ACTION NEAR KETAMARAE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 191, 15 October 1866, Page 3

ACTION NEAR KETAMARAE.

The Wanganui Times of the 4th gives further details of the action at Ketamarae. Having described the taking of the village, in which Farrier-Major Duff was mortallywounded, it says: — Hardly had all resistance in the village ceased, when a heavy fire was opened upon us from the bush on the other side of the clearing, proving that the inhabitants of the other villages had been aroused by the firing, and were hastening to the assistance of their people. But they were too late. Having done all the mischief he could and having three wounded to carry, and prisoners to escort, Major M'Donnell wisely determined to return. The enemy under the impression that he would follow the track we had come by, worked in that direction, but a shorter and better track led put to the open, and the Major wisely made his arrangements to return to Waingongoro by this. And here his skill in bush warfare became apparent. Extending the best part of his force along one side of the clearing, and under cover of the bush, he kept the enemy in check, whilst

the wounded and prisoners were brought to the track, ot about to follow. . Poor Duff was lying at the upper end of the village. To bring him down to the lower end was a service of great danger, as an incessant, and strange to say most accurate fire was kept up by the enemy. In this service Cornet Hurtzel, W.Y.C., and volunteer; Wright, survey staff, were wounded. As soon as the wounded who now -numbered seven were collected upon •the track, we gradually drew off. The enemy followed us for a short distance, but having now secured our wounded and prisoners, we turned and chased the rebels back, and they paid dearly for their temerity, for their leader was shot dead by Ensign Poma, Native Contingent, and four others, whose guns were captured, bit the dust. This apparently Bickened them, for their firing suddenly ceased. The firing of the enemy on this occasion was the heaviest and most accurate we have experienced, and their yelling was. terrific and enough to appal any tyro in bush fighting. They could not have numberedf,,far short of 100, and we only had 30 men 4 to oppose them, as more than half our number were employed escorting the prisoners and carrying the wounded, each of whom required at least six men to carry him. Nothing could have exceeded the gallantry of the officers and men. Captain Newland was übiquitious, and encouraged the men by his example. His pluck, and the cool manner m which he stalks about in the heaviest fire is proverbial. Our gallant major had a narrow escape, a button of his coat having been shot off. The attacking force was 120 strong. The casualties were, Volunteer Wright, and Private Green, mortally wounded ; and Cornet, Hurtzel, Trooper Noonan, Volunteer Spencer, and Private Manihira, severely wounded. From 40 to 50 Hau-Haus were killed, all the whares, powder and 20 to 30 stand of arms burned.