GENERAL CHUTE'S LAST DESPATCH.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2331, 6 March 1866, Page 6

GENERAL CHUTE'S LAST DESPATCH.

Colonial Defence Office, Wellington, 23rd February, 1866. The following Despatch, with enclosures, from Mnjor^General Trevor Chute, commanding the Forces, is published for general information. A. H- J&USSBI.L, ' (for the Defence Minister.) Head Quarters, . Wellington, 12th February, 1866. Sir, — I had the honor in my> last report *(15th ultimo) to intiniate to your Excellency my intention of marching on Mataitawa by the bush track at the back •of Mount Egmont. For many weeks I had been endeavoring to obtain information regarding this track, but not having been used by any but rebels for some years past, those who professed to know anything of it were so vague in their descriptions that had they not all agreed on one point, viz.. that the journey was one usually performed by Natives easily in two days, but that it would take troops three days, I should have hesitated in the undertaking, on which, I must say, I embnrked with much anxiety and then only from a desire to vet agreeably to your Excellency's wishes, and in consideration of the beneficial effect such a movement was likely to produce on the minds of rebels in arms against us. I moved early on the lfoh ultimo, with a' force as per margin,* entering the forest' from the clearing of Xetemarai. For a short distance our advance was unchecked, as we were traversing a good dray road leading to a village and cultivations ; these were destroyed, and a few rebels were seen retreating from the whares. From that point our progress was slow and laborious in the extreme, and the difficulties against which, we had to contend will be better understood by your Excellency when I inform you that to accomplish a distance of about fifty- four miles the force was eight days actually on, the move, and never less than ten hours in any one day. I thus found that I had been, quite misinformed as to the length and nature of the track, which had even been represented to me as practicable for pack horses, except at two or three places where slight improvements would bejjrequired. So far from this being the case, there were no less than-twenty-one rivers and ninety gullies, the - precipitous banks of many of which presented formidable obstructions to our advance, and required great labor to make them passable ; and except for about two miles after entering tho forest, working parties in advauce were constantly employed in cutting down trees, supple-jacks, &c, to admit of tho passage of the pack animals. In addition to these obstructions, the weather, which had been fine for the first three days, changed to continuous rain, which increased our difficulties in crossing the gulleys, and necessitated the construction of corduroy roads over swamps, which, might otherwise have been impracticable. It being necessary to limit, as far as possible, the quantity of supplies, &c, to be carried by pack horses, I had directed that three days' provisions only should be taken, in addition to the day's ration carried by the men on the 17th. Whon however at the close of the day's march on the 19th, there appeared to be some uncertainty as to our distance from Mafcaitawa, I directed tlie clay's precisions then remaining to be divided, and half rations only were issued to the igtops on the 20Lh and 21st. For two days Wrse ilesta was issued as a ration.

