140

It being now within a few months
of the dissolution of the present Coun-
cil, I take this opportunity of recording
the deep sense entertained by me of
the support that has been accorded by
the Council to this Government during
the whole period of its administration.

Regarding it as most essential under
the free institutions which we all en-
joy, that the acts of the Government
should form the subject of fair criti-
cism, I take this opportunity of assu-
ring those members who have differed
with me in opinion, that I fully appre-
ciate the frank and courteous tone in
which they have given expression to
their sentiments.

I congratulate this Council, and the
Province generally, on the successful
issue of yesterday\'s military operations,
which resulted in the capture and sub-
mission of the armed bands of Hau
Hau fanatics who invaded the settled
and otherwise peaceable districts of
this Province.

The zeal and alacrity displayed by
all classes of Her Majesty\'s subjects, of
both races, in repelling the unprovoked
aggression of brave, enthusiastic, but
dangerous fanatics, must ever form a
bright page in the history of Hawke\'s
Bay.

The ability and determination of the
settlers to defend themselves has been
so signally displayed, that it may now
be confidently anticipated that the
peace and prosperity of the Province
will never again be so wantonly inter-
fered with.

The able disposition of the forces
made by Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmore,
and the efficiency and promptness of
all the officers and men under his com-
mand, deserve my warmest thanks and
approbation.

I must also include the gallant con-
duct, at Petane, of Major Fraser and
the officers and men under his com-
mand, who, on this, as on various pre-
vious occasions, rendered services
which this Province and the Colony
cannot too greatly appreciate.

I now declare this Council pro-
rogued.

DONALD M\'LEAN,
Superintendent.

Superintendent\'s Office,
Napier, October 13, 1866.

THE following resolution was this day
passed by the Provincial Council
of Hawke\'s Bay, and is published for
general information :—

RESOLUTION.

This Council desires to convey to Lieut.
Colonel Whitmore and the Officers and
men under his command its deep sense and
appreciation of the great and valuable ser-
vices rendered to the Province by the gal-
lantry and bravery displayed by the Colo-
nial Forces in the engagements with the
enemy which took place at Omaranui and
Petane yesterday.

This Council feels that it would be diffi-
cult to find language adequately to convey
its sense of the vast importance of those
services, not only to this Province, but to
the Colony at large.

This Council is further of opinion that
the operations of yesterday must have a
most beneficial effect on the minds of the
disaffected natives, while it will strengthen
and encourage the loyalty of those who are
already friendly, and thereby secure and es-
tablish on a more permanent basis the fu-
ture peace of this Province, and the welfare
of both races of Her Majesty\'s subjects.

This Council feels that at a time when
all parties are united in opinion as to the
brilliant achievements of yesterday, that it
might be out of place to enter into particu-
lar details further than to express in general
terms its thorough appreciation of the ser-
vices rendered.

Council Chamber,
October 13, 1866.

Napier, 13th October, 1866.

MILITIA DISTRICT ORDER,
A. 2.

1. The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding
   has the satisfaction of announcing to the
   officers and men under his orders that the
   Omaranui Pah was carried yesterday morn-
   ing by the Colonial Forces, after a sharp
   engagement, which lasted nearly an hour-
   and-a-half. The enemy, who defended
   himself with great desperation, did not sur-
   render till half his force was either killed or
   wounded, and even then a small party pre-
   ferred the chances of flight to laying down
   their arms in their no longer tenable posi-
   tion. This party, with few exceptions,
   were all afterwards taken by the volunteer
   horse.

2. These results could not have been at-
   tained except by the most determined cou-
   rage and steady behaviour on the part of all
   the forces engaged; and the Lieutenant-
   Colonel desires to record his admiration of
   the noble manner in which all ranks per-
   formed the dangerous and difficult service
   which they were called, without any pre-
   vious experience in the field, to carry out.

3. The Lieutenant-Colonel was however
   prepared to find the Colonial Forces mani-
   fest that steadiness under fire and devoted-
   ness in performing their duty which they
   evinced yesterday in action.

He had seen the midnight muster of the
various detachments after their day\'s work
was done, at which, although made quite
unexpectedly with only a few hours\' notice,
and before the men could have been aware
that they were called out for actual service
by law, there were almost none absent.

That settlers should willingly have made
a night march in aid of the civil power,
without any preparation and without com-
pulsion, is of itself an action of which the
community may justly be proud.

The Lieutenant-Colonel is very happy to
say that he has to report very few casual-
ties amongst the force under his orders.
But one man has been killed and nine
wounded among the European portion, and
one killed and five wounded among the
native contingents.

4. The Lieutenant-Colonel desires to
   thank the whole of the officers and men for