A.—No. la,

72

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

Captain Withers, who, in two hours, a.t nighty completed the equipment of the whole force, and arranged all the details of the movement, besides assisting mo all day in the field. Captain Hamilton Eussell, and Mr. Agnew Brown, who acted as staff officers throughout the clay most zealously, and performed much dangerous duty. Mr. Hamlin, who acted as my Interpreter, and who on two occasions rode under a hot fire to carry out my orders, and was wounded in so doing. With this affair, and the few days further operations required, I trust that the recent unsettled state of this district may cease, as nearly all the turbulent spirits are now killed or taken, and that your Honor may once more have the satisfaction of seeing the blessing of peace restored to our Province; and I trust Ido not transgress in acknowledging the great assistance afforded me on all occasions by you, to which and to the harmony and concert with which your Honor's transactions with me have been distinguished, together with the noble conduct of our settlers, is wholly due the original success of the late operations. I have, &c, G. S. Whitmore, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding Militia District. To His Honor the Superintendent, Hawke's Bay.

Major Fraser to His Honor D. McLean, Esq. Captain Carr's Station, Petane Valley, Sir,— 13th October, 1866. I have the honor to report for your information my proceedings consequent on your orders to me of the 11th instant. I marched as therein directed at 2 a.m. on the 12th, aud crossed my Company* over in boats to the Petane Spit, along which we proceeded. The march was rendered very fatiguing by the heavy sand, but the men went along well and in the highest spirits. We reached the pa " Pou" about 6 a.m. aud there halted for the purpose of seeing if it were inhabited and by whom ; we only found in it three men, with a number of women and children. The men I arrested in accordance with your instructions to me. After a short time we proceeded to Captain Carr's station, and I caused all the settlers in Petane near Captain Carr's station to be assembled there. We arrived about 8 a.m., and I should imagine the length of the march to have been altogether some twelve miles. Shortly after our arrival, and while awaiting your orders, and the mustering of the settlers, two officers, when proceeding to bathe, saw a body of horsemen in the distance and informed me of the fact: I accordingly posted my men in such a position as to guard against accidents, and awaited their arrival. They proved to be an armed party of Hau Haus under Paora Toki, Bangihiroa, and Anaru Matete, to the number of about twenty-two ; they had, I must mention, to pass through a sort of gorge before they could see us, and so I was enabled to surround them, and in compliance with your orders, call upon them to surrender. This was accordingly done, but although repeatedly asked to surrender, and although they must have seen that they were in a difficult position, they refused to do bo, and attempted to gain a house which would have afforded them cover to fire on us from. I had therefore no alternative but to order my men to fire, which was hotly returned: the skirmish lasted but a short time, and at its close the casualties on both sides were as follows : —On that of the enemy twelve killed, one wounded, and three prisoners taken; on ours, one sergeant, name as per margin,t severely wounded. Paora Toki and Anaru Matete, the ringleaders, and who had said to their men " don't give up your guns," I am sorry to say, escaped, but I have now sent out a mounted and foot party to scour the adjacent country for them, as it is believed the latter is wounded; among the killed "was the Chief Bangihiroa, who has so long troubled this district. In obedience to your orders I shall remain here until further instructions. I beg that you will bring under the notice of the Government the name of Captain Carr, late Boyal Artillery, who rendered me valuable assistance in surrounding the enemy and in preventing their escape. He was accompanied by three other mounted men; had there been more, none lam sure of the enemy could have escaped. Lieutenant J. G. St. George, late C. D. F., who volunteered to accompany me on this expedition, and Ensign Bichardson, whose previous knowledge of the ground enabled me to place my men to advantage, rendered me very valuable assistance, for which I beg to bring their names under your notice. I may add that the men behaved admirably and coolly, and carried out all my orders exactly. I have, &e, James Eraser, Major Commanding Detachment Colonial Forces, Petane. The Bev. S. Williams to His Honor D. McLean, Esq. My Dear Mr. McLean, — Napier, 13th October, 1866. I think it right that you should be put in possession of the fact that I was informed by ono of the Native prisoners taken to-day at Omaranui, the son of Bangihiroa, that yesterday afternoon a messenger was sent off by Panapa, Hau Hau leader to Titiokura, to order Bangihiroa, Paora Toki, Anaru Matete and their party, to come down to-day, and take up their position at the Fishing Huts on the Western Spit, where two canoes were placed for their use, and that they were to be ready to cross over to attack the town upon notice being given when Panapa and his party were ready to make the attack from the other side. I have, &c, Samuel Williams. * Strength of Company —1 Field Officer, 3 Subalterns, 1 Assistant Surgeon, 37 rank and file. t Enemy—Killed, 12 ; wounded, 1; prisoners, 3. Colonial Forces —Sergeant Fletcher, M.T., gunshot wound through right knee.