442
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

success. We then moved inland by the
boundary line of the Bell Block, and upon
reaching Street's clearing, which is covered
with high fern, we surprised a party of about
thirty Maoris. They returned our fire well for
a few minutes, but very soon took to the bush,
and then right away. We continued our
march to Greenway's, where we surprised
another party of about the same number;
they also, after a short skirmish, made off as
fast as possible. This party was apparently in
waiting for a small escort from the Bell Block
Stockade fetching firewood.

Knowing the strength of the natives in the
immediate neighbourhood, I did not consider
it prudent to follow up either of the parties, or
to attempt to surround them, which could
have been done in both cases had I felt certain
of their numbers.

I believe we killed two, if not more, and
wounded several.

We took six mats, two stained with blood,
several haversacks and kits with food in, and
one bag containing twenty-two leaden bullets.
There were no casualties, I am thankful to
say, on our side, except one man (Rushton)
just touched in the ear.

We reached town on our return at 2 p.m.
To Captains Webster, and Messenger, to
Lieutenant Jonas and Ensign Brown, and to
Assistant-Surgeon Webber, my best thanks are
due. The conduct also of the non-commissioned
officers and men, upon whom so much depends
on such occasions, was most satisfactory.

I have, &c.,
H. A. Atkinson,
Captain T.R.V.

The Garrison Adjutant,
Taranaki.

from 6 to 800 strong, advanced with great
determination to attack the Redoubt.
Knowing that the Maoris had been collect-
ing their forces; and by information I received
the previous evening, I was somewhat pre-
pared for this attack, although I did not know
against what quarter it was intended, and large
fires lighted in every direction were evidently
meant to withdraw our attention from the real
point.

On receipt of Captain Wright's letter, I
immediately sent Major Butler, 57th Regt., to
take command, and the reinforcements stated
in the margin being all the men I could spare,
compatible with the safety of the town.

On Major Butler's arrival at Poutoko, he
found that the Maoris were advancing from
Hurford's clearing and Brown's land to the
left and left rear of the Redoubt; and as the
ground is tolerably open, he advanced to meet
them with about 100 men of the 57th and 70th
from the Redoubt, directing Captain Armstrong,
with about 40 Militiamen, from the Omata
Stockade, to hold the Redoubt.

As it was now quite evident on which side
the attack was directed, I followed the rein-
forcements, and directing Captain Shortt to
proceed by the new line of road from Omata
Village towards Allan's Hill, and Captains
Atkinson and Webster to continue their march
by Waireka Gully, I went forward and found
Major Butler engaged by a very superior
number of the enemy, who had possession of
the bush, flanking the fields over which he had
advanced. The firing was very heavy, and
several casualties had occurred; but the timely
arrival of Captain Shortt, who at once attacked
the rebels upon their right flank, enabled Major
Butler to recover his ground, and to oblige
the rebels to take refuge in the densely wooded
gullies, from whence, and from the high trees
on the opposite banks, they kept up an inces-
sant, but fortunately not very effective, fire.

Captain Shortt also found himself opposed
by very large numbers of rebels, who for a
short time disputed his passage across the
narrow neck of land between two deep gullies,
near Touet's house. With the most deter-
mined gallantry, his party forced their way
across the broken half-cleared ground; and the
arrival of the Volunteers, under Captains
Atkinson and Webster, enabled us to become
the assailants, and the Maoris were driven into
the bush-covered gullies, where I felt that it
would have been but a useless sacrifice of life
to follow them.

During this action, which lasted upwards
of an hour, word was brought to me that 2 or
300 Maoris had crossed the Tapuae river, and
were advancing towards the Redoubt by the
Point, or Bob Erangi's pa, from whence they
kept up a useless fire, until dislodged by shell
from the howitzer, which is kept in the Redoubt.
I also sent a subdivision, under Lieutenant
Mills, to prevent the enemy from getting round
the right flank, between the Redoubt and the
sea.

The Troops and Volunteers now held every

Lieutenant-General Cameron to the Governor.
Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt,
6th October, 1863.

SIR,—I have the honor to forward copies of
a Report from Colonel Warre, C.B., Command-
ing at New Plymouth, and its Enclosures,
relative to a severe engagement, which took
place near Poutoko, on the 2nd instant, from
which your Excellency will be glad to learn
that the regular Troops, as well as the Militia
and Volunteers of the Province, displayed their
usual gallantry in repelling the attack of very
superior numbers of the enemy. Colonel
Warre evinced great judgment and ability
throughout the action.

I have, &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lieut.-General.

His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.

New Plymouth, New Zealand,
3rd October, 1863.

SIR,—I have the honor to transmit the
accompanying reports from the Officer Com-
manding at Poutoko, and to report for the
information of the Lieutenant-General Com-
manding that later in the day the rebel Maoris,