OPERATIONS BEFORE NGATAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2785, 16 January 1869, Page 6

OPERATIONS BEFORE NGATAPA.

Thb following interesting particulars are given by the Poverty Bay correspondent of the Hatches Bay Herald : — Sunday January 3. , 2 p.m. — Got some dinner, and walked from the crow's nest up to camp, which may be it hundred yards from Ngatepa. The ground is clear from camp up to the pah. After delivering my despatch, I visited our trenches, which are within twenty yards of the enemy's lower trunk. Here I saw Major Westrup, Mr Johnston, and other Poverty Bay survivors, guarding the trenches and working at the right sap. Major Westrup kindly explained the nature of the different works. I was told that he and other officers and gentlemen take their regular turn with the pick and shovel. Our people had passed three nights in the trenches, which were knee- deep with mud and water, in some places, after the late heavy rains. I was informed that the enemy had made seven charges during yesterday and last night, but were beaten back with heavy loss. One charge was made upon Major Fraser, who occupies the post of honor and greatest danger, by thirty men. In repelling this charge, Praser's men killed twelve of the thirty ; two broke through our men and escaped ; the remainder fled back into Ngatepa. Fraser and his men are partly stationed upon a ledge of rock beneath a precipice, which is the rear of Ngatepa. Whenever a shell falls into Ngatepa from the front, the enemy rush to the rear to escape its effect. At such times they are shot down by Fraser and his men who, from their ledge, have to fire straight upwards. A supplejack ladder hung over the precipice, by which the enemy meant to escape if hardly pushed ; but Major Westrup has cut away their ladder, and they have no means of constructing another, they have, however, become bo desperate that two men, having Scat stripped themselves, threw themselves from the summit of Ngatepa, preferring death to being taken alive. More were preparing to follow, but Major Fraser, by firing at them, stopped their game. Pour men, one woman, and a child came down to get water, not knowing that their supply was cut off; the men were killed, but the woman and child w.ere spared. Last night, four more attempted to escape. They wero taken, and immediately shot. Three of Fraser's jraon and three Arawas killed, and some of Fraser's wouuded. One of the Arawas killed is a very great Maketu chief, Hakareta by name. His body has been embalmed by Dr Gibbs, and will be carried to Maketu for interment amongst those of other chiefs of his race. Captain Brown was killed yesterday. His body was forwarded to Turanganui to-day. It may be some consolation to his friends to learn that Captain Brown is universally lamented by his men, who say they have lost their best officer, and whose kind treatment of his men is spoken of with affectionate regret. One of Fraser's men, in warding of a tomahawk blow, missed his foothold, and fell over a precipice, but is not much hurt. Another man ran out of

the trenches and caught a Hauhau and killed him. Sub-Inspector Capel, who is decorated for the Crimea, was wounded yesterday. I ami happy to say everybody appears delighted at having trapped Te Eooti, and although our people have undergone great hardship, not a murmur is heard. 6 p.m. — Very heavy firing is kept up by our people to protect the sap approach. Our fellows think that Ngatepa may be stormed to-night. Ido not think it likely. The shell practice is beautiful. 8 p.m. — The firing is very heavy from Fraser's side of Ngatepa. Between the volleys our allies ask the enemy why they don't bring out Te Kooti's head and give themselves up. I forgot to sny that when Colonel Whitmore took up a position he sent a message requesting Te Kooti to send out his women and children. The reply was a volley. 9 p.m. — A shell just burst inside Ngatepa. How the friendlies cheer. I don't think the shells do much direct execution, but they compel the enemy to become animated targets for Fraser's men. The enemy have got a tatooed wooden head, with a massive nose. This head has been paraded about the parapet of Ngatepa for our men to fire at, and to enable the enemy to extract bullets from it ; but the ruse has been discovered. One of Fraser's men, after being killed, fell into a tree growing from a precipice, and the tree is so situated that the body cannot be recovered. Monday Jan. 4. Heavy firing kept up all night. The poor artillerymen are nearly worn out. There are five of them and one sergeant at Ngatepa. Besides attending to the cohorn night and day, these men carry loads of shell from Fort Richmond to the front. 