1879 - Featon, J. The Waikato War, 1863-64 - CHAPTER XXXIX, p 94-97

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CHAPTER XXXIX.

IN a few days nearly all traces of the struggle that had taken place at the Gate Pa were obliterated, the native trenches had been filled in, and a strong redoubt was thrown up which effectually prevented the enemy from making any advance from the interior on Te Papa, if they had been so inclined. From information received Colonel Greer with several companies of the 68th Regt.,

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together with the Colonial Defence Force, which corps had arrived at Tauranga a few days before, left head-quarters camp at daybreak on the morning of 12th of May and marched in the direction of the Wairoa, distant about eight miles. The route led the troops across an open country intersected with hills and dales, the land being rich and fertile. One creek had to be crossed, the water reaching to the men's waist. No natives were seen during the march, but when near Wairoa it was found that the Maoris had thrown up a strong line of rifle-pits. The Defence Force, in command of Captain Pye, were at once ordered forward to reconnoitre, and returned with the intelligence that the enemy's works were deserted. The troops at once moved forward and took possession of the position, which was on rising ground surrounded by trees with a fresh water stream running round its base. In the vicinity was a corn water-mill and extensive cultivations of potatoes, corn, pumpkins and melons. Leaving a detachment of 150 men to hold possession of the place, Colonel Greer with his force returned to camp. The next day the post was visited by His Excellency the Governor, who had arrived at Tauranga. He was accompanied by General Cameron and staff. After being held for a few days, the garrison at the Wairoa was withdrawn. On May 15 the Governor had a meeting with a large number of friendly natives. His Excellency expressed a desire for the two races to be at peace, and promised generous treatment to the natives in arms in case of surrender. The friendly natives promised to try and persuade the Ngaiterangi and other tribes fighting against the troops to give up their arms and surrender. The same evening Sir George Grey embarked on board the gunboat Sandfly, Captain Marks, and steamed at once for Auckland. The following day General Cameron and staff left Tauranga for Auckland in H.M.s. Esk. The Miranda and Falcon, with a portion of the Artillery and troops, also steamed for Auckland, leaving H.M.s. Harrier as a guard ship in Tauranga harbour. The sudden departure of the Governor, General Cameron, and a portion of the troops was on account of despatches received respecting the attitude of the natives on the West Coast at Whanganui.

At this time the Arawas and a few Europeans, under the command of Major Drummond Hay and the Arawa chief Winiata, attacked and defeated at Te Awa te Atua, near Maketu, the Ngatiporou, who suffered a loss of about 100 killed and wounded. In this engagement the Arawa chief Winiata was killed whilst leading on his men.

The month of May passed away quietly both in the Waikato and Tauranga districts. Colonel Greer was left in command at Tauranga, and in place of some of the troops which had been withdrawn a reinforcement of 280 of the 1st Waikato Militia arrived from Auckland. June arrived, and Colonel Greer received information that the Ngaiterangi were again collecting in force to attack the troops. On the morning of June 21, Col. Greer, whilst reconnoitering the country in his front, came upon a large number of natives busily engaged entrenching themselves about four miles beyond the Gate Pah at Te Ranga. The force, under Colonel Greer, consisted of detachments of the 68th, 43rd, and 1st Waikato Militia--in all, about 600 men. The Maoris were estimated at about the same strength. A line of sentries in front of the native position was at once attacked by a party of skirmishers thrown forward by Colonel Greer, and driven back under shelter of their works. Colonel Greer having sent back to the camp for an Armstrong gun and 220 men, extended his men in front of the Maori position, and kept up a sharp fire on the natives, who vigorously replied. After the fusillade had been kept up for about two hours, the gun and reinforcement had arrived within a short distance of the attacking party. The troops, who had been with great difficulty restrained from rushing on the Maoris now received the order to attack. The bugle sounded the advance, which was answered by the troops with loud cheers. The 43rd were burning to avenge the death of their comrades at the Gate Pah, and to wipe away the stain which had sullied the glorious laurels gained by the regiment in bloody battles long since fought in the Peninsula and on the burning plains of India. Before the last sound of the bugle had died away, the 43rd, 68th, and 1st Waikato Militia charged. A tremendous fire was poured by the natives upon the rapidly advancing line, but few casualties occurred, the fire of the natives being too high. Before the natives,

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numbers of whom fled after the first discharge, had time to reload, the troops were in the rifle pits, and a short but desperate struggle ensued. The natives, using their tomahawks and guns, fought with the greatest determination, but they were unable to resist the torrent of steel that swept upon them like a wave. From the time the bugles sounded the charge until the cheers of the soldiers denoted that they had carried the enemy's works was only a few minutes. The natives who had effected their escape were pursued for several miles by the Defence Force, who sabered many of the enemy. Numbers, however, escaped across gullies and swamps, where they could not be pursued. Most of the natives killed were bayonetted; 68 bodies lay dead in the rifle pits, the flower of the Ngaiterangi tribe--they had dug their own graves.

The loss of the natives altogether was about 120 killed and 37 wounded and taken prisoners. Several natives, however, doubtless perished in the swamps and gullies whilst retreating. Rawiri, a leading chief of the natives, was amongst the slain, also Pauri Tuaia, one of the leaders at the Gate Pah, Poihipi, a chief of the Whakatohea tribe, Bay of Plenty, and several other men of note. The casualties on the part of the troops consisted of 13 non-commissioned officers and privates killed, and 6 officers and 33 non-commissioned officers and privates wounded-- total killed and wounded, 52. Officers wounded, 43rd: Captains F. H. Smith and H. Bernards; 68th: Captains H. W. J. Trench and T. Casement, Lieutenant H. J. R. V. Stuart and Ensign W. H. F. Palmer. Capt. Smith, 43rd Regiment, who led the line on the right, was wounded in two places, and was recommended for the Victoria Cross. Sergeant Murray, of the 68th Regiment, was also recommended for the Victoria Cross for saving the life of Corporal J. Bryne, V.C., 68th Regiment. Corporal Bryne had passed his bayonet through a native, who at once seized the bayonet with one hand and was about to tomahawk Corporal Bryne with the other, when he was killed by Sergeant Murray. Private John Smith, 68th Regiment, bayonetted a native, and before he could recover, his antagonist dealt him two severe wounds on the head with his tomahawk. Smith also had a gunshot wound in his left leg.

The behaviour of the 1st Waikato Militia was excellent, the men rushing to the charge led by Captain Moore with the greatest dash and enthusiasm.

A strong force of natives who had been hovering some distance in the rear of the rifle pits, instead of supporting their unfortunate brethren, retreated directly the rifle pits were carried by the troops.

The following is the official despatch: --