The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-09 00:00:00

- - _
LONDON, SATURDAY EvENIENG
• 7 JANUARY 9, 1847.

No. 16,945.

MADRID AND VALENCIA RAILWAY.
At an ADJOITUNED MEETING of SCRIPIIOLDERS,
convened by the Directors, and held at the London Tavern, on the
sth of January inst. ;

WILLIAM CIIADWICK, Esq., Chairman of the Directors, In the

chair;

After two several amendments for balloting or polling the scrip-
holders, and also for constructing the railway by sections, had been
rejected, it was resolved by an overwhelming majority,
That a Committee of five shareholders be appointed, with power
to add to their number, who are hereby authorised to take such mea-
sures as they shall be advised, to protect the interests and property of
the shareholders, a large portion of which they consider to have been
placed in jeopardy by the injudicious and unauthorised conduct of the
Directors.

That to enable the said Committee to carry out the objects of the
foregoing resolution, the shareholders agree to pay Is. per share upon
their respective holdings, or to deposit their shares with the Chairman
of the Committee, it being expressly understood that no greater lia-
bility is to be incurred beyond is. per share, without the express con-
sent of the party so paying or depositing his shares.
That the aid so sought and obtained be extended only to those
shareholders who shall avail themselves of these resolutions on or
before Monday, the 18th instant.
The scripholders are hereby requested, as early as possible, to give
effect to the above resolutions, and to deposit their scrip receipts or
the sum of Is. per share thereon, between the hours of eleven and
three, at the office of Messrs. Wire and Child, St. Swithin's-lane, in
exchange for vouchers signed on behalf of the Committee.

CAUTION.—The scripholders are urgently warned against polling
on any of the questions on the invitation of the Directors, as unau-
thorised and highly dangerous to their interests.

D. W. HARVEY, Chairman.•
JOIN BIGG, Deputy-Chairman.

SAUNDERS'S INDIA PALE ALE
BREWERY COMPANY, Burton-open-Tt ent.
(Provisionally registered.)
Notice is hereby given, that an Advertisemeat which appeared in
the Daily Papers of the 7th inst., announcing that a liberal premium
would be given for shares, and referring to C. W., at Mr. Pearce's,
stationer, 8, Silver-street, Wood-street, has not been inserted by the
authority or with the knowledge of any Director or other person in
any manner connected with the Company.
By order of the Provisional Directors,
EDMUND BOWYER, Sec. Pro Tem.
Burton•upon-Trent, Bth January, 1847.

FNCYCL OP.XDIA BRITANNICA.
4 Seventh Edition. Edited by Professor NAPIER.
In 21 volumes 4to. Illustrated by 506 Engravings on Steel, and
many thousands on Wood.
An Index of 68,000 References, compiled with great industry and
judgment, is appended to the work, forming a ready key to its multi-
farious contents,

NEW ZEALAND.
(From a Supplement to the New Zealander of Aug. 29,
1846.)

- New Zealander Office, 'Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1846.
Her Majesty's ship Castor, having on board his Ex-
cellency the Lieutenant-Governor, arrived on Sunday
evening last, bringing the important intelligence of the
successive occupation of Rangihaeta's strongholds, the
capture of some, and the dispersion of the rest of his
followers.
The troops from Sydney arrived at Wellington early
in August, and were immediately employed in co-ope-
rating with the troops already engaged. Rauparaha
has been taken into custody, on suspicion of secret con-
nivance with Rangihaeta. We are not in possession of
the particulars of his treachery, but we understand that
he will be detained as a hostage. We shall allude to
this subject hereafter. Eight of Rangihaeta's principal
men have been taken, besides several others of less note.
One of them, while on board the Calliope, attempted to
overpower the sentry, and nearly succeeded in drawing the
bayonet from his side belt ; he was, however knocked
down, and since then these prisoners have been placed
in irons. Her Majesty's ship Castor arrived at Welling-
ton on the
.4th of August. She had on board a new

funnel for the Driver. - The troops and native allies were
scouring the bush, and it was expected that Rangihaeta
.. . . .

would be taken. The Driver wa; to leave for Auckland
on the 31st.; we may, therefore, hourly expect additional
intelligence.
We have ascertained from a private sourco that the
body of natives from Wanganui, intended to reinforce
Rangihaeta, consisted of 600 men, and that they pro-
bably were but the vanguard of a still stronger force.
They came as far as Ohau, but the Ngatiraukawa natives
would not allow them to proceed. A large body of the
Ngatiawa, from Waikanae, had proceeded to Otaki in
support of their friends and allies, who will most likely
be compromised by their opposition to the Wanganui
reinforcements. It is feared that a general war between
the Wanganui natives and Ngatiraukawa and Ngatiawa
may be the consequence.
We extract the following particulars from the Wel-
lington Independent, which throw additional light on the
narrative contained in the annexed interesting official
account :

