E.—No. 5

arrived in a canoe, who said they were on the beach near Camerontown when the rebels attacked the pa. Captain Swift then determined to proceed in the direction of Camerontown with a party of fifty men. We left Tuakau about half-past 12, and after a march of two hours over a very difficult track, a distance probably of seven miles, we reached a clearing and passed through it to the top of a hill, where we got a view of a few detached whares. Here the track led to some bush. After penetrating this for about 200 yards, we heard the Maoris talking. We fancied they were approaching by the track on which we were, and prepared an ambuscade for them, by extending on both sides of the track. Finding the Maoris did not come on as we had expected, Captain Swift ordered the men to fix bayonets. We pushed on from twelve to twenty yards, led by Captain Swift, when at a turn of the track they opened fire on us. They were evidently ready for us, and must have seen us from the pa a long time before we reached them. Captain Swift fell at the first volley. I asked if we should charge. He said—"Yes ;" and when I was doing so, about ten yards in advance of the men, I was brought to the ground. I drew my revolver, and they say that I shot two men with it. Color-Sergeant McKenna, who was very cool and collected throughout, then took charge of the party, and a skirmish ensued which lasted about twenty minutes, during which, he stated that he saw seven Maoris fall. The enemy was driven back 200 or 300 yards. The men remained all night on the ground from which the. Natives had been driven, excepting the advanced guard, which had become separated from us before the engagement It appears to have shared in the attack, and rejoined the main body shortly before we arrived at the Tuakau Redoubt. lam not able to form an opinion of the numbers of the enemy. I scarcely think there could have been 300. Captain Swift died about 6 o'clock that evening. He was shot through one lung and in the side. No one could have behaved better than he did ; and the conduct of the men too was admirable. The party started on their return to Tuakau about 5 o'clock next morning, when we were met shortly after by that under the command of Colonel Murray, who had come to support us. He passed on with the view of searching for men who were missing.

COLONEL G. F. MUEBAY TO THE MILITAEY SECBETABT, HEAD-QUABTEES, QUEEN'S REDOUBT. Camp, Queen's Redoubt, 9th September, 1863. Sir — I have the honor to report for the information of the Lieutenant-General Commanding, that, in compliance with his orders, I marched to Mangatawhiri, on Monday evening, in command of the force, as per margin,* and there embarked in six boats to proceed to Tuakau, which I did not reach until midnight. On my arrival at Tuakau, I found that Captain Swift had not yet returned from Camerontown with his party, and it was supposed he had remained at the pa. The night was too dark to find the track through the difficult country between Tuakau and Camerontown, and I consequently deferred further proceedings until daylight. Accordingly, I fell in the men at 4 a.m., and directing Captain Ord to proceed with thirty men by water to Camerontown, with instructions to co-operate with me, I proceeded by land to the same place. On the way I met Corporal Ryan, who first gave me information that Captain Swift had been killed and Lieut. Butler badly wounded. I accordingly pushed on as fast as I could, and after proceeding about two miles, I met Sergeant McKenna with about thirty men, wdio gave me the the first information that Captain Swift had fallen into an ambuscade, and a fire had been opened on him on all sides from the bush, at a distance of about eight or ten yards, and the two officers becoming non-effective, the command devolved on him. He then called on the men to stand by him, which, he states, they obeyed with the utmost alacrity, and under his directions they kept up a steady fire, for, as far as I can learn, about an hour. The firing having ceased by that time, Sergeant McKenna retired with his little force into the bush and lay down, keeping perfectly quiet till daylight enabled him to see where he was, and thus make his way to the Redoubt. Sergeant McKenna and his men appearing very much exhausted after their night's exposure, I desired him to return to the Redoubt, after receiving from him such description as he could give, of where I might be able to find the killed. Of the wounded or missing (except such as had come in) he could give me no information. I had previously met Lieutenant Butler, badly wounded, making his way, with the assistance of two men, to the Redoubt, and having put him on a stretcher, I detached a party to convey him. I pushed on, and on arriving at the spot where the affair with Captain Swift's party had occurred, I searched the bush for his body, which, by Corporal Ryan's description, was found after some time. (I beg here to mention that Corjioral Ryan and Private Bulford remained with Captain Swift for several hours after he died, and having concealed his body, made their way to the Redoubt.) Not knowing in what direction to search for the missing men, I returned with the bodies found to the Redoubt, which I reached about 2.30 p.m., aud finding tha steamer there, I sent a request to Capt. Sullivan, H.M.S. " Harrier" to take a portion of my force on board, which he having consented to, I embarked 100 men, and directed Captain Ord to follow in the boats with the remainder. I have, &c, G. F. Murray, Major 65th Regiment, and Colonel. The Military Secretary, Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt. •2nd Batt. ISth Regt.—l Subaltern, 3 Sergennts, 50 Rank and File. 65th Regt.—l Field Officer, 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns. 4 Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 100 Rank and File. Total—l Field Officer, I Captain, 3 Subalterns, 7 Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 150 Rank and File.

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THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.