298
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
30 men, having previously directed Lieuten-
ant and Adjutant Lewis, with 40 men, to
remain outside, and thus cut off any natives
attempting to escape. On reaching the native
settlement of Kerikeri, I heard some desul-
tory firing on my left, and was led to under-
stand by some militiamen that they had fired
at some natives towards the Wairoa, escaping
into the bush.

Being satisfied with this explanation, I
returned towards Drury, having previously
picked up the body of the murdered man and
sent it there.

When within one and a half miles of that
settlement, I was overtaken by Veterinary
Surgeon Anderson, R.A., who informed me
that a detachment of the 2B. 18th regiment
was in a very precarious position near Wai-
roa, and required a reinforcement, as they
could not do more than hold their position.

On this, I retraced my steps towards
Kerikeri, and just before sunset entered the
main bush, under the guidance of Ensign
Hay

As my party advanced, firing and shouting
were more distinctly heard; and after pro-
ceeding about half a mile, a turn of the road
brought me suddenly upon the combatants,
the 2B. 18th on an entrenched knoll, and
the natives on the lower ground, but pressing
them hard upon three sides, when the detach-
ment 65th regt. cut off in their turn the
immediate rear of two of them. Lieutenant
Pennefather, who commanded the advanced
guard, finding himself exposed to a cross fire
from both 2B. 18th regiment and natives,
directed the bugler to sound the "Regimental
Call" and the "Fire;" and with a loud cheer
which was answered by the 2B. 18th regt.,
a rapid and continuous fusilade was opened
on the natives ensconced in the gullies and
sheltered by trees from the fire of the 2B.
18th regiment.

Being completely taken by surprise, they,
after a smart action of about ten minutes, fled
towards the denser bush; but the darkness,
which had now began to set in, rendered all
attempts at searching for their dead and
wounded perfectly futile.

The enemy's fire being now completely
silenced, I directed both parties to move off
to their respective camps; and while so
doing, a few desultory shots were fired high
over their heads.

I must bring to the Lieutenant-General's
notice the cool and intrepid gallantry evinced
on this occasion by Lieutenant Rait, R A.,
Captain Gresson, Lieutenant and Adjutant
Lewis (who commanded No. 1 Company, the
Officers being both sick), and Lieutenant
Pennefather, who commanded the advanced
guard; and I trust you will recommend
Ensign James B. Hay, of the Militia, to
the favourable consideration of His Excel-
lency the Governor, for his coolness and
cleverness in guiding the party under my
command, so rapidly into the scene of this
brief but smart action.

With a proud heart I must bring to the
Lieutenant-General's notice, the cool and
quiet order and gallantry displayed by all
ranks of the force under my command, and
the unflinching patience with which the men
bore the harrassing and toilsome march to
and from the scene of action.

I am happy to say that the casualties of
my party were limited to one private killed.

I have, &c.,

(Signed) ALFRED F. W. WYATT,
Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding
65th Regt. and Troops at Drury.

The Military Secretary,
Head-quarters, Drury.

Camp near Keri Keri,
Wairoa-road, 23rd July, 1863.

SIR,-I have the honor to state for your
information that at noon the 22nd instant, I
received information that two settlers had
been fired upon by a body of natives, and that
one of the settlers was killed, and hearing
firing in the vicinity of Pukikiwereke, about
two miles from my camp, I immediately pro-
ceeded with 100 men of the detachment under
my command, and close to the abovenamed
place I fell in with natives who were engaged
with 16 volunteers. I opened fire and the
natives retreated to my former entrenchment
above the whari at Keri Keri. The firing of
the skirmishers drove them down the side of
the hill into the brushwood; the leading
skirmishers on the right, under Lieut. Wray,
took possession of the hill, and kept up fire
on them. I, with another body of skirmishers,
proceeded to take them on the right flank,
but found that the natives, who mustered a
strong force, nearly surrounded me. Here I
lost one man killed, whose rifle and bayonet
were taken possession of by the natives,
though not without serious loss to them. I
then concentrated my men on the entrench-
ment, and having heard from an artillery
officer, who rode up to my position, that the
65th Regiment was in my immediate vicinity,
I requested that he would inform the officer
commanding 65th that there was a track on
the enemy's rear, and if an attack were made
in that direction it would be of great service,
as it was quite impossible for me to follow so
strong a force of the enemy into the bush
with my small force. I remained in the en-
trenched position until close on sunset, keep-
ing a steady fire on the enemy, who were en-
deavouring to obtain the body and ammuni-
tion of the private who was killed, and whom
I would not leave. I repeatedly tried to ob-
tain possession of the body by sending out
volunteers of the man's company, but de-
sisted, finding it would entail greater loss. I
was about retiring, leaving a rearguard in the
entrenchment, when the mounted artillery
arrived; immediately after I saw the 65th
appear. The natives then drew off their
right flanking movement, and, retreating into
the bush, enabled me to obtain the body of