The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-24 00:00:00

ATTEMPT TO MURDER SIR F. HOPKINS.

The Evining Post contains the following :
" MULLINGAR, Nov. 19.—An outrage of a very daring
character was perpetrated within three miles of this town
last night. About half-past eleven .'clock Sir Francis Hop-
kins, Bart., of Rochfort, was returning home, after dining with
his neighbour, Colonel Caulfield, of Bloomfield, and, having
descended from his phaeton, was in the act of knocking at
his hall-door, when a shot was fired at him, and several slugs
grazed his temple and forehead ; the remainder of the charge,
consisting of a ball and upwards of a dozen slugs, lodging in
the door. Sir Francis immediately, he states, rushed at the
two nien wliom he perceived at a little distance, one having a
gun, the other A pistol, both of whom, after inflicting severe
blows on Sir Francis, succeeded in knocking him down and
effecting a retreat, leaving behind •a hat and coat, which they
lost in the struggle. •
"This day a man named Seery, living at Dysart, several miles
from Rochfort, and some tirMliiince
investigated by
tpeylYio learn, has was arrested on suspicion, b Ordet 9f ejseierteFd
rf
aronmeis,
ae
nd, estate,me
tuhnedme
gt.aisnidr,a
ttehse.
.a
sffiari rFrwa
Ili lel
isew
ei ma
are
ehdal bap
sus-
tained no seriou injury.
"As to the motives for- this attack various rumours are
afloat, which it would be premature to notice at present. Sir
Francis purchased, about eight years ago, his present magni-
ficent seat,- formerly the residence of the Rochfort
having previously.lived near Athboy, county Meath. He is
a young man, and has taken an active part iu the Agricultural
Societzr of this country."
THE ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE MR. BARTON:

ENNISKILLEN, TUESDAY.—The investigation as to Oa
attempt to assassinate Folliott Barton, Esq., held at P ettigo►

NEW ZEALAND.
THIRD REPULSE OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.
(From the Bombay Gentleman's Gazette.)
We are sincerely grieved to lay before our readers, this
morning, an account of a third repulse, by the belligerent
natives of New Zealand, of our troops. In this repulse, as
in the -second, no stain attaches to British valour; on the
contrary, there has been much of daring bravery, to the ex-
cess of which (looking how much the feelings of men affect
the judgment even of the sage and experienced, like Colonel
Despard), we cannot but attribute this third disaster.
It will be seen, that according to the report of the New
Zealander, a newspaper published in Auckland, a private of
the 96th Regiment was captured by the New Zealanders, and
that, Heki not being present, he was burned alive, and that
his cries were distinctly heard in the British camp. We
heard this before we saw yesterday's Sydney Herald, and in-
dignation and horror made us dread taking up the newspaper
which contained such a recital. In perusing the whole ac-
count, however, we are happy to see the circumstance is not
mentioned in the dispatches of Colonel Despard. May we
therefore hope that no such cries were, heard, put that the

