E.—No. 5a

additional force on the following night, I ordered a breastwork to be constructed for the protection of the camp, which I left under the command of Colonel Mould, C.B. During the afternoon of the Ist, whilst the necessary preparations were in progress for the conveyance of the remaining part of the force, the officer in command at Whangamarino reported that the Natives were escaping in canoes up the Whangamarino and Maramarua rivers. I embarked at once in the " Pioneer," with 250 men of the 12th and 14th Begiments from the Koheroa, and on reaching Meremere it was evident the enemy had abandoned his position. A party of 250 seamen, under Commander Mayne, E.N., and the detachments from the Koheroa, under the command of Colonel Austen, 2 B. 14th Begiment. landed on the position, and were ordered to hold the ground during the night, which was occupied the following day by detachments of the 12th, 14th, 18th, and 70th Eegiments, amounting to about 500 men, who are employed in throwing up a redoubt there. The steamer " Pioneer" left this about ten a.m. on the 2nd for the purpose of communicating with the camp at Takupetohetohe, and ascertained that about three o'clock on the morning of the Ist a small body of Natives fired upon the camp, inflicting no loss, and making off as soon as the guns were turned upon them. I am greatly indebted for the success of the operations described above, to the cordial co-operation of Commodore Sir William Wiseman, and to the indefatigable exertions of the officers under his command. I have, &c, D. A. Cameeon, Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Lieut.-General.

TELEGBAPHIC DESPATCH. FUOM LIEUTEXAJTI-GENEKAT, CAMERON, C.8., EANGIKIBI. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVEBNOB. 21st November, 1863. We assaulted the enemy's entrenched position at Kangiriri at 4.30 p.m. on the 20th, and carried it after a desperate engagement. I regret to say our loss is Bevere. Lieut. Murphy, 12th, and Midshipman Watkins, 8.N., and 35 men killed, 13 officers and 80 men wounded, including Col. Austin, 14th Begt., Captain Mayne, Lieutenants Alexander, Downes, and Hotham, E.N., Captain Merc-cr, E.A., Captain Phelps, 14th Eegt., Captain Gresson, Lieutenant Talbot, Lieutenant Chevalier, Adjt. Lewis, 65th Eegt., Captain Brooks, E.E., Ensign Ducrow. 40th Begiment: the greater part severely. The enemy fought with the greatest determination, and held the strongest part of his position during the whole night; being completely surrounded and cut off, they surrendered "unconditionally at 5.30 a.m. this day. 183 in number are now prisoners of war: amongst them several chiefs of note. Enemy's loss has not yet been ascertained, but is known to be very great. A. party of 400, under William Thompson, approached the position from the east, with a flag of truce. after the surrender. Interpreter was sent, who states that William Thompson appeared inclined to surrender, but his people were opposed, and went back; he has sent in his Mere by the interpreter, with what object lam not aware. The king was present at Kangiriri, and escaped during the night by swimming across the swamp, as did several others. Total number of enemy present at engagement not known.

LIEUT.-(IENEBAT, OAMEBO>\ C.8., TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. Head Quarters, Camp, Kangiriri, Nov. 24th, 1863, Sib, — I liave tlie honor to report to your Excellency that on the morning of the 20th instant I moved from Meremere with the force detailed below, up the right bank of the Waikato

3

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.

Corps. OS 8 Eg c 83 £ o o h 02 o IS a> do ■5: o I 51 O g P s a ■ I r. General Staft' Royal Artillery Royal Engineers tstB. 12th Eesviment 2ndB. 14th Regiment I Oth llegiment 05th Regiment 1. 4 1 1 I. 1 1 ■) 1 1 1 1 3 4 3 6 8 2 5 8 4 L5 1 2 3 2 0 45 12 100 164 75 375 a 1 •2 Total 18 •2 87 14 771