THE ENGAGEMENT AT TAURANGA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XII, Issue 622, 2 July 1864, Page 3

THE ENGAGEMENT AT TAURANGA.

'The following despatch, with its enclosures, from Lieutenant-General Sir Duncan A. Cameron, X.C.8., was "published on Saturday in a General Government Gazette : — Head-Quarters, Auckland, June 23, 1864. Sir — I have groat satisfaction in forwarding to your Excellency the enclosed account of an engagement between the troops under command of Colonel Greer, 68th Regiment, and tho rebels at Tanranga, in which the latter were defeated with great loss. Our own loss was small, considering the number engaged, the heavy fire to which they were exposed in advancing to the attack, and the resistance made by the enemy in their rifle-pits. This very successful action reflects the greatest credit upon Colonel Greer and the troops under his command, who fought with tho greatest gallantry. * I have, &c, , v D-. A. Cameron, Lieutenant-General. His Excellency Sir G. Grey, K.C.B. Camp Te Papa, Tauranga, June 21, 1864. Sir — I have tho honor to report, for the information of the Lieutenant-General Commanding, that I marched ont of camp with a force as per margin*, this morningj at 8, a.m. I found a large ' force of Maoris (about 600) entrenching ,themselves about 4 miles beyond Pakehinahina. They had made a single line of riflepits of the usual form across the road, in a position exactly similar to Pukehinahina — the commencement of a formidable pa. Having driven in some skirmishers they had thrown out, I extended the 43rd and a portion of the 68th in their front and on the flanks as far as practicable, and kept np a sharp fire for about two hours, while I sent back for reinforcements as per margin.f As soon as they were sufficiently near to support, I sounded the advance, when the 43rd, CSth, and Ist Waikato Militia charged, and carried tho rifle-pits in the most dashing manner, under a tremendous fire, but which was for flic moßt part too high. For a few minntes the Maoris fought desperately, and then were utterly fouted. 68 were killed in tho riflepitp. The position was very favorable for their retreat, otherwise few could have escaped. Tho Defence Force pursued them several mile?,

* 3 field officers, 9 captains, 14 subaltern?, 2 i sergeants, 13 bnglers, 531 rank and file, t 1 gun, 220 men.

btufe could not got well at thorn, owing to tho deep ravines with which tho country is everywhere tersected.The infantry pursued as long as fjhoy. could keep the Maorisin sight. All did their duty gallantly. The 43rd were under the command of Major Synge (whose horse was shot) ; the 68th under Major Shuttleworth ; the lßt Waikato Militia under Captain Moore : and they each led their men well. It is impossible for me in this hurried report to do justice. I will therefore have the pleasuro, in a supplement report; to bring those to your notice who more particularly distinguished themselves. I marched the men back to camp this morning. 107 Maoris were found and carried up to the rifle-pits, and we have brought in 27 wounded, aH severely, and 10 prisoners. Many more must have been killed in tho ravines, whom we did not find. L enclose a return, which shows that a large number of chiefs have been killed, including Rawiri. I am happy to say our casualties have been comparatively small. I enclose a return of the killed and wounded. I must must not conclude without remarking *>n the gallant stand made by the Maoris at tlje riflepits ; they stood th!e charge without flinching, and did not retire until, forced out at the p : oint of fhe bayonet. . The name of the position which the Maqris occupied is "To Ranga." ' ' ; I have thought" this of sufficient importance' to request Captain PhilUmoreto-'take my report up in tho Esk. ' ' * r " I havej Ac, H. H. Greek. Colonel commanding Tauranga District. The Deputy Quartermaster-General. Head-Quarters.

Memorandum. The casualties among the rebels in the engagement fought this day at Te Ranga were — Killed .... 105J Wounded ... 27 Prisoners ... 10 142 Among tho former are Hawiri Tuaia, the principal King chief of Tauranga, and the leader of the rebels at the Gate pa ; Poihipi, of the Whahatohea tribe (Bay of Plenty) ; Henare Taratoa, the writer of the first challenge, and much respected by the rebels for his education and ability ; Timoti, a man of note in Tauranga ; Kaingarara, of the Ngatiraatakn Kotoma, a man of great influences in that locality. Among the wounded is Te Tera, of the Ngaiterangi, Tauranga ; and among the prisoners Ihaia Motniti, of Te Arawa, Potoma, claiming to bo a chief of rank. It will be seen that a severe blow has been given to the rebel force in Tauranga, nearly the whole of their leaders being killed. And Ido not think that there are any men left of sufficient energy or influence to carry on tho war among the Ngaiterangi (Tauranga) Tribe. William B. Baker, R.M. Camp Te Papa, Tauranga, Juno 21, 1804. % 107 were reported to me. — H.H.G., Colonel.