A.—No. 20.

PAPERS EELATIVE TO

54

on the opposite. Had the enemy been allowed to take full possession of the pa with rifles, they might have inflicted great mischief on the women and children. A hot fire was directly opened on both sides. A small party of Arawas was sent to take up a position so as to enfilade the trenches on the enemey's side. This movement was successful in dislodging them, and as they retired, our people from the opposite trenches poured a destructive fire at about forty yards distance. Three fell dead on the spot and several wounded. The Hauhaus succeeded in carrying oft' one of the killed, but the other two were left in the Arawas hands. A hot pursuit was directly commenced, and it has since been ascertained with great effect. The Hauhaus acknowledge to six killed and seven, wounded; the loss of the Arawa one man, Te "Wereana, mortally wounded (since dead), and one wounded. The Militia and Arawa contingent arrived at Ohinemutu on the 20th. As soon as the men were sufficiently rested an expedition was organized to attack the two Hauhau pas at Puraku ; but just as it was about to start information was brought in that Haurniraua and Mourea were threatened by the Hauhaus. Major McDonnell immediately started off with 150 men in three large war canoes; when they reached the opposite side of the lake it was ascertained that the Hauhaus had retired again, consequently the expedition was delayed some hours. The approach was made upon Puraku in broad daylight. The force, including Militia, Volunteers, Native Contingent, and Kupapas, could not have numbered less than 700 men. As this imposing force approached the Hauhaus retired from their pas into the neighbouring forest, and from thence fired a few volleys in the direction of our men, without any effect. The pas were destroyed and our people withdrew. The object of the expedition had signally failed, which was mainly attributable to the armed rabble of Kupapas, who would not submit to control. The leading chiefs were very much dissatisfied with the result of our march. As the Honourable the Defence Minister had deputed me to act for him, I deemed it necessary to send the main body of the Militia back, retaining only thirty men, and to prevent the Kupapas from joining in any future expedition which might be set on foot. .Our whole force required reorganization, which necessarily took some time ; and it was not until the evening of the 27th Major McDonnell marched out with 200 Native Contingent and thirty European Volunteers. Fires had been seen on the edge of the forest several days successively, and plainly indicated where the enemy were likely to be found. Major McDonnell took up a position close to the forest, and waited for the dawn of day; but the Native chief Maihi Te Eangikaheke, without orders, marched oft" with about eighty of the contingent on some secret design of his own, thus leaving Major McDonnell with only 120 Native Contingent and thirty Europeans to oppose an enemy whose numbers could not be ascertained, and posted in a strong position. I need hardly say that this conduct of "William Marsh was strongly animadverted upon by the officer in command of the expedition, and deservedly so, as it was a step most likely to defeat the object of this expedition also. Scouts were sent in the direction of the slumbering enemy, but the rustling of dried leaves aroused the vigilance of some dogs, which gave the alarm. Major McDonnell gave the order to rush the spot where the enemy was supposed to be lying (around his camp fires), but with their usual caution, they slept under the trees at the edge of the forest, about eighty yards distant. They made their escape, leaving behind a boy about fourteen years of age (who was made prisoner), six stand of arms, and thirteen pouches, full of ammunition. From the prisoner very valuable information was obtained, and he volunteered to conduct Major McDonnell by a new path to Puraku (the pa destroyed on the 20th), which, he said, was occupied in force by the enemy. The information was correct. Major McDonnell made dispositions to surround the place, and while this was being carried out, one of the columns surprised a party of about fifty or sixty of the enemy. Although in such perilous circumstances, the Hauhaus did not lose their presence of mind, as usual, they had recourse to a ruse. A fine fellow advanced to within about thirty yards of our men, and deliberately grounded his double-barrelled gun, stating that they were friendly Arawas. This was soon proved to be false, for, when all those who were with him were called to produce their badges, they failed to do so. Upon this the contingent levelled their guns, but Lieut. Pitt with great humanity forbid their firing, as he supposed they were going to give themselves up. The Hauhaus had gained their object —delay, and in an instant they all disappeared in the high fern. Hot pursuit was directly given, and a party of Volunteers and men of the contingent, who were posted at the edge of a clearing over which the flying enemy must pass, did great havoc amongst them. Those of the Hauhaus who did succeed in crossing the clearing were met in the forest by the party under the chief Fox, who was then in the act of carrying out the commanding officer's original intention. The enemy left eight dead on the field, all young men, several of whom were Waikatos. Our men escaped without a wound, although there were several narrow escapes. This can only be accounted for from the fact that the enemy were taken by surprise, and had not loaded their arms when our forces came up. Two of those who fell (Hona and Hakopa) were Eotorua Hauhaus, the latter the principal man of Puraku. I cannot forbear relating a little episode which occurred at the close of the fight. One of the chiefs of the Arawa came up to me in great agitation, and with quivering lip, said in substance, " It lias been stated by some that our fidelity to the Government is a sham; could anyone make such an assertion now ? I have just buried two men, nearly related to myself. There must be some genuine attachment to the Queen and Government to induce me to slay my own relatives, because they were enemies to the Government." The Arawa refused to bury the Waikato slain. Altogether fourteen stand of arms and thirteen full pouches fell into our hands. Major McDonnell withdrew his force, and as they retired, the enemy, from the forest, fired heavy volleys at them, but too distant to do any harm. Great praise is due to Major McDonnell, and to the officers and men under him, for the manner in which this expedition was carried out. A few more such successes will, I think, effectually stop the proceedings of the Hauhaus in the Eotorua District.