The Taranaki Herald. NEW PLYMOUTH, MARCH 31, 1860. THE BATTLE OF WAIREKA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 400, 31 March 1860, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. NEW PLYMOUTH, MARCH 31, 1860. THE BATTLE OF WAIREKA.

The sad and harrowing events of the week obscure for a time the defeat with heavy loss of a large body of Taranaki and Ngatiruauui rebels by a combined military and civil force organised for a different object. Nearly all the people had removed into town in consequence of the turbulence of the natives, residence in the country district, especially that of Omata, being deemed most hazardous. The most painful rumours weie afloat, yet short of the reality. In a word, five of our people, including two helpless boys, had been waylaid and savagely butchered in the abandoned village of Omata, within half a mile of our stockade. The victims appear to have been indiscriminately fallen upon, and they met their terrible doom not with arms in their hands, but engaged in industrial and peaceful pursuits. An intolerable feeling of uncertainty existed as to the safety of one or two remaining families in Omata who imprudently remained at their homes until — thc-dTßtrrctTrn-armcd-iTitlr-rebclß,— and communication with the town was cut off. An expedition consisting of troops, blue jackets and Taranaki Rifles and Militia was organised for the relief of these families. The volunteers and militia took a direct cue to the intended destination across the sand hills at Moturoa, but they had baiely toiled up these when the lebels showed themselves in force and opened fire. The engagement subsequently raged in the gul lies and copses of Waireka which with the flax bushes afforded extraordinary cover to the enemy. The deadly rifle was doing its work, but ammunition was failing and the position becoming critical when the military and naval forces which had kept the Omata road open attracted by the firing arrived and afforded for the time the anxiously looked for relief. Our present purpose is to add our testimony to the gallant behaviour of a hitheito untried force, the Taranak^, Volunteer Rifles and Militia, _32ias.e,£steady fire and resources before a savage and expert foe has received the iiarm testimony of His Excellency the Governor and of the Commander of the Forces. It could be, of course, no part of the original plan, however desirable it was otherwise, to hold the giound so well fought for and won, the military and naval forces (the latter having been strengthened by Capt. Cracroft in peison with additional hands from the Niger) weie withdrawn to town, but the non-airival hour after hour of the civil force, or of any reliable tidings of it, occasioned the most painful anxiety for its fate, so much so that a relief party of military, bluejackets, militia, and rifles started shortly before midnight, but it had not pi oceeded far before the missing force made itself known in the distance, and the whole leturned to town amidst the liveliest demonstrations. The plan of operations was that the militia and rifles should outflank the position of the natives and proceed at once to execute the service intrusted to them, the soldieis and blue jackets halting in front at the cross loads of Moturoa and Omata, instead of this they hnd to bear the brunt of the engagement, and when nothing but their own courage remained to support and cheer, the position was intienched and fortified with every thing at hand until favoied by darkness they were enabled to affect their ratrcat to town. The numbers engaged in this memorable affair wore Maoiics 800, British 275.

We are inclined to think that the engagement of Wednesday will make the lebels shy of trying their strength again with us. Their defeat was signal and their loss in men unexampled. In an engagement of their own seeking with a force nearly half composed of civilians they have been routed and broken, and what has been once done can be repeate'l. The land which was to be the base of their operations, they have hastily decamped from, and the avenging Niger has followed on their track and shelled the rebel settlement of Warea.

