THE WEST COAST CAMPAIGN UNDER MAJOR-GENERAL CHUTE.
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THE
WEST COAST CAMPAIGN,
UNDER
MAJOR-GENERAL CHUTE.
ARRIVAL OF THE NATIVE CONTINGENT FROM THE EAST COAST.
At 4 p. m. on Tuesday 28th November, 1865, the s. s. Stormbird, anchored off the Government Wharf, Wanganui, having on board the Native Contingent, on their return from the East Coast. The fact of those loyal natives having for many years fought in the defence of this settlement, and of their having voluntarily extended their services when called upon to proceed to the East Coast, to avenge the murder of Mr. Volkner and our other countrymen there, gave additional eclat to their return after a short but triumphant campaign. From the time that the steamer entered the river, and it became known that the Native Contingent was on board, crowds of people assembled on the Government Wharf to welcome their return. The natives at Putiki were on the look out for the arrival of their relatives and friends, and as soon as the steamer arrived off Putiki they saluted them with volley after volley, and cheer after cheer in true British style, which was heartily responded to by the Contingent on board. The picture presented, in miniature, the passage of the river being forced, and the town being about to be taken by storm. On the Putiki side natives on horse and foot, were hastening towards the ferry to welcome their friends, whilst the Contingent on board danced the war dance, halting at short intervals to receive their hearty cheers.
Immediately the steamer cast anchor, his Honor the Superintendent of Wellington, Walter Buller, Esq., R. M., Major Von Tempsky, Forest Rangers, and others went on board to welcome our native allies. Foremost to meet them was the undaunted British Chief, Major M'Donnell, the able leader of the Contingent. Next came Ensigns Gudgeon and Walker; the old veteran (General) Mete Kingi; Captain Kemp; Aperaniki, Captain and Adjutant Wirihina and others. They were agreeably surprised to find their old friends Dr Featherston and Mr Buller ready to give them a right hearty welcome, and after many congratulations disembarked to meet their more intimate relatives and friends. The Putiki natives have won the admiration of the European community for their unflinching loyalty and will, after the withdrawal of the Imperial troops form an important branch of our colonial forces. We shall therefore preface our history of the campaign with a narrative of events calculated to illustrate the conduct of these tribes for some years past, and also, indicative of that assistance which we may in future expect from our Native allies.
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DEPUTATION OF NATIVE CHIEFS.
His Honor the Superintendent received a Deputation of Native Chiefs at the Court House on Wednesday, November 29, at 1 p. m.
The Deputation consisted of Mete Kingi, Kawana Paipai, Kaicona Kiroti, Aperaniko, and Tamati Puna, all of whom have just returned from Opotiki. Mete Kingi stated that a rumour having reached them that his Honor the Superintendent was leaving almost immediately for Rangitikei, the tribes assembled at Putiki, and sent a Deputation to request him to remain a few days longer. That it was their intention to have the Moutoa Presentation Flag unfurled in celebration of their success on the East Coast, and that it was their unanimous wish that Dr. Featherston should be present on the occasion. Each of the Chiefs made a short speech, and wound up with a complimentary song, in the chorus of which the others joined. All the speakers referred to the Moutoa battle, the first in which they were engaged on behalf of Her Majesty, and to the support and encouragement which they received from his Honor the !Superintendent at that critical period. They all agreed in ascribing their subsequent successes to the zeal with which Dr. Featherston had inspired them during the early period of the Wanganui Campaign, and they expressed an earnest hope that he would continue still to advise and direct them.