On Friday last the Taita Militia, under the command
of Captain A. E. M‘Donough and Mr. White, 13 of the
armed police under Sub-Inspector Strode, and a body of
150 friendly natives under 'E Puni and Captain Scott, of
that corps, accompanied by an officer of the 58th Regi-
ment, and Messrs. Ludlam and Stilling as volunteers,
started from the Hutt towards the position occupied by
the rebel chief Rangihaeta. The force took the route
traversed by the hostile natives in their marauding ex-
cursions into the Hutt Valley, and the movement was
made with such expedition and secresy, that the rebels
do not appear to have received the slightest intimation
of it. The path leads over hills and through gullies, and
the late rains had rendered the roadway, bad at all times,
difficult beyond conception. Notwithstanding these
drawbacks, the united force pushed on with vigour, and
in the course of the day came up with and surprised
some of Rangihaeta's scouts, and succeeded in capturing
one, a chief belonging to Wanganui. So quick and
sudden was the approach of the British force, that Ran-
gihaeta, who, it appears, was in the neighbourhood, had
the greatest difficulty in avoiding their clutches.
On Saturday 'E Puni captured another of the rebels,
one of their principal men. The whole party are de-
scribed as being in high spirits, and anxious to try their
strength with the enemy.
It appears that Rangihaeta has deserted Pauhautanui,
and another small pah midway between that and the
Hutt. Many think he has retreated towards Manawatu,
but some few give a totally different direction. How•
ever, the men who have been despoiled of their pro-
perty, who have been driven from their homes, and who
have had their friends brutally and cruelly murdered,
are on his track, and we make no doubt that they will
ere long bring the monster and his murderous crew to a
reckoning.
A party of natives from Taranaki have come down
the coast for the purpose of joining 'E Puni against
the rebels.

Her Majesty's war-steamer Driver, Commander C. 0.
Hayes, left the harbour on Monday for Porirua, having
a large quantity of arms and ammunition on board.
On their march over to Pauhautanui, from the Hutt,
Tamati Hapimana, a native of Pipitea pah, was a little
distance in advance of the main body, in the middle of
the wood, when he was suddenly surprised by the chief
above named, who struck at Tamati from behind a tree
on the roadside with a long-handled tomahawk; but
Tamati, with the coolness and dexterity for which he is
celebrated amongst the natives, warded off the blow, re-
ceiving only a slight wound between his forefinger and
thumb. The prisoner instantly endeavoured to make
his escape by jumping into a rivulet, with a view of
being able to reach the opposite bank ; but Tamati,
fearing that he might gain an advantage over him by
doing so, followed him into the rivulet, and, after a stout
scuffle, seized him by the hair of the head, and took
him prisoner.
This native has a great reputation amongst his tribe
for taking prisoners.
Rangihaeta, after evacuating Pauhautanui, retired to
a fastness, situate on a range of mountains in the
Pukerua district, which, from its strength, has been called
" Gibraltar." The following, from the Independent,
furnishes some clue to the cause of Rauparaha being
placed under restraint, though it does not give par-
ticulars :

RaOnuerhnaeew from
tas
has thrown
Poriru is
thrown himself
into
oTheng p
arebelhsi t
situated
on the range of mountains in the Pukerus, where he has
been followed by the British forces under the command of
Major Last. The position is described as one of exceeding
strength, both in its natural as well as artificial defences.
Instead of having rows of palisades, as is usually the case
in fortified pahs, the savage, but no less acute, chief, has
surrounded his position with logs laid lengthways, thus
rendering the defences still more formidable. The
nature of the country is such as almost to preclude the
conveyance of artillery. But nothing seems impossible
to British soldiers and sailors, and we feel confident that
by some means or other artillery will before long be
belching forth on this stronghold of the rebels, And
here we cannot refrain from making a few observations.
When Rangihaeta evacuated Pauhautanui it was gene
rally believed that he had no other pah to fall back upon
indeed, up to three o'clock of Thursday afternoon, the
colonists were in ignorance of the fact. Now, some of
,the natives must have been acquainted with its exist-
ence, for a pah of its strength could not have been
erected without many of the Maories being aware of the
circumstance. We believe that Rauparaha, who was
apprehended with the proofs of his treachery about him,
was the chief who planned and superintended its erec-
tion. Lieutenant Blackburn, who has met such an un-

timely end, was engaged during the war in the north, in
which he greatly distinguished himself. We have heard
the conduct of Major Last, the officer in command, and
that of the entire force under his command, spoken of
in the highest terms of praise.
On Monday and Tuesday last the friendly natives
were thrown out from the encampment at Paramatta as
scouts. They returned and reported to his Excellency
that Rangihaeta had evacuated a position recently occu-
pied, and retreated further into the country. At his
last resting place the fires were still burning, and a quan-
tity of potatoes left cooking, tending to the supposition
that on the approach of the scouts he had made a pre-
cipitate retreat.

' On Wednesday a force of more than 300 men, con-
sisting of military, blue jackets, and civilians, under the
command of Major Last, started off in pursuit, his Ex-
cellency Captain Grey accompanying the party. On
Thursday afternoon the forces came up with Rangi-
haeta's scouts, and a skirmish immediately ensued. The
firing commenced at three o'clock, and lasted till eight,
when both parties suspended operations till morning.
We regret to say that Lieut. Blackburn, of the 99th
Regiment, and three men, were killed and several
wounded.

