✨ Military Dispatches and Reports
Numb. 52.
237
The New Zealand Gazette.
Published by Authority.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1863.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 5th October, 1863.
HIS Excellency the Governor directs the
publication of the accompanying Des-
patch, with enclosures, from Lieutenant-
General Cameron, C.B.
ALFRED DOMETT.
Lieutenant-General Cameron to the Governor.
Head-Quarters, Queen's Redoubt,
30th September, 1863.
SIR,—I have much pleasure in forwarding,
for Your Excellency's information, the accom-
panying copy of a letter from Colonel Warre,
C.B., Commanding at New Plymouth, en-
closing reports from Major Butler and Captain
Shortt, 57th Regiment.
I have, &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lieutenant-General.
His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.,
&c., &c., &c.,
Auckland.
New Plymouth, New Zealand,
26th September, 1863.
SIR,—I have the honor to report, for the
information of the Lieutenant-General Com-
manding, that the Military and Civil Forces
under my command have again inflicted a
severe chastisement on the rebel Natives.
On the 24th instant, it was reported to me
that Mr. Clare, a settler at Bell Block, en-
gaged in his ordinary pursuits on his own
land, had been fired at by a party of Natives,
who were said to be encamped at a place
called Ninia, a short distance over the boun-
dary.
Being aware that a number of natives had
lately arrived from the south at Matatawhai,
I thought it probable that they might wish to
try their strength against the troops on this
comparatively open gronnd, I directed Major
Butler to march at 3 o'clock a.m. on the fol-
lowing day with the force noted in the mar-
gin, and although the weather was extremely
unfavourable he reached the points indicated
by daylight, not however without disturbing
the natives who were scattered in several par-
ties about the neighbourhood. A sharp skir-
mish immediately commenced, which resulted
in the natives being driven across the two
rivers into the bush leading towards Matai-
tawhai, with the loss of their principal chief,
Enoka, William King's brother, and three or
four other natives severely wounded, and
without a single casualty on our side.
I beg to forward Major Butler's report, and
I have much pleasure in drawing the Lieut.-
General's attention to the admirable conduct
of Captain Shortt, the officers, non-commis-
sioned officers, and men of the 57th regiment,
and to that of Captain Webster, the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and men of the
Volunteer Company, who, in spite of the
weather, which was very wet and cold, under-
took this long night march with the utmost
cheerfulness, and as I wished, and intended,
proved to the Natives that they cannot at-
tack settlers or commit depredations on their
property with impunity.
The troops were very anxious to follow the
Natives through the bush, but Major Butler
-
Fd. Officer. Officers. Serg. Drs. Rk. & File.
57th Regiment, 1 5 4 3 100
Taranaki Volunteers, 0 2 1 1 531 7 5 4 153
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NZ Gazette 1863, No 52
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🏛️ Order for Publication of Despatch from Lieutenant-General Cameron
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration5 October 1863
Publication order, Despatch, Military correspondence, Auckland
- ALFRED DOMETT
🛡️ Despatch forwarding report from Colonel Warre regarding New Plymouth action
🛡️ Defence & Military30 September 1863
Military report forwarding, New Plymouth, Colonel Warre, Headquarters
- D. A. CAMERON, Lieutenant-General
🛡️ Report on Military Action near New Plymouth resulting in Native casualties
🛡️ Defence & Military26 September 1863
Skirmish, New Plymouth, Bell Block, Ninia, Native casualties, Enoka, William King, Volunteer Company
- Mr. Clare, Settler fired at by Natives
- Enoka (chief), Principal chief killed in skirmish
- William King, Brother of deceased chief Enoka
- Colonel Warre, C.B.
- Major Butler
- Captain Shortt
- Captain Webster