His Honor in reply stated that he had made certain appointments with the Rangitikei and Manawatau Natives; that he expected to return to Wanganui in about ten days, when the ceremony of uncovering the Moutoa Monument would probably take place. At the same time he was anxious to meet the wishes of the Wanganui Tribes, and although he would defer his departure in order to give them an opportunity of assembling. His Honor expressed the extreme satisfaction which he felt at the triumphant return from Opotiki of the Wanganui Contingent, and assured the Chiefs that the appreciation of the services which they had rendered to her Majesty would not be confined to New Zealand, but that their names would reach England, and their deeds of valor and devotion would obtain for them the good will and esteem of the English nation. His Honor also informed the Chiefs that by the last mail a despatch was received by his Excellency the Governor, in which the services already rendered by them in the Wanganui district were fully recognised and acknowledged. He said, that for his own part, the conduct of the Contingent, and of the Kupapas, throughout the Campaign had only tended to confirm and strengthen the conviction which had influenced him in placing arms in the hands of the friendly chiefs at Moutoa. He was then convinced that the were honest men, who would be faithful to their trust, and subsequent events had fully and completely confirmed that view. His Honor concluded by congratulating them on the great success that had attended their operations on the East Coast, and the more so as they had returned to their own district without having lost a single man. After hearty congratulations the Deputation withdrew highly pleased with the result of the interview.
MEETING AT PUTIKI.
On Wednesday, the 27th December, at 2 p. m., the natives assembled at Putiki, to meet his Honor the Superintendent, in order to arrange finally regarding the contemplated operations against the Ngtiruanui and Ngatanui. His Honor was accompanied by Walter Buller. Esq., R. M.. J. Booth, Esq., R. M., and Majors M'Donnell and Von Tempsky. About 400 natives awaited their arrival, and as usual, Dr. Featherston was enthusiastically received. The reception was initiated by the performance of several war dances, after which the Korero was commenced in right earnest. Dr. Featherston's address to the Chiefs and men present, was repeatedly interrupted by loud and prolonged cheering. With one voice they declared their willingness to proceed at once to seize the murderers of Kereti and Mr. Broughton. The Korero was prolonged for a considerable time, and the result was in the highest degree satisfactory to all parties.
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INAUGURATION OF THE MOUTOA MONUMENT.
On Tuesday, December 12th, 1865, a large concourse of people, Europeans and Natives, assembled in the Market Place to witness the ceremony of unveiling the Moutoa Monument. Including the Military, there were from 2000 to 2500 persons on the ground. There were between 500 and 6OO natives present, including the principal men of all the Wanganui tribes and the Ngatiapa from Rangitikei. There were also representatives from the various tribes located between Wanganui and Wellington; the Ngatirau-Kawa, the Ngatihuia, the Rangitane, the Muaupoko and the Ngatiawa.
About 2 p. m. the Native Contingent, under Major McDonnell proceeded to the residence of Lieut.-Colonel Logan, for the Presentation Flag, Which they brought back with a very unmistakeable degree of pride and placed beside the Monument. Shortly after three p. m. his Honor the Superintendent, accompanied by Major Durie, R. M., and W. Buller, Esq., R. M., ascended a temporary platform erected within the iron railing, and in such a position as to place the flag which veiled the top of the Monument within reach.
Major Durie having requested the Superintendent as the representative of the province to uncover the statue.