7 a.m. — Walked up to the trenches. The right sap has been caried forward during the night, and a trench is being cut to connect the right sap with the left. Enemy made another charge last night. Two more of Fraser's men killed. It will bo noticed that up to the present all the Europeans killed belong to Fraser's division. 10 a.m. — Breakfasted. Gave a last look at the sap which must be within 15 feet of the enemy, s outer trench, and started for Turanganui. 6 p.m. — Arrived at Turanganui, supped, and received message requesting me to start to-morrow for the front. Tuesday, Jan. 5. Left for the front at 9|. Reached Eort Arawa at 1 p.m. Half way between Fort Arawa and Fort Roberts, met a native, who informed me Te Kooti and most of his men escaped from Ngatepa this morning before daylight. Pushed on, and met a friend, who confirmed the unpleasant tidings. From my friend, who was an eye-witness, and acted as interpreter for Colonel Whitraore, I obtained the following particulars :—Yesterday (Monday) about 11 o'clock, Ngatiporou stormed and took the enemy's outer trench. Colonel Whitmore then became desirous to storm Ngatepa, and repeatedly requested Ropata to assist in doing so. Ropata declined, on the plea that it would cause too great a sacrifice of life just then ; but was willing to do so at daylight next (this) morning. My informant thinks Ropata was right. As there was but 3000 rounds of ammunition left at the front, Colonel Whitraore was naturally anxious to settle the affair before his ammunition was expended, and evinced his anxiety frequently during yesterday afternoon and evening. Last night the Arawas, being desirous of assisting in the anticipated storming of Ngatepa at daylight this morning, left their position on the right of Ngatepa unguarded, and came to the position occupied by Ngatiporou. Just before daylight this morning a woman looked out from Ngatepa, and cried that Te Kooti was escaping by the position abandoned by the Arawa. Ngatiporou, looking upon the cries of this woman as a ruse of the enemy, and suspecting treachery, refused to listen to her at first, and even fired at her, which compelled her to retire. However, she came forward again, and at length made herself believed. The pah was immdiately rushed. Seventy-six prisoners of Te Eooti, of whom six only were men, were found in Ngatepa ; but Te Kooti, and it is said 100 or 120 men, with 200 women and children had bolted down an incline that might almost be termed a precipice, with this difference, that the ground is composed of soft sandy loam., and affords some foothold. Te Eooti is wounded afresh in the shoulder, and, it is affirmed escaped upon horsebiick. How he managed is a miracle, when it is considered that he is quite unable to walk, and must have guided his horse down a steep that is enough to turn one giddy. The interior of Ngatepa justißes Ropata's refusal to storm it. Three breastworks, of about 15 feet in height each intersected with a perfect maze of rifle pits, trenches, and covered galleries, would have insured a fearful loss of life. That the wretches escaped is altogether owing to our allies the Arawas. The enemy were thoroughly hemmed in ; their repeated attempts to break through our lines prove it most conclusively. A strict watch at all the points was all that was required to ensure the capture of every soul in Ngatepa. What the officer in charge of the Arawas will have to say for himself remains to be seen. A searching investigation might perhaps reveal the cause which led to this disastrous affair. Fifty-eight bodies were found at Ngatepa, and this will show that Te Eooti and his band have suffered heavy loss, instead of utter extermination, which we had such good reason to expect would be their doom. _ As soon as possible after taking possession of Ngatepa, a party of Arawas and Ngatiporous was despatched in pursuit. In about an hour after starting firing was heard, showing that the enemy were overtaken. This was confirmed by the arrival, about midday, of the severed head of the principal chief of all the Uriwera tribes. The gory trophy will be brought down to Turanoranui. Te Koofci is making for Maungopowhatu, guarded by 30 of his men. The remainder of his men, led by the Uriwera chief, afterwards decapitated, fought our pursuing party. It was anticipated that if there was daylight sufficient Te Eooti might be captured this evening. 9 p.m. arrived at Turanganui. My horse having knocked up necessitated a return. We (Southern Cross) are indebted to an occasional correspondent, now with forces encamped before Te Kooti's fortified pa, for the following descriptive particulars of the present position of affaire in that district : — Ngatapa, December 27. From a high fern ridge on the left of the road we have caught a glimpse of Ngatepa — at least the staff and your correspondent haye — and the view confirms the opinion expressed on the line of march, " We are engaged in an Abyssinian campaign on a small scale." Reduce the numbers engaged, the length of the journej r , the size of the ravines, and the elevation of the final goal, and you have our field of action. It remains to be proved whether Ngatapa will fall into our hands as easily as Magdala dropped into

