THE SECOND NEW ZEALAND WAR. 1860–66.

The long and desultory second war in New Zealand, lasting with an interval of peace for some months, from 1860 to 1866, arose like the first, from disputes with the natives concerning the sale and possession of land. All the members of each tribe looked upon the land they occupied as their hereditary property, and if the consent of the whole tribe was not given to the sale and transfer, they considered the proceeding invalid and worthless. In the year 1861, the sale of land to the settlers provoked the natives of Taranaki to take up arms in defence of what they imagined to be their rights, and the conflict eventually spread over the greater part of the North Island. The Maoris proved themselves to be no despicable antagonists; they were well-armed with double-barrelled guns and rifles, and skilled in their use, and in bush-fighting; so that the heavily equipped British soldiers found it no easy task to subdue such wily and active enemies. They were also extremely skilful in the construction of rifle-pits and fortified “pas,” which were often 339so strongly palisaded and entrenched as to be almost impregnable, even to artillery.

At the beginning of the struggle the British troops in New Zealand were but very few in number, and till reinforcements arrived it was as much as they could do to maintain their ground.

After some skirmishes, an attack on the Maories at Taranaki, June 13th., 1860, was repulsed with heavy loss to the assailants, but reinforcements were despatched from Australia, under Major-General Pratt, who defeated the enemy at Mahoetaki, on November 6th. A chain of redoubts was thrown up to keep the natives in check, and to protect the town of New Plymouth, and these being occupied by detachments of different regiments, almost daily skirmishes took place with the enemy. A detachment of the 40th. Regiment was stationed in Redoubt No. 7, on the river Waitara, and on March 18th. a party, under Capt. Richards, was sent out to discover the Maories, who were known to be lurking in the bush, which about a thousand yards from the redoubt was in its primitive condition. The open space was crossed without opposition, but as soon as the detachment entered the bush, they were received with a heavy fire from unseen foes. Captain Richards ordered his men to extend in skirmishing order, and return the fire, which had little effect on their concealed opponents, by whose deliberate aim several of the soldiers fell killed and wounded. Lieutenant Rees, the second in command, seized the rifle of one of the fallen men, and encouraged his men by his example to keep up a steady fire. In a few minutes the lieutenant fell wounded, but Sergeant Lucas came to his assistance and sent him to the rear, while he himself with two men only that remained unwounded in that part of the field, took shelter behind a tree, and by the spirited fire they maintained, kept the enemy at bay, amid showers of bullets which flew on every side of them, till they were rescued by a party from the redoubt, under Lieutenants Gibson and Whelan, at whose approach the Maories fled. For his gallant behaviour on this occasion Sergeant Lucas obtained the Victoria Cross. The natives having previously 340experienced several defeats, were convinced of the futility of further resistance, and this was the last affair in the Taranaki war. Next day, March 19th., 1861, witnessed a general surrender, and the establishment of peace.

Unfortunately the embers of discord still smouldered, and the hoped-for peace proved to be but a lengthened truce. On May 4th., 1863, hostilities were resumed by an attack made by the natives on a military escort, who were fired upon from the bush, and eight of their number killed. In consequence of this, an encounter took place at Kuitkara, in which twenty-four Maories were slain, and the province of Auckland became again the scene of war.

The Maories having chosen one of their chiefs to be king, prior to the beginning of the war, now asserted their intention of driving the settlers out of the North Island; while General Duncan Cameron, Commander-in-Chief, by a proclamation declared all natives in arms, rebels, if they did not surrender in a week. The result of this was, that they retired with their goods to a place called Kohewa, and taking up a strongly fortified position at Roherea, a mountainous ridge, two miles from Kohewa, and near the Waikato river, set the General at defiance. Here Cameron attacked them; and under a hot fire carried their rifle-pits, and drove the Maories into the adjacent swamps.

Previous to this, Volunteers, or Militia, had been raised among the colonists, four thousand of whom took up arms in defence of their homes, and redoubts had been erected for the defence of Auckland and other towns.

In September, a detachment of the 65th. Regiment was stationed at Fort Alexandra, in the neighbourhood of Cameron Town, when news reached the fort, that Mr. Armitage, a magistrate living near, and a number of friendly natives had been massacred by the enemy. Captain Swift, in command of the detachment, with Lieutenant Butler, Sergt. McKenna, and a party of about fifty men, started into the bush in pursuit of the foe. They crossed swamps and forded rivers, till they suddenly found themselves exposed in the bush to a heavy fire on both sides. Captain Swift and Lieutenant Butler were mortally wounded, and the command of the 341party devolved on Sergeant McKenna, to whose coolness and intrepidity the party owed its safety. The skirmish was kept up till nightfall, when the little band—several of them wounded—began their retreat, through ten miles of swamp and bush, in the face of three hundred savages, thirsting for their blood. After a harassed night march, and more than once losing their path, about eight in the morning they met a party of their comrades, under Colonel Murray, coming to their assistance, and were in safety.

