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Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 89, 19 August 1846, Page 2

We have been much disappoined thut the Post Office Commissioners have left New Zealand without visiting any of the Cook's Straits settlements. They would have learned the grievous injury sustained by settlers here from their letters being forwarded from Sydney via Auckland, making the time occupied in forwarding a letter from England by this route vary from seven to nine months. For the increased time occupied, it is hut consistent : to charge an increased postage, and we are therefore fun her. taxed by a double postage. In colonies newspapers are, we believe, dlivered free, but in New Zealand two-pence each paper is charged for those which arrive via Sydney and Auckland. Tliia tax falls heavily on newspaper officea. Should a steam-vessel be established in the Straits, we shall be able to communicate promptly and rapidly, and, then at least, we hope the Government will alter the present very inconvenient Post Office arrangements.

We hear that the settlers at Nelson have set to work in anticipation of an in* creased demand for produce this year, and have now near three thousand acres in cultivation, of which nearly twelve hundred ;ire sown with wheat. The natives of Waikanao have working hard getting in wheat, under the direction of two settlrs. The settlers in the Hutt are also very busy, so that we have a prospect of an abundant harvest. Still the additional troops which may be expected to arrive, and the present increased consumption, will insure a good return For all.

The schooner Gipsy, Storey, raastef, arrived in port on Friday, from the East Goast. The natives were all quiet and peaceable, and employing themselves in preparing ground for wheat. On the voyage dovn, the JGipsy experienced very rough weal her, and was huve-too for eight days. Capt. Storey has furnished us with the following particulars from the whaling stations :--=•

At Cape Kidnapper, Morris , sla'inn, they have obtained about 13 tuns of oil, At Hawke's Bay, Smith's station, they have obtained about 2o tuns of oil. At this station more than 20 tuns of oil have been lost owing to the men refusing to go after the whales. This station has since been broken up, the men having muliuied and refused to wofk.

His Excellency Capt. Grey has laid the settlers hero unit r further obligation to him by the publication of a Government Gazette containing full accounts of the recent operations against the rebels, and by the honourable mention made in it of the settlers engaged. We congratulate the several officers named, on their good fortune, in having served in presence of one who cannot be prevented, by any circumstance, from doing justice to their merits. The Lieutenant-Governor lias much pleasure in directing the publication of the following Despatches from Major Last 99th Kegt., commanding the troops Southern District, detailing the nature of the recent operations against the rebels, by which they have been driven fro n all the strongholds they previously occupied in thi'9 portion of New Zealand, and have been compelled to retreat after losing some, and leaving in captivity several, of the disaffected chiefs. He will take care to represent, in the

strong forms which 'they merit, the «nf..' lan try which has bee'h oviiusod by Major' Last, and the officers and men of the co<nbined naval ami military force which waff engaged in these operations; the privations and fatijjues necessarily attendant . Upon the conduct of which, in so unfavourable a season of the year, were supported by all in a manner which deserves the warmest expression of-tlie Lieutenant-.' Governor's gratitude anil »|>probatiou. The liioutcant- Governor avails himself of the same opportunity of stating his entire satisfaction at the manner in which the officers and men of the Militia ot this district have acquitted themselves. The settlers have shown that they can use their arms well, that they are a most useful body of men in military operations in this country, and that-they are ready cheerfully to eneoftntor any dangers or difficulties. They may take anj'honest pride in feeling that they havVfully shbwrt that they possess those Qualities so fesst'htial to the men who emered upon the task of colo asiag New Zealand. When the inhabitants of a country caii thds'tefy.' upon their own efficiency arid cdura'tie, no fear need be entertained'for the safety of their homes and families. Nothing could have been more gratifying than the kind and friendly feelingevinced for each other by the settlers and large force of native allies tyhen serving si3e by side, a feeling which clearly show , ; ed that they are mutually attached to each ' other, that they felt they were one I bound together by common interests, and. were willing and able jointly to defend themselves against any enemy who should attempt to injure-either race. The Lieutenant Governor felt, in witnessing this most gratifying sight, that it constituted in itself a complete guarantee ior the ultimate tranquillity and prosperity of this part of New Zealand. To the numerous native chiefs tvho so nobly Came forward on this occasion, the Lieutenant Governor returns his thanks lor their services. The intercourse he ha 3 had with many of them will make him take a lasting interest in their welfare—and for the future he will watch over, and endeavour to promote, the progress of them;selves and their families in prosperity and the conveniences of civilized life, not only as Governor of the Colony, but as one wlio is personally interested in the welfare of men who have established sucli just and strong claims upon his esteem, By command of lira Excellency, thd Lieufenaot-Governor, M. Richm-jnd, perintend. nt. Wellington, Augus' 17, 1846, 9 a m.

