PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

tribes, and those friendly tribes in the North on whom alone I can put any dependence for support should it be required. From thence I shall proceed to Wellington to meet the Assembly, which, as there is no immediate prospect of tranquility, ought not to be again prorogued : indeed the sanctioD of this Body to certain necessary expenses is very desirable. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Browne. Hh Grace the Duke of Newcastle, &c, &c, &c.

No. 29.

No. 25. COPT OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.8., TO HI9 GRACE THE DUKB OF NEWCASTLE. New Plymouth, New Zealand, 31st March, 1860. My Lord Duke, — I have the honor to forward a report from Colonel Gold, Commanding the Troops in New Zealand, detailing the operation which took place on the 28th March, to which I have added a further report from Captain Cracroft relative to the operations of H.M. S.S. " Niger" on the 30th March. The conduct of H.M. Navy and Army is so invariably gallant that any comment from me would be superfluous; but I beg to bring to Your Grace's notice the gallant conduct of the Militia and Volunteers who were for the first time engaged: their opponents behaved like brave and skilful soldiers, and are by no means a contemptible foe. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Browne. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, &c, &c, &c.

No. 2459.

Enclosure 1 in No. 25. COLONEL GOLD TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. New Plymouth, 30th March, 1860. IK ' — I have the honor to forward reports from Captain Cracroft, R.N., H.M. S.S. "Niger," Commanding on this Station, Lieut.-Colonel Murray, 65th Regiment, and Captain Brown of the Taranaki Militia, relative to their most gallant and successful attack on the insurgents at Omata on the 28th instant. I sincerely congratulate Your Excellency on the achievement, which redounds to the honor of the small force—all that (with safety to this town) I was then enabled to detach, and whose exertions and bravery have effected the object for which I originally sent them (though in a different manner from which I contemplated), as the complete defeat of the rebels enabled the Rev. Mr. Brown and the party isolated beyond the Omata to return in safety to this town. I beg, in conclusion, to recommend to your favourable consideration the officers of the Militia and Volunteers particularly named by Captain Brown, and have the honor, &c., (Signed) C. E. Gold, Colonel Commanding the Forces. His Excellency the Governor, &c, &c.

fnd , *!; Men*" 3 ° fflcers. fisth Rest.-4 officm, »nd 84 R»nk »nd File,

Enclosure 2 in No. 25. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MURRAY TO MAJOR OF BRIGADE. New Plymouth, 30th March, 1860. Sir,— I have the honor to report, for the information of the Officer Commanding the Forces in New Zealand, that, on the 28th instant, I proceeded agreeably to orders, in command of a force, as per margin, to Omata, for the purpose of rescuing some European families statf dtobe in the hands of the rebel natives assembled in considerable force at that village.

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