ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT AT EANGIAWAHIA, AND ANOTHER ERBEL DEFEAT.

Colonist, Volume VII, Issue 662, 1 March 1864, Page 3

ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT AT EANGIAWAHIA, AND ANOTHER ERBEL DEFEAT.

The rebels made good their retreat to Rangiawahia. At an early hour on the morning of the 22nd the General was apprised that 500 Ngatimaniapoto had joined with the Few native inhabitants, who had returned to that place after the skirmish of the previous dny, and were prepared to do battle baldly aßainst the. furee under his command. The Jieary firing going on all morning in the direction ot Kangiawahia went far to prove that the rebels had really mustered there in ereat force, and by the volleys discharged were desirr us of intimating to the General that they had powder and shot galore •—ontwasintendedtorender unpleasant the position taken up by our advanced picket of 200 men about half-way between head-quarters and Rangiawahia. Whatever .may have been the cause of the firing, a large body of troops was mustered about eleven o'clock, and marohod to the summit of the lull occupied by tho picquet. The outsentries were continuously exchanging shots with Maoris concealed in the fern, most of whom appeared armed with rifles, and decidedly good aim was made at long range, the bajlsjiitching unpleasantly near groups of spectators on tho hill top who little imagined that the puffs of white smoke rising up from the fern n considerable way off was a warning signal that a shot had been discharged at them. A large number of natives were seen passing backwards and forwards on the dusky tracks of road, and others were busily employed digging potatoes and securing other stores. After reconnoitering the place for a short time, the General ordered the troops, who had been concealed from view behind the creat of tho hill, to retiro £m*r n*i c i Awamutu > which wal accordingly done. Xfie 70111 alone remained on the rise of the hill. About an'hour having clasped and the camp begun to assume its quiescent state, when the bugles again Bounded for every man to stand to arms; and the word passed from mouth to mouth that the picquot on the lull was in imminent danger of attack, and liead-quarters also were to be assaulted. Detachment of the 50ih Regiment, 65th, the Forest -Hangers, and cavalry, with two six-pounder guns, were immediately despatched towards Rangiawahia, and. on the line of route were joined by the 70th. On gaining, the summit of the hill, fire was opened by the rebels from an acacia grove; and the cavalry dashed onwards, with the view of surrounding thenvwhile the infantry pressed forwards in front. Two or three exceedingly heavy,volleys «(tUe. cavalry as, they thunder^ aloog^ and, the,

rebels then fell back upon their reinforcements, and retired to a slope of the opposite hill, on which the settlement was placed. Here a post and rail fence, dividing two paddocks, had been considerably strengthened by palisades and supports. An old ditch had been operated upon with the view of forming rifle-pits, and earth thrown up from the other side of the frame was intended to form a parapet. An extensive undertaking was evidently in contemplation, and considering that one days labor only had been expended on the ground, the amount of work performed spoke volumes of praise of the zeal and and assiduity of the laborers. This incipennt redoubt appeared to have been fixed upon as the rallying point for all outsiders, but luckily the protecton afforded was of a very slight nature indeed. On the retirement of the rebels towards the ditch the cavalry made a detour to the left flank of the enemy's position—the nature of the ground not.permitting them to follow up the Maoris. The order was given for the 50th to fix bayonets and charge, and with a loud cheer the brave fellows dashed on through the tall fern, keeping a splendid line under the galling fire poured upon them by the rebels in the ditch. When they arrived within about twenty yards from the paling, the Maoris gave a parting volley, and one and all able to move leapt from their cover, and hurriedly retreated, but apparently in good order. The ditch was taken by the 60tn, when a short delay took place, to enable the companies to reform, and the 65th and Forest Rangers secure their positions. A second charge was then ordered to be made, and with another cheer the soldiers lushed at headlong pace towards another covering which a number of Maoris had availed themselves of, but who quickly saw the inutility of contesting its occupation. Immediately on the rebels being noticed to fall back, the cavalry were directed to cut off their retreat, if possible, and as they gallopped after the foe, the infantry lustily cheered them on passing. To the valuable services of the cavalry on this occasion, a considerable proportion of the dead, so far as numbered, has been ascribed. The rebels appear to have been followed for about arnile and a half through the country in rear of the village before the recall was sounded. There does not appear to have been any correct estimate obtained of the actual loss of the enemy, and it may be several days before anything bordering on a truthful statement of killed and wounded can be secured. Taking the mean of numbers reported killed, 29 might bo said to have been added to the continually decreasing list of Kingites; but this does not include those killed by the 50th, who. it will be seen, bore the brunt of "the affair, and the 70th. | Two prisoners have been brought in, one being an old chief of some not«, named Paora Pipi. The General afterwards briefly addressed the detachment of the 50ch on their meritorious conduct, and at the same time informed.them that it was his intention to give orders that they should remain at: Rangiawahia to guard the place from again being occupied by the rebels, who would be pursued through the country until conceding to the terms proposed by Government. The troops, with |tho exception of the 50th, then returned to Te Awamutu, bringing with them an exceedingly large nnmber of pigs, poultry, rabbits, and esculent vegetables, spears, mats, long*and short handled tomahawks, greenstones, guns, cartouche boxes, cooking utensils, clothing, ifec., —scarcely a soldier returning without some trophy of victory. A large number of bullocks were also secured arid driven in, eleven of which were discovered to have strayed a week or so ago from Te Roro, having been there used for commissariat carnage. Upwards of 20 horses, including foals, must have been looted, some of which appear well fitted for any amount of work as hacks.

Our losses are two killed, viz., Serjeant William Hawkins, 50th Regt., and Private Tuck, Royal Artillery, and 17 wounded, namely. Ensign Dovetail of 50th. dangerously shot through'back, and Lieutenant Fagan, 65th regiment, severely in leg, and three non-commissioned officers, and 12 privates, wounded mostly slightly.

The General is pressing hard on the heels of the rebels. He proceeded on 23rd to Kihikihi, which is about four miles from Te Auarnum, and is the village residence of the rebel chief Rewi, where there was a King flag flying. The flagstaff was burned and bo also what is an equivalent to a Government building beside it. The land in this district is described as exceedingly rich, and the crops abundant. _ While the General had been absert with the expedition, a Maori chief named Toitoi (who visited England on the occasion of tho return of tho Novara,'frigate) arrived in camp, bearing a ring of truce. He was said to be an embassy from the rebels, who were anxiously desirous of making peace. They had profited by the lesson afforded on Sunday and Monday, and did not feel solicitous again to meet the soldiers on a field of battle. The General has sent a letter in reply to the ambassador's application, but of course, its purport has not beon made public.

Information has reached camp that Mr. Chitham's house has been burnt by natives. Colonel Nixon and other officers and soldiers wounded are reported to be progressing favorably.