✨ Military Despatch Report
Sumb. 33.
189
The New Zealand Gazette.
Published by Authority.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1860.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 7th November, 1860.
HIS Excellency the Governor has been
pleased to direct the following Des-
patch, with enclosures, from the Major-
General Commanding at New Plymouth, and
an extract of a Letter from Mr. Parris, to be
published for general information.
E. W. STAFFORD.
Head Quarters,
New Plymouth, Taranaki,
6th November, 1860.
Sir,—I have the honor to state for the in-
formation of your Excellency and the mem-
bers of the Government, that yesterday after-
noon information reached me that the Wai-
katos had crossed the Waitara river that
morning in force to join Wm. Kingi, and that
they would possibly next morning be in the
neighbourhood of Mahoetahi. I at once ar-
ranged that a force from this, and another from
the camp at the Waitara should march so as
to join early in the morning at that place;
we did so, and met the Waikatos, and after
an action which lasted about two hours, they
were defeated and fled, with very considerable
loss. I write these hurried lines, and send
them by the "Victoria," to enable you to
communicate with the Home Government by
the present mail, and will send full details
hereafter.
Amongst the killed are three very influen-
tial chiefs. The first I am told was the lead-
ing chief in the Maori King movement, the two others powerful and leading men. There
are also many other chiefs killed of minor im-
portance. I enclose lists of those already
known up to this hour.
Our loss was two Officers and 14 men
wounded, and 4 men killed: nothing could exceed
the behaviour of the Troops of all arms, as I
shall detail at length in my Despatch. The
loss of the enemy is not yet ascertained but
from the number killed and buried I should
say they must have had between 80 and 100
killed and wounded.
I enclose an insulting letter sent by the
Waikato Chiefs a few days ago, and it is a
curious fact, that the two Chiefs who signed it
were both killed the very day after they crossed
the Waitara.
In communication with the gentlemen of
the Native Department, I brought into town
the bodies of the three principal Chiefs for
proper interment, the other Waikatos killed
were interred in a pit on the field. We have
taken 6 prisoners and a considerable number of
very fine arms, rifles and double barrelled
guns.
I shall be obliged by the "Victoria" being
sent back without delay, as I have discharged
the "Wonga Wonga."
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
T. S. PRATT,
Major-General Commanding.
To His Excellency
Col. Gore Browne, C.B.,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief,
New Zealand.
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NZ Gazette 1860, No 33
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Despatch Regarding Military Action at Mahoetahi
🛡️ Defence & Military6 November 1860
Mahoetahi, Waikato, Taranaki War, Troop movements, Chiefs killed, Military engagement
- Wm. Kingi, Joined by Waikato forces
- E. W. Stafford, Colonial Secretary
- T. S. Pratt, Major-General Commanding