AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

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A.—No. Ba h

Inspector Cumming will take charge of the Europeans till further orders. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Commanding Field Force. Donald McLean.

No. 243. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Head-quarters Field Force, Matata, Sir,— 18th February, 1870. I have the honor to state for your information, that I was unable to leave Maketu until the 16th instant; the delay was caused by the conduct of the Ngatiwhakauc and part of Ngatipikiao. It was also necessary that I should communicate with Major Cumming, as Topia and Major Kemp would not move until the detachment of Ngatihau with Major Cumming joined the main body of Whanganuis at Ohiwa. I have a force of 450 Natives, but shall march inland with something like 600 men when other detachments join; this docs not include the Armed Constabulary, who will be stationed at this and other posts. One hundred and thirty of Ngaitai and Ngatipukeko will march with the Ngatihau by way of Tc Waimana. I heard yesterday from Ohiwa that Ngatihau were very short of provisions, and only restrained by Topia and Major Kemp from attacking the Ureweras, so as to obtain possession of the food. I march therefore to-day with a picked body of 250 men, comprised of Te Rawhiti and Ngatipikiao, and propose clearing that neighbourhood, and obtaining such information as I may. I prefer doing this without reference to the advantage to be derived from giving them a lesson in that district, because our delay here is unavoidable; wc cannot move without biscuit, and we had better feed the men well up to Ahikereru, therefore we must wait for the steamer and then move up the river. This little expedition will prevent many of the evils arising from too much inaction, and I shall be able to again enter personally into the detail of the main expedition with Topia and Kemp. I am happy to state that all my best men arc in capital spirits. The Te Rawhiti division of the Native Contingent, under Wiremu Kingi, to which Captain Turner is attached, is one of the finest bodies of men I ever saw in the Native Contingent throughout this land. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Thos. McDonnell, Lt.-Col., Auckland. Commanding Field Force.

No. 244. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Sir, — General Government Offices, Auckland, 25th Februarys 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, stating the causes of the delay of the expedition into the Urewera country. The subsequent instructions you have received render it unnecessary for me to advert to the proposed movements referred to in your letter. lam much pleased with your favourable report of the Native Forces, and trust they may succeed in the Urewera country. I have, &c., Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, &c., Matata. Donald McLean.

No. 245. Return of Killed and Wounded of Colonial Forces and of the Enemy, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister. Killed, and since dead from wounds in action, commencing from Ist September, 1869, to 28th February, 1870, inclusive. Attack of Te Kooti on Tokanu, 1 Arawa, from wounds, died .. .. 1 At 'lc Porere, 2 Wanganuis, 1 Arawa, and Captain St. George .. .. 4 Tapapa, shot dead . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Died of wounds, 1 European and 1 Native, an Arawa .. .. .. 2 Ohinemutu, I Arawa from wounds .. .. .. .. .. 1 Total, Colonial Forces .. .. 9 This does not include the three men shot when Lieut.-Colonel Fraser was out at the Whakamarama, which added will make 12.