E.—No. 3 .

Enclosure in No. 42, CAPTAIN HOBEET JENKINS TO COMMODOEE SIE WILLIAM WISEMAN BAET. Reporting Proceedings at- Maketu. H.M.S. ' Miranda,' Tauranga, 27th April, 1564. Sic, —I have the honor to inform you tliat, in compliance with your orders, I embarked at daylight this morning in the Colonial steamer ' Sandfly,' and, with H.M.S. ' Falcon,' proceeded to Maketu. 2. On the arrival ofthe vessels off that place, Major Colvillo sent on board Ensign Langlands, 43rd L.1., with a letter (copy of which is enclosed), and to show me the position of the hostile Natives. A whale-boat also came out with Natives going to Flat Island ; I, however, sent them back with a letter to Major Colville, informing him that I was going to shell the enemy's position. 3. The ' Falcon' was placed in a position which enfiladed the enemy's works, from the whares on the right on the cliff; but before she had opened fire, a large number of Natives were seen retreating along the beach to the eastward. I immediately followed them with the ! Sandfly,' and on nearing them opened on them with the 12-pounder Armstrong of the ' Falcon,' manned by ' Mirandas,' and the ' Esk's,' manned by its own crew. 4. On our firing, the Natives took cover under the sand-hills, and continued their hurried retreat to Otamarako ; they, however, were seen to stop in several clumps of trees, &c, into which shells were at once thrown, after which the extensive whares both inside and out of the old pa at Otamarako were shelled. 5. Soon after noon, the ' Falcon' ceased firing, the enemy's works on the left bank of the Waihi river being occupied by the troops from Maketu, under Major Colville, 43rd. ' Sandfly' then anchored, to await the arrival of the ' Falcon,' when both vessels shelled the whares at Otamarako, the ' Falcon' also throwing shell amongst bodies of Natives which were seen from her mast-heads retreating. G. At 3 p.m., ceased firing, the enemy having apparently entirely abandoned the settlement, and a body of friendly Natives being seen advancing along the beach from Maketu. I then returned in the ' Sandfly' to Tauranga, the ' Falcon' proceeding to Auckland with the mails, which were awaiting her at the mouth of the harbour. 7. I beg to bring to your notice the zeal and exertions of Senior Lieutenant Hope, in command of the ' Falcon,' and of Captain Hannibal Marks, commanding the Colonial steamer ' Sandfly, whereby in a few hours the enemy has been driven from their strong position, which completely hemmed in the garrison of Maketu, and also from the extensive settlement of Otamarako, the former being occupied by a detachment of the 43rd L.1., under Major Colville, and the latter by the friendly Natives of Maketu. I would also beg to recommend Henry Glassington, Boatswain's Mate, and Seaman Gunner, Edward Metters, Leading Seaman and Gunnery Instructor of the ' Miranda,' and John Farrels, Gunner's Mate aud Gunnery Instructor of the ' Esk,' for the extraordinary precision of their fire from the 12-pounder Armstrongs, notwithstanding that there was a very considerable swell during the whole time. I have, &c., .Robert Jenkins, Captain. Commodore Sir William Wiseman, Bart., Commanding in Chief, &c. Sub-Enclosure 1 in No. 42. MAJOE COLVILLE TO THE OFEICEE COMMANDING H.M.S. ' MIEANDA.' Fort Maketu, April 27th, 1864. Sis, —I was unable to obtain the correct compass bearings as required, on account of being so hemdme in by large bodies of the enemy. I send an officer on board, Ensign Langlands, 43rd L.1., who has a very fair idea of the different positions, and I fancy will give you any information required for shelling the enemy's pa at Waihi. It has been reported to me that two small schooners and many canoes are now lying off the river Wahia, full of provisions for the rebels. I cannot vouch for the truth of this, but of course it can be easily found out by you on arrival. It has been reported that a number of the rebels propose landing on the opposite island, Motete or Flat Island, and taking all the provisions from off it in the course of the day. I have the honor to request that 3-011 will be so good as to allow Ensign Langlands to return when liis duty is completed, if the surf is practicable for sending out for him, on your return. I have, &c, F. M. Colville, Major 43rd L.1., Commanding Maketu. To the Officer Commanding H.M.S. ' Miranda.'

69

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.