to get a
footing. The ground in rear of the position narrowed into a razor-backed
ridge down which a track led, with rope-ladders to aid the descent of
the rock terraces.

The position in front, where alone it could be attacked, was defended by
three lines of earthworks with high parapets, and with ditches in front
abutting at either end on the steep slopes. The two lower works were
seven feet high, the upper work was nearly fourteen feet high, with
sandbag loopholes to enable the defenders to fire through. Each line was
connected with the one above it by covered ways. Operations commenced by
the advance of the Arawa division of the constabulary, and a portion of
the Ngatiporou under Rapata. Advancing quietly and cautiously they came
upon a party of the enemy engaged in carrying up water. They drove them
up to the pah and took possession of the only water available.

Rifle-pits were now dug and pushed forward gradually until within a
hundred yards of the enemy's first lines of defence. Number seven
division of the constabulary were now sent up, and these threw up a long
line of trenches parallel to the enemy's works; and the artillerymen
having with great exertion brought up a mortar, a vertical shell-fire
was opened upon the enemy's position with great effect; although to get
them to the spot these shells had to be carried on the men's backs for
three miles over some terrific ravines. A hundred constabulary under
Colonel Fraser and a hundred Ngatiporou were sent round to cut off the
enemy's retreat in rear. Another division of constabulary under Major
Roberts connected the two parties, and thus all escape of the enemy was
cut off, with the exception of the small piece of cliff, seventy yards
in length, which was believed impossible to descend, and was moreover
exposed to a flanking fire from Rapata's force in front and that of
Colonel Fraser in the rear.

For some days heavy firing went on, and the hardships suffered by the
force were great, for the rain fell without intermission. There were
many casualties on both sides. Captain Brown of the constabulary was
killed, and Captain Cabel of the same corps severely wounded. Colonel
Fraser's men pushed up the ridge in the enemy's rear, and formed
rifle-pits near the summit from which the Hau-Haus made desperate but
vain attempts to repel them. On the 4th of January Rapata, after
consultation with Colonel Whitmore, determined to storm the lower line
of earthworks.

He t