Porirua, 4th August, 1846. Sir,—After frequent consultatiosn with your Ei« cellenoy since your arrival from Auckland relative to the movements of the Force under my command) particularly after the receipt of intelligence by the Government that a '. number of disaffeoted natives' had left Wanganui, and were moving down tbecdist with a view of forming a junction with Rarigihaeata, and the rebels at hi* pah of Paubatanui, in the nor* them branch of the Porirua river; and that this movement wai being made with the sanction and connivance of Te Rauparaha, and some disaffected chiefs of the Ngatitoa tribe residing in the immediate neighbourhood of our position, it was determined that an effort should be made to destroy thia party, or to induGe the Friendly natives on the coast to arrest Te Rauparaha, and the disaffected chiefs with him, in the event of obtaining further evidence against them • and, should these movements be attended with success, it would enable us to make an attack upon Rangihaeata and hie followers, without the apprehension of Te Rauparaha, or any evil disposed Ngatitoas aiding him ; and then, the pah at Pduliatanui could be regularly invested, and the rebels destroyed. To effect these objects, a combined naval end military force was embarked on board her Majesty's Steamer Driver, tfnder my command. We found it, however, impracticable to attack the Wangantfi natives as they proceeded down the coast, as gales of wind and excessive bad weather prevented the landing of the troops: but the rebels were precluded making a further progress than Ohau, as the friendly natives opposed them. The next movement, I ant happy to inform your Excellency, vrae completely successful, as, on th»'. morning of the 23rd ultimo, I disembarked beforef daylight, in boats of her Majesto's Steamer Driwr, with 1 officer and 30 men of the 58th Regt., 3 officers and 70 men.of the 99th llegt., 4 officers attd 30 men of her Majesty's Ship Calliope, accompanied by Captain Stanley, together with the Inspector (Capt. Durie of tbu Mi itia f ) and some . Armed Police, surrounded the pan, and accomplished our object without any collision, from the admirable steadiness of the whole party, bringing with Us Te Uauparaha, K-inae, Hoapu, and come others, who are now prisoners on board h«r M*j*sty's Ship Calliope, as well as disarmed the disaffected part of ihe tribe. Annexed is a list of the arms and ammunition taken at the time. Nothing now remained but toattick Rnngiliae»t a and the rebels at the pah at Pauhatanui ; for Shis obj«cr, after leaving 10d men to reinfurce ihe camp at Parramatta Point, the Driver returned to Wellington, in order, tbit the portion of the Calliope's crew which had embarked in tthe Driver miglit return on board, and that both ships, wi'h the detachment of the 65th Regt., just arrived from Sydnry r might return to Poriiua. On the 29ih ult., your Excellency received iiitel«