Our guide, the Waitotra Chief Pehimana, who assured me that he was well acquainted with the route, at the end, of the third days inarch, on coming to a riper he professed to know, stated that we were only six miles . from Mataitawa ; but after a tedious march on the following day, the 20th, finding that he had been mistaken, I determined to send forward a party of the Native Contingent, accompanied by Captain Leach, Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-General, and Ensign McDonnell, N.C., in order to ascertain, our position, and, if possible, to procure supplies. I continued the march for about six miles on the 31st, and not having heard from Captain Leach, halted the following day to await his return, as well as to rest the pack horses, now much wearied. Late in the evening 01l the 22nd, Captain Leach returned, having made arrangements with Colonel Warre, CB., commanding at Taranaki, for the supply of the force during the remainder of the march to Mataitawa, then distant twenty miles, and where we arrived on the 25th. I need not dwell further on the arduous nature of the duties performed by the Field • Force on this march, in the face of unusual difficulties and privations, and during much inclement weather ; it will, however, be gratifying to your Excellency to hear that officers and men appeared to vie with each other in the performance of their duties with unyielding energy and cheerfulness, and I am happy to add, there was not a single case of sickness. On the first day's march, the Native Contingent, who were in advance, came suddenly on a party of seven rebels, three of whom were shot. These men were Ngatiruanuis, who, it appears, had gone to the north of the Waitara for assistance in men and arms, and having failed were returning .to Ketemarai. Witli the view of intercepting any fugitivo rebels that might be retiring before my force, Colonel Warre, in pursuance of instructions I had given him, despatched on the 20th January, Lieutenant-Colonel Morant, 68th Light Infantry, with 150 men, to move along a track leading south from Te Arei, and eventually joining that on which I was marching. Colonel Morant's force returned to Mataitawa on the 23rd, without encountering any rebels. On the 25th, after emerging from the forest, the force moved on from Mataitawa and encamped at the Waiwakahio River, four miles north od^cw Plymouth. Colonel Warre having reported tbat rebels were still seen in the neighborhood of the White Cliffs, I embarked on the 26th, with 100 men of the 43rd Light Infantry, and a six-pounder Armstrong gun on board the s.s. Ahuriri, then lying in Taranaki roads, and proceeded up the const to the mouth of the Mokau river, and from thence to the Awakino river. There were a few whares visible at Ingarangi and Maniaroa, but they did not appear to be inhabited, nor do I think there can be any large settlement in that neighborhood. It was not, therefore, neces- • Bary_to land the force, which, moreover, there would have been considerable risk in doing on account of the weather. On the 27th the field force marched to Oakura. On the 28th to Stoney river, and ■on the 29th to Warea, near which the rebels wero said to have collected in force at a pa called Waikoko, situated in the bush directly inland from Tipoka, a temporary post on the geabord seven miles south of Warea, occupied a few days before by Captain Corbett's company of Military Settlers. On the 30th I moved the field force to Tipoka, and in order, if possible, to cut off the retreat of the rebels, I sent Captain Corbett's company by a track leading to the right rear of Waikoko : and instructed Captain Livesay, 43rd Light Infantry, commanding at Opunaki, to march' on the night of the 31st, with 100 men, by an inland track leading from the south to the rebel position. In accordance with this arrangement, I left Tipoka at three o'clock a.m., on the Ist instant, with the force as })er marginf and proceeding by a psfth I eading through scrub and dense bush for | sis miles, reached a large clearing within | which Waikoko is situated, at a distance of i about 500 yards from the point where the : troops emerged. The force was at once formed in thjß following order, viz., the 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment on the right, the 43rd Light Infantry on the left, and the Forest Rangers in the centre, all in skirmishing order with supports ; the Native Contingent forming a reserve. I then gave the order to advance, when a heavy fire was opened by the enemy, upon which the troops gallantly charged