JOURNAL of events since Saturday, 24th March, to the time of publication. Saturday, March 24. — This morning news was brought that several hundred natives, estimated by some at 800 and by others at 1000, Taranaki and Ngatirua nui combined, are on their way to the Ratapihipihi, Manahi's place — the advanced guard of which, about 70, had already arrived, and (lanced the war dance there. It is reported that they intend to oieate a diversion in favor of W. Kingi by menacing the settlement in that direction. The Airedale soiled for Manukau this afternoon — passengers, C. W. Richmond, Esq., and Captain Steward. This evening about 9| p.m., cheering and singing was heaid on the Devon Line, and shortly afterwards 250 tioops from the camp at Wailara marched into town, with three guns, having been suddenly sent for for service early the next morning. Sunday.— Shortly after 1 a.m., 130 Taranaki Rifles and Militia mustered on receiving a cull for the purpose, and with 200 of the 05th regiment (several having arrived a few hours pteviously fiom Waitara) under Lieut. Colonel Munay, marched for Ratapihipihi, the natives having already commenced cattle and sheep killing, and committed other depredations in the neighbourhood. The force fiom unavoidable causes did not leave town until nearly 4 and reach the ground before daylight, as it was the natives were suipii»ed. The Volunteers, led by Major Herbeit, foimed the advance, and advanced in skumishing order under Captain Stapp within hearing and sight of the natives befoie they were obsetved. An order on no account to engage the rebels in the forest having been issued before the expedition started, the former fell back upon the troops in good order without provoking attack. The plan for this particular service was well laid and would have cut off the natives and placed them between the fire of the tioops and militia who were to have reached the enemy by difFeient roads. Monday. — A great many shots were heard this morning at the Ratapihipihi and in the bush, supposed to be the insurgents welcoming others arriving. It is stated that the Ngatiruanui and Tnrannki tribes intend to stay at the rear of the town, and have already commenced building a pa on a commanding hill on Mr Bui ton's land, Mountain Road. They say they will not proceed to Waitara for the pi esont, but stay and encompass the town. W. King's people will probably make some movement at Waitara, whilst these Tarannkis aie supposed to keep our hands full in town. However, the camp is well protected, and impiegnable to maori attack. It is now very neeessaiy that a strict watch should be kept, and if an attack should be made at any point, all the force should not be sent to that point, as the natives would attack from different points. Several Volunteers and Militia sent out to erect small stockades on different positions, dig rifle pits, and strengthen the Kawau pa. The Tasmanian Maid, with provisions, ammunition, &c, steamed to Waitara, which she safely enteied. 25 blue jackets were put on boaid to protect her while she lies in the river. This little steamer is admirably adapted for the purpose of running to and fiom the river, and now the communication by land is stopped by the lebels will be extremely us.'ful. H.M.S.S. Niger airived to day from Manukau with 30 of the 05th under Quarter Master Withers. The Rev. Mr Wollast^n, who came in this evening from the camp, reports that Sarten is dead. From the first his wound was considered mortal as the ball went in near the left hip and was cut out from his light breast, and it was a wonder he lingered so long. Poor fellow ! His life was thrown away. He was a fine, robust, and steady young man, the eldest son of a large family, and his untimely end has cast a gloom over our community. The other day he was to be seen active and full of spirits on his horse a voluntary member of the mounted escort — >• and now he is gone to his account the first civilian victim to a maori bullet ! Mr.

Wollaston was stopped by a party in ambush on the road on his return, and his sacred calling 1 alone saved him from the tomahawk ! 500 Taranakis and Ngatiruanuis are reported at Hauranga, about nine miles from town, who intend coming on to-mor-row as far as Jury's hill, and there erect a large pa. Tuesday. — Intelligence brought into town that W. Kingi's natives are about building two large pas, one on Teira's land and the other outside the boundary. They are to be near one another, and to be built of puriri, and made, they imagine, impregnable to our guns. About 5 p.m. to day intelligence was brought into town of the most wanton and savage murder at Omata of three of our fellow settlers. From information we have been able to glean, Mr S. Ford, Mr H. Passmore, and Mr S. Shaw were on their way to different parts of the block, when after passing the Omata Inn they weie shot down by natives concealed behind a fuize hedge, and afterwards tomahawked ! Mr Ford was going to see some sheep at Mr Grayling's farm, and had that morning ridden out to Moturoa with Mr George and purchased six of his bullocks. Ford alone proceeded, and on passing the Omata stockade was warned not to go on by several persons. Mr H. Passmore was diiving out his bullock cart for puriii fencing. His bullocks were both shot in the head, and the yoke taken off and thrown into the hedge. Shaw accompanied Passmoie, and was believed to have been going to his farm to milk his cows. Information was given to the men at the stockade by W. Gilbert who had seen a body lying on the ground as he was going along the load, and galloped back and gave the intelligence. A party then proceeded to recover the bodies, and on arriving at the spot of this foaiful tiagedy found the thiee bodies lying within a few yards of each other, and a native in the act of taking off Mr Fold's coat. They fired at the