THE NATIVE WAR

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 27, 4 March 1865, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR

GREAT VICTOEY by the FEIENDLY NATIVES at WANGANUI.

By a special messenger from Wanganui, intelligence reached Wellington, on Monday evening, of a fierce engagement having taken place between the friendly natives and the rebels, some distance up the river. As far as we can gather the particulars, which are rather loosely given, yesterday week the loyal natives, 400 in number, under the command of Meti Kingi, attacked two pahs which were protected by rifle-pits, both of which they carried, and drove the enemy into the bush, with the loss on the side of our allies of only two wounded, one of whom, however, John Williams, a chief of great influence, has since died ; while the rebels sustained a loss of twenty-nine killed, and seventy-five prisoners, and among the latter was Pehi, the rebel leader.

The following despatch from General Mete Kingi, giving an account of the engagement, is translated by the Government Interpreter, Mr. Woon, from the original. To Major Dubie, to Mr. Watt, to Mr. Wateeb, and to all the European Gentlemen.

On the 24th of this month, General Mete Kingi gave orders to the soldiers to commence the fight, and the chiefs Kawana Paipai, Katene Kuihi, Aperaniko, Toma, and Pama, got up and consented to give battle : these were the chiefs that assaulted two pahs, and took them, killing three, -viz., Heremia, Heta, and another unknown ; the chief that was slain was Te Tawhero, son of Topine Te Mamaku. The 400 then all rose to do battle in the space of one hour, and the enemy fled into the bush, the eurvivors remaining in the large pah, which we surrounded. Pehi's wife came out with a white flag, and the firing of the soldiers was ordered to cease, when they made oyer to üb, namely, Pehi, Topia, Tahana. Do you write to the General, and convey this intelligence to Colonel Logan. From your friend, from Hoei Kingi Mete Kingi ' Apebaniko Haimona Toma. Iruharama, February 25. There is no other news of importance from Wanganui. General Cameron was at Patea with a small force, but the only occurrence of any note was the shooting of an outlying picket. The Governor, who has arrived in Wellington in H.M.S.S. Esk, called at Patea on his way from Auckland, and slept one 1 night on shore there.