AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

45

A.—No, Ba,

morning's firing has lightened them considerably. I trust a supply of Enfield and breechloading may be sent under escort to this post as speedily as possible. " The men behaved remarkably well. Two of the enemy were shot by Topia's men. The strength of the force here is 96 Europeans, 156 Arawas, and 370 Whanganuis under Kemp and Topia. I have heard nothing as yet of the force from Rotorua and Tauranga. " The Native who was killed on our side was one of the Ngarauru. Unless something occurs I shall employ this day in making this post defensible.—Thos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel." Nominal Return of Men Killed and Wounded in Action at Tapapa, 25th January, 1870. Killed. —Private Whiro, W'hanganui, gunshot wound. Wounded. —Lance-Corporal Hunter, Guides, gunshot wound; bullet entered right side of spine and lodged—dangerous. Private Karepa, Arawa Contingent, gunshot wound; bullet entered abdomen and lodged; also, right hand—dangerously. Private Heremaia, Arawa Contingent, gunshot wound; head—very slight. Corporal Timoti, Arawa Contingent, gunshot wound; lower third of right thigh—slight. Private Karaitiana, Wanganui, gunshot wound ; left forearm —severely. Private Utiku, W^hanganui, gunshot wound; bullet grazed left forearm and entered right thigh, extracted—severely. Private Tamehana, Whanganui, gunshot wound, right leg—severely. —R. Leslie, Assistant Surgeon. Lieut.-Colonel Moulc's force of fresh men will join Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to-night with supplies, and another medical officer with medical comforts, &c, and I am just despatching a mounted escort, under Inspector Pitt, with six kegs of ammunition. They will travel during the night, and come up with McDonnell by daylight to-morrow. Contractor has come in from McDonnell's camp since despatch. It is reported that Kerhp had burnt Tc Kooti's pa, but with what loss I don't know, as Kemp had not arrived in McDonnell's camp when he (contractor) left. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. St. John Branigan.

No. 138. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Auckland, 25th January, 1870. Received your report of engagement, and glad to hear you are sending Inspector Pitt with ammunition. I expect the Tauranga force will not be up to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's till the day after to-morrow, about noon. Lieut.-Colonel Fraser may get sooner —he is urged on with all haste; and Rotoruas, except to guard passes, also urged on. I shall be anxious to hear about Kemp's action. Can anything be sent up from here? The last affair is pretty good. Mr. Commissioner Branigan, Cambridge. Donald McLean.

No. 139. Mr. W. N. Searancke, R.M., to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Hamilton, 25th January, 1870. I was going to Raglan to-morrow, but if you think it more desirable I will, in accordance with the wish expressed in your telegram, remain and visit all the settlements round about this district. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. W. N. Searancke, R.M..

No. 140. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. W. N. Searancke, (Telegram.) Auckland, 25th January, 1870. Act as you propose in your telegram by visiting the settlements. W. N. Searancke, R.M., Hamilton. Donald McLean.

No. 141. Aperaniko to Mete Kingi and Haimona. To Mete Kingi, to Haimona,— Tapapa, 25th January, 1870. Fathers, salutations to you all. On the 24th of January we came upon Tapapa, a pa belonging to Kereopa and Hakaraia. They with their tribes have joined Te Kooti. In the morning Henare Te Pukuatua rushed the place. Ten men and women of Kereopa's tribe were killed. Then we followed Henare up, and on arriving found that all the place had been taken. Then we were divided. The Arawa returned to Tapapa. Topia Turoa and his tribes, and Ngarauru, Ngatihau, te Arawa, Tuhourangi, and the Europeans, numbered 400. We were in number, 200. The enemy had seen us, and we saw the enemy descending into the stream. We thought that they were coming to us, but no; they were going to our camp. They got behind us, and we remained where we were. (Their intention was) to come after us in the morning, attacking the camp first. They made the attack in our absence, for we could not get back on ' 12