For his intrepid behaviour, Sergeant McKenna received the Victoria Cross and a Commission. Corporal Ryan, who with four privates had remained with the wounded officers till they died, and fortunately escaped in safety at the break of day, also received the Cross, and the four privates the medal for distinguished conduct in the field.

This affair was followed by some unimportant skirmishes, in one of which, at Pontoko, October 2nd., Ensign Down and Drummer Stagpoole, of the 57th. Regiment, gained the Victoria Cross, for bringing in a wounded man, under a heavy fire at close range.

The enemy having retired to a strong “pa” they had erected on an eminence at Rangariri, midway between the Waikato and a lake, on November 20th, after a bombardment lasting an hour and a half, the position was attacked by a force of regular troops—artillerymen, seamen, and militia—about one thousand in all, commanded by General Cameron. The outer works and rifle-pits were soon carried, but the stormers on finding stronger defences still in front of them, hesitated, and fell back before the fire of the enemy. The militia, though encouraged by their officers, who placed themselves in the front, remained immoveable, but the small body of Royal Artillery—about fifty all told—armed with swords and revolvers, at a word from the General, headed by their Colonel—Mercer—rushed forward, and gained the parapet of the “pa,” when their gallant leader fell mortally wounded, and his brave handful of gunners were repulsed. Two or three of his men in the attempt to rescue him were shot down, when Surgeon W. Temple, R.A., went to his assistance and dressed his wound, under showers of bullets, at the risk of 342his own life. His noble conduct was witnessed by General Cameron, who recommended him for the Victoria Cross, which he obtained.

A body of seamen, commanded by Commander Mayne, of H.M.S. “Eclipse,” next endeavoured to carry the position, but were also repulsed, and an attempt made to dislodge the enemy with hand-grenades failed. Luckily the Maories felt that they had had enough, and at dawn next day they hoisted a white flag and surrendered. One hundred and eighty Maories were taken in the “pa,” and forty-five were found there dead. The loss of the assailants were six officers killed and nine wounded, and one hundred and twenty men killed and wounded, made up the roll of casualties. This affair however produced the surrender of the Maori King, on December 9th., but the war still continued.

A native stronghold at Rangiawhia was attacked and captured February 21st., 1864. On the 2nd. of April another fortified “pa” at Orakau was taken by assault, by a force commanded by Major-General Carey, after three days’ investment; and then for several weeks the Maories, without interruption by the military, occupied themselves in the erection of a most formidable “pa” at Tauranga. It was built on the highest part of a narrow neck of land, well palisaded, and further defended by an entrenched line of rifle-pits. On both sides were swamps extending to the water, so that it was secure from a flank attack, and was named the Gate Pa. On the 28th. of April, General Cameron, after a reconnaissance of the entrenchments, made preparations for an attack. The forces at his disposal were the 43rd. and 68th. Regiments, detachments of the 14th., 65th., and 70th., Regiments, a Naval Brigade of over three hundred men from the squadron of Commodore Sir W. Wiseman, and a detachment of Royal Artillery, amounting to nearly one thousand seven hundred men of all ranks, with six Armstrong guns, two howitzers, and eight mortars. The intention of the General being to cut off the retreat of the enemy, after dark a feigned attack was made on the front of his position, while the 68th. Regiment, with some seamen, picked their way through the swamp, and before morning were posted in the rear of the “pa.” The Artillery opened fire soon after daybreak 343on the 29th., and continued with little intermission till about four p.m., when, the pallisades being almost destroyed and a practicable breach made, the assault was ordered. One hundred and fifty of the 43rd., with the same number of seamen and Marines, led by Commander Hay, of H.M.S. “Harrier” formed the assaulting column under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Booth, of the 43rd. The remainder of the 43rd., with a body of seamen and Marines, formed the reserve. Commander Hay led the stormers, who, with a ringing cheer, crossed the ditch, mounted the embankment, and rushed through the breach into the “pa,” and, as only a few straggling shots were heard, the troops outside thought the place was won and the enemy beaten; when all at once a tremendous fire of musketry accompanied with savage yells, broke out in the interior of the entrenchment, and after a fierce conflict of a few minutes, during which Colonel Booth, Commander Hay, and Captain Glover fell mortally wounded, and almost every officer of the column was killed or disabled; the storming party was seen pouring out through the breach in utter confusion. Captain Hamilton at once led on the supports, but fell shot through the head, the supports became mixed with the fugitives, and in spite of the exertions of the officers, the whole body hotly fired on by the enemy, fell back to the nearest cover.^[134] Darkness had now set in, but the troops lay on their arms in their entrenchment, within a hundred yards of the enemy, furious at their repulse and fully determined to conquer or die on the morrow. During the night, which was wet and dark, the enemy evacuated the “pa,” and stealing in small parties through the swamps eluded the vigilance of the 68th.; and in the early morning Major Greaves, of the 70th., creeping up to the breach 344found the stronghold silent and deserted. Colonel North^[135] and a few privates were found still alive, and to the credit of the enemy they had not been ill treated during the night, nor had the bodies of the slain been mutilated. In this sad affair seven officers of the 43rd. Regiment were killed, or died of their wounds, and the Naval Brigade had four officers and forty seamen and Marines killed and wounded.

