ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.

71

A.—No. U.

indulgence in doing so, that the manner in which all ranks turned out was beyond all praise, and proves the high spirit and determination to support the law which animates our settlers. At seven p.m., on the 11th, I assembled the officers for the first time, and told them of the intended expedition, explaining what duties and posts were assigned to them, and the hour at which I wished them to parade. The men, who had done their usual day's work, were summoned to march that night quite unexpectedly, and the last left this town at midnight with scarcely an absentee, and leaving no stragglers on the road. They then marched nine miles to the ground, fought the action, and returned to Napier in capital order, carrying their wounded with them. These were not trained soldiers, but civilians from the town, who left their shops and their work at a short notice during the night, and countrymen who left their homes with just enough warning to dress and reach the rendezvous. Captain Bhodes's Company from Havelock and Clive, unable to march on foot so great a distance in the time, was represented by upwards of half, who voluntarily obtained horses and rode to the ground. So high a spirit made success certain, and could only have resulted from the firm determination of the settlers of this Province to put an end to a state of things which of all others is most repugnant to an Englishman's feelings of submission to and respect for good order and the law of the land. I must not omit to bring to the especial notice of the Government the assistance afforded me by the officers of all ranks. To have assembled their- men from every part of this scattered town and from their farms in tho suburban lands during the night in a couple of hours, was, notwithstanding the willingness of the men, most creditable to the zeal of the officers, commissioned and non-commissioned. Failing enough arms, I authorized Captain Gordon, late of the Iniskilling Dragoons, to raise a party of horse, armed with swords alone, from the unarmed men, and six more unarmed men in each company marched with us to the ground to carry the wounded and to bring up ammunition if required. The Natives had still less warning than the Europeans, but they turned out at once, and reached their posts in time. A large section was not brought under fire, but prevented the enemy's retreat on one side. Another, under the leading chiefs, did join our men. Perhaps my inexperience of their mode of warfare may have placed them at disadvantage, but they did not materially add to our strength. Nevertheless many individual acts of gallantry were performed by them under my own observation. The Chiefs Tareha, Benata, Ihaka, Kopu, distinguished themselves highly, but the two first named were conspicuous throughout the action endeavouring to induce their followers to charge : Tareha, with a sword alone in his hand, rushed among the enemy to stimulate his men. Happily no harm reached him, and a valuable ally is spared to the Europeans of this Province. Although I may have failed to afford a fair field for these Natives to fight with the gallantry which I believe they possess, their prompt assistance has been most valuable. It has shown both the genuine nature of their professed friendship, for they lost several wounded and two killed in supporting us; it adds one proof more to the many we possess of the justness of our views of the question at issue with the Hau Haus, and it enabled us to prevent almost entirely the escape of the defenders of the pa. Mr. Locke, to whom the Natives were intrusted, exerted himself with so much gallantry and zeal as to deserve my warmest thanks. Among our fellow-settlers of all ranks, many conducted themselves in such a manner as to merit any distinction the Government can bestow. I shall be very happy to designate them for such a purpose, but here I think it would be invidious to do so. I shall therefore confine myself to remarking that, but for their willingness and cheerfulness the operation could not have been carried out at all, and to stating that I did not see one solitary case of misbehaviour throughout the affair. While these operations were being brought to a close, another part of the general plan was being carried out by the gallant Major Eraser, who has so often led our fellow settlers to success. It was arranged that Major Eraser should pass over the harbour-mouth and march to Petane, to intercept any fugitives from Omaranui, and to prevent reinforcements coming up by that route. The smart little affair which followed is so well described by Major Fraser that I cannot do better than forward his Despatch to you with this, trusting that you will recognize the behaviour of the officers whom he names. Later on in the day, after attending the Native meeting with your Honor, at Pa Whakairo, toconcert further operations to complete the discomfiture of the survivors of the Hau Haus in their especial part of this Province, and after revisiting my own home, where I had assembled a small body of Volunteers to hold one of the roads to Titiokura, I rode across to Petane, reaching Major Fraser in the night. Finding that he was not likely to be immediately assailed, and therefore not in want of reinforcements, I returned this morning to Napier. I cannot conclude this Despatch without expressing the obligation I feel I am under to the following officers for the zealous assistance rendered to me by them, which made my task a light one. Major Lambert, commanding the main body of Militia, whose gallant example was most valuable and conspicuous. Major Fraser, whose co-operation prevented the Hau Haus from again establishing themselves in this part of the country. » Captain Kennedy, who was severely wounded early in the action, and who led his company with great coolness and gallantry. Captain Bhodes, who brought all his men that could get horses from Clive and Havelock, a distance too great to be marched on foot in time, and who performed valuable services in delaying the fugitives. Captain Buchanan, whose Volunteers contributed so much to the final success, and who showed them so gallant an example. Captain Birch, who collected the scattered Company of the Napier country districts and brought all to the field. Captain Gordon, who raised his troop in a few hours, and armed with sabres alone, performed so much valuable service. Lieutenant Wilson, who, after Captain Kennedy was wounded, took command of his Company, and showed it an example of cool courage and zealous obedience to orders.