and occupied the place ; the rebels retreating and re-opening fire from the bush, from which they were as quickly driven. Captains Livesay and Corbett, with 'their respective detachments, arrived on the ground immediately after. Our loss was not severe on this occasion (casualty return enclosed) ; that of the rebels could not be ascertained, four bodies only were seen. The whares and cultivations, which, were unusually extensive, having been destroyed, the troops returned to their respective camps. On the 2nd the field force marched to Opunaki, where I found a number of natives' recently in arms against us, who had been permitted by the civil authorities to reside in a village near the redoubt without taking the oath of allegiance. I immediately directed them to be made prisoners. Amongst the number was Te Ua, the so-called prophet, and founder of the Hau Hau fanaticism ; he proceeds to Wellington for your Excellency's disposal. The remainder were set at liberty on taking the oath of allegiance, and giving up their ai*ms. Prior to leaving Opunaki, I instructed Captain the Honorable A. E. Harris, 43rd Regiment, to capture and destroy a pa near Warea, to which it was reported the rebels from Waikoko had retired. In this service he was to be aided by Captain Livesay, with a detachment of the 43rd Light Infantry, from Opunaki, and Captain Corbett, with the Military Settlers, from Tipoka. I am not in possession of Captain Harris's official report, but I have learnt that the duty with which I entrusted him has been effectually performed, the enemy having been driven from the place with loss, and the village destroyed. On the 3rd the field force marched to the Peo River, and on the following day to Waingongoro. I enclose the copy of a report received (4th February, 18G6) from Lieutenant-Colonel Butler, 57th Regiment, who had, under my instructions, availed himself of every opportunity afforded of harassing the dispersed rebels#n the vicinity of Otapawa and Eetemarai. On the sth the force marched to Manawapou, seven miles inland of which post it tad been reported to me that some of the

rebels had collected at a pa called Mere Mere. I therefore sent Lieutenant- Colonel Butler, with force as per marginal to destroy it, and this he accomplished on the afternoon of the 6th, without meeting any material opposition from the enemy, who fired a few shots and fled. A considerable extent of cultivation was destroyed. < ■' On the same day the force under my command marched to the Patea, on the 7th to Waitotara, on the Bth to Alexander's Farm, arriving in Wanganuv at seren a.m., on the 9th instant. ■ • I believe that throughout 1 the country traj versed by the field force during the last ' si* ' i weeks there does not now remain one fortified position or ordinary, village in the, occupation of the rebels, who havo suffered most, severely in loss of life, habitations,, cultiviU tions, horses, cattle, and other property, „ „ It is hardly possible for me to- convey, to. couvey to your .Excollency how much I feel indebted to Dr. Featherston, Superintendent of this Province, for his able advice on all subjects connected with the Maoris. He accompanied me throughout the campaign, sharing all our dangers and privations, and was present at each engagement and assault. | I am particularly obliged to him for the j zeal with which he has at all times- labored to obtain information of the movements and i positions of the rebels which it would have been almost impossible for me to acquire without his assistance. The Native Contingent has been a valuable auxiliary force.. My thanks are due to Major McDonnell, and his brother, Ensign McDonnell, who are active and zealous officers, and most deserving of your Excellency's favorable consideration. I beg also to bring under notice the chiefs Hori Kingi, Kemp, and Haimona, whose conduct at all times was such as to merit my warmest approbation. I have likewise to express my thanks to Majbr Von Tempsky, and the force under his command, for their services, which I have on former occasions brought to your Excellency's favorable notice. It will be my duty to bring prominently to the notice of the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for War, and His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding in Ohief, the noble and gallant conduct of the whole of the troops engaged in these operations. s I have, &c, T. Chute, Major-General. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Return of Killed and Wounded in the Field Force under the command of MajorGeneral Chute during the operations commencing 30th December, 18G5, and terminating 9th February, 1866 :— 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment : Officers, 2 wounded ; men, 2 killed, 7 wounded. 50th Regiment: men, 1 killed, 2 wounded. 67th Regiment : officer, 1 wounded ; men, 5 killed, 10 wouuded. Forest Rangers : men, 2 wounded. Military Settlers : men, 2 wounded. Native Contingent : officer, 1 wounded ; man 1 killed, 3 wounded. Total : officers, 4 wounded ; men, 9 killed, 26 wounded. T. Chute, Major-General. One officer and 4 men since died of wounds. Return showing the pas and villages taken and destroyed by the Field Force under the command of Mnjor-General Chute, during the operations commencing 30th December, 1865, and terminating 9th February, 18b"6 :— Fortified Pas :— Okatuku, Putahi, Otapawa, Kitionitia, Puketi Katamarai, Waikoko, Meremere. Villages : — Moturou ; Oika ; small village near Otapu, name not known ; Tiporohenui ; To Whenuka ; Te Moro ; Kanihi ; Mawhiitihito; Te Paki; Otukere ; Aoteroa or Winiori ; Ahaipapa ; one village inside the bush, name not known, two miles from KeteI marai ; Umeroa ; Mauihi ; Watina ; Oeo ; Oukuti ; Tiwiti Maona ; two villages near Waikoko, names not known, destroyed by \ Captain Harris, 43rd Light Infantry, about ; the 6th instant — Officers' report not yet rei ceived. | T. Chute, [ Major-General. Camp Waingongoro, 4th February, 1866. Sin, — I have the honor to enclose to you herewith for the information of the MajorGeneral Commanding a diary of my proceedings with the force left by the Major-Gene-ral under my command on the 17th January, 1866. I trust that the measures which 1 1 have adopted to carry out the orders given to me to harass the enemy and destroy all cultivations, &e.,may meet with approval. I may be permitted to add that from Captain Doran and the detachment 50th Regt. I received the most energetic co-operation' My best thanks are due to these officers and men as well as to those of the 57th Regiment, who have been engaged with me ; also, to Sir Robert Douglas, 57th Regt., and Major I McDonnell of the Native Contingent, who despite his wound, insisted in rendering active aid, and did good service. I have, &c, H. Butler, Major and Lieut.- Colon el 57 th Regiment, Commanding Garrison. The Deputy Quartermaster-General, &c, Head Quarters. Diary of Operations with Flying Column, under the command of Lieut. -Colonel Butler, 57th liegiment, in the Ngatiruanui Country, from 11th January, 1866, to Zrd of February, 1866. 18th January.— On the morning of the 18th January, I moved out of camp with one field gun. 200 men of the 50th and 57th Regiments, and about 120 friendly Natives ; proceeded in the direction of the Oukuti, which I found destroyed as I had left it two days before ; also to the pa Tiwitiri Moana, where three bodies were discovered, one being that of the Chief Hohepa, a man of j considerable importance. This pa was quite ; destroyed ; the euemy escaped as usual by tho rear, and pursuit was rot possible. ] There were in all about fifty Natives to defend the pa; brought in from it fifteen cartloads of potatoes, and has destroyed a' vast quantity of cultivations; returned to this post that evening. 19th January. — Halted. Tho friendly Maoris went out to reconnoitre and obtain intelligence, tho want of which much retarded my movements. 20th January.— Marched off at 10 a.m., | having been delayed by the non-arrival of : the Native Contingent sent out yesterday ; took with me 20 Military Train under Lieut. Creagh, 80 rank and file 60th, and 100 rank

and file 57th Regiment;, also about 120 | Native Contingent undbr Major McDonnell. I My object was to attack a strong position f called Ahipipi, in which it was said several Nutiyes were congregated. I detached the Native Contingent. along the left bank of | the Waingpngor.q River, with, directions to I cross it at the edge, of the bush, and endea- , your to get in rear of Ahipipi, in order to [ intercept the retreat of the' Natives. I advanced myself direct upon the position and found it <|eserted ; some of the. enemy however,' came; down -and fired. on my party when in the, act of d.e^trbyibg^th^i whares, one man of the } S7th Regiment was several wounded. The, Native Contipgeut were now ordered 'to pursue the enemy mto the bush : this they did. vigorously, and within a mile of Ahipipi 'tuey came upon a large, village. Tljis" per(;y was supported by some of the s!?th under Capt. Robert Douglas. After a heavy fire,, and a stout resistance of about twenty minutes, the village was carried. A large number of the enemy w^re seen carrying off a body with < much care. It is believed that a great chief was killeij, possibly of Kaukawa. : : A well furnished strong Euro- | pean house' was erected close to the mill or flagstaff ; it was destroyed in common with everything to be found,, including many cultivations. Five of the enemy were' killed ? one man of the Native Contingent wounded. The destruction of this place is considered of importance,', as it was newly built by the Hau Hauß with unusual care, and was as it were the head quarters of the fanatics iv the neighbourhood; 21st January. — Halted, and continued my efforts to obtain information. 