Sir It. Napier's. From its appearance I should say the reverse. It looks from the distance like a sugar loaf, with three consecutive circles of entrenchments around the top. To-morrow I shall be nearer it, and better able to give a description, unless the enemy is in sufficient force to delay our progress. Hitherto we have met with no obstacles which a fatigue party could not remove, and this has been and is likely to continue, a spade and pick campaign. This accounts for the apparently slow progress made. What with building depots for stores, making roads, and getting up provisions to the Front, the force has been every day at work from daybreak till nearly dark. Not a moment has been lost ; the only cause of delay has been the paucity of transport. Heights before Ngatapa, Dec. 28. Yesterday we arrived at our present camp, where in sight of the enemy within his works, we are doomed to inaction in consequence of the non-arrival of the Ngatiporou. O, the delays and vexations attendant on employing native allies ? East Coast or West Coast they are all alike ; and many a commanding officer has seen his best plans thwarted by the non-fulfilment of their engagements. By themselves or " detribalised" — that is, enlisted and serving under European officers, a 9 Grundry's Arawas — they can be relied on ; but under their chiefs, the relative position of the moon and a star, the shape of the clouds, the direction of the wind, a dream may upset all arrangements. It is too bad to watch Te Kooti's men strengthen their works, and to know that the whole of yesterday was most probably spent in listening to long sermons from Moni. Rumors also reach camp that great pressure is exerted to keep them back, as the settlers firmly believe that TeKooti will give us the slip, and double back upon us to attac kTuranganui. The amount of work now going on before our eyes proves this an absurdity. * * * Their escape must be prevented. We must exterminate this band of murderers ; a failure must be j rendered impossible. I have heard from good authority that information, as to the line of escape has been received, and that it can be cut off. Both yesterday and to-day I had good opportunities of estimating the numbers in the pa ; once when they were trooping to the " Whare Karakai." once when leaving ifc, In common with the most experienced of the officers, I put down their strength as about 150, a small number compared with our force, but they are behind impo3ing works, and to surround them properly every place of escape must be watched by a party strong enough to defeat any attempt at a bolt. 4.40 p.m. No sign of Ngatiporou or Major Westrupp's Turanganui Militia. lam glad to be able to state that Colonel Whitmore has decided on approaching the place by the flying sap, and the day has been spent in teaching the men to make gabions and construct thesap. The force is to move to-night, and occupy a small knoll near the pa, to the north-east of Ngatapa, marked with a cross in the plan. Our transport ends here, and our provisions and ammunition will be " humped" on to the trenches. May sue cess attend the force. December 29. Orderlies came in at 10 p.m. last night to report Ngatiporou at Fort Roberts. They have taken only four days to march fifteen miles ! Ropata has been ill, as they allege. The march last night was accordingly put off. Of course there are great inconveniences attending each day's delay. " The longer you look at it the less you like it," is an old saying. The enemy is strengthening himself, and tre can see him digging riflepits on our intended line of march. On the other hand, although with the force under him now Colonel Whitmore could sap up the position and take it, he could not spare any men to cut off the retreat ; and the grand desideratum the destruction of Te Kooti's band, would not be achieved. There is no doubt that the pa must be taken, or the colonial force may for ever hide their heads ; but its mere capture will not satisfy the country. We hope to see Ngatiporou here in the course of the day.