Ijgencc, which you did rite the horior to fconimrulcai , e - that Rangihaeata, alarmed u t the movements that were going on, had evaciiuied his pa, nni) fled ; but where was uncertain : it wae, however, supposed tbat himself and a few of his followers Were remaining in the vicinity of his former position. Apprehensions being entertained ih«.t the greater number of Rangihaeatu's followers n.ight have re. turned to the hill* in the neighbourhood of the Hutt, it wae considered unsafe to detach, for any length of time, a large body of trooos from Wellington, uatil the country between the Hutt district and Porirua harbour had been thoroughly reconnoitred. To accomplish thie, a mixed force of Mil tia, Armed Police, and Friendly Natives, were therefore ordered to move from the Hutt in the direction of Pauhatanui, sweeping the country as they went along, and either investing or taking possession of the pa on tbtir arrival, as opportunity offered. Asimultane. oiis movement was directed to be made by the troops under my command, which, I regret to say, was defeated, from Her Majesty's ship Calliope being Relayed from streee o? wealthier; but on our arrival) on the Ist inst'., we, found the movement of the HuttMilitia had be'ett su'ccessfuljhaving found the pa Evacuated, with the ekception of some scouts, one of which (an influential thief) they captured, and another chief was captured in the course of the Same evening by thre friendly natives* On the 2nd met., I proceeded to the pa at daylight, in boats supplied by Capt. Stanley of li. M. ship Calliopb, with Major Arney 58th," j officers and 160 rnen'of the kßth, 65th, and 99th Regts.j which on reaching," 1 found occupied by the Militia, Armed Police-, and Native Allies. On examining the pa| I found it built on a very strong positibh, having a double row of timber palisades, with trenches and traverses tcross> about 80 paces long-, and 35 broad, in the Bhape of a parallelogram, with flanking defences. I (There was also a bank of earth thrown up on the scarp-side of thfe trenches, which, owing to the heavy rain, were full of water. The position altogether is a very strong one, and would have been almost impregnable Without artillery; but a hill about 500 yards distant opposite the front face commanded it completely. Therefore, had the enemy remained, we might soon have dislodged them with our gunsj which were in readiness at Porirua, in command of Captain Henderson-, R A. The pa stands on a very high ground fronting the harbour ; at the foot of it runs a deep narrow creek firdableat low water; the ground about it is excessively swampy, which the troops had to pass oVer. On the side the pa stands rises a very steep bank which, even without opposition, the men had difficulty in mounting, And on the proper left of the position is a very deep ravine, the side of which is thickly wooded. The right face is so thickly wooded.and the ground gradually slopes away into a valley. The rear was the weakest part as to its defence, the ground coveted with thick scub ; but from its locality, I do not consider a position could have been taken up by us on that side-. The de. fences on the front face were of a stronger description than any other. On the morning of the 3rd instant, a combined movement was made from the pa at Pauhatanui and Porirua, consisting of 6 officers and 220 men of the 48th, 65th and 99th Regts.. and 50 Militia followed by 150 Native Allies, from the former, and 4 officers, 100 men o< the Royal Artillery, 58th, 65th

Regts., with 80 Native Allies, ttuder command* of Major Arney, from the latter place-, for the purpose of attacking the rebel chief, and preventing his escape from the Horokiwi valley. We proceeded about four miles into the woods, covering our advance with tne usual precautions The enemy soon discovered our approach, and quickly retired ; but from bi« fi>es being still alight, it was evident he had fled into the bush that morning. Night coming od, and beintj uncertain as to the direction of the enemy, or the route they had taken, I deemed it then unadvisable to proceed further. Although our efforts had only Jed to the dispersion, and not to the total destruction, of the rebels, wbichwas roy anxious wish to have accomplUhed, yet, by gaining possession of the stronghold of the enemy, we are enabled to complete the line of outposts at Porirua, so as effectually to prevent any return of the rebels to the district of the Hutt. * I beg to assure your Excellency that all under my eonimand have well earned from thsir superiors every credit and approbation for the zeal and cheerfulness they have exhibited under the severe trials and privations, to which they have been subjected for a long time past. Your Ex.eilenc.y having been present with tbe troops on this occasion, will, I trust, bear testimony to the efforts and exertions made by the officers and men of both services 5 but 1 must not omit to offer my best thanks for the ready assistance and co operation rendered me by Captain Stanley of her Majesty s ship Calliope, Commander Hayes of her Majesty s Steamer Driver, and my second in comwand Major Arney, commanding detachment 58th Kegt. stationd in this district. I also recommend Mr. M'Kellop of her Majesty's ship Calliope to your Excellency's noiice, who. has .rendered me great service while in the command of the gun-boat stationed, at Porirua. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, Edward Last, 99th Regt., commanding the "Troops Southern Division. HU Excellency Governor Grey, &c. List of Arms and Ammunition taken from the pa of Tβ Rauparalia and the dissected natives at Taupo on tbe 23rd of July. 1846 :— Muskets, tingle barrel, 30; muskets, double do., *i Axes, 23; Powder flasks, 2; Pouches, 23; small iron gun aiid carriage?* 1 ; Casks of Powder, *>» ha.f d 0.,3; empty, 1. Edward Last, Major 99th Regt, Commanding the Troops Southern District.

