush, he returned back to the Turu-Turu-Mokai Redoubt. Here an awful sight awaited him. ... About three feet inside the gateway lay Captain Ross, frightfully tomahawked, and with his heart cut from his body ; and not far from him, near the gate, was the remains of Gay nor. In one of the angles of the redoubt lay the bodies of Sergeant M'Fadden, Corporal John Blake, and Private Shield (Captain Boss’s servant), weltering in their blood, and on the outside was the body of Private Holden. Lennon (who kept the canteen) must have been killed before he could have reached the redoubt, for he lay alongside a whare, on the outside, literally cut to pieces, and his heart torn horn his body. Prom information I have received, I understand that the redoubt was attacked

between five; and six o’clock on Sunday morning, the rebels coming up stealthily from behind I Lennon’s canteen. On the sentries giving the alarm, the rebels fired a volley, at the same time attacking Lennon (who was trying to reach the redoubt) instantly kill|ng him. Captain Eoss, on hearing the;alarm, rushed from a whare, which was outside the redoubt, and made at once for the gate calling upon his men to defend the entrance. The Maories seemed to concentrate their attack on the gateway, and got in two or three times, but were repulsed. ; They finally, however, succeeded in i killing Captain Eoss. A panic then must have taken place amongst the men, and the niassacre commenced, several of the constables bravely contending against an overwhelming majority. Constable Cowper and Hamilton succeeded in 1 getting away unperceived by the rebels, they being in tents outside the redoubt; but Wilkie, Burrows, and Cobb bolted, I believe, almost at the beginning of the firing. The sides of the redoubt were nearly cut through and in one place quite through—where the rebels had tried to make steps and scale it. The bodies of the dead were brought down to Waingongoro and interred in the grave-yard to day. The following is a list of the casualties : KILLED. Captain Ross, tomahawked, and heart cut out. Sergeant M'Fuddeu, shot. Corporal John Blake, shot. Constable Shields (Captain Ross’s servant), shot. Constable Holden, shot on the parapet. Constable Ross, shot. Constable A. Beamish (died afterwards), shot. Constable Swords (died afterwards), shot. Constable Gaynor, shot. Constable Lennon (canteen - keeper), frightfully mutilated. WOUNDED. Constable Lacey, severely wounded. Constable Beamish, wounded. Constable Kirkshaw, wounded. Constable Flanagan, wounded in two places. Constable Tuffin, wounded in six places. Total, ten killed and live wounded. The Native Contingent, amongst whom ■ were Katene and Kaho, have since this affair left the redoubt where they were stutio led and gone over to the rebels, taking hem all the breech-loaders and revolve s which had been recently served out to tht tn. I .tear that Captain Page’s company, consisting of over ninety strong, are all to Pe withdrawn from Waingongoro Eedoubt, and pe to be stationed here (Waihi), so that the entire cost from Manawapou to near 1 New Plymouth will he at the command of the ilau-haus, therefore it would he sheer madness for any one to attempt to CO mt through by that road to this place, for you inay be certain that the rebels are still prow ling about Waingongoro, as there are lots (>f sheep and cattle there. W o are all under arms, and no one is allowed to leave the place. Thje friendly natives have received a letter from the rebel head chief, it being put o a a split stick and stuck in the road near Waihi. Its contents were to the effect that “ fie fiad eaten the white man they had k died. His wife and children had also tastec • the white man, and it was good. In future all white men would be but food for Leasts l of the field and fowls of the air. His throal; was open ; it was hanging and red. We have tasted the white man, and who know 3 when we will stop ? You know not when the winds die. Heath is now my friend • Every white man who crosses here death will claim, even as the heavens, so are m y words. Will the next meteor come from tfie east or from the south, or from the m >rth or from the west ? Ye know not even so—you know not where we will gathe; f the next palm of the white man. I have i3aid.”