Dr. Featherston said: Major Durie, Ladies and Gentlemen--I not only readily respond to your invitation, but I assure you that no event has occurred during my lengthened administration of the Government of this province more gratifying to me than to be called upon to bear a part in so interesting and memorable a ceremony; a ceremony which, though of not unfrequent occurrence in other parts of the world, will, I believe, be performed to-day for the first time in this colony. In discharging the pleasing duty thus imposed upon me, a few and very few words will suffice, for I have but to remove that covering and she who is at this moment veiled from your gaze would tell her own tale far more eloquently than I can; would explain the object of this gathering of the two races, of this mingling together of all ranks and all classes, far more touchingly, far more effectively, than I can possibly pretend to do. Nevertheless before she is allowed to speak for herself, I will venture to say one or two words. I need scarcely remind you that it has ever been held that it was essential to the growth, the greatness and durability of a State, that its people should be thoroughly imbued with the feelings of loyalty and patriotism; still less need I remind you that it has ever been recognised, that no surer means of inspiring that love of country, that feeling of nationality, that spirit of patriotism exist, than a public appreciation and acknowledgment of great services, more particularly of services rendered at the loss of life. Nations have in all ages ever deemed it a sacred duty to hand down to posterity the names and achievements of their great men, not merely with a view of paying a fitting tribute to the individuals themselves, but more especially for the purpose of inciting, by the manifestation of a nation's gratitude, other men to follow their example, to emulate their deeds, to secure for themselves also a niche in the Temple of Fame. Now though 'tis true that the deeds of great men--their acts of heroism-- of devotion to the State, may be found recorded in the pages of its history; still it is equally true, that no nation has ever been satisfied with mere historical records, but has endeavoured in other ways to keep the achievements of its distinguished men constantly in the memory and under the eye of the people. It is owing to this two-fold desire of paying a debt of gratitude to their benefactors and of keeping alive that spirit of ambition which urged men on to high and mighty actions, and to the feeling that the mere pages of history do not present a sufficiently palpable, visible, ever-present memento of those who have deserved well at their hands, who have contributed to their greatness and fame, that nations have from the earliest ages been in the habit of commemorating their services and all events of national importance, by the erection of permanent memorials destined to last for ages. It is to the universal prevalence of this feeling that we are indebted for the greatest triumphs that have been achieved in the arts of sculpture, of painting and of architecture. We see this feeling embodied in the colossal obelisks and mausoleums of Egypt; in the classic temples of Greece and Italy; in their triumphal arches, in their unrivalled statues, and in many a stately and venerable cathedral pile. Far from this desire to commemorate the deeds of their
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great men having diminished, we find in the present day, nation vieing with nation in the magnificence of the structures they rear to the memory of those who have done the state good service, more especially to the memory of the heroes who have shed their blood, who have sacrificed their lives on the field of battle. It was undoubtedly this same feeling which induced the legislature of this province to hand down to posterity the names of the gallant men who fell on the now for ever famed Isle of Moutoa, by the erection of this not inappropriate memorial; and I feel assured, that all now present, many of whom are fully cognizant of the circumstances under which that engagement took place, and who were far more directly, far more deeply interested in its results, than the inhabitants of other parts of this colony, will not only warmly participate in the feelings of gratitude to the conquerors of Moutoa, but derive peculiar satisfaction in being able to assist at the inauguration of this monument, and in dedicating it to the memory of those who lost their lives in the service of their country. But while we thus do honor to the dead, we also confer honor upon the survivors, who I am proud to say, have since displayed on other fields, the same bravery which they exhibited at Moutoa; for this monument will tell the tale of Moutoa far more graphically than any historical record. This monument bears, and will I trust for ages, bear testimony to the friendly relations which have ever subsisted between the two races in this province. But it does something more. Many of you in this settlement have, I believe, had the good fortune to witness on more than one occasion the presentation of the Victoria Cross. I do not ask you, whether you understood the feelings of pride and pleasure experienced by the commanding officer, when he clasped that much coveted Cross on the breasts of the gallant men, who had nobly won it. I do not seek to inquire whether you participated in--whether you entered into the emotions which swelled the breasts of those brave men on having such a proud distinction as the Victoria Cross conferred upon them by their Sovereign. But I do ask this. Did any one of you depart from that scene, without a firm conviction, that there was not a single soldier present, who at the moment was not eager, did not burn to have an opportunity afforded him, of winning that glorious prize by similar acts of bravery and heroism. And so it will he in this case. That statue will act on the natives as the Victoria Cross on the British troops, will, in fact, be to them a Victoria Cross. It will, I am convinced, stimulate the natives who are about to accompany the gallant forces, Imperial and Colonial, under General Chute, on an expedition against the treacherous, plundering, murdering tribes on the Coast, to still greater deeds of valor, --will make them determined not to return until the objects of the expedition have been fully accomplished--not to return, until the murders of Kereti, of Broughton and others have been avenged--not to return until they are in a position to make a further appeal to Mrs. Colonel Logan and the ladies of Wanganui, to inscribe upon the "Flag of Moutoa" the names of other victories greater and more decisive in their results than those they have already won. When that appeal is made, as I trust it will not be made in vain, but will meet with a cheerful, ready response. And now, uncovering this statue, I, on behalf of the province, dedicate it to the memory of the brave men who fell at Moutoa on the 14th May, 1864, in defence of law and order against fanaticism and barbarism.
