90
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

formed in the following order, viz., the 2nd Battalion
14th Regiment on the right, the 43rd Light Infantry
on the left, and the Forest Rangers in the centre, all
in skirmishing order with supports; the Native
Contingent forming a reserve. I then gave the order
to advance, when a heavy fire was opened by the
enemy, upon which the troops gallantly charged and
occupied the place; the rebels retreating and re-
opening fire from the bush, from which they were as
quickly driven. Captains Livesay and Corbett, with
their respective detachments, arrived on the ground
immediately after.

Our loss was not severe on this occasion (casualty
return enclosed); that of the rebels could not be
ascertained, four bodies only were seen. The whares
and cultivations, which were unusually extensive,
having been destroyed, the troops returned to their
respective camps.

On the 2nd the field force marched to Opunaki,
where I found a number of Natives recently in arms
against us, who had been permitted by the civil
authorities to reside in a village near the redoubt
without taking the oath of allegiance. I im-
mediately directed them to be made prisoners.

Amongst the number was Te Ua, the so-called
prophet, and founder of the Hau Hau fanaticism; he
proceeds to Wellington for your Excellency's dis-
posal. The remainder were set at liberty on taking
the oath of allegiance, and giving up their arms.

Prior to leaving Opunaki, I instructed Captain
the Honorable A. E. Harris, 43rd Regiment, to
capture and destroy a pa near Warea, to which it
was reported the rebels from Waikoko had retired.
In this service he was to be aided by Captain Livesay,
with a detachment of the 43rd Light Infantry, from
Opunaki, and Captain Corbett, with the Military
Settlers, from Tipoka. I am not in possession of
Captain Harris's official report, but I have learnt
that the duty with which I entrusted him has been
effectually performed, the enemy having been driven
from the place with loss, and the village destroyed.

On the 3rd the field force marched to the Peo
River, and on the following day to Waingongoro.

I enclose the copy of a report received (4th
February, 1866), from Lieutenant-Colonel Butler,
57th Regiment who had, under my instructions,
availed himself of every opportunity afforded of
harassing the dispersed rebels in the vicinity of
Otapawa and Ketemarai.

On the 5th the force marched to Manawapou,
seven miles inland of which post it had been reported
to me that some of the rebels had collected at a pa
called Mere Mere. I therefore sent Lieutenant-
Colonel Butler, with a force as per margin,* to
destroy it, and this he accomplished on the afternoon
of the 6th, without meeting any material opposition
from the enemy, who fired a few shots and fled. A
considerable extent of cultivation was destroyed.

On the same day the force under my command
marched to the Patea, on the 7th to Waitotara, on
the 8th to Alexander's Farm, arriving in Wanganui
at seven a.m., on the 9th instant.

I enclose for your Excellency's information the
copy of a correspondence between Te Ua and some
rebel Natives.

I believe that throughout the country traversed
by the field force during the last six weeks there
does not now remain one fortified position or ordi-
nary village in the occupation of the rebels, who

• Distibution-Royal Artillery: Sergeant, 1; rank and file, 6;
  1 six-pounder Armstrong gun.
  57th Regiment: Captain, 1; subalterns, 2; sergeants, 4;
  drummer, 1; rank and file, 150.
  Native Contingent: Subaltern, 1; rank and file, 30.
  Total: Captain, 1; subalterns, 3; sergeants, 5; drummer,
  1; rank and file, 186.

have suffered most severely in loss of life, habitations,
cultivations, horses, cattle, and other property.
It is hardly possible for me to convey to your
Excellency how much I feel indebted to Dr. Feather-
ston, Superintendent of this Province, for his able
advice on all subjects connected with the Maoris.
He accompanied me throughout the campaign,
sharing all our dangers and privations, and was
present at each engagement and assault.
I am particularly obliged to him for the zeal with
which he has at all times labored to obtain infor-
mation of the movements and positions of the rebels
which it would have been almost impossible for me
to acquire without his assistance.

The Native Contingent has been a valuable
auxiliary force. My thanks are due to Major
McDonnell, and his brother, Ensign McDonnell,
who are active and zealous officers, and most
deserving of your Excellency's favorable consider-
ation.

I beg also to bring under notice the Chiefs Hori
Kingi, Kemp, and Haimona, whose conduct at all
times was such as to merit my warmest approbation.
I have likewise to express my thanks to Major
Von Tempsky, and the force under his command, for
their services, which I have on former occasions
brought to your Excellency's favorable notice.

It will be my duty to bring prominently to the
notice of the Right Honorable the Secretary of State
for War, and His Royal Highness the Field Marshal
Commanding in Chief, the noble and gallant conduct
of the whole of the troops engaged in these
operations.

I have, &c.,
T. CHUTE,
Major-General.

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

Return of Killed and Wounded in the Field Force
under the command of Major-General Chute during
the operations commencing 30th December, 1865,
and terminating 9th February, 1866:–
2nd Battalion 14th Regiment: Officers, 2 wounded;
men, 2 killed, 7 wounded.
50th Regiment: Men, 1 killed, 2 wounded.
57th Regiment: Officer, 1 wounded; men, 5 killed, 10
wounded.
Forest Rangers: Men, 2 wounded.
Military Settlers: Men, 2 wounded.
Native Contingent: Officer, 1 wounded; men, 1
killed, 3 wounded.
Total: Officers, 4 wounded; men, 9 killed, 26
wounded.

T. CHUTE,
Major-General.

One officer and 4 men since died of wounds.

Return showing the Pas and Villages taken and
destroyed by the Field Force under the command of
Major-General Chute, during the operations com-
mencing 30th December, 1865, and terminating 9th
February, 1866:–
Fortified Pas:---Okatuku, Putahi, Otapawa, Kitio-
nitia, Puketi Katamarai, Waikoko, Meremere.
Villages:---Moturou; Oika; small village near
Otapu, name not known; Tiporohenui; Te Whenuka;
Te Moro; Kanihi; Mawhitihito; Te Paki; Otukere;
Aoteroa or Winioiri; Ahipaipa; one village inside
the bush, name not known, two miles from Ketema-
rai; Umeroa; Manihi; Watina; Oeo; Oukuti;
Tiwiti Maona; two villages near Waikoko, names
not known, destroyed by Captain Harris, 43rd Light
Infantry, about the 6th instant—Officers' report not
yet received.

T. CHUTE,
Major-General.