90
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

the force named in the margin.* But as it
was reported to me about noon the same
day that a considerable body of natives had
advanced from Rangiaohia, and were fortify-
ing themselves on the site of an old pah called
Haeirini-a position extremely strong by
nature, and blocking the road between Te
Awamutu and Rangiaohia-I determined to
attack them immediately.

At 1 o'clock p.m. I advanced on their
position with the force named in the margin.†
Small detached parties of the enemy, who
were posted about a mile in front of Haeirini,
having been driven back by the skirmishers,
which were composed of companies of the
50th and 70th Regiments, I brought up the
two six-pounder Armstrong guns, under the
command of Bt.-Lieut.-Colonel Barstow, to
a commanding height about 500 yards from
the position.

After several rounds had been fired from
these guns with good effect, I ordered Colonel
Weare with the 50th Regiment to carry the
position at the point of the bayonet, having
the 65th in support and the 70th in reserve,
while the cavalry were formed up on the
right, behind the brow of the hill, ready to
pursue the enemy.

The 50th were exposed to a very heavy
fire in advancing towards the position, which
they carried with great gallantry, and I beg
to enclose a copy of Colonel Weare's report
describing the attack.

The natives fell hurriedly back before the
leading files of the 50th could reach them
with the bayonet, and retired through a
swamp in the direction of the Mangatautari
Road. The cavalry had an opportunity of
charging them as they retreated, and did
some execution. They made no further
stand, but fled precipitately towards Manga-
tautari, leaving almost everything but their
arms behind them.

I enclose Returns of our casualties on this
occasion and on the day previous.

I estimate the number of natives who
defended the position at Haeirini at 400.
Their loss I have not been able to ascertain,
but they must have had at least 30 killed.

Leaving the 50th Regiment and two guns
under Colonel Weare, near the Catholic
Church at Rangiaohia, I withdrew the re-
mainder of the troops to Te Awamutu, where
Colonel Waddy arrived with his force at
11 o'clock that night; having, before he left
Te Rore, taken possession of the Paterangi
pa, which, as well as the one at Pikopiko,
was deserted by the enemy in the morning.

I cannot praise too highly the admirable
conduct of all the troops, regular and
colonial, during the fatiguing night march of
the 20th, and the operations of the two
following days; but particularly of the
Mounted Royal Artillery, under Lieut.
Rait; of the Colonial Defence Force, under
Lieut.-Colonel Nixon, and afterwards under
Captain Walmsley; and of the 50th Regi-
ment, under Colonel Weare.

I deeply regret that the severe wound
received by Lieut-Colonel Nixon has de-
prived me, though I trust only for a short
time, of his valuable services. The high

DISTRIBUTION.

| | Field
Officers. | Captains. | Subalterns. | Staff. | Sergeants. | Drummers. | Rank and
File. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18th Regiment | - | - | - | - | - | - | 136 |
| 40th Regiment | - | 1 | 3 | - | 5 | 3 | 136 |
| 50th Regiment | - | 1 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 352 |
| Colonial Defence Force. | - | - | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 96 |
| | | 1 | | | | | 6 |
| Total | - | 5 | 13 | 3 | 28 | 16 | 590 |

DISTRIBUTION.

| | Field
Officers. | Captains. | Subalterns. | Staff. | Sergeants. | Drummers. | Rank and
File. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Artillery Cavalry | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 31 |
| Colonial Defence Force | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | - | 38 |
| Royal Artillery | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | - | 22 |
| Royal Engineers | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8 |
| 50th Regiment | - | 2 | 14 | 2 | 23 | 15 | 442 |
| 65th Regiment | - | 8 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 200 |
| 70th Regiment | - | 2 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 7 | 262 |
| Forest Rangers | - | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | - | 72 |
| Total | - | 18 | 34 | 9 | 60 | 27 | 1075 |