SKIRMISH AT PUKEKIKIWIREKA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1902, 1 August 1863, Page 3

SKIRMISH AT PUKEKIKIWIREKA.

The correspondent of the Southern Cross, writingfrom Papakura on the23rd iost.,says: — The skirmish at Pukekikiwiieka commenced yesterday forenoon, by about thirty natives coming 1 out of a gully and attacking Air Greenacre's party who bad gone to the bush to draw out limber for the stockade here. James Hunt, one of the party, fell from over exertion, when he was immediately shot by the natives, who were close behind him. This took place in the bush, near Mr Hay's house. On the alarm being given in Papakura, Captain Clare started immediately, with about half a dozen horsemen and twenty militiamen, despatching a horseman to tbe 18th camp on the Wairoa road, and another horseman to Drury. The mounted artillery under Lieut. Rait were on the field in an ineiedibly short time, followed by the 65th under Colonel Wyatt, from Drury, who entered the bush on the right, aud the 18th under Captain Ring entered the bush on the lell. The militia, entering the bush in the centre, received the first fire, the natives showing in considerable numbers; but immediately afterwards signal fires were observed on the top of the hill, apparently as t'ie signal of recall j to the natives engaged, for they commenced ascending the hill towards the heavy bush. Here Jackson of the militia " caught the first fish," — to use the native expression — knocking over a fellow who was retiring with a sack ol potatoes on his back. The 18ih and militia pressed the retiring natives, and on the edge of the heavy bush came on a strong parly of about 150, the Maories having possession of the entrenchment the 18th had left a few davs ago, and opeued a heavy fire. They were soon dis lodged und driven iuto the hush. Here occurred the heaviest loss, one of the 18th beinji killed, and four of the 18th and two of the militia being wounded. The 18ih in possession of the entrenchment were engaged for some time before they could recover the fallen man, who was lying below the entrenchment, the fire of the natives covering the spot from below, and both flanks ; the rifle fell into their hands, but their bravest failed iu securing anything else. The 65th, not knowing the position of the 18th, retired towards Drury, and about 3 o'clock Captain Ring sent a mounted messenger re i questing Colonel Wyatt to come to his assist- | auce, by takiug the enemy in rear. Colonel Wyatt instantly returned, and entering the dense bush in single file, guided by Ensign Hay of the Militia, and rapidly advancing, took the enemy by surprise shortly after dark. The mounted artillery entering the bush by another road, reached the scene of action about the same time ; both regiments sounded the advance, gave three uearty cheers, opeued an

overwhelming fire on the enemy, and &ca t t ere( j , and sileuced them . One man 0/ the 65th was here killed, being shot dead by a Maori standing within ten paces of him. The troop s were congratulated on the immense success o f tae closing act, and returned to their several quarters (From the New Zealander, 25th J u ly ) It is exceedingly difficult to sift the chaff which is, from hour to hour, poured upou us We are very desirous to keep our readers well posted in passing events ; but it requires much circumspection to decide what intelligence is of a legitimate and trustworthy character what is of a doubtful and imprudent degree. There .are caterers for the morbid excitement of the hour, who have their statements so apparently well authenticated that even the most sceptical are altogether puzzled to discredit their asseverations. For example, throughout Thursday, Auckland was kept in onecontinued round of excitement by narratives of blood, battle, and butcheries which had no earthly foundation in fact. Yesterday, when similar statements were put into circulation, they were almost scouted with contempt. We have taken every means within our power — in front and elsewhere— to obtain the earliest and most reliable information ; at the same time, in doing so, we exercise a careful supervision before venturing to " rush into print," being of opinion that the contradiction of error rashly disseminated is no amende for the creation of even a passing alarm. On Wednesday we were furnished with the names of settlers, peremptorily insisted to ha^e been murdered. Happily those gentlemen are still liviug and thriving members of this community, Yesterday we had rumours of other murders, to which we turned a deaf and suspicious ear, until facts, which could admit of uo dispute, were communicated by an eye-wkness of one of the ultimate atrocities which we deplore to be called upon to record. Yesterday morning, between 8 and 9 o'clock, a son of Captain Calveit, a settler near Papakura, was fired at and mortally wounded, whilst standing at his bedroom door. Captain Calvert's residence is near the Wairoa ranges, about a mile's distance from the 18th's camp, which encampment is visible from the Papakura Hotel. Our informant was present when youug Calvert was brought into the 18th's \ camp ; he was then in the death throes, shot through the left breast. Another settler, a married man, named Cooper, residing back on the Wairoa ranges, went out yesterday morning to milk his cows; he, too, was shot down. His poor 1 wife, hearing her husband's death scream, hastened to alarm the neighbours, who, on approaching the body, discovered the clothes to be on fire, so close was the murderer who delivered the fatal shot. Neither victim had benn tomahawked, there having evidently been no time for indulging in that ferocious consummation. The volunteer rifles, then at Drury, to the number of about 140, marched immediately to Wairoa, upon receipt of this shocking intel' ligence. We are hopeful that the Governor and General in command of the troops have been able to concert a plan of operations during their interview of Thursday which will he apt to redound to their honor, and to the benefit of the country they have served with so much good conduct aud courage. Last night every available soldier of the line — even the sickly and the bandsmen of the 65th Regiment — were marched towards Papakura ; the Auckland Rifles and Militia taking their several guards. A detachment of militia is under orders for Papakura this morning. Further reinforcements may be immediately looked for. There was a sail in sight last night at dusk, in all probability the Norwood, with the second division of the 18th. Should this prove to be the case, we would venture to hint the propriety (during these light airs and calms) of despatching the Sandfly to hasten their advance, by transhipping the men, and speeding them " forward." H.M.S-S. Miranda may, likewise, be speedily looked for; and report states that the mall steamer Auckland is to bring troops from Sydney. It has further been whispered, in military circles, that drafts were about to be sent from England to the regiments serving here. There has been a complaint of an insufficient quantity and inferior quality ofarins in the store. Under such allegations we are extremely happy to learn that some two thousand stand of Enfields, of the most approved character, have just come to hand by the good ship Telegraph. All that the Governor and the General can, liy energy, ability, and promptitude, achieve, we, and the public at large, feel well assured they will compass. But why not strengthen their hands by immediately convening the General Assembly!*