The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-15 00:00:00

(From the Southern Cross?)
In our last number we gave a brief outline of the insurrection
of the natives at the Bay of Islands, of which intelligence had
been brought here by the Government. brig Victoria, on Friday,
the 14th instant. On Sunday morning her Majesty's ship
Hazard, the United States corvette St. Louis, and the English
whaler Matilda, arrived from the Bay of Islands, conveying
hither all the inhabitants of the town of Kororarika. with such
little property that some had been fortunate to save.
The unfortunate result may be ascribed to the absence of a
commander of the whole forces; one with sufficient martial
authority over the naval and military, as well as possessing the
confidence of the civiliar.s. It is quite clear that the natives
took the inhabitants by surprise and evinced most determined
bravery, as well as humanity towards the settlers. They
are, it is said, as much astonished as the Europeans
at the sequel, the numbers of the two attacking divisions
being about 9no. The Europeans, inclusive of sailors and
soldiers, lost about 12 killed and 20 wounded. Of the natives,
more than 30 were killed in the action, and above 70 wounded,
most of them dangerously. Great praise is due to many indi-
viduals for their bravery and exertions ; and to Mr. Polack in
particular, for the surrender of his house and premises for the use
and protection of the settlers, their families. and their property.
We are happy to hear that Captain Robertson, of her Ma-
jesty's ship Hazard, is going on favourably; two balls have
been extracted, and it is hoped that very soon another, lodged
in a more dangerous part, may .undergo similar operation. He
is in excellent spirits, and we fervently trust that this gallant
young officer may soon be restored to the service, the honour
and character of which he has so nobly maintained.
On Saturday.last, at the meeting of the Legislative Council,
the Governor postponed the regular business of the day, and
then communicated the information he had received relative
to the circumstances, of which we have given a report in our
proceedings of the Legislative Council. -
On Monday. the Magistrates held a meeting, for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the most proper steps to be
adopted in the present emergency.
There were present, J. J. Symonds, Thomas Beckham,
John Watson, E'qs., police magistrates ; Theophilus Heale,
Jer. Nagle, P. D. Hogg, J. Scott, R. A. Fitzgerald, H.
Thompson, F. Whitaker, and William Spain, Esqs.' justices
of the peace. The following resolutions were passed:—
1. That in consequence of the recent events at the Bay of
Islands, and from information received, they consider it neces-
sary that all the inhabitants between the ages of eighteen and
sixty years be sworn in as special constables, organised and drilled.
2. Thal a Committee of the following Magistrates be formed
for the purpose of taking the necessary steps for organising,
forming companies, appointing stations for the civic guard ;
vie.: Thomas Beckham, J. J. Symonds, J. Scott, F. Whit-
taker, T. Neale, and H. Thompson, Esqs. ; and that three
shall form a quorum.
His Excellency the Governor, having approved of these
resolutions, the magistrates, on Tuesday, proceeded to
swear in the inhabitants as special constables, and they
have been divided into three companies; hut as it is con-
templated to pass a Bill for embodying militia, mere regular
concerted operations in such respect will soon be put into
practice.
The Russell arrived from the Bay of Islands on Thursday,
which place she left on Monday morning. By her it is re-
ported that nine more Europeans have been murdered by the
natives since the conflict at Kortirarika, but there are some
doubts of the authenticity of this rumour to the extent stated.
The Lady Leigh, schooner, arrived from Sydney yesterday
morning, and brings the gratifying intelligence that her Ma-
jesty's ship North Star was to leave Sydney about the 10th
inst., with three hundred troops.
W would earnestly impress on the minds of all the urgent
prudence of being circumspect and forbearing towards
the natives. The most trifling incident —and quite
unintentional—may lead to most serious consequences.
For other most important reasons, would we urge avoidance
of the least tendency to affront, or injustice even in jest. How
useful and auxiliary the natives are in the supply of food to the
settlers here is well known, and now that the population of
Auckland has received such increase from all quarters, they are
still more dependent on them, and it cannot be denied that
very much is in the power of the natives in this respect, exclu-
sive of any hostile intentions. Of all the evils of civil war,
famine is the most appalling and most destructive.
However, there is an important circumstance, to which we
would call the attention of Government, which is, that on
Thursday night there were tome-hundreds of natives, compa-
ratively strangers, in the town of Auckland and neighbour-
hood, some of whom had arms concealed. It is obvious the
town might be fired in various places in the dead of night, as
there are here many evil disposed Europeans as well as na-
tives. There should be a Wakarongo issued immediately, or-
dering all natives out of the town beyond a certain distance be-
fore sunset, end there should be night patroles or picquets on
hills close around the town.

Since the above was written, we have been favoured with the
dispatches regarding the attack on Kororarika by the natives,
which we publish as affording more detailed information on that
disastrous affair :

