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West Coast Times, Issue 6185, 8 April 1886, Page 4

vlded with everything, had a year before failed most completely to make any impression on the natives. He had demanded 2000 more men, and Governor Grey had refused to ask tbe Imperial Government for them, an irrcpaiable breach between the Governor and the General resulting. Thenativ s regarded the soldiers wini n contempt, and settlers ; and stragglers were being murdered on all sides. General Chute determined to traverse the coun'ry, attack the Maori? in their stronghold*, and restore the prestige of the British arms. Through Dr Featherston's influence, the natve contingent under Major MD nnell joined the expedition, 280 strong, and the rest of the force consisted of Forest Rangers and detachments of the Royal Artillery, and of the 14th. 18th, 50th and 57th Regiments, in all something about 600 men. A start was made from Wanganni on the 30th December. 1865, and on the 3rd January M'Donnell and his men captured Ohinemutu. Onthefollowingday Okotuku fell, and on the 7th Putoki was captured. Otopawa, Ketemarai and other strong holds fell in rapid succession after severe fighting, and on the 17 ih of January General Chute and his small force entered the dense bush determined to force a passage behind Mount Egmont through to New Plymouth. Tho difficulties encountered were enormous, and a steady downpour of rain for four days added to them ; but all hands, officers, natives and men, worked with a will, cutting a road through^tue bush. On the 2 1st all their provisions were exhausted, pave a little wet biflcnit and a smill quantity of rum. They then killed one of the transport horses, and eat it, the heart being cooked for General Chute himself. A small party under Captain Leach and Knsign M'Donnell pushed on on tbe 22 id of January, and succeeded In reicning tbe outposts in Taranaki, wbea partus of the 43rd and 68 h Begiments went out to me t the General and to convoy supp'ie?, but it was not until tho 25th of January that the troops emerged from the forest on the Taranaki s'Oe of Mount E^m >nf. On entering New Plymouth the Siperintendent met General Chut-, and piesented him with an address. Tbe return march was comparatively eiay. The natives could scarcely believe that such a feat bad been accomplished by tbe troop?, and their constant de f ea's and the capture of their pahs, hitherto deemed impregnable, completely cowel them, to that peace was Boon restored, for a time at least. Dr Featherston shared all the dangers of the march, and, as General Chute said, rendered invaluable service, aid " was always to be seen in the thickest of every fi^ht wiih a genial smile upon his countenance." Major (no>v Lieutenant-Colonel) M'Donnell was severely wounded ia tbe thigh ia one of the early engagements, but refused to go to tbe, rear and be accompanied the force right through. It is well that incidents such as these should not be for* .go'ten or unknown, aud what we have stated will show how much this colony owed to ihe brare soldier who. full of years and of honors, ' has recently passed away. «_„ „ __„„„„_„