E.—No. 3.

A party of the Defence Force, under Mr. Macdonnell, proceed with this mail to the Queen's Redoubt, from whence I have to request some oxen may be sent to this camp, so that the troops may obtain some fresh meat, having been on salt provisions since they left Auckland on the 16th of last month, with the exception of one day's fresh meat procured at Pukorokoro. I have, Ac., Colonel Gamble, George J. Caret, Dep. Q. M. General Head-quarters. Commanding Field Force.

DISEMBARKATIOIN RETURN. STATE of an Expeditionary Force to the Thames, November 23. 1863.

No. 16. copy oe _■'■ DESPATCH erom governor sir george grey, k.g.is., to his grace the duke or NEWCASTLE, E.G. (No. 4.) Government House, Auckland, January 1, 1864. My Lord Duke, 1 have the honour to transmit, for your Grace's information, tho copy of a Despatch I have received from Lieut.-General Cameron, enclosing a report from Captain Jackson of the Forest Rangers of his having surprised a party of natives in the bush about liva miles north of the native pa at Paparata, which had previously been taken possession of by Colonel Carey. I have. Ac, His Grace the Duke ol'Newcastle, K.G., G. Gee l*. &c. Ac. &c Enclosures in No. 16. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL CAMERON, C.8., TO HIS EXCELLENCT THE GOVERNOR. Sir, — Auckland, December 16, 1863. I have the honour to forward to your Excellency the accompanying letter of Lieut.-Colonel Nixon, commanding Papakura District, transmitting a report from Captain Jackson of the Forest Rangers, of liis having surprised a party of natives in the bush about five miles north of Paparata. Captain Jackson, Ensign Westrup, and the men of the Forest Rangers, deserve great credit for tho persevering manner in which they followed up the tracks of the natives, who appear to have been taken ho completely by surprise as to have been able to offer very little resistance. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir G. Grey, X.C.8., D. A Cameron, &c. &c. Ac. Lieut-General. LT.-COL. NIXON TO TIIE DEPUTT QUARTER-StASTER GENERAL, HEAD QUARTERS. Sxk, — Camp, Papakura, December 1-1, 1863. I have the honor to enclose, for the information of the Lieut.-General commanding, a report from Captain Jackson of the Forest Rangers of an affair he had yesterday morning with a party of Maories, about five miles north of Paparata. In consequence of my absence on duty from Papakura until late this afternoon, I have been unable te forward the report at an earlier hour. I have, &c, M. G. Nixon, The Deputy Quartermaster-General, Lieut.-Col. A.M., Auckland. Commanding Papakura District.

12

FUETHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO

DlSTBIBUTION. Field Officers. Capts. Subalterns. Staff. Scrgts. DruinBank and File. ivEMAEKS. uicrs. {oyal Engineers . b. 12th .Regiment 'Otkliesjiment Irmy Hospital Corps ! b. 18th Kegiment A raikato Militia Volunteers Colonial Defence Force .. i 1 •2 3 6 9 3 "9 2! 2 9 5 1(38 32(5 1 3 198 93 49 Staff. Gol. Carey, Commanding. Deputy A. Q.-M. General. S.A. Surg. Alston. D. A. C.-G.JSeill. D. A. Q.-AL-G. Hay. 8 1 1 *4 2 i L2 7 3 1 Totals I] 23 B2 12 1 (J. II J. Cab: :t, Colonel Comi J. Hill. Lieute: landing, ant and :r])eet 'ield Adjutant.