E—No. 3

NATIVE INSURRECTION.

and last were shot by the same Native, who was himself shot by Mr. P. Wilson with a fowling piece. I then sent my men to join Captain Stapp, while I went to see Captain Atkinson, who joined me in going to see Captain Stapp and conferring , with him; when I saw the extensive defences we should have to maintain at this place and their weak nature, I was of opinion that the whole Force should be concentrated at No. 1. Captain Stapp and Captain Atkinson differed with me and considered that No. 2 ought to be maintained to the last. I gave way to their opinions and am happy to say their judgment proved correct, as Captain Atkinson from his position killed at least two-thirds of the Natives that were killed; we then proceeded at No. 1 to make our position defensible by throwing up breastworks of sheaves of oats and fencing, so as to enable us to enfilade our position. While thus employed we became aware of the diversion effected in our favour by the attack on the pah by Captain Cracroft, E.N., and his Naval Brigade, and which I consider enabled us to retreat after dark unmolested; had my men been concentrated at No. 1, I would have endeavoured to ascertain what had taken place at the pah with a view of joining Captain Cracroft, but under the circumstances, very few charges of ammunition being left, and believing that the retreat for our wounded by No. 4, the shortest route, would be open after dark, in consequence of the diversion effected, I determined to remain in our positions till the moon had set, when Captain Stapp took charge of the advance to No. 4, followed by the ■wounded, and thence on to the Omata Stockade. I told off the men by fours, and marched from No. 1, one four just keeping another in sight; when the last four had left No. 1, I went to Captain Atkinson and directed him to follow with his men, and eight men of the 65th who had been left with us, and who did us gallant service, as did the three men from the Naval Brigade and the party from the Garrison of the Omata Stockade. After a short rest at the Omata Stockade and reinforcing that post with 20 men, we resumed our inarch to Town, passing the Whaler's Gate, without seeing anything of the support, which according to my instructions, I was to expect there; we reach Town unmolested at about 12£ at night bringing with ug also the dead and all the wounded but two, who were left at the Stockade. Where every one behaved so well it would be invidious, not to say impossible, to recommend individual officers or men for particular notice. I will, therefore, limit myself to commending the gallantry and coolness of Captains Stapp and Atkinson, of Lieutenant Urquhart, 65th, and of Private Inch of the Volunteers, who shot two Natives after he had himself received a wound across his chest. The casualties are as follows in my Detachment:— Killed. Sergeant Fahey, Militia. Wounded. Lieutenant Hammerton, Volunteer Rifles Private W. Bayley, junr., Militia " J. Climo, " J. Hawken, Volunteer Rifles " Inch, " " Messenger, " " W. Oliver, Militia " Rawson, Volunteer Rifles. I am happy to state that the wounded though not all out of danger are all doing well. I have carefully estimated the number of the enemy killed at not less than thirty, besides wounded. I have, &c, (Signed) Charles Brown, Senior Captain of Taranaki Militia. Major Herbert, Commanding Militia and Volunteers.

Enclosure 5 in No. 25. CAPTAIN CRACROFT, R.N., TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. H.M.S.S. " Niger," Taranaki, 30th March, 1860. Sir, — In compliance with your Excellency's wishes, received at 3.30 this morning, I proceeded immediately to sea, and about 8 a.m. arrived off the War§a Pah. This Pah, or Pahs, for there appeared to be two, surrounded by stockades, stand almost on the beach, close to the entrance of a very small stream, only navigable for canoes. The coast in the vicinity is fringed with Rocks and Reefs, projecting a considerable distance to seaward, upon which the sea breaks violertly; it has never been surveyed, and I found the bottom everywhere foul. Although it was doubtful whether an anchor would hold long in the heavy sea running, I soon caw that it would be impossible to shell the Pahs without anchoring, and about 9 a.m. the ship was skilfully placed by Mr. Veitch, the Master, in a position about 2,500 yards off, as near as it was possible to go with regard to her safety. During this interval the Natives shewed in great numbers in one of the Pahs, and discharged their muskets at the ship in token of defiance; they did not hoist any flags. Shortly after 9 a.m., I opened fire from the Guns and 24-pounder Rocket; and considering the circumstances, most admirable practice was made; many sheila exploded inside the Pahs, and must hare

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