The unveiling of the statue was succeeded by three hearty cheers for our native allies, and in that vast assemblage of Europeans and natives none cheered more heartily than the British soldiers belonging to the various regiments here. In fact, one very noticeable feature in the day's proceedings was the interest which the soldiers took in it, and the evident good feeling between them and the Maoris. Those three cheers were followed by three hearty British cheers for the Superintendent, who, when acknowledging the compliment, evidently felt some pride in the position he then occupied,
Mrs Colonel Logan, assisted by Dr Featherston and Walter Buller, Esq., then ascended the platform and unfurled the Moutoa Flag. His Honor the Superintendent called for three cheers for Mrs Colonel Logan and the ladies of Wanganui; to this call the crowd vociferously responded, and thus terminated the first act of this memorable ceremony.
At four o'clock, one hundred of the principal natives with their respective chiefs were seated in the long room of Dunleavy's Hotel, where a substantial
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dinner had been provided for them, and at which his Honor the Superintendent presided. After dinner the usual loyal toasts, "The Queen and Royal Family," "His Excellency the Governor," &c., were drank with enthusiasm. Mr Buller then, in a short and very appropriate speech, proposed a toast, for which all were evidently prepared. It was "The Superintendent of Wellington," and from the manner in which it was received was evidently the toast of the evening. Dr. Featherston, on rising to reply, was most enthusiastically received. He replied at considerable length, and then with evident emotion proposed a toast, to be drank in solemn silence, "To the memory of Hoani Hipango, Hemi Nape, and the other brave men who fell at Moutoa and Ohoutahi. Then followed a toast which speedily dispelled every feeling but that of a desire to render the events of the day honorable to the memory of the brave men who had fallen, and a bond of union between the Maoris and their English fellow subjects. It was:--
"The Ladies of Wanganui," which we need hardly say was cheerfully responded to. Then followed--"Major McDonnell and the Native Contingent," "Major Durie and his brother Magistrates," &c.
During the festivities inside Dunleavy's Hotel, 300 Maoris were feasted outside on the Market-place, close to the Monument. A booth had been erected for the occasion, but it was too small to accommodate the whole of the guests. The gentlemen who formed a Committee to superintend the outdoor festivities did all they could to have an ample supply of substantial food, with two barrels of beer for such as might choose to partake of it upon the ground. The most perfect sobriety and good feeling prevailed, and after a pleasant evening's entertainment the crowd dispersed between 7 and 8 p. m.
WEST COAST EXPEDITION--MEETING AT PUTIKI.
General Chute having determined upon crushing rebellion, and avenging the murders perpetrated on the West Coast, demanded the co-operation of the Native Contingent. The Moutoa Monument having been unveiled on the 26th December, Dr Featherston met the assembled tribes at Putiki on the 27th.
Here we may mention a few facts to show the difficulty with which Dr Featherston had to contend. Considerable divisions had prevailed among the natives with regard to their taking any part in the contemplated campaign. A large body of Kupapas who had received no pay from the Government for their services at Opotiki were not only dissatisfied, but exhibited their dissatisfaction in very unmistakable terms: they declared their unwillingness to assist in any further operations against the Hau-haus, and did their utmost to create a spirit of insubordination or open mutiny in the ranks of the native militia. We regret to state that Mete Kingi (who prides himself in the sobriquet of "General") considered that his services had not been sufficiently recognised by the authorities, and exerted his influence to throw cold water upon the whole enterprise. Here was an antagonist which few men--perhaps not another man in the colony but Dr Featherston--could or would attempt to reduce to submission in presence of the assembled tribes. A chief of such standing and influence as Mete Kingi, backed by the recusant Kupapas, might be looked upon as exercising absolute authority upon his own ground, and capable of dictating the terms upon which the Contingent would take the field. It was clear that he headed an attempt to extort from the Government better terms, or rather to dictate terms of his own, before entering on the Ngatiruanui campaign. To add to the difficulty, a feeling of jealousy had sprung up between the Ngatiapa (from Rangitikei) and the Wanganui natives, and that feeling had begun to manifest itself in a very disagreeable manner.