_ Porima, 10th August, 1846. ~ *** R »—j-Soon after addressing your Excellency on Aβ 4i« hut., I received intelligence that the native aiues who were left to watch the movements of the t , els, h »d discovered that they were retreating ; I ivnT t deemed 5t rl Sht to proceed to their supKnowing that such a movement would accord . y° ur Excellency's wishes, and thinking it lii r i» t,,e meanß of destroiing Rangihaeaia and 1118 lojlowers. At daylight on 4he noornin? of the sth instant, I an in * d in boa,3 of her ships Calliope J u,lv er up the harbour of Purirua, landed about

a ,n le «nd a half distant, nß <] preesrd forward into 110 Horolmv, ♦ ,|| ey ft V e or B ix miles over a road almost imp a Sß able lor troops, crowing . numerous ZTVT riVU,etS ' PaSßi "« vari( ' Uß «««»" meme th«Uthe enemy had recently left, evukmtly r.e?t! nß h? «r et , d,t CoQfußi "»' behind the..! the bdgle taken from the troflps ir, the attflc* of £ XT' e ? U " l, f repUlßed by the d-Uchment ?rl J!?-"! B ' , m tl,e Vnllc * of the Hutt on the 16th of May last, which had be. n retained by the reoek as a trophy, «nd w«s recovered by the Militia About Hal -past two o'clock p. ra we came up with our native allies, and a party of Militia under the command of Captain M'Dono 6 h, who w.re lying at the foot of a precipitous hill thickly covered with wood, nenr the summit of which I learned that the enemy were supposed to be posted. The trodps then comttaenced hutting themselves for the night On the following morning I gave orders for the advance> directing the native allies to proceed on to cover it. The Ist division consisted of 1 officers and 12* men of the force, made up of seamea, soldiers militia and armed police, was under the command of Major Arney, 58th regt. The 2nd division, of 5 officers and 117 men of similar detail* was under the command of Captain Armstrong, 99th regt. At about 9 o'clock a< m. we ascended the hill preceded by an officer and a party of men with tools to cut away the wood to facilitate our getting up after ascending with great difficulty about a mile* we suddenly discovered that the e"nemy h*d established himself in a stockade on the spur of a hill, which was not only excessively steep and precipitous upon each side, but so narrow in places that only a few men could proceed abreast. The stockade that was visible appeared evidently very strong, composed of very heavy logs of timber placed horizontally one over with loop holes to fire through. Some of the enemy appeared in front, a heavy fire was opened on both sides—they made repeated attempts to turn our flink, but were drivea back with great loss to their position. 1 regret to state that in the action our lose was severej having two killed and nine wounded, as will be seen by the annexed return. I particularly la. ment the loss of a most promising young officer Ensign Blackburn, 99th Regt., who was acting Brigade Major, and who evinced the greatest zeal and gallantry on the occasion The firing lasted till dark, when finding my position unfavourable to occupy at night, I left 2 officers and 120 men to assist our native allies to watch the enemy, and took up the post I had left in the morning. The enemy admitted to have lost five Killed and two wounded, among the number one chief named "Te Oro," and "TapUke, , * the murderer of Richard Rush at the Hutt. On the Bth having been reinforced by a captain, subaltern, and eleven of the Royal Artillery, with two small mortars under the direction of Captain Henderson of that carps, I again advanced towards the position, although I fouod great obata. cles in using shells From the loftiness of the trees, which intercepted our view of the enemy. We } however, succeeded in throwing a number int'i the stockade, and so continued to hwrass them through- i out the day.