report arose from incidents and intentions which may be
imagined to have been kindled in a case of so much trouble,
disappointment, and disaster?
The accounts published in this day's Australian willjinform
our readers of certain things
1. That the troops numbered 490 men, and that the guns
which had been taken from Auckland were inefficient—their
recoil being so great as to upset the carriages.
2. That in consequence a heavy gun from her Majesty's
ship Hazaid was subsequently brought to the camp, over
execrable roads, with great labour.
3. That on the Ist of July, at 10 in the morning, after this
gun had opened its fire, "a sudden attack was made on our
position from a very thick wood close in its rear, and Waka's
people were driven from it." The position and the gun were
regained by a party of the 58th, with a loss of only one man.
4. That in the afternoon of the same day, after all the
shot (26 in number) had been discharged by the Hazard's
gun, the troops were formed in parties for attack and support,
and the storming of the pah took place at or soon after three
o'clock on the afternoon of the same day.
5. That among the orders issued by Colonel Despard was
one, that the storming party should provide themselves with
hatchets and axes for cutting away the palisading of the pah,
or stockade, about to be attacked, and also with ropes for
pulling them down.
6. That this order was not obeyed.
7. That the storming party evinced the same high valour
which we have read of in the Peninsula, at Bajados, and
Ciudad Rodrigo, &c. ; but that for want of the hatchets, axes,
&c., the brave assailants could make but little impression on
the stockade. They got through the first, palisading, but
could make no impression on the second, the enemy being
ranged inside in pits up to their breasts, and firing through
loop-holes nut higher from the ground than a foot or so,
which rendered their fire irresistible; for while the British
were attacking the inner palisading, the enemy inside could
coolly take their aim at every advancing soldier. To the pan-
sading they could only present their bayonets. -
It is evident, from this account of the battle, that the
British have been punished (as great armies have been
often punished before) for their contempt of the enemy.
Had they not despised the natives, both as regards their
bravery and ingenuity, they would not have stormed their
forqess of poles and planks, with merely powder and ball
and bayonets.

And we think we may say further, that although hatchets,
axes, and ropes in the hands of such brave men, might in
their ardour have enabled them to penetrate the, second
barrier of poles and planks, yet the numbers inside would
have caused an immense slaughter of our troops, supposing
the enemy to have maintained anything like a fight before
they opened their gates and ran. And, consequently,
that nothing but cannon should have been used for the
destruction of the pah ; and that, consequently, until more
heavy guns, or some light artillery could have been obtained
and planted behind entrenchments at such small distances
as would cause the shot to
,tell, the attack should have been
deferred. _ _

So far, according to the dispatches of Colonel Despard. In
a private letter, dated the 12th of Ji eleven days after the
repulse; the w'riter speaks of their "finding a way of getting
their large guns to the top of a hill, not far distant from the
pah, and firing down on it." The result of this second
cannonading (on what day soever it took place) was the
evacuation of the fortress in the night ; and it is remarkable
that this evacuation took place two hours before it was known
to our little army.
The negative surprise, and positive surprise of the gun, in
the first instance, seemed to indicate that we had too few
troops to establish a system of pickets, without sacrificing
to a certainty the lives of such pickets. Yet we can hardly
corapr6end how warfare can be carried en without patroles
in advance, either on foot or mounted. But it is very easy
to sit at home, as we now do, and find fault in read-
ing a defeat, when, if we knew all the circumstances,
we should see that our suggestions had been impossible of
execution.

What surprises us that there is no dispatch from Co-
lonel Despard of the evacuation of the pah, as described in
the private letter alluded to ; nor of bringing up more guns
from her Majesty's ship Hazard ; nor of their being brought
to bear on the pah ; nor of their effects. Yet the evacua-
tion of, the fortress, being the great object of the expedi-
tion, Seems of sufficient importance to merit a distinct
dispatch. We trust this private letter will not turn out mere
hearsay.
Again, if the guns, subsequently to the repulse, brought
from her Majesty's ship Hazard, were, by taking a new po-
sition, made effectual, so far as to cause the enemy to
evacuate their pah, the question instantly occurs, why these
guns were not brought up before the troops were allowed
to storm ? If this private letter prove a true narrative of
events subsequently to the repulse, it is clear that, by delay-
ing operatiOns only 10 days, there would have been no need
of the assault.
Colobel Despard expressly says, that the surprise of the
gun, by a party of the enemy, caused him to come to an im-
mediate decision ; that is to say, to a determination to storm
the, pah that very afternoon. The last event, if the private
letter be correct, shows that the commander should have
determined to u5B his forces in preventing these surprises;
and in the meantime, .!eeing the good effects of a single gun,
to have sent for two or three more before he hazarded an
assault. But, as we have said above, it is easy, at this dis-
tance, to And. fault.
Since writing the above, we have been favoured from dif-
ferent sources with the following scraps of intelligence, all
highly interesting either to the public or to individuals :
Ensign O'Reilly was wounded in the elbow so severely,
that if
.his arm escape amputation, the power of bending it
will not return. Lieutenant Johnson had a marrow escape.
A ball struck the edge of the peak of his cap, and glancing
aside did him no harm. Major Macpherson was shot in the
fleshy part of the thigh—a painful, but not dangerous wound.
The Gallant Grant (Captain of Grenadiers) bad expressed a
presentiment that he should not return alive; it did not,
however, unnerve his arm, for just previously to his being
shot, he had with his sword struck off the head of a New
Zealander in forcing his way through the palisade. His
remains were found mutilated, but had not, as reported, been
exposed in any way to the action of fire. Poor Beattie died
on the tenth day after tbe battle.
Of married soldiers, the 99th lost only one. The 58th
lost three sergeants, all married men. Can nothing be done
for their widows? We are afraid they are too poor and
humble to be thought off. Our Legislative Council might,
vote them a trifle a piece.
On occasion of the successful attack which took place with
the Hazard's heavy guns, subsequent to the date of Colonel
Despard's second dispatch, and which we have noticed above
on the authority of a private letter, it is supposed the shot
was very destructive to the enemy in the pah. The
killed were buried previous to its evacuation ; the wounded
carried off.

