THE MAOKI WAE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 154, 9 November 1868, Page 3

THE MAOKI WAE.

ANOTHER BATTLE. COLONEL WHITMORK BEATEN ONE OFKICKR AND SIX MEN KILLED, TVVJSN IT-ONE WOUNDED, TWELVE MISSING. Wellington, This Day, 11.21 am. The following is from a Wanganni Times Extra received this morning. Ifc is dated Saturday evening. Caytain Noake had ridden from Wereroa with the intelligence : — J^KOkotuku was attacked at 8.30 this rooming, by Colonel Whitmore, with a force of 300 Europeans and 80 friendly Natives. The majority of the latter djiLiUot turn out when required. £ The eriemy waa'iifvery-Bfrong force, and Htrongly posted. An admirable movement was made by Colonel Whitmore. While the advance forces were attacking the enemy, his reserve threw up an earthwork for the attacking force to retire behind, in case ifc should be required. It eventually proved of essential service. j^^teT~a~~fierce contest, finding bin casualties very heavy, and no prospect of gainiug any advantage by continuing the attacfc, Colonel Whitmoie retired, curryiug away all the wounded that could be aeen^ The iUuropeans, including the reinforcements lauded iv Wanganui on Thursday last, behaved nobly. Kemp, and about 50 or 60 of his Natives, fought well, and elicited well-merited prai.se from their European comrades. Major Hunter died while being carried off the field. Nearly all our casual tie» happened whilst attacking the pa. After a hard contest there, oar men were on the point of taking ifc, and made certain of doing so, when the enemy received a Btrong reinforcement, and our men were compelled to retire. The retreat was covered by a strong party, who did good execution upon such of the enemy as joined in the pursuit. The enemy pursued our men to within a short distance of the Weraroa redoubt, when two rounds from the Armstrong guns compelled them to retire. Colonel Whitmore was preparing to renew the attack next morning. The following list of casualties is a heavy one, and will bring Borrow into many households: — Killed: Major Hunter, shot through femoral artery ; Sergeant Kirwan ; five men of the Armed Constabulary. Wounded : Twenty-one men, including seven j uativea. Missing : Twelve. I