396
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
notice of the Government the assistance afforded me
by the officers of all ranks. To have assembled their
men from every part of this scattered town and from
their farms in the suburban lands during the night
in a couple of hours, was, notwithstanding the willing-
ness of the men. most creditable to the zeal of the
officers, commissioned and non-commissioned. Failing
enough arms, I authorized Captain Gordon, late of
the Iniskilling Dragoons, to raise a party of horse,
armed with swords alone, from the unarmed men,
and six more unarmed men in each company marched
with us to the ground to carry the wounded and to
bring up ammunition if required. The Natives had
still less warning than the Europeans, but they
turned out at once, and reached their posts in time.
A large section was not brought under fire, but
prevented the enemy's retreat on one side. Another,
under the leading chiefs, did join our men. Perhaps
my inexperience of their mode of warfare may have
placed them at disadvantage, but they did not mate-
rially add to our strength. Nevertheless many
individual acts of gallantry were performed by them
under my own observation. The chiefs Tareha,
Renata, Ihaka, Kopu, distinguished themselves highly,
but the two first named were conspicuous throughout
action endeavouring to induce their followers to
charge. Tareha, with a sword alone in his hand,
rushed among the enemy to stimulate his men.
Happily no harm reached him, and a valuable ally is
spared to the Europeans of this Province. Although
I may have failed to afford a fair field for these
Natives to fight with the gallantry which I believe
they possess, their prompt assistance has been most
valuable. It has shown both the genuine nature of
their professed friendship, for they lost several
wounded and two killed in supporting us; it adds
one proof more to the many we possess of the just-
ness of our view of the question at issue with the
Hau Haus, and it enabled us to prevent almost
entirely the escape of the defenders of the pa. Mr.
Locke, to whom the Natives were intrusted, exerted
himself with so much gallantry and zeal as to deserve
my warmest thanks. Among our fellow-settlers of
all ranks, many conducted themselves in such a
manner as to merit any distinction the Government
can bestow. I shall be very happy to designate them
for such a purpose, but here I think it would be
invidious to do so. I shall therefore confine myself
to remarking, that but for their willingness and
cheerfulness the operation could not have been
carried out at all, and to stating that I did not see
one solitary case of misbehaviour throughout the
affair.

While these operations were being brought to a
close, another part of the general plan was being
carried out by the gallant Major Fraser, who has so
often led our fellow settlers to success. It was
arranged that Major Fraser should pass over the
harbour-mouth and march to Petane, to intercept
any fugitives from Omaranui, and to prevent rein-
forcements coming up by that route. The smart
little affair which followed is so well described by
Major Fraser that I cannot do better than forward
his despatch to you with this, trusting that you will
recognize the behaviour of the officers whom he
names.

Later on in the day, after attending the Native
meeting with your Honor, at Pa Whakairo, to
concert further operations to complete the discom-
fiture of the survivors of the Haus Haus in their
especial part of this Province; and after revisiting
my own home, where I had assembled a small body
of Volunteers to hold one of the roads to Titiokura,
I rode across to Petane, reaching Major Fraser in
the night. Finding that he was not likely to be
immediately assailed, and therefore not in want of
reinforcements, I returned this morning to Napier.

I cannot conclude this despatch without expressing
the obligation I feel I am under to the following
officers for the zealous assistance rendered to me by
them, which made my task a light one.

Major Lambert, commanding the main body of
Militia, whose gallant example was most valuable
and conspicuous.

Major Fraser, whose co-operation prevented the
Hau Haus from again establishing themselves in
this part of the country.

Capt. Kennedy, who was severely wounded early
in the action, and who led his company with great
coolness and gallantry.

Capt. Rhodes, who brought all his men that could
get horses from Clive and Havelock, a distance too
great to be marched on foot in time, and who
performed valuable services in delaying the fugitives.

Capt. Buchanan, whose. Volunteers contributed so
much to the final success, and who showed them so
gallant an example.

Capt. Birch, who collected the scattered Company
of the Napier country districts, and brought all to
the field.

Capt. Gordon, who raised his troop in a few hours
and, armed with. sabres alone, performed so much
valuable service.

Lieut. Wilson who, after Capt. Kennedy was
wounded, took command of his Company, and showed
it an example of cool courage and zealous obedience
to orders.

Capt. Withers who, in two hours, at night, com-
pleted the equipment of the whole force, and arranged
all the details of the movement, besides assisting
me all day in the field.

Capt. Hamilton Russell, and Mr. Agnew Brown.
who acted as staff officers throughout the day most
zealously, and performed much dangerous duty.

Mr. Hamlin, who acted as my Interpreter, and
who on two occasions rode under a hot fire to carry
out my orders, and was wounded in so doing.

With this affair, and the few days further opera-
tions required, I trust that the recent unsettled state
of this district may cease, as nearly all the turbulent
spirits are now killed or taken, and that your Honor
may once more have the satisfaction of seeing the
blessing of peace restored to our Province; and I
trust I do not transgress in acknowledging the great
assistance afforded me on all occasions by you, to
which and to the harmony and concert with which
your Honor's transactions with me have been dis-
tinguished together, and with the noble conduct of
our settlers, is wholly due the original success of the
late operations.

G. S. WHITMORE, Lieut.-Colonel,
Commanding Militia District.

To His Honor the Superintendent,
Hawke's Bay.

Enclosure No. 2.

Captain Carr's Station, Petane Valley,
13th October, 1866.

SIR,—I have the honor to report for your informa-
tion my proceedings consequent on your orders to
me of the 11th instant. I marched as therein directed
at 2 a.m. on the 12th, and crossed my company* over
in boats to the Petane Spit, along which we pro-
ceeded. The march was rendered very fatiguing by
the heavy sand, but the men went along well, and in
the highest spirits. We reached the pa "Pou"
about 6 a.m. and there halted for the purpose of
seeing if it were inhabited and by whom; we only
found in it three men, with a number of women and
children. The men I arrested in accordance with
your instructions to me. After a short time we pro-