Major Last had a narrow escape, a spent ball striking
him on the forehead, and travelling round his cap. We
are happy to say that he received no injury from it.
The native who shot Lieut. Blackburn was imme-
diately shot by one of the Artillerymen, and two of the
enemy who attempted to carry off the body were like-
wise shot.

The loss of the enemy is yariously reported, one ac-
count making it five and the other eight killed, and
several wounded.
The enemy were scattered in the bush in every direc-
tion, and many of them were hidden in the branches of
trees.

Rangihaeta has thrown himself into a pah, the exist-
ence of which up to the present time was not known.
The position is admirably chosen for defence. It is
situated in a most difficult country
to for military opera-
tions, being on the range of hills the right of the
Pukerua pab. The ground is thicklys
with
cthoevrenmue dinbwti.ht he
Driver
janrerhirise tvtbhye ere;
s.
shipscwshe
were
rie:
ship
young trees, intermixed with karewa
is supposed to have about 250 follower.
employed
ma hop CalliopeuTt hehde
uacnnrosadndt
viavehyeye
niprni9gglmihgc
taeuj
nfetosshrt
ea;
sbdgo iawaymteasszaosutfnsethiaitelmilor
elnariufrr
to the shore.
We are informed that Major Last, and the whole force
under his command, officers and men, behaved in the
most gallant and daring manner. The conduct of Major
Last was what we always expected, and it must be
gratifying to him to know that the great bulk of the
community appreciated his gallant conduct, notwith-
standing the attempt made by the Spectator to injure
his reputation.
A body of men have been set to work to clear a way
to the position occupied by the rebels, which is six miles
inland from Porirua.
" GIBRALTAR."—The united forces were busily em-
ployed cutting roads up to Rangihaeta's pah, " Gibral-
tar," and felling the bush. The only practical approach
to the pah on the front side is by a narrow ravine, along
which only one or two men can advance at a time ; and
a considerable detour will have to be made through a
very difficult country, to get at it in the rear. Two howit-
zers had been conveyed, with extreme labour, to the
camp, and 10 shells thrown into the pah with no per-
ceptible result. We are informed that the rebels have
dug warres 7 feet under ground, and have otherwise pre
pared for a determined resistance.

OFFICIAL D f SPATCHES.
The Lieutenant-Governor has much pleasure in di-
recting the publication of the following dispatches from

Major Last, 99th Regiment, commanding the troops,
southern district, detailing the nature of the recent ope-
rations against the rebels, by which they have been
driven from the strongholds they previously occupied
in this portion of New Zealand, and have been com-
pelled to retreat after losing some, and leaving in capti-
vity several, of the disaffected chiefs.
He will take care to represent, in the strong terms
which they merit, the gallantry which has been
evinced by Major Last, and the officers and men of the
combined naval and military force which was engaged
in these operations; the privations and fatigues neces-
sarily attendant upon the conduct of which, in so unfa-
vourable a season of the year, were supported in a
manner which deserves the warmest expression of the
Lieutenant-Governor's gratitude and approbation.
The Lieutenant-Governor avails himself of the same
opportunity of stating his entire satisfaction at the
manner in which the officers and men of the Militia of
this district have acquitted themselves. The settlers
have shown that they can use their arms well, that they
are a most useful body of men in military operations in
this country, and that they are ready cheerfully to en-
counter any dangers or difficulties. They may take an
honest pride in feeling that they have fully shown that
they possess those qualities So essential to the men who
entered upon the task of colonising New Zealand.
When the inhabitants of a country can thus rely
upon their own efficiency and courage, no fear need be
entertained for the safety of their homes and families.
Nothing could have been more gratifying than the
kind and friendly feeling evinced for each other by the
settlers and large force of native allies when serving side
by side, a feeling which clearly showed that they are
mutually attached to each other, that they felt they were
one people, bound together by common interests, and
were willing and able jointly to defend themselves against
any enemy who should attempt t, injure either race. The
Lieutenant-Governor felt, in witnessing this most grati-
fying sight, that it constituted in itself a complete gua-
rantee for the ultimate tranquillity and prosperity of this
part of New Zealand.
To the numerous native chiefs who so nobly came for-
ward on this occasion, the Lieutenant-Governor returns
his thanks for their services. The intercourse he has
had with many of them will make him take a lasting in-
terest in their welfare ; and for the future he will watch
over and endeavour to promote the progress of them-
selves and their families in prosperity and the conveni-
ences of civilised life, not only as Governor of the colony,
but as one who is personally iftterested in the welfare of
men who have established such just and strong claims
upon his esteem. _ _ _

By command of his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor,
M. RICHMOND, Superintendent.
Wellington, Aug. 16, 1846.