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Altogether, Dr Featherston's position as the representative of the Colonial Government was a very embarrassing one. General Chute required prompt assistance and willing auxiliaries, and the Superintendent had promised that on a certain day both Kupapas and Native militia would be ready to take the held; but before this could be done it was necessary that the discontent and dissatisfaction which prevailed in the Maori camp should be removed, and a positive assurance obtained of united and hearty co-operation throughout the campaign. The critical moment had arrived. Dr. Featherston confronted some 500 warriors, many of whom were in a state bordering upon open mutiny, and those headed by an influential chief, and many of lesser note but equally disaffected. Having a thorough knowledge of native character, and a long and intimate acquaintance with the men with whom he had to deal, Dr. Featherston assumed a firm and uncompromising attitude. He argued the point; appealed to their patriotism; created a general enthusiasm, and then firmly ordered the malcontents to be disarmed, and summarily dismissed seventy men of the Native Contingent. The arrogant "General" Mete Kingi was also threatened with summary dismissal (with forfeiture of pay and power), so finding resistance useless he was obliged to succumb. The discharged militia-men followed his example, and penitently came forward praying to be reinstated and permitted to join the expedition. Before acceding to their request, however, it was considered necessary to make an example of some of the principal ringleaders, and therefore Major M'Donnell struck off ten of the worst, and reenrolled the remainder, who returned to their camp with great rejoicing. Dr. Featherston's appeal to their loyalty, their sense of duty, and patriotism, was repeatedly interrupted by deafening cheers, and the whole meeting responded with genuine enthusiasm. The veteran chief Haimona, the "Moutoa Hero," sprang to his feet and said-- "Dr. Featherston, we only await your orders. The whole assembly has consented to follow you into the field. When we go we shall return with the murderers of Keriti and Mr Broughton in our hands. We will never return to Putiki until we have captured them. Here we are, and the whole tribes wait your orders." To this energetic speech Dr Featherston responded by exclaiming in the words of the Iron Duke, "Up boys and at them." The whole meeting instantly sprang to their legs and cried out, "We go! we go!"
Thus terminated one of the most important meetings ever held in the colony; and to what may we attribute the triumphant result? Most decidedly to the firmness and decision of Dr. Featherston. Had he wavered or hesitated for a moment; had he adopted the sugar and flour policy, what would have been the consequence? Had any other man but Dr. Featherston occupied the position that he did the result would have been different; and, however independently we may act, it was necessary to teach the Kupapas a lesson which they will not soon forget; and our readers will no doubt agree with us that Dr. Featherston administered this lesson with skill and effect.
THE MONUMENT.
The Monument is fifteen feet high, and partakes of a Grecian character. It consists of a square pedestal, placed upon double plinths. The cornice is cavettoed and filleted, and the over-weathering is a blocking upon which is placed a stopped fluted column with an attic base, surmounted by a life-sized statue of "Grief," reclining upon a broken portion of the haft. The upper portion of the pedestal is enriched: at each corner are corbelled cusps, from which spring an ornamental arc, the spandrils are panelled, bas relievo
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carvings of flowers being executed therein. The whole is surrounded by an ornamental cast iron railing, secured to stone coping. The names of the dead are cut on the pedestal. The monument was imported from Europe by Huxley, Parker and Co., of Melbourne.