The enemy kept up a fife upon us during the whole time. His position having been thus felt and ascertdined to be defended by strong entrenchments thrown across the steep and nnrrow ridge of a lofty and densiy wooded hill. The rebels being in reireat there was every reason to believe that their intern tion was to pour a few destructive vollies into our men as they advanced, crowded as they must have betn into so narrow a space along the steep ridge, aud then to fly into the woods in tho rear, thus abondoning withourlon a position, which, from fehe want of supplies, it was impossible for them to retain for more than a few days. It did not appear expedient to incur so heavy a sacrifice of life to attain a post useless in itselfj and which must soon have been ours without any loss ; moreovsrthe destruction of so many of her Majesty's troops without an equivalent proportion on the part of the enemy, would have been regarded by the natives as a great victdry on the side of Pangibaeata— might have produced a bad impressi >n on the country generally —and have destroyed the effect of our previous successes. Taking into consideration also the great want of facilities for provisioning so large , a force, I at last accepted the offers made by the friendly chiefs, to permit them to remain On the ground and locate themselves in temporary pahs whilst they cleared the scrub and erected round the enemy a palisade after the maori system of warfare, so as to cut off his means of obtaining either water or provision?) and thus capture |him or force him to fl) from his position. In addition to the beforementioned obstacles opposed to me, the rear of my position was subject to constant floods, I therefore deemed it right to make arrangements Jfor with drawing my force frum the Horokiwi valley to the of Pauha anui and Porirua Point, leaving the native allies to carry out their own plans, and reserving the troops lor further operations when required. Your Excellency having seen our position, and being well aware of all the difficulties and Impediments, as Well as hardships, to which the force under my command have been subjectedj I need not dwell further in describing them. 1 cannot close this report without expressing my particular obligations to Major Arney, 58th Regt.,

my second in for the advice and assistance he at all times rendered Me. To Capt. Armstrong, 99th Rdgt. commanding the 2nd division— Capt. Henderson, commanding Royal Artillery— Lieut. Elliott, 90 ;h Regt.,acting Engineer—and to Ensign Servantes, 96'h Regt., interpreter to the Forces, my best thanks are due. I must thank Capt. Stanley of H.M.S. Calliope, for his assistance in forwarding the operations ; I also received the best aid from the officers and seamen (f H.M.S. Calliope and Driver; Lieutenants Thorpe and Connolly, and all under their command deserve ttie highest praise^ The wounded received' the be*st attention from Dr. Galbraitli, and the otber medical officers under bl» direction. I have every reason to be satisfied with the exerthns of the Commissariat Department; and 1 must not omit to inenMon the meritorious conduct of Captain M'Donogh, and the militia under his comaiund, as-well as that of all the officers, noncommissioned officers, seamen, soldiers, and police force, employed on this occasion. It further affords me pleasure and satisfaction to