Porirua, Aug. 4, 1846.
Sir,—After frequent consultations with your Excel-
lency since your arrival from Auckland relative to the
movements of the force under my command, particularly
after the receipt of intelligence by the Government that
a number of disaffected natives had left Wanganui, and
were moving down the coast with a view of forming a
junction with Rangihaeta and the rebels at his pah of
Pauhautanui, in the northern branch of the Porirua
river ; and that this movement was being made with
the sanction and connivance of Te Rauparaba, and
some disaffected chiefs of the Ngatitoa tribe resid-
ing in the immediate neighbourhood of our posi-
tion, it was determined that an effort should be made
to destroy this party, or to induce the friendly na-
tives on the coast to prevent their progress ; also,
that an attempt should be made to arrest Te
enwith ceagahiinnisi
veidattended with
tißnhaeumtph;aeraanehdvae:
nstah and the d
otbht
ea
nediinsmgaffoevfceutmretdehnetrs chiefseb
success, it would enable us to make an attack upon
Rangihaeta and his followers, without the apprehension
of Te Rauparaha, or any evil-disposed Ngatitoas aiding
him; and then the pah at Pauhautanui could be regu-
larly invested, and the rebels destroyed.
To effect these objects, a combined naval and military
force was embarked on board her Majesty's steamer
Driver, under my command. We found it, however, im-
practicable to attack the Wanganui natives as they pro-
ceeded down the coast, as gales of wind and excessive
bad weather prevented the landing of the troops; but the
rebels were precluded making a further progress than
Ohau, as the friendly natives opposed them.
The next movement, I am happy to inform your
Excellency, was completely successful, as, on the morn-
ing of the 23d ult., I disembarked before daylight in
boats of her Majesty's steamer Driver, with 1 officer
and 30 men of the 58th Regiment, 3 officers and 70
men of the 99th Regiment, 4 officers and 30 men of
her Majesty's ship Calliope, accompanied by Captain
Stanley, together with the Inspector (Captain Durie, of
the Militia), and some armed police, surrounded the
pah, and accomplished our object without any collision,
from the admirable steadiness of the whole party ,bring-
ing witb us Te Rauparaha, Kanae, Hoapu, and some
others, who are now prisoners on board her Majesty's
ship Calliope, as well as disarmed the disaffected part of
the tribe. _ _ _

Annexed is a list of the arms and ammunition taken at
the time. _ . _

Nothing now remained but to attack Rangihaeta and
the rebels in the pah at Pauhautanui ; for this object,
after leaving 100 men to reinforce the camp at Pararnatta-
point, the Driver returned to Wellington, in order that
the portion of the Calliope's crew which had embarked
in the Driver might return on board, and that both ships,
with the detachment of the 65th Regiment, just arrived
from Sydney, might return to Porirua.
On the 29th ult. your Excellency received intelli-
gence, which you did me the honour to communicate,
that Rangihaeta, alarmed at the movements that were
going on, had evacuated his pah and fled, but where was
uncertain ; it was, however, supposed that himself and a
few of his followers were remaining in the vicinity of his
former position.
Apprehensions being entertained that the greater num-
ber of Rangihaeta's followers might have returned to
the hills in the neighbourhood of the Hutt, it was con-
sidered unsafe to detach, for any length of time, a large
body of troops from Wellington, until the country be-
tween the Hutt district and Porirua harbour had been
thoroughly reconnoitred. To accomplish this, a mixed
force of Militia, armed police, and friendly natives, were
therefore ordered to move from the Hutt in the directon
of Pauhautanui, sweeping the country as they went
along, and either investing or taking posiession of the
pali on their arrival, as opportunity offered. A simul-
taneous movement was directed to be made by the troops
under my command, which, I regret to say, was defeated
from her Majesty's ship Calliope being delayed from
stress of weather; but, on our arrival, on the Ist inst.,
we found the movement of the force from the Hutt had
been successful, having found the pah evacuated, with
the exception of scouts, one of whom (an influential
ehiet) they captured, and another chief was captured in
the course of the same evening by the friendly natives.
On the 2d instant I proceeded to the pah at daylight,
in boats supplied by Captain Stanley, of her MaJestY's
ship Calliope, with Major Arney, 58th, and 7 officers
and 160 men of the 58th, 65th, and 99th,
Regiments,
which, on reaching, I found occupied by the Militia,
armed police, and native allies.
On examining the pah I found it to be built in a very
strong position, having a double row of timber pali-
sades, with trenches and traverses across, about 80 paces
long, and 35 broad, in the shape of a parallelogram, with
flanking defences.
There was also a bank of earth thro up on the
to
scarpside of the trenches, which, owing to the heavy
rain, were full of water. The position altogether is a
very strong one, and would have been almost impredisg-
nable without artillery; but a hill about 500 yards -
tant, opposite the front face, commanded it completely.
Therefore, had the enemy remained, we might soon
have dislodged them with our guns, which were in readi-
ness at Porirua, in command of Captain Henderson, R.A.
The pah stands on a very high ground fronting the
harbour; at the foot of it runs a deep narrow creek,
fordable at low water; the ground about it is excessively
swampy, which the troops had to pass over. On the
side the pah stands rises a very steep bank,. which, oven
without opposition, the men had difficu. lty. in mounting.
And on the proper left of the position is a very deep
ravine, the side of which is thickly wooded. The right
face is also thickly wooded, and the ground gradually
slopes away into the valley. The rear was the weakest
part as to its defence, the ground covered with thick
scrub ; but, from its locality, I do not consider a posi-
tion could have been taken up by us on that side. The
defences on the front face were of a stronger description
than any other.
On the morning of the 3d inst. a combined movement
was made from the pah at Pauhautanui and Porirua,
consisting of 6 officers and 1"20 men of the 58th, 65th'
and 99th Regiments, and 30 militia, followed by 150
native allies, from the former, and 4 officers, 100 men of
the Royal Artillery, 58th and 65th Regiments, with 80
native allies, under command of Major Arney, from the
latter place, for the purpose of attacking the rebel chief
and preventing his escape from the Horokiwi valley,
proceeded about four miles into the woods, covering our
advance with the usual precautions. The enemy °
discovered our rpproaeh, and quickly retired, but from
his fires being still alight, it was evident he had into
the d
e
the bush that morning.
Night coming on, and being uncertain as to the dzhrsion, and
irec-
tion of the enemy, or the route they had taken, I deemed
it then unadvisable to proceed fuyther.
Although our efforts have only led to the dispersion,
not to the total destruction of the rebels,
was my
anxious wish to have accomplished, yet, by gaining pos-
session
complete the lino of outposts at Porirua e enled
Wally to prevent any return of the rebels t able_s
of the Hutt. o the district