Her Majesty's ship Hazard, March 15,1845.
Sir,—l hare the honour to report that between the hours of
four and five o'clock on the morning of the 11 th instant, Capt.
Roberta!' of her Majesty's ship Hazard, with about 45 seamen
and marines, proceeded from. their quarters on shore. for the
night, at Kororarika, Bay of Islands, to a hill on the right of the
road leading to Natalia Bay, commanding the town, for the pur-
pose of throwing NC an' entrenchment; the morning was thick
and hazy.
On their departure I proceeded to the barracks to turn out the
detachment, by way of precaution, not having at the same time
any reason to suspect a movement on the part of the natives towards
the town. Captain Robertson had arrived on the hill, when they
were attacked by about 200 natives. The detachment, having
slept armed and accoutred, arms loaded, formed immediately in front
of the barracks, when Mr. Mowbroy and Mr. Spain, R.N., came
to me, and begged of me not to fire on the party in
front, which I was about to do, as they had cut off from their
party, and then knew not which, the seamen or the natives, were
nearest to us. I then immediately commenced firing in extended
order on parties of natives who made their appearance, scattered
on the hill to the left of the barracks towards Onoro beach, and
checked their advance on the barracks; we were also fired upon
from the rising ground behind the barracks. On looking round,
I was first aware that the natives had possession of the block-house
on Flag- staff hill.
At the time I received a message from Lieutenant Morgan,
R.N, informing me that a party of natives were at the church,. at
the back of the town; I advanced in extended order to dislodge
them, firing in our wa,y upon natives who appeared amongst
the houses in our front. I then learnt, I forget from whom, that
the seamen had nearly expended their ammunition, and turned
back towards the beach to join them, when they appeared at some
distance from the beach, as on their way to the stockade
( Mr. Polack's house), advancing towards us, having effec.
tually driven back the natives, who I observed retiring
down the road to Matavia Bay, I then moved
on to the lower block-house, which commands the stockade, which
the seamen soon took possa.don of, and in which were the town's
people and women and children. z A...rid Ensign Campbell and his
party in the block-house, checking the ao—nce of the body of
natives who were in possession of Flagstaff.hill and "na gullies be-
tween the upper and lower block-houses. I did not enter the tnv...k.
house then or afterwards. I remained outside on a platform In
front, where the seamen from the Hazard were working two
ship guns, assisted by Hector, Esq., and two of the town's
people (old soldiers, I believe). My party commenced firing.
There was room for no more on the platform. They fired
from the sloping ground on each side of the block-house
towards the rear of the building, also on the natives on the ad-
joining hill, behind Mr. Beckham's house; this hill is deeply co.
vered with brushwood. A very sharp fire was kept up by the na.
Lives, and was well and effectually returned by us ; this continued
all the morning, two or three of the seamen joined us ; a party of
my detachment also assisted Mr. Campbell in the block-house, as
many as had room ; the remainder were in the stockade with the
seamen and town's people, commanded by Lieut. Phillpotts. ft .N.

After a considerable time I went down to the stockade to get
some ammun'tion for the ship-guns, and. left Ensign Campbell in
charge. 'I !hr natives soon after ceased firing, nor was it after-
wards renewed, it had i..tpd for some hours.

Immediately after the first attack on Captain Robertson's party,
in the morning, the natives on that aide of the town retired in a
body from the town towards Matavia Bay, carrying off their dead
and wounded. The body of naives who had surprised and taken
the block-house en Flag-staff hill, were the assailants of the lower
blockhouse, held by the military; the stockade (Mr. Polack's
house) was at no time attacked or threatened, the lower block-
house commanded it, and prevented such an attempt. A party of
seven or eight of the town's people from the stockade skirmished
with the natives on the hill to the left of the block.house; with
the exception of this, the force in the stockade WAS not engaged
during the day since the attack in which Captain Robertson was
wounded at day.break.
•''
_ .

Immediately on my arrival at the stockade to obtain ammunition,

I suggested to Captain Robertson the urgent necessity of sending
the women and children on board the ships in the harbour, seeing
Mr. Polack's house and cellars were crowded with them : shortly
after they got on board, the magazine, which was in the same house,
blew up; the building was completely destroyed; none of the
soldiers or seamen were injured; Lieut. Morgan, R.N., received a
slight wound in the face from a splinter. Whether the explosion
occurred by accident or was the work of an incendiary remains

unknown.
A council was held on board her Majesty's ship Hazard, when
it was agreed to evacuate the town, which was done, the town's-
people embarking first; the party of military in the block-house
were the last to embark. During the embarkation the natives sur-
rounded the heights commanding the town, but without making
any movement ; occasionally a random shot was fired ; during the
evening a few of the town's-people who were, I believe, most popu-
lar with the natives, were employed in bringing off portions of
their property.
In the afternoon of the following day the natives burnt the
town, with the exception of the churches and the houses of the
intb.tunaries ; information was received that they intended attacking
H. M. S. Hazard doting the night r ovary preparation was Ite.
cordingly made by Lieut. Philpotts, commanding ; the attack was
not made. Next day the Hazard sailed for Auckland, in company
with the United States corvette St. Louis, the whale ship Matilda,
and the Dolphin schooner, having on board the inhabitants of the
town.
• ' _ .

Killed of the 96th Regt., at the block-house, Flag-staff-hill, four
privates, viz.—Miller, Giddens, Jackson, and Juson.
Wounded—Private Durop, at the lower block-house, dan-
gerously; private Welton, in the town, severely; private Gut-
ludge, severely; private Scott, severely; private Morris, severely.
The conduct of the soldiers of the regiment throughout the
affair was in every respect praiseworthy and honourable to them-
selves and the regiment.
It is with feelings of deep regret I have to report tliat the Gal-
lant Commander of: her Majesty's ship Hazard fell in the first at-
tack, severely wounded.
The sergeant of Marines, a private, and four seamen, were
killed.
Mr. Tapper, the signal man, severely wounded, fig y.
I would here notice the very gallant conduct of— Its tor, Esq.,
and the two old soldiers before mentioned, in assisting in working
the guns in front of the lower hlock.house, yet but little execution
was done by them, in consequence of the natives being so scattered,
and lying concealed in the brushwood. Dlr. Hector' s two boys