AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

17

A.—No. 8.

Enclosure 1 in No. 19. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Poutou, 26th September, 1869. Te Kooti attacked Tokano from the hills yesterday, was driven back after determined resistance, rallied again and again repulsed with loss. Fight took place on the hills, above Tokano ; loss of enemy heavy. None killed on our side. Friendlies behaved bravely; particulars in despatch. Kemp, Wanganui, not yet arrived; Te Kooti not short of ammunition. I intend attacking-on Monday; No. 2 will have arrived. Tuos. McDonnell, His Honor J. D. Ormond. Lieut.-Colonel, Taupo.

Enclosure 2 in No. 19. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir, — Camp Poutou, 26th September, (;869. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Defence Minister, that on the morning of the 25th instant, about 10 a.m., the enemy appeared in force on the hills above Tokano, and commenced an attack on that position. I was on my way from here to Tokano, accompanied by an escort of 10 men, when the enemy fired into us on our left front, as wc ncared the Hauhau track leading up the hill, but putting our horses to a gallop we rode past and reached the friendly Natives, who commenced firing at the enemy; they had taken up four different positions half-way down the hills, and a strong body of the enemy was also in support, on a narrow fern ridge, between two densely wooded gullies, which ended at the edge of the bush on the summit of the hill; our men, under their several chiefs, after some sharp skirmishing, drove the enemy from the position they held back on their supports, leaving some of their killed and wounded in our hands. The enemy rallied again, and charged down on us with loud cries, but were met by Henare's people, who again repulsed them with loss, taking a rifle-pit on the top of the hill, from which a heavy fire had been maintained; this was rushed, and the enemy broke and fled, leaving three of their number behind. I called a halt here, as I did not wish to pursue the enemy through the bush on to the plains that day. Our men were tired and short of ammunition, and we could not have accomplished much of importance had wc gone on, and "would only have driven the enemy further than he now is, so I ordered the forces to return to camp. Wc learnt from a prisoner, who was taken the first part of the day, that Te Kooti led the attack in person, and had all his available men with him, about 250 to 300. They fought well and contested every inch of ground, carrying off their dead and wounded to the fern-ridge above them, until forced to break. The enemy is not so short of ammunition as is supposed; in one pouch taken by us, 40 rounds of Enfield ammunition and 60 caps were found; another had 30 rounds ; and I should say they fired over 2,000 rounds during the day. Six of the enemy fell into our hands and were left on the field, but there were many others who were carried away. I place their loss, killed and wounded, at over 30. I also append a list of our casualties, which are comparatively light. I have the honor to bring to the notice of the Government the energy displayed by Captain St. George; and by Lieut. Preecc, who was foremost in all that took place. The Chiefs Henare Tomoana, Paora Hapi, Hohepa Tamamutu, and others, are especially deserving of credit for the good example shown by them to their men. The whole of the friendlies are in high spirits; and if the weather will keep fine, I intend to attack Te Kooti on two sides on Monday. Kemp, with the AVanganuis, has not yet made his appearance, and I am at a loss to account for his •delay. I will not wait any longer. I omitted to mention that our forces engaged yesterday numbered 240 men. Since writing the above another body has been found, making a total of seven killed of the enemy that I am certain of. I have, &c, Tuos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding Taupo Field Force. His Honor J. D. Ormond, Government Agent.

Enclosure 3 in No. 19. List of Wounded at Waipapa, 25th September, 1869. 1. Ngatikahungunu.—Wi Tako, gunshot wound left side, left lung injured, bullet lodged in left breast —extracting dangerous. 2. Pcra Pihuka, gunshot wound, entered upper third of left arm and lodged between the scapula;—bullet extracted ; severe. 3. Ilimiana, gunshot wound below right knee; slight. 4. Arawa. —Maniapoto, gunshot wound right side of chest, passing through the lung; ■ dangerous. 5. Henare Poihipi, gunshot wound through calf of left leg; slight. 6. Ngatikahungunu.—Matinga, gunshot wound right thigh; slight. J. Murray Gibbs, Assistant Surgeon. 5