ATTACK ON TE KOOTI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1901, 18 February 1870, Page 6

ATTACK ON TE KOOTI.

10 HAUHAUS KILLED, 15

WOUNDED.

THREE FRIENDLY NATIVES SEVERKLT WOUNDED. ESCAPE OF TE KOOTI TO THE UELWERA COUNTRY. COLONEL PHASER ARRESTED.

The Sturt brings us the account cf a eniarfc nnci successful attack by our troops upon Te Kooti. It appears that on Monday last 'IV Kooti and his forces in beating their retreat, from Tauran'jra, came to the Kntorua Pa, which is garrisoned by Lt. Mair, with a force of sixty friendly natives. Te Kooti and those with him, amongst «horn were Kereopa and Ifakariah, representing them.«elrcs to be friendly natives, asked permission to pass the women and children of the party, while the parleying was going on, making good their progress. By some means it became suspected that the party was Te Kooti's, and Lt. Mair, the only European present, at once took measures for an attack. A fight at once took place at close quarters, when the enemy left ten dead on the Geld, and had fifteen, more or less, wounded ; amongst the latter being Kereopa, and a half-casto named Baker, a notorious ruflian, who wns Te Kooti's interpreter and bugler, and who came with him from the Chatham Islands. As this fellow was talking to Mr. Mair one of the friendlies ran up to him, and gave him the coup du grace, declaring that ho was a worse ruffian than Te Kooti. The natives consider the killing of this man Balcer as a great exploit. Macdonnell was to be joined at once by all the forces, and it wis expected that he would overtake Te Kooti yesterday.

Wo understand that Colonel Praserhas been placed under arrest, at Taurauga. for allowing To Kooti to pass that district.

Tho following is the official , account ot tho affair, for which wo are indebted to tho courtesy of the Defence Minister :—

" The Sturt arrived from Tauranga this afternoon, bringing intelligence that «n encounter lias tnken place between a body of Arawas under Lieutenant Gilbert Mair. and a party of Tβ Kooti'.s followers commanded by Kereopa. Lieutenant iVTair, hrnring that Te Kooti was in ailvimcc, inndo a forced march tv'ith such o! his men ns wero able to follow" him. After marching many miles without any brenki'ast they came up will* the enemy, who Continued liis retreat, occasionally charging tho pursuers.

" Lieut. Mair, with only 130 Arnwas, followed as long as ho was able to do so. Tin? enemy's loss is stated to be 10 killed and 15 wounded; among the latter it is reported that ICereopaisincluded. Three of tho Kfltih'aua killed wero recojtni.<ed as i hatham Island prisoners; a halfoaste muned Baker, also from the Chatham Islands, died of his wounds. The loss on our .side was three wounded, one, it is supposed, mortally."