I beg to assure your Excellency that all under my
command have well earned from their superiors every
credit and approbation for the zeal and cheerfulness
they have exhibited under the severe trials and pri-
vations to which they have been subjected to for a long
time past.
Your Excellency having been present with the troops
on this occasion, will, I trust, bear testimony to the
efforts and exertions made by the officers and men
of both services ; but I must not omit to offer my best
thanks for the ready assistance and co-operation ren-
dered me by Captain Stanley, of her Majesty's ship
Calliope, Commander Hayes, of her Majesty's steamer
Driver, and my second in command, Major Arney, com-
manding detachment 58th Regiment stationed in this
district. I also beg to recommend Mr.

of her Majesty's ship Calliope, to your Excellency's
notice, who has rendered me great service while in the
command of the gunboat stationed at Porirua.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,
EDWARD LAST, Major, 99th Regiment,
Commanding the Troops, Southern District.
His Excellency Governor Grey, &c.

List of Arms and Ammunition taken from the Pah of
Te Rauparaha and the Disaffected Natives at Taupo
on the 23d of July, 1846 :
Muskets, single barrel ... ... 30
Ditto, double ditto ...
Axes ••• •.• ..•
Powder-flasks ••• •••
Pouches ... ..• 26
Small iron gun and carriage ... 1
Casks of powder ~. 5
Halt' ditto ... ... 3
Empty ditto ... ... 1
EDWARD LAST, Major, 99th Regiment,
Commanding the Troops, Southern District.

... 23

Porirua, Aug. 10, 1846.
Sir,—Soon after addressing your Excellency on the
4th inst., I received intelligence that the native allies
who were left to watch the movements of the rebels had
discovered that they were retreating ; I therefore
deemed it right to proceed to their support, knowing
that such a movement would accord with your Excel-
lency's wishes, and thinking it would be the means of
destroying Rangihaeta and his followers.
At daylight on the morning of the sth instant I pro-
ceeded in 'boats of her Majesty's ships Calliope and
Driver up the harbour of Porirua, landed about a mile
and a half distant, and pressed forward into the Horo-
kiwi valley five or six miles, over a road almost impas-
sable for troops, crossing numerous streams and deep
rivulets, and passing various encampments that the
enemy had recently left, evidently retreating in the
greatest confusion, leaving behind them the bugle taken
from the troops in the attack which was so gallantly re-
pulsed by the detachment of the 58th Regiment in the
valley of the Hutt, on the 16th of May last, which had
been retained by the rebels as a trophy, and was reco-
vered by the Militia.
About half-past two o'clock p.m. we came np with our
native allies and a party of Militia, under the command
of Captain M'Donough, who were lying at the foot of a
precipitous hill thickly covered with wood, near the sum-
mit of which I learned that the enemy were supposed to
be posted.
The troops then commenced hutting themselves for the
night.

—On the following morning I gave orders for the ad-
vance, directing the native allies to proceed on to
cover it.

The first division, consisting of 7 officers and 127 men
of the force, made up of seamen, soldiers, Militia, and
armed police, was under the command of Major Arney,
58 th Regiment.
The second division of five officers and 117 men, of
similar detail, was under the command of Captain Arm-
strong, 99th Regiment. _
At about nine o'clock, A.M. we ascended the hill, pre-
ceded by an officer and a party of men, with tools to cut
away the wood, to facilitate our getting up ; after as-
cending with great difficulty, about a mile, we suddenly
discovered that the enemy had established himself in a
stockade on the spur of a hill which was not only exces-
sively steep and precipitous upon each side, but so
narrow in places, that only a few men could proceed
abreast.

