E.-No. 3 .

As field officer of tlie day, on hearing firing T immediately got tlie inlying picquets under arms, and a party of 50 men, under Captain the Hon. F. Lo Poer Trench, 40th Eegiment, and Ensign King, 40th Eegiment, was detached to the left, so ns to partially intercept the retreat of the enemy in that direction, and to prevent their receiving reinforcement from their stronghold (Paterangi), which is iv the vicinity. Capt. Fisher, 40th Eegf, with a party of ahout 30 men, moved across the stream towards the old Maori pah (Waiari), from whenc he saw a continuou" fire kept up on our skirmishers, then extended on the left. Approaching the pah on his right, he crossed the Mangapiko river hy a broken canoe bridge, and thereby succeeded in entering the pah from the rear, cutting off the enemy's retreat, and killing about a dozen ot them in the course of an hour, when Colonel Sir H. Havelock ordered him to proceed to the right bank of the river in charge of the skirmishers. Captain Heaphy, Auckland Volunteers, rendered this party invaluable assistance in recovering our wounded, and in so doing was himself wounded. Having despate! Ed the above-named parties, I proceeded with ahout 50 men towards the scene of action, Lieutenant Leach, 50th, and Lieutenant Morgan and Ensign Gormez, 40th, accompanying me. Leaving Lieufenant Simeon and bis party at the head of a large gully running up towards the river so as to keep open an easy and direct communication in our rear, I moved to the extreme right, seeing that some of the enemy were retiring in that direction from the old Maori pah (Waiari) on my left. At al'out 4 o'clock p.m. our force was augmented by Captain Doran, 50th Eegiment, and Ensign Campbell, 50th, with about 80 men, who reinforced the skirmishers under Captain Fisher. One of the skirmishers having attracted the attention of others to a man of the 50th who was wounded and half drowning in the stream, Captain Doran, 50th, hastened to the rescue, and lifted him out of the water, and succeeded in having the man taken into the camp alive, where, I regret to say, he afterwards expired. About an hour before dusk we were again reinforced by the Forest Hangers under Captain Jackson and l.aptain Yon Tempsky. I cannot speak too highly of the dashing manner iv which they behaved, and the assistance they rendered, also the manner in which they co-operated with me in covering the withdrawal of the troops at dusk, as did also Captain Doran, 50th Regiment, and his party. I much regret that our casualties have been so severe, but from the nature of the skirmish, and difficulties encountered through the formation of the ground, and thick fern and scrub in the gullies, they were unavoidable. The 10. .of the enemy I estimate at about 35 killed pnd wounded, and tho number engaged at about 200. Many stands of arms were captured by us ; also ammunition, pouches, &c, fell into our hands. It is with the greati st pleasure that I now record the unparalleled gallantry and soldier-like coolness exhibited by all engaged in the affair, and the praiseworthy conduct of the troops throughout, which was not to be surpassed. I beg to bring to your notice the names of the following officers, viz., Captain the Hon. F. Le Poer Trench, 40th Eegiment ; Captain Fisher, 40th Eegiment; Captain Doran, 50th Eegiment; and Lieutenant Simeon, 40th Eegiment; who each in their different positions behaved in a inanuer worthy ot approbation. Also Lieutenant Leech, 50th Eegiment, who rendered me every assistance in conveying orders; and Assistant Surgeon Styles, who, under a sharp fire, paid every care and attention to the wounded, and was ably assisted by Hospital Sergeant John llollett, 40th Eegiment. I have, &c., Jonx Bowuleb, To Colonel Waddy, CR, Brevet-Major, 40th Eegiment, Commanding Camp before Paterangi. Field Officer of the Day. JNo. 26". copy of a DESPATCH fkom goyeenoe sin oeoiige geet, k.c.b., to ins 6BA.CE the dtjke of NEWCASTLE, K.G. (No. 34.) Government House, Auckland, February 27, 1864. My Lord Duke, — I ha\e the honour to enclose, for your Grace's information, a copy of a report I have received from Lieutenant-General Cameron of the operations of the force under his command upon the 21st and 22nd instant. 2. Your Grace will he glad to find that these operations, which were most skilfully and successfully conducted, resulted in the occupation of the important position of Eangiaohia, and the complete rout of the rebel natives on the ?2nd instant, who Red precipitately in the direction of Maungatautari, leaving almost everything but their aims behind them. 3. The terms in which General Cameron speaks of the admirable conduct of all the officers and men engaged in these operations will I am sure be most gratifying to your Grace ; and I am hap'iy to be able to add that, by the last accounts, Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, of the Colonial Defence Force, who General Cameron states to have teen so se\erely wounded, was doing well, and that there was every prospect of his recovery from his wound. I have, &c., G. Geet. His Crace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., <£c. &c. &c.

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