NORTHERN NEWS. THE FIGHTING AT THE EAST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 715, 12 August 1865, Page 16

NORTHERN NEWS. THE FIGHTING AT THE EAST COAST.

{From the Wellington Independent.) After the many rumor 3 which have in circulation relative to affairs on the East Coast, it is satisfactory to learn the exact facts from the report of Mr M'Lesn, the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, -which was laid before the Assembly yesterday. It is as follows: — The Superintendent, Hawke's Bay, to the Honorable Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Napier, 26th July, 1865. Sir — I have the honor to acquaint you that I proceeded in H.M.S. Eclipse to the East Cape, with the party of military settlers -who were detached from Napier to aid the Chief Morgan against Patara and the Hau-hau confederates. On the 13th inst., the military settlers, -fifty in number, commanded by Captain jFraser, were landed at Te Awanui, about three miles south of Waipu, They marched to Morgan's pah that night, accompanied by a party oi friendly Natives who came from Waipu to meet them. The Chief Morgan came on hoard at Awanui, and informed me that the women of his tribe taken prisoners at Tiki Tiki, had been released, but that a nephew of liis who had been wounded in a previous engagement had been killed by the Hau Haus after entering Tiki Tiki, and cut to pieces in the most barbarous manner. Captain Freemantle used every exertion to get the military settlers landed, and while on shore superintending this duty, the Eclipse struck on a rock, not indicated on any charts. Alter landing the military settlers, a heavy gale set in, and the Eclipse sailed round the East Cape to Wbangaparaoa for shelter. I expressed to Captain Fretmantle a desire to land at Hick's Bay. On the 16th the Eclipse anchored there. The following day I supplied seventy-three stand of Titles and ammunition to natives of this place, who are most loyal. On the 19th the Eclipse anchored off Waipu, but the surf •was too heavy to communicate with the j shore; on the 20tb, I proceeded in the St. Kilda to Tuparoa, held a conference with the chief?, landed seventy- three stand of anns and ammunition, and returned to the "Eclipse with a native to point out the enemy's pahs near Morgan's, which were shelled from the Eclipse, the loss sustained "by the enemy as nearly as I can gather, was one killed and seven wounded. The shelling of the pahs, taken in con- 1 nection with some previous skirmishing | by the military settlers, volunteers and | iriendly natives, greatly disconcerted the enemy, w hose loss in killed and wounded •was considerable. Patara with one or two followers, left for Opctiki, avowedly to enlist additional support, but it is doubtful whether he will return to a place where he was met with such a warm reception. I enclose a i eport from Mr Deighton of two skirmishes with the Hau-Haus on the 18th and 19 th instant. From what I eculd gather from different sources, the loss of the enemy has been greater than Mr Deighton was aware of when writing. Much credit is due to Captain Fraser, and the officers and men who are iiow engaged against the enemy at Waipu; their coolness and bravery is much spoken of and appreciated by the native allies, who are most decided in their support of the Govern' ment. Having only arrived this afternoon I am unable to convey the full details of arrangements entered into with the friendly natives. I may briefly state that I have distributed all the arms and ammunition I received at Wellington to the several tribes in the vicinity of Waiapu and the East Cape ■whose loj'alty was reliable. I have also arranged a position to be taken up and garrisoned by them at Awanui, one of the best landing places, and made such other arrangements as appeared necessary to bring present hostilities to a successful issue. In furtherance of the present operations at the East Cape, I would earnestly urge upon the Government the necessity of taking measures for the occupation of Opotiki. The friendly natives fully expect that this will be done ; it will certainly be more easily effected now than at any future time ; while such a diversion would prevent the friendly natives from being outnumbered and cut up in detail, as they feared would have been the case at Waiapu if appeals for assistance had not been so promptly met by the Government. I have, &c, Donald M'Leajt. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. The skirmishes reported by Mr Deighton were trifling. On the 18th inst, the military settlers under Captain Fraser arrived at Camp Waipu, and a party of thirty were sent out to intercept some natives, -who were seen driving off Te Mokena's sheep, 'dome sharp tiring took place, ■which lasted till night-fall, two volun-. teers being wounded, and. the rebels sustaining a loss of 7 killed and several

wounded. Next day the rebels made| their appearance on the banks of the river, and despite a smart fire opened on them, which killed two and wounded ten, they effected a crossing, and took positions in all directions undercover. The European and loyal Native force retired to the pah, and an incessant firing was kept up on both sides. Several sallies were made Irom the pah, with very trifling loss, while it is supposed the rebels had several killed, including a chief, who was a near relative of Matutaera. It is not probable that Patara was in the fight at all, he having, it is said, left the day before to get reinlorcements. On the 22nd ult., the Hau-haus sacked two houses at Te Awanui, but with that exception, they had kept out of sight as much as possible, ever since the skirmishes.