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and, after exchanging fire, I advanced, driving them from their position ; 1 did not consider it advisable to pursue them into the bush, from which they kept up a dropping fire. The engagement lasted about an hour, and the enemy, leaving their killed and wounded on the field, finally withdrew, firing and shouting. Captain Moir having safely housed the ammunition and stores under his charge, joined the force towards the end of the affair; a reinforcement under Lieutenant Rait, Royal Artillery, consisting of two officers and thirty men, arrived from Drury after the engagement. I have the- honor to annex a list of casualties. There being no means for the conveyance of the wounded, I left them in the Stockade, and added to it a garrison of one officer and thirty men, having previously sent to Drury for ambulances and medical aid. After this, I marched back to Drury at about 5 p.m. I cannot correctly state the loss sustained by the enemy, not having time to search for their killed and wounded. I do not doubt, however, but that they suffered severely, as 1 saw the bodies of several lying on the ground previous to my leaving. I have the honor to bring to the notice of the Lieutenant-General Commanding the gallant conduct of the troops under my command, and particularly that of Captain Saltmarshe, 70th Regiment, who was severely wounded while leading on his men, also that of Lieutenant Grierson, 70th Regiment, and Lieutenant Tabuteau, 65th Regiment. My thanks are due to Captain Moir and Ensign Hay of the Volunteer Militia for their assistance on this occasion. I have, &c, J. Inman, Captain, 18th Royal Irish. Lieut.-Col. Chapman, 18th Royal Irish, Commanding Troops, Camp, Drury. List of killed and wounded at Pukekohe on 14th September, 1863 :— Killed.—Private Burdett, 70th Regiment ; Private Bailey, 70th Regiment. Wounded.—Captain Saltmarshe, 70th Regiment, severely, through neck; Private John Ely, 70th Regiment, severely; Private Thomas Dannehy, 70th Regiment, severely, through thigh ; Private William Paterson, 70th Regiment, severely, face ;.one private 65th Regiment, dangerously (since dead). J. Inman, Captain, 18th Royal Irish. Camp, Drury, 14th September, 1863.

LIEUTENANT AETHUE BAIT, 8.A., TO COLONEL CHAPMAN. Camp, Drury, 14th September, 1863. Sir, —■ I have the honor to report that, in accordance with your instructions, I proceeded this morning with the force as per margin* to Burt's Farm, on the Pukekohe block, distant about four miles from Camp. On my arrival I found that the farm had been previously attacked by about a dozen Natives, who had wounded a boy belonging to the farm ; however, by the time I reached there all was quiet, with the exception of some heavy firing which was distinctly heard in the direction of the Stockade. After examining the premises, and searching for two men who were supposed to be missing, but were afterwards discovered to have gone into Drury, finding all quiet about the farm, and the firing in the vicinity of the Stockade continuing to increase, I left a guard of fifteen men at the farm, and after seeing the videttes and sentries properly posted, proceeded through the bush along a Native track, under the guidance of a very intelligent settler residing in that district. We advance for about two miles in the direction of the firing, and the track brought us out on the west side of the clearing on which the Stockade is situated. Soon after our arrival the enemy retired, and the reinforcements from Drury, under the command of Captain Inman, 2nd Battalion 18th Regiment, were consequently withdrawn. At the request of Captain Moir, V.M., Ensign Phillips, 18th Regiment, and the detachment under his command, were left to reinforce the garrison at the Stockade, by order of Captain Inman, who detailed an equal force of the 65th and 18th Regiments to replace those who returned with me. I then returned to Burt's Farm, and brought in the wounded boy and the people living there. We arrived in camp shortly after dark. I have, &c, Arthur Rait, Lieutenant, Mounted Corps, R.A. To Colonel Chapman, Commanding Camp, Drury. P.S.—I have to add that a deserter from the 70th Regiment was discovered at Burt's Farm, and brought in by Escort. * Royal Artillery Mounted Corps : 1 Subaltern, 1 Staff, and 10 Rank and File. Royal Artillery: £0 Rank and File. 18th Regiment : 1 Subaltern, 1 Sergeant, and 10 Rank and File. 70th Regiment: 1 Sergeant, and 10 liank and File.—Total: 2 Subalterns, 1 Staff, 2 Sergeants, and 50 Rank and File.

31

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.