IMPORTANT PROM WAIROA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 702, 13 January 1866, Page 3

IMPORTANT PROM WAIROA.

A HAUHAU PA TAKEN, AND TWELVE

NATIVES KILLED.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN HUSSEY-.

[From the HawWs Bay Herald, Dec. 30.]

Captain Biggs arrived, yesterday, overland from Wairoa, bringing news of hostilities having commenced ; of the first of the enemy's fortinoatious having been carried by assault ; and of ten of its defenders having been killed. .Unfortunately, this Buceess was not achieved without the loss of a gallant officer, Captain Hussey, of the Taranaki Military Settlers, who was shot dead while leading his men to the assault --the fatal bullet having entered his spine. Two friendly natives were also amongst the slain; and two men of the colonial forces were seriously wounded — Corporal Hayes and private Holliugsworthj both of the T.M.S.i, and both doiag well. We have already mentioned that, on Saturday, tho 23rd inst., Major Fraser and force under his command left Wairoa, the force advancing the iSime day to within a few" miles of the enemy's position, and remained there till Monday. Marched early on that day and found tho first pa evacuated— time not having permitted the Hauhaus to finish it. About 12 or 14 miles up the river — the country being rough and inaccessible — a pa or kainga called Maruhakeke was reached abont 3 p-.ra. It was garrisoned by about 150_ men j the Hauhatt flag waved over it j and a flag of truce was contemptuously disregarded-. An immediate attack \as fiereupon ordered. The attacking force consis.ed of 100 of the Hawke's Bay and Taranaki military settlers, and about 100 natives under Ihaka Whaanga— • Kopu, witk a party of his own men, following detached parties of the enemy who were soen on the hills. The assault was led by the gallant Hussey, who is said to havo rushed in in advance of hia men. He was shot dead as he entered; also one friendly native. No sooner did thii take place than the pa was rushed in gallant style^ — Lieut. Sti George having been first to enter. The enemy flew out undlr cover of the river bank, but sustained considerable loss — twelve bodies having afterwards been seem Captain Biggs and Lient; Bear had been detached to a position ' inland of the pa, where they were enabled to cut off several of the enemy while retreating. We loam that Mr. Towgdod, who accompanied tho expedition as a volunteer, kept encouraging the men, and was close to Captain Hussey when he was killed; When the enomy fled, Kopu joined in the pursuit, chasing them to the hills, aud killing several. Next morning at 2 o'clock a party under Cap. tain Biggs went along with Kopu's aud Ihaka's people, in hopes of being able to surprise the enemy, but did not succeed in getting at them, they having apparently fallen back. Kopu had a skirmish in the bush, and had two of his men wounded, one it was fearod mortally) He reported that the Hauhaus had retreated to a strong position on the hills. The St. Kilda arrived last eveniug, but Captain Kennedy had seen no one beside the pilot, and of course brings no additional news.