A private letter says
We had the opportunity afforded us of observing how
well skilled these savages are in the science of defence.
Their stronghold was a perfect warren—houses under-
ground ; a triple row of stout fencing, stout enough to resist
six-pound shot, two of which were found sticking in one of
them ; the space between the fences deeply trenched, afford-
ing shelter to the defenders, and also the means of firing
low, and with correct aim.
" Captain Grant, 58th, and Lieutenant Beattie, 99th, who
most gallantly led the forlorn hope with 20 Grenadiers, were
buried on the 15th at Waitimate.
" Another pah near this place (Waitimate) was destrued
by the light companies of both regiments, accompanied by
40 of the 96th and the friendly natives. No lives were lost
on either side, and a horse and an old woman fell into our
hands, and an abundance of potatoes."
We copy the following dispatches, &c., from the New
Zealand Gazette of the 7th of July. The particulars therein
narrated of the proceedings at the late battle may therefore
be considered as officially authentic :
DISPATCHES FROM COLONEL DESPARD TO GOVERNOR
FTTZROT.
Camp, before Hek-e's Pah, July 2.
Sir,—lt is with much more regret that I can express that
have to acquaint your Excellency that an attempt was
yesterday made by the troops under my command, in the
afternoon, to carry the fortified position or pah of Heke with-
out success, and we were repulsed with heavy loss. The
particulars shall be forwarded to you with as little delay as
possible.
I inclose herewith a list of wounded. Many of the latter,
I am sorry to say, are severe and dangerous.
It is impossible to say too much in praise of the bravery
and good conduct of both officers and men.
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servaiirnt,
H. DESPARD, Colonel Commandini the
ckilanood. ps.
To his Excellency Governor Fitzroy, lc c.,
cnnime
to dthoe
Colonel Despard, 99th Reg
nf
Return of killed and woundedmofentht eirfoorme
e3e;Oulthdeorf June
Ist of July,. 1845.
d d • • te of the
e one private Her Majesty's ship Hazard—Lieutenant Phillpotts killed •
one seaman killed ; two seamen wounded
Royal Marines killed.
Her Majesty's 58th Regiment—Captain Grant killed ; three
sergeants and 11 rank and file killed ; two sergeants and
33 rank and file wounded ; two privates since dead.
Her Majesty's 96th Regiment—Three rank and file killed;
five rank and file wounded.
Her Majesty's 99th Regiment—One sergeant and 14 rank
and file killed ; Brevet-Major Macpherson, severely wounded ;
Lieutenant Beattie, severely wounded, since dead; Lieutenant
Johnson, slightly wounded ; Ensign O'Reilly, severely
wounded ; one sergeant and 21 rank and file wounded ; two
privates, since dead.
Volunteers (Pioneers)—Four rank and file wounded;
Henry Clerk, interpreter to the force, severely wounded.
The names of the non-commissioned officers and privates
killed and wounded, as yet known, are as follows
Her Majesty's 55th Regiment—Killed : Sergeants Halliday,
3lorrow, and Andrew Wilson; Corporal William Stewart.;
Privates Davis, Cla.tton, Punchett, Goodrum, Fisher, Norton,
Reynolds, Payne, 'Sutton, Doherty, Leech, Molloy, and
Anderson. Two sergeants' and 33 rank and file wounded,
names not yet reported.
Her Majesty's 99th Regiment—Killed : Grenadiers-ser-
geant Thomas Todd ; Privates, Martin Moran, John Hill,
William Watson, William Pope, and John Magrath. Light
Company—George Ataber, John Noble, James Hughes, John

