LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Marlborough Press, Volume IX, Issue 607, 2 September 1868, Page 5

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

SUCCESS OF COLONEL M'DONNELL. CAPTURE OF TE NGUTU O TE MANU. THREE OF THE COLONIAL FORCES KILLED AND EIGHT WOUNDED—ONE SINCE DEAD. THE BODIES OF NINE MAORIES FOUND. MAJOR-HUNTER ACQUITTED. Mr J. Walker, of Aramalio, arrived in Wellington on Sunday afternoon at 5 o’clock, bringing news of an engagement having taken place at the Front, and that the strongly fortified pa, Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu had been captured and destroyed by the Colonial Forces. . Mr. Walker left Wanganui, at 8 o’clock on ’ Saturday, and arrived here at 5 p.m. on Sunday, as before stated. He was detained by freshes in the rivers and delay in obtaining change of horses —one hour at Bull’s, six hours at Scott’s, one hour at Paikakariki, and one hour at Porirua. Deducting those detentions the actual time occupied in riding 120 miles was twelve hours. • It' is stated that several settlers’ houses in the vicinity of Kakaramea have been burned by the natives. The enquiry held into Major Hunter’s conduct has resulted in that officer’s acquittal. We ■trust th(? evidence may be published. The Times extra of Saturday contains the following Patea, August 21st, 1868. Colonel McDonnell has attacked and captured the ' rebels’' stronghold—Te /Ngutu-o-te-Manu,

The engagement was short, sharp and decisive. We counted nine dead bodies 6f the rebels but can’t say how many killed and wounded on their side. Our loss is three killed and seven wounded ; one, I fear, mortally. Our force will now pursue the rebels through the bush and will not leave them a village wherein to hide their heads—in fact all their places of refuge are already burnt down with one or two exceptions. Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu is a heap of ruins. Evening Herald of Saturday last gives the following full particulars : The strongly fortified pa, Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu was captured yesterday morning and burnt to the ground. Two huiidred and seventy men, Under the command of Colonel McDonnell, started yesterday morning at half-past seven o’clock, in two divisions, to attack the rebel capital. Major Von Tempsky led the Armed Constabulary ; and the Taranaki Volunteers, Buck’s and Page’s composed the attacking force. The pa was reached a little after ten o’clock, thus taking three hours to tread their way through the bush, a distance of twelve miles from Waihi, the base of operations. The Maori scouts -were on the alert, and preparations had bepn made to give our forces a warm reception. Orders had been given to reserve fire until within pistol shot of the enemy, who kept up a smart fire upon our men from the moment they appeared in sight. When within twenty paces of the parapet, the troops poured in a galling fire, and rushed helterskelter on, escalading the breast-work and gaining a footing inside. The first man to enter was'Wallace,'who was shot through the head, and fell dead on the spot. The men rushed boldly forward, and in a few minutes one-half of our'force had fairly established themselves within the defences. The Maoris fought bravely, but they could not stand against our • men, who, armed with tomahawks, revolvers, and long knives, made short Work of them. The whole attack lasted about' twenty minutes, and at the end of one hour from the time when we opened fire, not a vestige of the pa was to be seen. The Maoris effected a safe retreat, after nine of their number having fallen. It would appear that the natives were able to carry off their wounded. - Three of our men were killed, and 8 wounded, oue of whom. 11. Geary, is since dead. The names of the killed are—lt. Wallace, Kerr, Mackay. The wounded were attended to by Dr. Walker on the field. At half-past ,11 o’clock Colonel M'Donnell commenced the march batik, when he soon found the enemy, had concentrated upon his rear, and were, keeping up a desultory fire upon the rear guard. The fire was returned, and ultimately the Maoris retired and allowed the troops to effect their retreat without further molesting them. Colonel McDonnell arrived at Pa tea at midnight. The behaviour of both officers and men was excellent.