New Plymouth 6 October 1860. Dear Sir, On Saturday a force of about 400 men under the command of Lt. Col. Leslie left the camp at Waitera at 9 a.m. for the purpose of destroying the entrenchments of the Rairau Pa, which had been partially destroyed by the Expedition under the Command of the Major General on the 11th. ulto. On arrival at Rairau a division of the force (under Major Nelson) was advanced to protect the other whilst demolishing the works, and having so done they retired to complete the destruction of what remained of the Ngataiparirua pa. They (the whole body) then retired towards Waitera. During the burning of the stockades and the retreat to the Camp at Waitera the Natives were firing upon the troops, but it was not until the Natives were close upon them that their fire was returned, and this appears to have been done by the men in self defence and in contravention of orders, five of the soldiers being wounded. The whole affair appears to be inexplicable, and it is reported that at one time it was a complete flight. The numbers of the enemy are estimated at less than 100 and some say not more than 50. Why the troops were not allowed to return the fire and why the 12 pound gun loaded with cannister was discharged into the river after the arrival at the camp instead of at the rebels, must I suppose remain a mystery. I remain Dr. Sir, Yours very truly, Robert Parris.