This attack showed me the necessity of coming to an im-
mediate decision, and I accordingly determined on attack.
ing the pah by assault, in the afternoon, as soon as the few
shots brought up from the Hazard (twenty-six in number)
were expended; which I expected would so loosen the stock-
ades, as to enable the men attacking them to cut and pull
them down. In pursuance of this resolution, a storming party
was ordered to parade at 3 o'clock, rm., for this purpose, and
I issued instructions for its guidance, as detailed in the ac-
companying memorandum. The parties for the attack were
enabled to advance within 60 or 100 yards „of the point of at-
tack, and there remain unperceived
.by the enemy, in a ra-
vine under cover. When the advance was sounded, they
rushed forward in the most gallant and daring manner, and
every endeaVour was made to pull the stockade. down. They
partially succeeded in openimg the outer one, buy the inward
one resisted all their efforts, and being lined with men firing
through loopholes on a level with the ground, and from others
half way up, our men were falling so fast that, notwithstanding
the most daring acts of bravery and the greatest perseve-
rance, they were obliged to retire. This could not be effected
without additional loss in the endeavour to bring off the
wounded men, in which they were generally successful. The
retreat was covered by the party under Lieutenant-Colonel
Hulme, of the 96th regiment ; and too much praise cannot
be given to that officer for the coolness and steadiness with
which he conducted it under a very heavy fire.
I must here remark that the hatchets and axes, as well as

the ropes for pulling down the stockade, and the ladders,
were all thrown away or left behind by those appointed to
carry them ; and to this circumstance I attribute the main
cause of the failure.

I trust that it will not be thought that the character of
the British has been tarnished on this occasion. One-third
of the men actually engaged fell in the attack, and during
the eight days that we have been engaged carrying on ope-
rations against this place, one-fourth of the whole strength
of the British soldiers under my command (originally not ex-
ceeding 490) have been either killed or wounded.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme I have received every
assistance during*he time of these operations, independent of
his gallant conduct in covering the retreat. Major Mac-
pherson of the 99th Regiment, who led the principal attack.
and was severely wounded, also deserves every praise for the
daring manner in which he led his men to the assault, and
though slightly struck on the left breast at the commence-
ment he gallantly persevered till struck down by a serious
wound. Equal praise is also due to Major Bridge of the
58th Regiment for the coolness and steadiness with which
he led his men to the attack, and his perseverance till
called off. Where every individual has behaved equally
well it seems invidious to particularise names; but I can-
not avoid mentioning the unwearied toil, zeal, and energy
displayed by Lieutenant Wilmott of the Royal Artillery, in
conducting that department with the most inefficient means.
Captain Marlow, Royal Engineers, and his department gave-
me every assistance in their power while labouring under the
same inefficient means .as the artillery. I must not omit
either to mention the able assistance and active zeal that
has been displayed by Lieutenant and Adjutant Deering, of
the 99th Regiment, (acting as Major of Brigade), whether
under fire of enemy, or in conducting the necessary de-
tails. The three officers, with Major Macpherson's party,
were all either killed or wounded, Captain Grant, Lieutenant
Beatie (who volunteered the forlorn hope), and Ensign
O'Reilly. The volunteers from the New Zealand Militia,
acting as pioneers under Lieutenant Figg, deserve to be
mentioned, and that officer himself has undergone unceasing
toil of the most harassing nature with zeal and energy.
Lieutenant Wood and the militia volunteers for the artillery,
deserve to be included in this commendation.