native, but missed him, and he ran off". They found all quite dead. Indeed, with the exception of Shaw, Ford and Passmore must have died instantaneously, as they were both shot through the head. Shaw had evidently struggled for some time. Passmoie and Shaw were both tomahawked about the head. This fearfal and cruel murder has filled every heart with sorrow and commiseration for the beieaved. Mr Fold is a settler of many years standing and has a laige family dependant upon him. He carried on an extensive native trade, and hence, no doubt, his appaient indiffeience in going to wheie he knew aimed natives were stationed. Passmore is a married man without family. Shaw is also a married man, and has left a widow and two children to deplore his untimely and dreadful end ! Two boys, named Pote and Parker, are missing, and great fears are entertained for their safety. Wednesday. — News just come into town that the two boys Parker and Pote have been tomahawked by the Maoris, one ivith his head neaily cut off with a tomahawk. The Rev. Mr Brown, who is still at Omata, some miles from town, found the two illfated lads in the bush in their gore ! The bodies were all brought into the military hospital, and the horrible sight awakens feelings of the keenest revenge, and a desire that the savage perpetrators of the brutal minders and all leagued with them should expiate their dark deeds with their lives. No. 10 company of the Csth, commanded by Colonel Murray, 25 blue jackets under Lieut. islake, and 102 volunteers and militia, proceeded to-day to rescue Mr Brown's family and others. Befoie the departure of the volunteers they were drawn up and addressed by the Governor in a few cheering words on the nature of their duties, and the hopes he placed on their giving a good account of themselves. The alarm signal was given by the firing of two guns from Marsland Hill, which brought all the inhabitants into town. CO blue jackets with their gallant captain and a 24-inch rocket tube and rockets landed about this time from the Niger, and encamped on Mount Eliot. Not very long after the departure of the volunteers a messenger arrived with the news that they were attacked in great force by the rebels on Major Lloyd's and Messrs M'Kellar's farm, whereupon the Niger's men with their rocket tube immediately started off to join in the engagement. Report after report came as the day advanced as to how the engagement was going on. Soon intelligence arrived that Sergeant Fahey of the militia was killed, and the gallant Lieut. Blake, R.N., severely wounded ; that the volunteers were hotly engaged and were running out of ammunition and were surrounded until succoured by the soldiers and sailors ; that many natives

were killed ; but no other casualty on the part of our brave band of colonists. The excitement was unexampled, the relatives and connexions of those hotly engaged with a savage foe were to be seen in great distress. When night closed in the company of military returned, and also a party of blue jackets with the wounded. Intelligence came in that the blue jackets under Captain Cracroft, after firing a few rockets into it, had gallantly stormed the maori pa on Jury's hill, and had killed many of the inmates and captured the rebel flags. About eight the sailors came in bringing into town with them the flags, and were heartily cheered by the people. The volunteers were said to be surrounded by the maoris in Jury's house near the bench, and great fears were entertained for their, safpty.; indeed it was supposed at one time they were all butchered, as it was said they had no ammunition. Immense excitement prevailed in town. A volunteer force of soldiers, blue jackets, and militia were despatched about 11 p.m., but they had not long gone when great cheering announced that the forces had met each other. Right about face was the order given, and the whole reached town amidst the roars of applause that greeted them from all sides. It was calculated that at least 50 or 60 natives were shot — indeed it was difficult to say how many, as in many places in ravines and gullies they were lying thick. The rifles told upon them, and throughout the pngagement good practice was made upon the daik foe, and the gashed bodes in the hospital gave sternness and determination to each man engaged against them. The casualties on our side are — Naval Biigade. — Lieut. Blake, wounded severely 1 corporal of marines killed 3 blue jackets wounded Gsth regiment. — 2 soldiers wounded Taranaki Rifles. — Lieutenant Hammerton wounded, Privates F. Rawson, do., J. Hawken, do., Vf. Messenger, do., P. Inch, do., W. Bayly, do. Militia.— Sgt. Fahey, killed, W. Oliver, wounded, J. Climo, do. And thus ended the battle of the Waireka. Many were the narrow escapes experienced by the Rifles ; some had balls through their clothes, another had the sling of his rifle cut in two, another had his bayonet bent nearly double by a ball. During the whole engagement the bullets from the enemy were flying like hnil, and the natives weie in swarms estimated at 800. These weie completely routed and sustained great loss, and allowed the gallant band of volunteers to mnkr 1 a good retreat after darkness set in. The volunteers were ably commanded by Captain Stapp. We speak the feeling of the entire corps when we say that no danger could be considered too great with such a leader. A great majority of the females and children slept in the barracks to-night. Few of the inhabitants in town however thought of retiring to rest until all had returned from the engagement, and it wag nearly 2 a.m. before the town gradually got quiet. A few of our friendly natives accompanied the volunteers, and one of them (Hoera of Moturoa) shot two natives dead. The wounded were all brought into town. Thursday. — All those engaged in yesterday's action siy that, what with those