The stockade that was visible appeared evidently very
strong, composed of heavy logs of timber placed hori-
zontally ono over another, with loopholes to firo through,
Some of the enemy having appeared in front, a heavy
fire was opened on both sides; they made repeated at-
tempts to turn our left flank, but were driven back with
great loss to their position.
I regret to state that in the action our loss was severe,
having two killed and nine wounded, as will be seen by
the annexed return. I particularly regret the loss of a
most promising young officer, Ensign Blackburn, 99th
Regiment, who was acting Brigade-Major, and who
evinced the greatest zeal and gallantry on the occasion.
The firing lasted till dark, when finding my position un- I
favourable to'occupy at night, I left two officers and 120
men to assist our native allies to watch the enemy, and
again took up the post I had left in the morning.
The enemy admitted to have lost five killed and two
wounded, among the number one chief named Te Oro,
and Tapuke, the murder of Richard Rush, at the Hutt.
On the Bth instant, having been reinforced by a cap-
tain, subaltern, and 11 of the Royal Artillery, with two
small mortars under the direction of Captain Henderson,
of that corps, I again advanced towards the position, al-
though I found great obstacles in using shells from the
loftiness of the trees, which intercepted our view of the
enemy. We, however, succeeded in throwing a number
into the stockade, and so continued to harass them
throughout the day.
The enemy kept up a fire upon us during the whole
time. His position having been thus felt and ascertained
to be
the
steepdefendedand n
narrow
ostrong
ridge ion/ rse
lnocfht
ym
anden t s
dtehnrsoewl
yn
waocordoesds
hill, the rebels being in retreat, there was every reason
to believe that their intention was to pour a few destruc-
tive vollies into our men as they advanced, crowded as
they must have been into so narrow a space along the
thus abandoning, without loss, a position which, from the
steep ridge, and then to fly into the woods in the rear ;
want of supplies, it was impossible for them to retain for
more than a few days. It did not appear expedient to
incur so large a sacrifice of life to attain a post use-
less in itself, and which must soon have been
ours without any loss ; _moreover, the destruc-
tion of so many of her Majesty's troops without an
equivalent proportion on the part of the enemy would
have been regarded by the natives as a great victory on
the side of Rangihaeta, might have produced a bad
impression on the country generally, and have de-
stroyed the effect of our previous successes. Taking into
consideration also the great want of facilities for provi-
sioning so large a force, I at last accepted the offers made
by the friendly chiefs, to permit them to remain on the
ground and locate themselves in temporary pahs whilst
they cleared the scrub and erected round the enemy a
palisade after the Maori system of warfare, so as to cut
off his means of obtaining either water or provisions, and
thus either capture him or force him to fly from his
position. In addition to the before-mentioned obstacles
opposed to me, the rear of my position was subjected to
afu
ora u
pf tuo ars nit
thu i
oei
rn andoa pn
e d P oar
brt i
eiroi
nuna s g
constant floods; I therefore deemed it right to make
iPenagtr
seenooarrangements for withdrawing my force from the
plans,H o
yr oo u irawnEi
dxv
ea
reserving
ell els
eye
nr
ctv oyi n
gt
hh
ate
vh
h of
p ls)
ourh Point, leaving the native allies to carry out their own
when required.
well aware of all the difficulties and impediments, as
well as hardships to which the force under my command
have been subjected, I need not dwell further is describ-
ing them.
I cannot close this report without expressing my par-
ticular obligations to Major Arney, 68th Regiment, my
second in command, for the advice and assistance he at
all times rendered me. To Captain Armstrong, 99th
Regiment, commanding the second division; Captain
Henderson, commanding Royal Artillery; Lieutenant
Elliott, 99th Regiment, acting engineer; and to Ensign
Servantes, 96th Regiment, interpreter to the forces, my
best thanks are due.
I must thank Captain Stanley, of her Majesty's ship
Calliope, for his assistance in forwarding the operations;
I also received the best aid from the officers and seamen
of her Majesty's ships Calliope and Driver; Lieutenants
Thorpe and Conolly and all under their command de-
serve the highest praise.
The wounded received the best attention from Dr.
Galbraith and the ;other medical officers under his di-
rection.

I have every reason to be satisfied with the exertions
of the Commissariat Department; and I must not omit
to mention the meritorious conduct of Captain M'Do•
cough, and the Militia under his command, as well
as that of all the officers, non-commissioned officers,
seamen, soldiers, and police force, employed on this
occasion.
It further affords me pleasure and satisfaction to speak
of the great service the native allies from Port Nichol-
son rendered me, as well as the friendly portion of the
Ngatitoa tribe who joined us, and beg to thank the chiefs
of the several parties for the zeal and exertions of them-
selves and followers.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,
EDWARD LAST, Major 99th Regiment,
Commanding the Troops, Southern Division.
His Excellency Governor Grey, &c.

Return of Killed and Wounded of the Force under
Major Last, 99th Regiment, commanding the Troops
in the Southern District, while engaged in Action
with the Rebels in the Itorokiwi Valley on the 6th of
August, 1846.

KILLED.
Ensign H. M. Blackburn, 99th Regiment.
Private Thomas Tuite, 99th Regiment.

