Numb. 56.

393

THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1866.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 25th October, 1866.

THE following correspondence respecting the recent
engagements between the Militia and Volunteers
and the rebel Hau Haus at Omaranui and Petane,
in the Province of Hawke's Bay, is published for
general information.

E. W. STAFFORD.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 17th October, 1866.

(No. 328.)

SIR,—The Government has received intelligence of
the successful result of the engagement which took
place on the 12th instant, between a force composed
of Militia and Volunteers from Napier, and of
friendly Natives in the vicinity, and a body of armed
rebel Hau Haus who had encamped at Omaranui,
threatening the safety of the town, plundering the
settlers and the resident Natives, and refusing to
give any satisfactory explanation of their intentions.

The Government earnestly trusts that the energy
and gallantry displayed by the Colonial Forces under
the direction of your Honor and the Officer com-
manding the Militia and Volunteers, and the vigorous
measures taken for the suppression of the first
symptoms of armed insurrection, will have the
desired effect of at once restoring and securing peace
and safety throughout the Napier District.

The promptitude shown by your Honor in the
organization of the necessary measures for the
expulsion of these armed fanatics, and the patriotic
courage of the Colonial Forces under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, deserve high praise;
and although the Government has not yet received
any official account of the engagement, I have to
request your Honor to be good enough to communi-
cate to Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, and to those who
served under him, the thanks of the Government for
their conduct on the occasion referred to, and its

His Honor D. McLean,
Napier.

I have, &c.,
E. W. STAFFORD.

sympathy with those who were wounded, and with
the survivors of those (fortunately so few) who were
killed by the enemy.

I have, &c.,
E. W. STAFFORD.

His Honor D. McLean,
Napier.

Napier, 15th October, 1866.

SIR,—In continuation of my report to you of the
9th instant, I have now the honor to state that the
preparatory measures then contemplated have been
carried into effect.

On Thursday the 11th instant Major Fraser arrived
from the Wairoa with forty rank and file of the
Military Settlers, accompanied by the chiefs Kopu
and Ihaka Whaanga with thirty of their followers.

The same afternoon Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmore,
who was in town waiting for orders, had the Forces
under his command marched at midnight towards the
several positions to be assigned to them, as detailed
in his full and explanatory despatch herewith
enclosed.

I may be permitted to state that the zeal, alacrity,
and high spirit displayed by all classes of the
European inhabitants during a time of imminent
danger, reflects the greatest credit upon the commu-
nity, who as loyal subjects were prepared and resolved
to uphold Her Majesty's lawful authority within the
district.

Almost simultaneously with the movement of the
European forces, the friendly Natives of Pawhakairo
were communicated with by Mr. Locke, a gentleman
who justly possesses great influence with them. The
several chiefs and their followers were, with Mr.
Locke, at their positions by daylight—having failed in
every effort used to bring about a settlement of
impending hostilities.

I addressed a letter to the insurgent Natives at
Omaranui, the translation of which is herewith