22nd and 23rd January.— Convoy days. The friendly natives went into the bush, and brought bfp: a quantity of potatoes. 24th January. — Started at 8 a.m. ; took with me 40 miljtary train, 80 rank and file, 50th, 100, 57th and about 100 Native Contingent; proceeded towards Wheriwheri, which has been already destroyed, thence towardsTewhatiwe, crossed the Waingongoro River, and struck into the bush towards Ketemarai. I soon came upon clearances under careful cultivation, amongst the rest about two acres of wheat, much Indian corn and tobacco, and a number of fruit trees. All were destroyed. After a long and harassing march the force returned to camp via the Ketemarai road. 25th January. — At 4 p.m., considering that I no longer required the services of the 60th Regiment, under Captain Doran, I ordered that Officer to return to the Patea. 26th January. — Rested in camp. 27th January. — Rested again, and sent the Natives out to reconnoitre. They lost one man in the bush ; it was afterwards ascertained that he was killed by the Hau Haus. 28th January. — A party of Natives went in search of their missing companion, but found no trace of him. On their return they were attacked in force by the Hau Haus ; one of our Natives was killed, and another badly wounded ; they reported having killed three Hau Haus. 29th January. — Took 100 Imperial troops, 50 Natives, ail available carts Commmissuriat Transport Corps, to Ketemarai for firewood. 30th January.— Halted. 31st January.— Sent another party to Ketemarai. They came upon fresh cultivations concealed in the bush ; these were destroyed, and quantities of vegetables brought into camp. Ist and 2nd February. — Remained in camp in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. 3rd February. — Sent out a party consisting of eighty rank and file, 57th Regiment, and some Friendly Natives, towards Ketemarai for firewood. H. Butleb, Major and Lieut.-Col. 57th Regt., Commanding Garrison. Camp, Waingongoro. 4th February, 1866. Nominal Return of Officers and Men Killed and wounded in an Engagement with the Rebel Maoris at Waikoko, on the Ist February, 1866, with the Field Force under tlic command of Major-General Chute : — 2nd Battalion 14tf/j Regiment Private William Burns, aged 35, musket bullet through chest, killed. Irregular Forces. Von Tempsky's Forest Rangers. Private Alexander Davidson, musket bullet wound, left thigh, severely. Captain Corbett's Bushrangers. Sergeant John Purdy, musket bullet wounds, right shoulder and left thigh, slightly. Wiremu Matakatea (Maori), musket bullet wound.left thigh, severely (the man was wounded on the night of the 31st January, near Waikoko.) Chief Ihaia's Volunteers. Henero Winenuke, musket bullet wound, abdomen, slightly. Alexander Gibb, M.D., Deputy-Inspector General of Hospitals. * Distribution — Royal Artillery : Subaltern, 1 ; sergeant, 1 ; rank and file, 36. 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment : Field officer, 1 ; captains, 2 ; subalterns, 3 ; sergeants, 10 ; drummers, 4 ; rank and file, 236. Forest Rangers : Field officer, 1 j captain 1 ; sergeants, 2 ; rank and file, 57. Native Contingent : Subaltern, 1 ; sergeants, 2 ; rank and iile, C 7. Total: Field officers, 2; captains, 3 ; subalterns, 5; sergeants, 15; drummers, 4; rank and file, 396. t Distribution — Royal Artillery : subaltern, 1 ; sergeant 1 : rank and file, 30. 2nd EatttUion 14th Regiment ; Field officer, 1 ; captaine, 2 ; subalterns, 2 ; sergeants, 6 ; drummers, 3 ; rank and file, 180. 43rd Begiment : Caj)tains, 2 j subalterns, 2 ; sergeants, 5 ; drummer, 1 ; rank and file 90. Forest Rangers : Field officer, 1 i captain, 1 ; sergeants, 3 ; rank and file, 31. Native Contingent : Subaltern, 1 ; rank and file, 60. Taranaki Troopers : Captain, 1 ; rank and file, 16. Total : Field officers, 2 ; captains, 6 ; subalterns, 6 ; sergeants, 15 j drummers, 4 ; rank and file, 407.