On one side of the pedestal is the following inscription: -
"Kua Whakaarahia tenei toka e te parawine o Weretana hei Whakamaharatanga mo nga toa taua i hinga ki Moutoa i te 14 o nga ra o Mei 1864, i te awhinatanga i te noho-pai e akina ana e nga ritenga kino o namata e te whakapono-porangi."
On another side-
To the Memory of those Brave Men, who fell at Moutoa, 14th May, 1864, in defence of Law and Order against fanaticism and Barbarism, this Monument is erected by the Province of Wellington.
The third side contains the names of those who fell--
"Kno nga tangata enei i hinga ki Moutoa: -
Hemi Nape
Wiari te Patu
Heremia te Rangitakuku
Rotohiko Waitoki
Wiremu te Waruiti
Warena te Pohe
Matui te Potahi
Hare te Kaho
Lay Brother Euloge
Kereti te Hiwitahi
Riwai Tawhitorangi
Penetito te Korewa
Manihera Maui
Hakaraia te Riaki
Pehira te Kahuorauru
Hohepa te Whakaruku."
The other side--
4th September, 1865.
Isaac Earl Featherston,
Superintendent.
THE BATTLE OF MOUTOA.
We extract the following from a "Report by his Honor the Superentendent of Wellington, of the Battle of Moutoa, and subsequent events on the Wanganui River," as published in the New Zealand 'Gazette,' July 20th, 1864.
Dr Featherston, writing to the Colonial Secretary, says:--
"Immediately on receiving intelligence on the 11th May, of an intended attack by the rebel natives upon the settlement of Wanganui, I made arrangements for taking up with me in one of the N. Z. S. N. Company's steamers some 25 men of the Colonial Defence Force, for the purpose of strengthening the troops stationed in the upper part of Rangitikei, which, exposed as it is to attack from the Taupo and Waikato natives is perhaps the most vulnerable point in this Province. Owing to a delay in the arrival of the steamer in this port, we did not sail till the evening of the 14th. On arriving at Wanganui the following afternoon, I found the whole population, European and Maori, in a state of great excitement in consequence of news having arrived early that morning, that an engagement had taken place some sixty miles up the river between the rebels (composed chiefly of the adherents of the new religious sect--or fanatics, as they are appropriately termed) and the friendly natives, in which the latter had gained
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a most signal victory. As to the details of the battle, the most contradictory statements were afloat. The settlers were enthusiastic in their praises of their native allies, and the Maoris, elated beyond measure with the success their friends and relations up the river had achieved, were prepared at once to clear the Wanganui River of all Kingites, and at the same time to march to Taranaki, sweeping all before them. Some hundred natives were preparing to reinforce their friends up the river. Having ascertained that our native allies were really short of ammunition and guns, and that it was more than probable that the Waikatos, Taranakis, and Ngatiruanuis, and others would muster in force to avenge the defeat and death of so many of their relations and chiefs in the battle of Moutoa, I determined to furnish the friendly natives with arms, ammunition, and food, and to proceed myself up the river with the reinforcements, taking with me Dr. Fletcher to attend the wounded, and Mr Booth as my interpreter."