When Commander Hay fell, mortally wounded, Samuel Mitchell, captain of the foretop of H.M.S. “Harrier,” refused to leave his dying officer, though ordered by him to leave him and look after his own safety. He raised the commander in his arms, and carried him outside the “pa” amidst a shower of bullets, and for his gallant conduct deservedly obtained the Victoria Cross. Surgeon Manly, R.A., also gained the same distinction for attending to the wounded under a heavy fire.

The day after the affair at Gate “pa,” a redoubt at Sentry Hill, Taranaki, held by a detachment under the command of Major Shortt, of the 57th. Regiment, was attacked by a strong body of Maories, who were repulsed with heavy loss.

Some weeks later, it being known that the natives were gathering in force, and engaged in the construction of another stronghold at Te Ranga, a place about four miles from Gate “pa,” Colonel Green, commanding the troops at Tauranga, marched with the 43rd. and part of the 68th. Regiment, against the enemy, whom he found strongly posted in a chain of rifle-pits, the commencement of a formidable “pa.” After a smart skirmish for about two hours, being reinforced by the Waikato Militia, the advance was sounded, and the pits carried by storm in the most dashing manner.^[136] For a 345few minutes the Maories fought desperately, but were utterly routed, and pursued for several miles. As usual, their situation was favourable for their retreat, otherwise few would have escaped. On the following day the bodies of one hundred and eight of the enemy were found and buried in their own rifle-pits, but many more were killed and remained in the ravines. Among the slain were several powerful chiefs, one of whom, Rawhiri, was the leader at Gate “pa.” The British loss was small, ten men killed and thirty-three wounded, considering the heavy fire they were exposed to in advancing to the attack.

During the following month, many of the natives laid down their arms and surrendered; and on August 6th., 1864, most of the chiefs proffered their unconditional submission to the government: yet the war still lingered on. In January, 1865, the natives made a daring attack on the British camp at Nukumaru, and suffered a severe repulse; and in the month of July following, a force under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, consisting of detachments of the 14th. and 18th. regiments, some colonial troops, and a body of friendly natives, captured the Wereroa “pa,”—an exceedingly strong position occupied by the Maories, about three hundred feet above the wooded banks of the Waitotara river, surrounded by precipices and swamps.

During the years 1865–66, the war was mostly confined to the West Coast. In January of the latter year a strong “pa” at Pretahi was captured, and the Otapawa “pa” was stormed by the 57th. regiment, with the loss of Lieut.-Colonel Hassard and many brave men; but the contest dwindled to a fitful series of unimportant skirmishes, and the capture and destruction of “pas” and villages. After the year 1866, the struggle was carried on by the colonial forces, commanded by Colonel Whitmore, who had been military secretary to General Cameron (afterwards General Sir George Whitmore, K.C.M.G.), who in January, 1869, finally crushed the last Maori outbreak.

At the end of the year 1864, the colonial ministry had requested the home government to withdraw the imperial troops, and to allow them complete responsibility, but it was not till January, 1870, that the last British regiment, the 18th., left the colony. The same year the long and harassing war was brought to a close, and a durable peace established.

The regiments engaged in the New Zealand War of 1845–47 were the 58th., 65th., 96th., and 99th. Foot; and in the war of 1860–66 the 1st. Battalion, 12th. Regiment; 2nd. Battalion, 14th. Regiment; 2nd. Battalion, 18th. Regiment; and the 40th., 43rd., 50th., 57th., 65th., 68th., and 70th. Regiments.

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