WOUNDED.

W. Roberts, captain of the mizentop, her Majesty's
ship Calliope, mortally, and since dead.

58T1I REGIMENT.

Private John Carr, slightly.

65TR REGIMENT.

Private Robert Miller, severely.

99TH REGIMENT.
Private Patrick Darcey, severely.
Thomas Woodfield, do.
Francis O'Reilly, do.
James Henchcliff, do.
Joseph Booth, do.
MILITIA.
Private George Farmer, severely.
EDWARD LAST, Major 99th Regiment,
Commanding the Troops, Southern District

Porirua, Two r.m., August 13, 1846.
Sir,—l have the honour to forward the enclosed, this
instant received from Mr. Servantes, our interpreter, at
Puaha's camp, for your Excellency's information, by
which you will learn that the rebels left their position
this morning, and that our native ally, Puaha, after
sending back his women, will pursue them to-morrow.
I have sent information to Waikanae of the event, and
hope our allies there will assist in cutting them off,
should they attempt to pass that way.—l have the

PRICE SD.

honour to be, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient
humble servant,

EDWARD LAST, Major 99th Regiment,
Commanding the Troops, Southern District.
His Excellency Governor Grey, &c.

Puaha's Camp, August 13, 1846.
Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that some of
the rebel natives began to fire upon our camp this
morning. Puaha immediately rushed out to meet them
with his followers, and, finding them retire, proceeded
up to the pah, which they entered as the others went out
by the rear; the Ngatitoa natives followed immediately
afterwards. It appears that they had sent the women to
the rear some time ago, together with their baggage;
the men, it is the general opinion of the natives, only
retired a short time before we entered. They had no
stock of provisions, as they had been eating the mamaku
(which is a species of tree fern). The place whence
they fired upon us the other day was only an entrench-
ment. The pah was about 100 yards in the rear, but
had no regular stockade round it, simply a rail in some
places, and in others nothing at all. Puaha, sends back
his women to-day, and intends to follow them up to-
morrow morning.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your
most obedient humble servant,
W. F. G. SERVANTES.
Major Last, 99th Regiment, Commanding
Troops, Porirua.

Wellington, Aug. 16, 1846.
Bir,—l have the honour to state, that since addressing
your Excellency on the 13th instant, reporting the con-
tinuing retreat of the rebels, I have received intelligence
that our native allies are making every preparation for
a vigorous pursuit, and, should they succeed in driving
the enemy out into the open country upon the coast, I
beg to assure your Excellency, that in conjunction with
the naval offieer, I will not fail to assist in the pursuit, and
use every exertion in my power to cut them off.—l have
the honour to be, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient
humble servant,

EDWARD LAST, Major, 99th Regiment,
Commanding the Troops, Southern District.
His Excellency Governor Grey, &e.

Wellington, Aug. 16, 1846, Eight P.m.
Sir,—l hare the honour to inform your Excellency
that I have this moment received intelligence that the
Inspector of Police (Captain Durk, of the Militia), acting
upon my letters informing him that the rebels had left
their position in the Horokiwi valley, made the requisite
communication to the chiefs at Waikanae, who had pre-
viously occupied the position pointed out to them at the
Pari Peri, and that our native ally, Wiremu Kingi, and
his party were immediately on the alert, and were suc-
cessful in capturing eight prisoners belonging to the
band under Rangihaeta, who had come down from the
hills for the purpose of obtaining food, and had sent to
the police-station for an escort to conduct them to Wai-
kanae. A good deal of firing was heard in the direction
of the Pari Pari, and on the hills above it, and Wiremu
Kingi sent word that he would make an attack on the
enemy to-morrow. The following is a list of the pri-
-sonera taken :
Ko Mateu Tikiahi, Ko Te Kumete, Ko Hohepa, Te
Umuroa, Ko Te Weretiti, Ko Te Rahui, Ko Te Koro-
hunga, Ko Topi, Ko Mataiumu.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,
EDWARD LAST, Major, 99th Regiment,
Commanding the Troops in the Southern District.
His Excellency Governor Grey, &c.

(EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER.)
AUCKLAND, SEPT. 8, 1846.
All is quiet here to the northward. By the papers
you will see what is going on to the:southward. This
place is fast going ahead ; the revenue of the Customs
last quarter was at the rate of 17,0001. a year ; in fact,
the natives and the troops at present support the colony.
The former are most esteemed. Four copper mines are
now at work, and in four months I intend opening an-
other ; they pay very well. One (the Rowow) will, it
is supposed, net 60,000/. next year. The ships Mary and
Strathalia sail in the course of ten days from here direct
for England, with copper ore, spars, and flax ; and the
Haidee, Cecilia, and Mary Catherine, will sail in about
six weeks from here with the same description of cargo.
There is a vessel now building near here (the Great
Barrier Island, of 560 tons), which will sail for Eng-
land in about five months with copper ore at
Si. per ton freight. Captain G. Grey is much pleased
with what he had done to the southward, and I think it
very probable that the next mail will bring advices of
the capture of Rangihaeta. If such be the case, all will
go on well here. The vessels here are—Her Majesty's
ships Castor, Carysfort, and Racehorse. Her Majesty's
steam. sloop Driver is expected every day. Her boilers
are in a dreadful state. She was nearly lost off Cape
Teriwitte (Cook's Straits), when I was in Wellington,
on account of not being able to get sufficient steam up to
get her off a lee shore. Her boilers have been in active
service for nearly six years. We are much in want of
another steamer to replace her. The ship Mary Ca-
therine, before-mentioned, was driven on shore in the
Rapaira river in a heavy gale of wind. She had a good
deal of cargo on board, which was sold by Lloyd's
agent here (a survey having been held upon her),
and as soon as sold she was got off without any da-
mage. Our colonial secretary (Mr. Sinclair) has,
within the last few days, either been dismissed jar re-
signed.