Captain Johnson, of her Majesty's ship Hazard, has given
the most unwearied assistance, in every possible way, from
the commencement of our operations, by sending up supplies
of all sorts, even from his own ship, when our public stores
were deficient. The seamen and marines of her Majesty's
navy have always borne the same character for bravery and
intrepidity wherever they have been employed, and the few,
eighteen m. number, that joined this expedition from her Ma-
jesty's ship Hazard have nobly supported the same charac-
ter. Lieutenant Phillpotts,. R.N., fell when endeavouring
to P.lrce his way through the stockade. I inclose herewith
a corrented list of killed and wounded.

I have the honour to be, your Excellency's
Most obedient and humble servant,
H. DZSPARD, Lieutenant-Colonel 99th Regiment,
and Colonel on the Staff in New Zealand.
To his Excellency Robert Fitzroy, Governor, &c.,
Auckland,

P.S.—The rounded are doing well under the able care
and constant attention bestowed on them by Dr. Pine, of the
sSth, and Dr. Galbraith, of the 99th Regiments.

H. D.

Camp, July 1.
The following are the directions, and the distribution of
the troops, for the attack on the psh, at three o'clock, this
evening :
The principal attack will be made on of near the right
angle on the front face (that face being consider;4.l the front
one that is opposite the camp), and the whole column for
this attack will be formed as follows—two sergeants and 20
volunteers from the three corps will form the advance, and
proceed with the most perfect silence till they reach the
stockade.

This party will be followed closely by the assaulting body
under Major Macpherson, composed of 40 Grenadiers from
the sStb, and 40 Grenadiers from the 99th Regiments, and
►ill be accompanied by a small party of seamen, and by 30
pioneers from the volunteer militia. The seamen, and u
many pioneers as there are sufficient tools for, will be sup-
plied with axes or hatchets for the purpose of cutting dotes
the stockade. Those pioneers that cannot be supplied with
axes or hatchets are to carry the ladders as well as strong
ropes, which will be supplied by the artillery department, for
pulling down the stockade.
Major Macpherson's party will be closely followed by
Major Bridge of the 58th Regiment, having under him the
remainder of the Grenadiers of the 58th, to be made up to 60
rank and file from the battalion of the same regiment, and
40 rank and file from the light company of the 99th Regi-
ment—in all, amounting to 100 rank and tile.
A supporting party will be formed under Lieutenant-
Colonel Hulme, 96th Regiment, consisting of the whole of
the detachment of the 96th Regiment, completed to 100 rank
and file by the battalion men of the 58th Regiment.
The moment an entrance is made into the pab, this party
will instantly follow the preceding parties. The remainder of
the force, will be under the personal command of Colonel Des-
pard, for the"-purpose of directing assistance wherever ne-
cessary; with the exception of 40 rank and file of the 58th
Regiment, under command of Captain Thompson, of that
corps, who will occupy the hill overlooking the pah and the
camp ; it being considered necessary to do so, from the at-
tempt made by the natives in the morning to get possession
of it. By order, R. B. DEERING,
Lieutenant 99th Regiment, Acting Brigade-Major.

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE.
DIVIDENDS.

