The Attack at Okaihau.

Martial law was proclaimed on the 26th of April, 1845, and two days later the British troops, under Colonel Hulme, arrived at the Bay of Islands. Next day they went on to Paihia, and Nene went on board to arrange measures for the campaign. The troops disembarked at Onewara beach on the 3rd of May, where they were joined by 108 men from the ships of war. Joining with Nene's party they advanced along the banks of the Kerikeri, and went through the dense forest by a track previously cut by Nene's men, until they reached Heke's pa at Okaihau. They found the pa strongly defended. The attack commenced on the 8th of May, and when the troops took up their position on three sides of the pa, they met a heavy fire from Heke's party. Kawiti, the fighting chief of Heke, had placed a party of warriors behind a breastwork, on the brow of an adjoining hill; and these also opened fire on the troops. The attacking force, however, soon dislodged them, occupied their breastwork, and kept up a sharp fire on the enemy, which was as briskly returned. Kawiti's force was charged and routed; then about 100 Maoris came out of the pa and attacked the small party in the breastwork. Kawiti rallied his force and again came into the conflict. The battle was waged fiercely all day, and in the evening the order was given to retreat, as it would have entailed too serious sacrifice for the small party to have stormed the pa. The troops retired to Kororareka, and the friendly natives brought in the wounded. The losses were very heavy on both sides. To get reinforcements Colonel Hulme returned to Auckland, taking the wounded with him. Great was the surprise of the Aucklanders at the repulse; and the feeling of insecurity increased. In the meantime, however, Waka Nene kept up a continual guerilla warfare with Heke, and in one of these encounters Heke was wounded in the thigh.