killed in the pa by the blue jackets, and natives killed in action, 100 or 150 natiies must be hors de combat. This morning great firing of guns was heard at the rebel camp, and great howling and yelling. They have also built another pa in the rear of the stockade on Jury's Hill, and seem prepared for war. Great and increasing appichension as to the safety of the Rev. Mr. Brown's family, and three other families at Omata, who are entirely at the mercy of the rebels. Poor Sarten, the trooper, who was wounded at the attack on W. King's pa was buried this afternoon by Archdeacon Govett in St. Mary's churchyard. A party of Volunteer Rifles fired over his grave. During his illness lie received the most unremitting attention in camp, and a large number of the troops and town people paid him the respect of joining in the funeral procession. Shaw, Passmore, .md the two lads, murdered by the savages, were also buried to-day. About 20 friendly natives proceeded to-day to asceitain the fate of Mr. Brown's family at Omata. On passing the stockade and arriving within sight of the rebels pa, on Jury's Hill, not a native was to be seen, and they descried Mr. Brown riding down the hill, and soon met him. From him they heard (which has been since confirmed by Tamati Wiremu) that the enemy had been occupied the most part of the day in picking up their killed and wounded, which took fourteen carts to carry away. All the principal Taranaki chiel'b had been killed in the action yesterday, viz. : Paora Kukutai, (the leading chief), Paratene Kopara, Perere Pakau, Taraia, Tawana Ngeu, Hatawha, Wata Temeia, (n Waikato), Hipurona, and many other natives of lesser note. The Ngatiruainii sustained great loss. Chiefs killed— Tc ll»na-

taiis, (principal chief of the ttibe), Iharaira Hami. A great number of this tribe have been killed and seveiely wounded, the numbers cannot be estimated. The following is a list of some of the wounded of both tribes as far as can be ascertained •— Parenga Kingi, (badly), Hohepa te Rata, (badly), To Reweti te la, (badly), Arama Karaka, Wipata, Mohi Tc Wai Wonga, Te Kowiti, (in the arm), a boy of Manahi's named Kereoma, a Ngatirnanui, (in the neck), Te Karira, a Ngatiruanui, (in the leg), Wi Rapa, (do. do.), Horomana lahuiangi, Paratene te Kntnanga. The enemy had all retreated to their homes to bury their dead — being thoroughly routed, and paralysed by their fearful losses— so effective was the fiie of our rifles. Friday.— Tamati Wiremu airived in town and confirmed the news leceived last night regarding the losses of the enemy on Wednesday. Mr. Biown's family all came in last night. It appears that the safety of Mr. Brown's, Mr. W. Cariiugton's and other families at Omata, was entirely owing to the. influence of T. Wiremu and Bob E. Rangi, who aie neutral. The natives are returning to their pas to bury the chiefs and house the wounded. At four "a.m. this morning the Harbour Master reached H.M.S. Niger with a lctier for Captain Cracioft "fiom His Excellency the Governor. In half-an-hour steam was got up, and the vessel on her way to Watea, abreast of which she anchored, a mile and a quarter off shoie, at nine o'clock. At this, time there was a heavy sea running with a high surf breaking on the beach lendeiing it quite im possible to land a party in the boats. Scarcely had the steamer anchored before a volley of musketry from the pa announced that the natives suspected the object of her visit. At three minutes past nine Big Ben delivered his opening addiess and the ten inch shell accompanied by a 21 pounder rocket fell five or six yaids from the point of the pa. The second rocket went slap into the middle of this \>a y and fiom the cloud of smoke raised it was at fiist believed that it had set fire to the whaies, but it failed to do so. Shell after shell established free ventilation and provided chiuinies at the smallest possible expense to the rebel proprietors, who, by this time, ivero supposed to have retieated tq, the war pas on the north side of the river, anoT the 32 pounder broadside guns threw shot and shell into them with beautiful precision, the captains of the guns being stimulated by a rewaid of five pounds to the marks, man who should floor the flag staff. Several shots were within a few feet of the maik. The distance being too great to set fire to the pa with the rockets it was deemed inexpedient to expend more shells. Up came the anchor and away steamed the Niger for Mokotunu, where the enemy had hoisted his colour! prioi to the firing, but on auiving abreast ol the pa as he had struck his flag it was considered useless to waste ammunition in destroying this miserable pa, and Captain Cracioft lesolved to return to the anchoiage, which was reached about 2 p.m. Although this expedition has not been attended by the l-esult that was anticipated its incomplete sue cess is solely attributable to the heavy S.W. swell which piecluded any nearer approach to the shore, it cannot fail to impiess the rebel iidtites wilh a sense of the insecurity of theii sea side, and to convince them that we can hariass them by landing an force in theii learys. It is said that it was the original intention of Ngatirnanui and Taranaki to go to Waitaia, but Manahi induced them to make the town their object ol attack, and it has happened that Manahi's traitorous conduct has been the means of our defeating them in a few hours which it would have taken peihaps months to have accomplished if the} had gone to W. King. It is also said that the rebels have plundered the houses of the settlers since theii arrival, and ,the survivors fiom the battle have gone back laden with spoil. Pool Fahey, the militiaman, was buried to day with militaiy honors. Mr Fold was also buiied to day. At Waitaia all is quiet. W. Kingi's party has been busily engaged erecting a stiong pa m the bush at Mataitaua.