E.-No. 3 .

CAM. .TACT .ON TO LT.-CO . NIXON. Sin, Papakura, December 14, 1808. I have the honour to report, for the information of the Lieut.-General commanding, that, iti accordance with your instructions, I started on Friday the 11th instant, at 1"18 p.m., with a force of my company of Forest Rangers (as per margin*) on an expedition towards the * 1 subaltern, Wairoa river. At 6.30 p.m. on that day I camped on the Hunua river, and l sergeant, started from thence at 4.30 next morning ; at 6.30 a.m. we struck native tracks, 23 privates.' which appeared to be quite fresh ; at 10.30 a,m. we found a camping ground, which was capable of accommodating 30 or 40 natives ; one of the fires here was still hot; at 4*30 p.m. we got to another camping ground, the five fives of which wore quite hot; we had evidently gained a day's march on the enemy. I continued our march till 615 p.m., when finding we had "overrun the track 1 camped for the night. On Sunday, December 14th, I broke camp at s'Bo a.m., and turned back to re-examine the path, and found tracks diverging to the left. I then posted some men io look out for smoke, which was soon discovered rising out of the ranges. We went very quietly towards it, and by using great caution succeeded in surprising the enemy about B'4o a.m. We had got between their sentry and their camp. When about 12 or Lo yards from tbe enemy, 1 halted my men on an eminence to give them breath, and gave orders that they should first attack the enemy with their carbines, and then rush at them with their revolvers. Tne Maories were then cleaning their guns. The surprise was complete. After our carbines were discharged, the enemy, apparently expecting we had only empty pieces, turned upon us with their guns, tomahawks, &c, but tho revolver soon sent them to the right about. Several of the enemy who were wounded by the discharge of the carbines were assisted away by the women, who were very busy removing arms, dead, and wounded. 1 saw two or three natives hit who were immediately helped away by women. I had directed my men uot to fire at the women, and lam happy to say they did not; though it is very possible that some of the women and children may have got hurt in she affray; but I only know of one. instance ; a woman, I believe, was wounded in the leg by a stray thot. Tne affair lasted only four or five minutes. I saw three dead men taken off, and four of their dead were left in our hands. Two of the natives when surrounded, endeavoured to slab my men. one using a bowie knife, and the other a large carving knife, but the revolver made short work of them. One native, at greaf risk, returned and attempted to carry away a small tin box, bui a bullet made him drop it and run off. Many of those who escaped wore wounded. Had my party been larger, I think 1 could easily have surrounded the enemy and taken thejn all prisoners. None of my men wore hurt, as only those of the enemy who were on the outskirts of their cam]) could find time to load and lire on us. raid they were just as likely to hit their own men ns mine. 1 estimate the number of the enemy to have been over 40 men. One of the natives, before he died, told me there were 28, and on being again asked h ■ said there were 28, double —holding up two of his fingers; he also said his tribe was the Ngatipaoa. He would not tell his own name, but said the man next him was a chief named Matariki. The scene of the engagement was in the ranges, about five miles due north of Paparata. The natives retreated iv au easterly direction. One of the sentries I had posted informed me some time after we left the place, that a broad track led easterly from near where he was posted, and that he saw a man on horseback go up it. Tiie enemy appeared to have plenty of provisions. We found a good deal of tea and sugar and some (lour; there was abundance of fern root; three or four kapura Maori had meat in them, and a good quantity of pork was hanging up. In the box which the native tried to secure, mentioned above, were three flags, one a large red flag, on which was i übroidered a white cross and star and the word Aotearoa in white letters. It is made of silk, and is noa t and handsome. Another flag is a large red pendant with a white cross ; the remaining flag is an handkerchief of the Union .Tack pattern. Tlie other spoils are a double-barrelled gun, a large horse pistol, and a smaller pistol, three or four cartridge boxes, and a great deal of property which had belonged to settlers, such as scarlet hangings, fancy window blinds, small work-boxes, &c, some papers belonging to Mr. Richardson of Wairoa, and a coat belonging to Mr. Johnson, of the same place, several articles which were stolen from Mr. McDonald at the time Trust's children were murdered near Howick. T therefore concluded these natives were of the party who committed those murders. One of my men has two small packets of hair, I think European ; they are evidently relics ; he will give them up to anyone who may claim them. We could not bring away much of the " loot," as we were heavily loaded with our arms, blankets, &c.; but I think I brought away sufficient to prove the character of the party we fell in with. We destroyed several packages and tins of gunpowder, and threw a great number of bullets into the creek. I have great pleasure in reporting that my men behaved with great coolness and courage; there was no firing at random. lam anxious to bring to your special notice the brave and cool conduct of Ensign Westrop, who was foremost in the attack, and made every shot of his revolver tell; also of Private John Smith, who had a severe hand-to-hand struggle with a powerful native. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Nixon, Wm. Jackson, Commanding Moveable Column. Captain Commanding Forest Rangers. No. 17. copy of a DESPATCH from governor sib george grei, k.c.b., to his grace the duke of NEWCASTLE, K.G. (Xo. 16.) Government House, Auckland, February 3,1864. Mt Lord Duke.— I have the honour to enclose, for your Grace's information, copies of two reports from the Civil Commissioner of the Napier District.

13

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.