ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OP STATE.

69

A.—No. la.

This chief and eleven of his followers were killed. The loss sustained by the enemy in both engagements is thirty-three killed and twenty-nine wounded, and forty-seven taken as prisoners. The casualties of the combined forces of Europeans and Natives have been one European and two Maoris killed, and one Officer (Captain Kennedy), eight Europeans, and four Maoris wounded. I herewith enclose Major Eraser's Despatch, addressed to Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, reporting the spirited engagement that took place under that gallant officer's command at Petane. I should fail in my duty to Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore and the officers and men of both races under his command, if I did not represent to the Government how strongly I feel that services so cheerfully rendered and so ably carried out are deserving of some marked public recognition on the part of His Excellency's Government. I feel assured that the result of such successes as those of last Friday will exercise such an influence throughout this Island as must tend to neutralize the designs that are being matured by the Hau Hau fanatics for the extirpation of the Europeans and friendly Natives. The enclosed copy of a letter from the Beverend S. Williams shows that an attack on the town of Napier had been planned by Panapa and Bangihiroa. It is also stated by the prisoners that the attack was to have been made in three days. I have also to report that an expedition has been started this morning to follow up Paora Toki, Anaru Matete, and others, to Titiokura, composed of seventy Volunteers under Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, the Military Settlers under Major Eraser, and about one hundred of the Natives of the district, with Ihaka and Kopu's followers from tho Wairoa. The capture of Paora Toki, who is a most badly disposed Native, would be of great importance. The instructions to Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore are herewith enclosed. I should recommend that the prisoners taken should be sent to the Chatham Islands, and that the Government should be prepared to meet any future emergency that may arise in this district, and that a supply of arms and ammunition should be sent without delay in a Government steamer, to be retained on this coast during the present unsettled state, and while the Natives are concocting plans in the interior for a combined movement on this district. I have, &c, Donald McLean. Enclosures to Sub-Enclosure No. 3. (Letter sent with a Flag of Truce.) Sirs,— Napier, 11th October, 1866. I have addressed several letters to you asking you to explain the reason of your coming to Heretaunga. Up to the present time you have not given any reason for that act. You have come armed into a peaceful district, and created confusion and disturbance. You have declined to go back to your homes when called upon to do so. I have now determined to put an end to this state of things, and I require you to give up your arms and surrender yourselves to the Officer commanding the forces in one hour from the time you receive this letter. A white flag will be kept flying for that hour, and if at the expiration of that time you have not surrendered another flag will be hoisted, and you will immediately be attacked. This is all from McLean.

Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore to His Honor D. McLean, Esq. Sir,— ' Napier, 13th October, 1866. I have the honor to inform your Honor that, in conformity with the arrangements made with you on the evening of the 11th instant, I caused the Napier Militia and Volunteers, number as per margin,* to be paraded about midnight, and to march by various routes to the vicinity of the Omaranui Pa. Although the time was scarcely more than requisite to traverse the distance, all the bodies placed under my command, whether European or Native, were at the posts I assigned to them as day broke. I had erected a flagstaff during the night opposite the pa, on which, at daylight, I hoisted a white flag. I then sent Mr. Hamlin, my interpreter, across the Tataekuri to the pa, which is, as you are aware, situated on its banks, with the letter you had prepared to serve as an ultimatum. For some time the Natives took no notice of Mr. Hamlin, but ultimately they received his letter, and he returned to me. By your letter, the Hau Haus were promised that they should not be molested for one hour, after which they would be attacked if they did not lay down their arms. In reply, they told Mr. Hamlin they thought the time rather short, but did not lead him to suppose that if it was prolonged it might influence their conduct. By this time it was six o'clock a.m., and you had reached the field, and had learned the result of the letter ; you then informed me that you did not wish to disturb any part of our plans, but that you trusted I would endeavour to carry out the service with as * Europeans —Strength, armed men : — Officers. N. C. O. R. and E. No. 1, Militia ... ... 3 2 38 No. 2 „ ... ... 3 2 38 No. 3 „ ... ... 2 1 17 No. 4 „ ... ... 2 2 44 Napier Volunteers ... ... 3 2 43 Cavalry Volunteers ... ... 1 1 24 14 10 204 Deduct guards, canoes ... ... ... 13 14 10 191 „ „ ammunition ...... ... 12 14 10 179 Natives—Nearly 200, of whom 70 were on the hills. 18