E—No. Iα

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. copy of a memorandum by colonel sillery. 24th February, 1861. Copies of the reports from the Officers commanding the parties sent out yesterday are herewith forwarded. Mr. Parris informs me that the rebels yesterday were in full force, and had several ambuscades, had the troops attempted to cross the gully. Casualties of the rebels yesterday, as reported by Mr. Parris :—1 man killed; 2 dangerously wounded.; several slightly wounded. Charles Sillery, Deputy Quartermaster-General.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. MAJOR HERBERT TO COLONEL SILLERY. Militia Office, February 23rd, 1861. Sic, — I have the honor to report for the information of Major-General Pratt, C.8., Commanding the Forces in. New Zealand, that in obedience to Garrison Orders of yesterday's date, I marched from town at half-past 8 o'clock, and under my command 1 captain, 4 subalterns, 9 Serjeants, 3 buglers, and 188 rank and file, detailed as per margin, for the purpose of escorting provisions for the detachment stationed at the Omata Stockade, and to reconnoitre. I proceeded on the Beach road, and met with no opposition until I reached the Stockade, and when in the act of giving orders to pile arms, there was a heavy volley from small arms fired at the escort, wounding two men slightly, from an ambuscade party of the enemy, consisting of about from seventy to one hundred, from an old fortified pah, situated on Major Lloyd's property, on a high hill about seven hundred yards from the Omata Stockade, towards the sea beach. I promptly returned the fire, and after three rounds from the 24-pounder howitzer, I ordered the 57th Regiment to storm the enemy's position from the right flank, which was done in gallant style. I immediately advanced by the centre with the 65th regiment and the 24-pounder howitzer, and on getting possession of the hill, I discovered several rifle pits, recently constructed, besides which a good deal of original fortification. I forced the enemy from every position he took up along the flats, swamps, flax bushes, sand hills, &c, &c, and drove him into the Waiuku gully, when I found I was short of ammunition for the gun, or I would have forced him from the gully. Lieutenant-Colonel Young, 65th regiment, joined me about between 12 and 1 o'clock, p.m., with a strong support, and being my senior Officer, took over command of the whole forces. Before closing this my Despatch, I feel very desirous of bringing before the favourable notice of the Major-General the gallantry and very determined manner in which the Officers, non-commis-sioned Officers and men of the force under my command, carried out my orders, and wish to bring before the special notice of the Major-General, Captain Brown, Taranaki Militia, under my command, and Lieutenant Hasten of Her Majesty's 57th regiment. The former Officer was with the skirmishers the whole time whilst engaged, and his perseverance in gaining ground on the enemy wherever an opportunity offered, gave great confidence to the men of the Militia and Volunteers. The latter Officer commanded the men of his regiment to my entire satisfaction, and showed a very great readiness to carry out my orders. I cannot ascertain the exact loss on the side of the enemy, but from what I can learn he must have suffered severely, as several wounded were seen carried away. Subjoined is a list of casualties, as forwarded to me by Dr. Nevin, Staff Assistant Surgeon, whom I recommend to the favourable notice of Major-General Pratt, C.8., for his coolness under fire, and always being found wherever his services were required. I am happy to state that the wounds are all of a slight nature with the exception of one. I have, &c, Chaeles Herbert, Major Commanding Militia and Volunteers. Colonel Sillery, Deputy Quartermaster-General, Commanding the Garrison New Plymouth.

No. 55. Royal Artillery— 7 rank and file 12th Regiment— 4 rank and file S7th Regiment— 1 subaltern 3 Serjeants 1 drummer 67 rank and file Csth Regiment— 1 subaltern 3 Serjeants 1 drummer 57 rank and file Militia 1 field officer 1 captain 2 subalterns 3 Serjeants 1 drummer 53 rank and file Total— 1 field officer 1 captain 4 subalterns y Serjeants 3 drummers 188 rank and file

Enclosure 3 in No. 4. ■STAFF ASSISTANT-SURGEON NEVIN TO MAJOR HERBERT. Military General Hospital, 24th February, 1861. Sir,— I have the honor to report for the information of the Major-General Commanding the Forces, the following casualties which occurred yesterday to men of the force under your command, viz. :—

14