22

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

few feet from the completion of my purpose, when
we learned that the enemy were escaping. The
fortification was immediately entered by our men,
when it appeared that Koti had made off, lowering
his men and some of the women down the steepest
and therefore least guarded part of the cliff. The
escape had scarcely been finished when we entered
the fortification, and the enemy were so weakened
by insufficient food and prolonged watching that I
was confident of overtaking the fugitives. A large
part of the Native force was at once in eager pursuit.
By sundown the number of killed, either in the pa
or in the pursuit, had reached 120. By night the
following day most of the pursuers had returned,
bringing two of Koti's wives, and 136 of the band
were killed.

Although the women fought, and excited the men
by their cries, I am happy to say that, in obedience
to my orders, they and the children were spared.
Had it been otherwise, the ordinary custom of
Maori warfare and the singular atrocities committed
by Koti's band might have palliated the want of
mercy; and the obedience of the Ngatiporou and
Arawa is proportionately creditable.

I blew up the main fortification in the manner I
had already planned, and the result was an excellent
breach. I then fired a salute of twenty-one guns
from the cohorn, and on the evening of the 7th and
morning of the 8th evacuated the hill altogether.

The total number of the enemy certainly ascer-
tained to be killed, up to the time of the return of
the last pursuers, is 136; but I am generally
informed that more were killed than have been
recorded, and many of the wounded must have died
in the mountainous forest which extends for many
miles in every direction in rear of the fortress.

Among the dead are many men of note-Nikora of
Ngatihineuri, the leader of the murdering party, and
Rangiaho, one of the highest of the Uriwera chiefs,
are the best known. The pursuers were few, if any,
of them acquainted with Koti, and it is possible he
may be among the killed; at all events, defeated,
twice wounded, a fugitive, and failing in his prophecies,
he is not likely again to trouble the district, or
assemble a fresh band of assassins, even should he sur-
vive the hardships before him, or escape the vengeance
of the Uriwera upon an impostor. Thus the murders
of our unfortunate countrywomen and their helpless
children have been avenged on the spot chosen as the
strongest in a very rugged forest country by the
wretches who perpetrated these crimes.

The harmonious working of the Colonial Force,
composed of about equal numbers of Europeans and
Maoris, has thus conquered unprecedented diffi-
culties, and I find it almost impossible to select for
praise out of a force all of whom displayed extra-
ordinary zeal. Major St. John (who acted as
Brigade-Major), Major Fraser, Inspector Roberts,
Major Westrup (who, with the Turanga Volunteers,
did most disagreeable and laborious duty with a
readiness which I feel bound to refer to specially, as
I have on a former occasion made a complaint of the
same corps), and the late Captain Brown, all per-
formed their parts to my entire satisfaction. Captain
Newland and Mr. George Smith carried on the
transport service by day and night with untiring
energy. Mr. Stopford, who, with his detachment,
carried provisions across the deep ravine and up the
steep ascent of Ngatapa, must also be named. I
trust that the Government may think right to recog-
nize the services of Majors St. John and Fraser.

To no officer was I more indebted than to the
chief Rapata Wahatoaha. His courage in the fight
was equalled by the wisdom of his counsel and the
command he possessed over his men; whilst his
knowledge of the position, derived from a previous

chivalrous attempt to take the place with a handful
of his tribe and three or four Europeans, was of the
greatest value. He was well supported by Hotene,
Wikiriwhi, and other chiefs.

Captain Gundry and the Arawa (No. 8, A.C.) were
the admiration of the whole force. Always in front,
always cheerful and obedient, as brave as they were
well behaved. Much of the credit of this belongs to
their officer.

I wish to bring to your notice, for any reward or
decoration that may be deemed proper, Constables
Black and Biddle, who defended the advanced rifle-
pits at close quarters with resolute bravery.

The Medical Staff, under Dr. Ormond; the Quarter-
master's Department, under Mr. Anderson; the Artil-
lery, under Sergeant-Major Anderson; and the Com-
missariat in port, under Captain Bower, are equally
entitled to praise.

I have also to thank Mr. Richmond, who was
present during the whole of the operations, either in
port, on the road, or at the front, and who, seconded
by the energy of Captain Towgood, secured the
effective working of my hastily-organised commis-
sariat and transport service.

Lastly, I have to thank my volunteer A.D.C. Mr.
Foster, and Captain Skeet, who volunteered his ser-
vices as engineer, and displayed great courage.

Among the list of the casualties, happily a short
one, two have caused great grief to all who knew
them-Captain Brown, of No. 7 Division, A.C., and
Sergeant Hetaraka, No. 1 Division. Captain Brown
was modest, gallant, conscientious, and his men
grieved sincerely over his death. In the work he
carried out, and in the discipline and affection of his
men, he has shown how good and faithful a servant
the Colony has lost.

Hetaraka, one of the bravest and highest-born of
the Arawa, known to the whole force by his intelli-
gence and smartness, fell in the very front of Major
Fraser's division, while in conversation with Major
Fraser, and engaged reconnoitering the enemy.

Very full plans and sections have been executed
by Mr. Bousfield, and accompany this despatch.

I trust I shall not be thought to lay too much
stress on the capture of Ngatapa, which, besides
the interest attaching to the overcoming of the
physical difficulties of forest and mountain at a
distance from supplies, has the great advantage of
reassuring our men as to their own capacity to deal
with a desperate and remorseless enemy, and to
perform any service which the Colony can require at
their hands.

I have, &c.,

G. S. WHITMORE, Colonel.

CASUALTY RETURN of the KILLED and WOUNDED at the
SIEGE OF NGATAPA, 1st to 5th January, 1869.

Officer Killed.
Sub-Inspector Captain Brown, No. 7 Division, A.C.

Officer Wounded.
Acting Sub-Inspector Capel, No. 7 Division, A.C.

Non-commissioned Officers and Men Killed.
No. 1 Division, A.C.-Sergeant Hetaraka, Constable McEwen,
Constable Sawyer, Constable Chislett.
No. 3 Division, A.C.-Constable Clarendon
Ngatiporous.-Hori Pourewa, Rapata Paingaware, Hunia Hua-
papa, Heremaiah Taurai, Himiona Matahu.

Non-commissioned Officers and Men Wounded.
No. 1 Division, A.C.-Constable Crosbie.
No. 3 Division, A.C.-Constable Smith, Constable Clancey.
No. 8 Division, A.C. (Arawas).-Constable Ihaia Matunau.
Ngatiporou.-Horepa Pokino, Herewini Te Mano, Riwai
Pakerua.

Total-1 officer and 10 non-commissioned officers and men
killed. 1 officer and 7 non-commissioned officers and men
wounded.

G. S. WHITMORE, Colonel.

Printed under the authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.