THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 277

Colonial Secretary's Office
(Native Department),
Auckland, 13th June, 1864.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been
pleased to appoint
FAIRFAX JOHNSON, Esq.,
to lay information under the "Native Land
Purchase Ordinance" Sess. VII. No. 19.
WILLIAM FOX.

Colonial Defence Office,
Auckland, 24th June, 1864.

THE following despatch, with its en-
closures, from Lieutenant-General Sir
Duncan A. Cameron, K.C.B., is published
for general information.
T. RUSSELL.

Head-Quarters,
Auckland, 23rd June, 1864.

SIR,—I have great satisfaction in forward-
ing to your Excellency the enclosed account
of an engagement between the troops, under
command of Colonel Greer, 68th Regiment,
and the rebels, at Tauranga, in which the
latter were defeated with great loss.

Our own loss was small, considering the
number engaged, the heavy fire to which
they were exposed in advancing to the
attack, and the resistance made by the
enemy in their rifle-pits.

This very successful action reflects the
greatest credit upon Colonel Greer and the
troops under his command, who fought with
the greatest gallantry.

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

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

Camp Te Papa, Tauranga,
21st June, 1864.

SIR,—I have the honor to report, for the
information of the Lieutenant-General Com-
manding, that I marched out of camp with a
force as per margin* this morning at 8 a.m.

I found a large force of Maoris (about
600) entrenching themselves about 4 miles
beyond Pukehinahina. They had made a
single line of 'rifle-pits of the usual form
across the road, in a position exactly similar
to Pukehinahina- the commencement of a
formidable pa. Having driven in some
skirmishers they had thrown out, I extended
the 43rd and a portion of the 68th in their
front and on the flanks as far as practicable,
and kept up a sharp fire for about two hours,
while I sent back for reinforcements as per
margin.† As soon as they were sufficiently
near to support, I sounded the advance, when
the 43rd, 68th, and 1st Waikato Militia
charged, and carried the rifle-pits in the most
dashing manner, under a tremendous fire,
but which was for the most part too high.

*3 Field Officers, 9 Captains, 14 Subalterns, 24
Sergeants, 13 Buglers, 531 Rank and File.
†1 Gun, 220 Men

For a few minutes the Maoris fought despe-
rately, and then were utterly routed. 68
were killed in the rifle-pits.

The position was very favourable for
their retreat; otherwise few could have
escaped.

The Defence Force pursued them several
miles, but could not get well at them, owing
to the deep ravines with which the country
is everywhere intersected.

The Infantry pursued as long as they
could keep the Maoris in sight. All did their
duty gallantly.

The 43rd were under the command of
Major Synge (whose horse was shot); the
68th under Major Shuttleworth; the 1st
Waikato Militia under Captain Moore; and
they each led their men well.

It is impossible for me in this hurried
report to do justice. I will therefore have
the pleasure, in a supplemental report, to
bring those to your notice who more particu-
larly distinguished themselves.

I marched the men back to camp this
morning.

One hundred and seven Maoris were found
and carried up to the rifle pits, and we have
brought in 27 wounded, all severely, and 10
prisoners.

Many more must have been killed in the
ravines, whom we did not find.

I enclose a Return, which shows that a
large number of chiefs have been killed, in-
cluding Rawiri.

I am happy to say our casualties have been
comparatively small.

I enclose a Return of the killed and
wounded.

I must not conclude without remarking
on the gallant stand made by the Maoris at
the rifle-pits; they stood the charge without
flinching, and did not retire until forced out
at the point of the bayonet.

The name of the position which the Maoris
occupied is "Te Ranga."

I have thought this of sufficient importance
to request Captain Phillimore to take my
report up in the 'Esk.'---I have, &c.,

H. H. GREER,
Colonel Commanding Tauranga District.
The Deputy Quarter-Master-General, }
Head Quarters.

MEMORANDUM.

The Casualties among the rebels in the
engagement fought this day at Te Ranga
were

Killed ... ... ... 105*
Wounded ... ... ... 27
Prisoners ... ... ... 10

142

Among the former are Rawiri Tuaia, the
principal King Chief of Tauranga, and the
leader of the rebels at the Gate Pa; Poihipi,

• 107 were reported to me.-H. H. G., Colonel.