Dec;. 12, W. H. Mills, Mark-lane, City, wine-merchant--
Dec. 12, J. D. Taylor, Brook-street, Holborn, oilman—Dec.
12, J. Curie and L. E. Seignette, Mincing-lane, City, mer-
chants—Dee, 12, W. and R. Smith, Bow-lane, City, ware-
housemen—Dec. 12, W, and J. alker, St. John's-square,
Clerkenwell, manufactureys Dec. 12, T. Wood, Little
Queen-street, Holborn, wine-merchant—Dec..l6, C. S. Har-
vey, George-street, Hanover-square, dress-maker—Dec. 13,
J. Gale, sen., and J. Gale, jun., Lore-lane, Shadwell, rope-
makers—Dec. 18, J. Beet, Bradfirrd, Yorkshire, dyer—Dec.
18, J. Warner, Garforth, Yorkshiie, malster—Dec. 20, J.
Austin, Manchester, brick-maker—Doe. 13, W. H. Hay-
ward, Manchester, cotton-spinner—Dec. 2; T. Wright, jun.,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, shipowner—Dec. 15.: J. Maybtuy,
sen., Bilston, Staffordshire, iron-plate manufacturers.
CERTIFICATES to be granted unless cause be shown to the
contrary on the day of meeting.
Dee. 12, G. Luckin, High Holborn, bootmaker—Dee. 16,
R. M'Entire, Paternoster-row, City, commission-agent—Dec.
25, E. Glover, Shelton, Staffordshire, publican—Dec. 18J.
rab, Chardstock, Doreetshire, hemp-manufacturer—D
12, T. Davies, Liverpool, merchant—Dec. 12, J. Dec. Marsh,
Brewood, Staffordshire, grocer—Dec. 12, D. Dames, Liver-
pool, paper-stainer—Dec. 12, W. Soffe, Strand, print-seller
—Dec. 12, R. Mackenzie, Bond-court, Walbrook, eemmis-
sion-agent—Dee. 12, R. Garrett, :Henfield, Sussex, linen..
draper—Dec. 12, J. Guy, Bury-street, Westminster, pub-
lisher—Dec. 12, I. de J. Ventura, White Hart-court, Bi-
shopsgate-street, City, merchant—Dec. 12, H. D. iCoggan,
Friday-street, City, warehousemen—Dec. 12, J. Boteherby,
Darlington, Durham, coal-owner.

SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
James Harley, Glasgow, wholesale general warehouse-
man, Nov. 26, and Dec.l7, at 11 o'clock, at the Black null Ina,
Glasgow.
John Smith, Burghead, grocer, Nov. 25,Iand Dec. 16, at 12
o'clock, at the Gordon Arms Inn, Elgin.
PRICE OF SUGAR.
The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, com-
puted from the Returns made in the week ending the 18th
day of November, 1645, is 38s. Id. per cwt.

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE ROYAL As-
SENAL.—The Board of Ordnance has granted an additional
sum of Is. a week to the orphan son of ,the late Michael
Purtill, who perished by the late explosion in the Royal
Laboratory department of the Royal Arsenal.
A PROMISING SPECULATION.—It is rumoured that
a company is in the course of formation to lease the contents
of Lord Ashley's waste paper basket at a rental of so much
per annum. The enormous number of persons who made
Lord Ashley the medium of subscribing large sums to be-
nevolent purposes, added to his Lordship's habit of throwing
down his letters unread, must render his waste paper basket
one of the most profitable as well as the safest investments
of the present day. Supposing that only two 100/. notes
find their way into this receptacle for his Lordship's corre-
spondence in the course of a week, there walill be an income
ofup of
lerwdareadss have lOO,OOOl.
epromised
to join h
per annum
tSeev
paper lirrectoifent,haenwdasatne
influential provisional committee will be forthwith adver-
tised.—Punch.
[AD VRRTISEMENT •] --A N OTHER WONDER, OR CURE
EXTRAORDINARY Er HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.—Mr. Maguire,
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Persons, either young or old, who become corpulent, pottle-
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become as tight, as light, and as good as in the days of youth.—
Sold (also Holloway's Ointment) at Professor Holloway's
Establishment, 224, Strand, and by all respectable vendors of
medicine throughout the civilised world.