ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NATIVES AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 37, 21 June 1845, Page 4

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NATIVES AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT. To the Editor of the Auckland Times. Thursday, May 1, 1845.— Started for Heki's :pa with the troops. When they reached the •ground selected for the rocket brigade, every 'thing was put in a proper train for firing the rockets into the pa. They were generally well directed, but the distance was too short to enable them to take effect. Thus pjir chief dependance for making a breach in the pa proved •unfortunately unsuccessful. The pa was strongly defended : Heki had taken great pains to render it impregnable to everything excepting artillery. -A large party of troops advanced and stormed a breastwork to the right of the pa, occupied by Kowaiti and his people. After having taken possession of this position, the troops commenced firing on the pa. It was returned by Heki's people, who were well under cover, and the engagement continued for some time, with nothing but an occasional interchange of shots. A heavy fire was kept up on the pa for some minutes previous to Kowaiti's approach to the rear of our men in the breastwork engaged with Heki's pa. The advance of the ambush was discovered by a native, who gave the alarm to v the troops. Our men immediately charged, firing as they advanced ; and it was at this time that the greatest loss was sustained on the part of Kowaiti. While the troops were charging j Kowaiti, Heki's party made a sally from the pa, and drove away a few of our men who were left in charge of the breastwork. It was retaken by the troops on their return from dispersing Kowaiti's people ; and, although exposed to a galling fire from the enemy, our men would not retreat, but maintained their position gallantly. They repulsed Kowaiti three several times, and, notwithstanding their critical and .dangerous, position, eventually retired in an orderly man- ; Tier to the main body. The Wounded- were brought over by some natives and the volunteers, who behaved very creditably on the occasion, and we -recovered two of our dead. l in the evening the troops, marines, and sailors, retired'to their encampment. The loss on our side amounted to 14 killed, and 37 wounded -; on the part of the natives, as near as could be ascertained, to 50 killed and 70 wounded.