MEXICAN BONDHOLDERS.
From the following documents, which have been re-
ceived by Messrs. Schneider and Co., it will appear that
the agency of the Mexican Government is to remain in
their hands, but that the conversion which was so re-
cently sanctioned is now repudiated, or, what is the
same thing, referred to the consideration of Congress
for a decision as to whether, " under the present afflict-
ing circumstances of the country," it is expedient to
permit the tobacco duties (pledged under the conversion)
to go into the hands of their foreign creditors. It is to
be hoped that the history of this affair will suffice to
render similar juggles, henceforth, impossible. All
" conversions" of public debts have their origin in fraud,
and in the present case the Mexican bondholders would
have reason to congratulate themselves if the final result
could be to restore them to the position they occupied
before the transaction was attempted:—
Mexico, October , .
"His Excellency the" General encharged3owith 1846
the
supreme executive power has been pleased to determine
that you immediately resume the agency of the Re-
public in London, receiving, to that effect, from General
Don Josh M. Mendoza, the documents, papers, and
everything else relating to said agency, which you
may have delivered to him under the orders trans-
mitted by the former packet, and that you continue
in the discharge of the duties of the said commission in
the same terms, and under the same conditions and in-
structions which you previously had, without, in this
respect, making the least variation; on the understanding
that the business being now arranged with Messrs. Man-
ning and Mackintosh, of this city, as representatives of
the parties interested in the new bonds issued in London,
relative to said bonds, and the necessary orders being
issued for the payment of the first dividend in conformity
with said arrangement, you may proceed to announce the
payment of the said dividend, and carry the same into
effect at the appointed time.
" By order of his Excellency, I communicate this to
you, and transmit it likewise to General Mendoza for the
corresponding object. God and Liberty.

" LIARO Y TAMARIZ.
" Messrs. John Schneider and Co., London."
" MINISTRY OF FINANCE.
(Section
_l2)

" Mexico, Nov. 28, 1846.
" Under this date I say to General Don Jose M.
Mendoza, the Mexican Chargé d'Affaires, what follows :
" His Excellency the General intrusted with the
supreme executive power has examined very carefully
and scrupulously the very important business of the
conversion of the Mexican debt in the city of London,
and the creation of the new Consolidated Fund, effected
in virtue of the contract entered into in this capital
on the sth of March last, between the Supreme Go-
vernment and Messrs. Manning and Mackintosh, and
the subsequent contract relative to the payment of
the dividends; and weighing well all the difficulties
of this very important affair, which seem greater and
greater under every aspect for the credit of the nation,
both as regards the war which it is sustaining against
the American invasion, the heavy responsibillities which
press upon the public Treasury, those which especially
weigh upon the tobacco revenue, and which is specially
made liable to the payment, if the conversion of the debt
is complied with in all parts—and this when the blockade
obstructs our parts, deprives us of all receipts of duties
from the maritime custom-houses, and when we most
need all our revenues—his Excellency considers that the
meeting of the National Sovereign Congress being so
near, having been appointed for the 6th of December
next, the final determination of this matter ought to be
referred entirely to its decision, and he has determined
to do so accordingly, handing over all the particularstthe
relating thereto. His Excellency doubts not th
National Congress will be animated, as he himselfa
is,
issue
to the most lively desire of giving a satisfactory
to the business, which may demonstrate the constant
good faith of Mexico, and that, as far as may be in her
power and the present afflicting circumstances may
permit, she will exert herself to appear by her acts as
frank and loyal as her character and intentions always
have been. In stating this to you by supreme order for
your information, I protest to you the securities of my
consideration and esteem.'
" And I communicate it to you by order of his said
Excellency the General, for your information.
" God and Liberty,
" VILLAMIL.
" Messrs. John Schneider and Co., London."

THE CRIMINAL CODE OF FRANCE.--The Minister
of Justice has just appointed a commission to examine
the modifications to be effected in the Code of Criminal
Instruction. He himself a^ts as President, and M. Mes-
nard, Peer of France, as Vice-President.
OMNIBUSES AT ONE HALFPENNY A MLLE.—Yes-
terday a number of omnibuses commenced running be-
tween Shoreditch Church, the Bricklayers' Arms, and
the Elephant and Castle, conveying passengers the entire
distance, upwards of five miles, for threepence.