apeak of the great feivice the native allies from Port Nicholson tendered me, as well Uβ the friendly portion of the Ngatiton tribe who joined us, aud beg to thank the chiefs of the eeveral parties for the Zjttl and exertion of themselves aud followers. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, Major 99:h Regt. Commanding the Troops Southern Division. His Excellency Governor Grey. &c, &c. Return of killed and wounded of the force under Major Last, 9i)tb Regt., commanding the troops in the Southern District, while engaged in ection with the rebels in the Horokiwi valley on the 6th August, 1846. KILLED, Ensign H. M. Blackburn, 99th Regiment. Private Thomas Tuite, 99th Regiment. WOUNDED. SEAMEN. Wi Roberts, captain of the mteen-top, of H.M> ship Calliope, mortally, and since dead. 58th Regiment. Private John Corr, elightly. 65th Regiment. Private Robert Miller, severely. 99th Regiment. Privates Patrick Darcey, severely» Thomas Woodfteldi do.> Francis O'Reilly, do., James Henchcliff, do., and Joseph Booth do. Militia. Private George farmer severely* Ed-wtard Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troops Southern Division*

Porirua, 2 p.m.,t3th August, 1546. Sin,, —1 have the honor to forward the enclosed, this instant received from Mr. Servantes our interpreter, at Puaha'e camp, for your Excellency* information) by which you will learn that the rebels left their position this morning' and that our natire ally Puaha after sending back his women # Will pursue them to-morrow. I have sent information to Waikanae of the event, and hope our allies there will assist in cutting them off, should they attempt to pass that way. I have tbe honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient Servant, Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troop* Southern Division.

Puaha'a Camp, 13th August, 1846. Sir, —1 have the honor to inform you that some of tbe rebel natives began to fire upon our camp this m.lining. Pjaha immediately pushed out to meet them with his followers, and finding them retire, proceeded up to the pa, which they entered as the others went out by the rear; the Ng-»tiawa natives followed immediately afterwards. It ap pears thai they had beat the women to the rear

somelime ago, together wiih thtir baggie; the men, it is the gener >\ opinion of the natives, only relired a shurtiime before we entered. They hid no slock of provisions, as they had been eHting the mamaku (which is a species of (tree fern.) The place from whence they fired upon us the oih r dny was only an entrenchment. Tbe pa was about 100 yards in the rear, bat had no regular stockade round it, simply a rail in some places, and in others nothing at all. Puaha sends back his women to-day, and intends to follow them np tomorrow morning. I have tbe honor to be, Sir, Yourmoßt obedient humble servant, W. F. G. Servaktes. Major Last, 09th Regt., Commanding Troops Porirua.

Wellington, 16th August, 1846. Sir* —I have the honor to state that, eince ad* dressing your Excellency on the I3th inst., reporting the continuing retreat of the rebels, I hare received intelligence that oar native allies are makieg every preparation for a vigoroue pursuit, and should they succeed in driving tbe enemy into the open country upon the coast, I beg to assure your Excellency that in conjunction with the naval officer, I will not fail to assist in the pursuit, and use every exertion in my power to cat them off. I have tbe honor to be. Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient bumble seroat, Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commnndicig the Troops Southern Division. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c.

Wellington, 16th August, 1846, 8 pm. Sir,—l have the honor to inform your Excellency that I have this moment received intelligence that the Inspector of;Po!ice (Capt. Durie of the Militia,) acting upon my letters informing him that the rebels had left their position in the Horokivrt valley, made the requisite communication to the chiefs at Waikanae, who had previously occupied the pointed out to them at the Pan Pari, and that our mtive ally, Wiremu Kingi, ana his party were immediately on the elert) and were successful ia capturing eight prisoners belonging to the band under Rangihaeata, who had come down from the hills for the purpose of obtaining food, and had sent to the police station for an escort to conduct them to Waikanae: a good deal of firing was heard in the direction of the Pari Pari, and on the hills above it, and Wiremu Kingi sent word that he would make an attack on the enemy to-morrow. On the other side is a list of the prisoners taken :— Ko Matea Ttkiahi; Ko Te Kumete; Ko Hohepa Te Umuroa ; Ko Te W^retiti: Ko Te Rahuii Ko Te Korohunga: Ko Topi > Ko Alatainmu. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient humble ?Crvant, Edward Last, Major 99th , Commanding the Troops Southern Division. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c.