Numb. 12.
153

The New Zealand Gazette.
Published by Authority.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1864.

Colonial Defence Office,
Auckland, 8th April, 1864.
HIS Excellency the Governor directs the
publication of the following Despatch
with its enclosures from Lieut.-General
Cameron, C.B., for general information.
T. RUSSELL.

Lieut.-General to the Governor.
Head-Quarters,
Pukerimu, April 7, 1864.
SIR, I have the honor to forward to your
Excellency a report from Brigadier-General
Carey, commanding at Te Awamutu, of an
attack made by the troops under his command
on the entrenched position of the rebels at the
village of Orakau, which he took after a siege
of two days, inflicting a very heavy loss upon
them in their retreat. They had probably not
less than 150 men killed, out of a garrison not
exceeding 300.

This success is to be attributed to the skilful
movements by which General Carey suddenly
surrounded the position, and to the able man-
ner in which he conducted all the operations.

Our loss has been severe; and it is with the
deepest regret that I announce the death of
that brave officer, Captain Ring, 2nd Batt. 18th
Regt., who was mortally wounded whilst gal-
lantly leading his men to the assault. Captain
Ring had already distinguished himself by his
gallant conduct on two former occasions, and
his early death has deprived his regiment, and
the service, of a most promising officer.

Brigadier-General Carey speaks highly of the
conduct and gallantry of all the officers and
men engaged, both of the regular and colonial
forces, who appear to have vied with each other
in the zealous discharge of their duty.

I beg to invite your Excellency's attention
to the gallantry displayed by Captain Herford
and Lieutenant Harrison, of the Waikato
Militia; and I recommend them and the other
officers specially mentioned by General Carey
to your Excellency's favourable consideration.

I have already had the pleasure of bringing
to the favourable notice of the Secretary of
War the conduct of all the officers
and men of Her Majesty's troops engaged on
this occasion, particularly of those who are re-
ported to have distinguished themselves.

It is impossible not to admire the heroic
courage and devotion of the natives in defend-
ing themselves so long against overwhelming
numbers. Surrounded closely on all sides, cut
off from their supply of water, and deprived of
all hope of succour, they resolutely held their
ground for more than two days, and did not
abandon their position until the sap had reached
the ditch of their last entrenchment.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,

D. A. CAMERON,
Lieut.-General.

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

Camp Te Awamutu, April 3, 1864.

Sir, I have the honour to state, for the
information of the Lieutenant-General Com-
manding the Forces, that about mid-day on the
30th ultimo it was reported to me by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Haultain, commanding at Kihi-
kihi Redoubt, that natives were seen in force at
the village of Orakau, about 2 to 3 miles dis-
tant from his post.

I immediately rode over and made a recon-
naissance, found that the natives were engaged
building a pa, and as it was then too late in
the day to attack at once, I returned to this
camp, and made arrangements to march on the
enemy's position during the night.

Captain Baker, 18th Royal Irish, Deputy-
Assistant-Adjutant-General, fortunately found
two men in the camp (Messrs. Gage and W.
Astle) whom, from their local knowledge, I at