We now pass on to Dr. Featherston's description of the battle:--
"Friday 20th-At this pah (Koroniti) we met the chiefs Mete Kingi and Haimona, who were on their way to Wanganui to receive instructions as to their future proceedings, but who stayed here as soon as they heard I was coming up. Last night I addressed the people in the runanga house, and as at this pah all the leading surviving chiefs who were engaged at the battle of Moutoa were present, and gave me, in presence of their people, the minutest details of the fight, it may perhaps be well here to give an account of the battle of Moutoa. Matene and his followers, immediately on their arrival at the Wanganui river, entered into negotiation with the friendly natives for permission to pass down the river to attack the town of Wanganui; but not only were all their overtures indignantly rejected, but they were told that their passage would be prevented, no matter at what sacrifice of life. Matene then said he should wait two months, if at the expiration of that time the loyal natives would give way. The latter, at length, sick and wearied of these negotiations on Friday, the 13th May, sent a special messenger to Matene, and his fanatics proposing that they should do battle on the following day at a certain hour, on the island of Moutoa. The challenge was at once accepted, it being stipulated that neither party should attempt to surprise the other, or in any way to violate the conditions of the duel. The time fixed was the break of day. The island of Moutoa, almost midway in the river, may be 300 yards long and some 20 wide, and about 12 or 16 feet above the level of the river; it is thinly covered with manukau scrub and fern, but presents certain irregularities of ground which afford considerable shelter, and, except when there is a fresh in the river, it is surrounded by a bed of shingle. On the day of the battle there was so little water in the river that the friendly natives on the left bank had not to wade probably more than thirty yards through water not more than a foot or 18 inches deep to get to the island. The rebels located at Tawhitinui, nearly opposite the north-eastern extremity of the island, could only reach the island by canoes, the river between it and the right bank being both deep and rapid. The friendly natives say that they mustered some 300 strong, and the rebels did not muster more than from 120 to 140, of whom not a few were mere boys. Before daybreak, a party of loyals headed by Hemi Napi, were on the island, and posted themselves at the extremity at which their foes were to land. They were shortly followed by the remainder of their force under Meti Kingi. The advance party was formed of three companies, one, consisting of Roman Catholics, and numbering ten men, were led by Kereti; another consisting of nine men, was commanded by Hemi and Riwai; and the third, numbering 15 men was led by Aperiniko and Haimona. The reserve companies were some distance in the rear. Matene and his fanatics landed out of 7 canoes, on the shingle spit, without opposition, at 7 p. m. Their forces were arranged in a similar wav to that of the loyal natives. Immediately after they were formed they commenced their incantations, shouting, "Hau hau! --Up, up!" and using gestures not unlike the passes made by mesmerists. They laboured under the strange delusion that while they themselves were invulnerable, their opponents would be forced by their incantations to approach close to them without power to offer any resistance. For two hours were these incantations kept up, the advanced companies being not more than twenty yards from each other. As soon as the first shot was fired by one of the rebels (Hoani Winihere, of Pipiriki) the opposing forces slowly advanced till they were within thirty
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feet of each other, when a volley was exchanged. Several fell on both aides, and amongst them the chief Kereti, whose loss seems to have dispirited the loyal natives, for they immediately commenced to retreat, slowly at first, but when after another volley or two their two other leaders, Hemi and Riwai, were killed, they fairly broke and fled. The reserve, instead of coming to their support, also fled, most of them recrossing the river. The battle seemed at this moment completely lost, and probably would not have been retrieved had it not been for the chief Haimona Hiroti. who, when he reached the end of the island, shouted 'I will go no further!' and immediately rallied some twenty men just in time to pour a deadly volley into the rebels; who were close upon them. After this it seems to have been a hand-to-hand fight, but the rebels--having lost several of their leaders, and Mete Kingi with the reserve having rejoined Haimona Hiroti--soon broke and fled, being hotly pursued fill they reached the head of the island, when all who survived (with the exception of a few who escaped in a canoe) took to the river, and were most of them shot down. Matene, though he was badly wounded while swimming, succeeded in gaining the bank, but was almost immediately tomahawked by native policeman Te Moro, who lost no time in swimming after him. It is scarcely possible to state what the rebel loss was, but forty dead bodies were found on the island, and several more were seen to sink while attempting to cross the river. Nearly all the survivors are known to be wounded. The friendly natives had twelve killed, and from twenty-five to thirty wounded. Several spears and other weapons of war were taken, and also Pehi's king-flag, which was found in a large canoe, and on searching Matene's whare the conquerors obtained a prize of ninety sovereigns. It is only fair to add that amongst the friendly natives were some thirty or forty kingites, who have most of them since renounced kingism and taken the oath of allegiance to the Queen.
