E.—No. 3 .

Surgeon-Major Best, 68th Light Infantry, Principal Medical Officer, who performed his duty assiduously under fire, paying the greatest attention and care to the wounded. I can say the same of Assistant-Surgeons Henry, 43rd; Applin, 68th; and O'Connell, Staff; the former was particularly brought to my notice by Major Synge, commanding 43rd Light Infantry. Lieutenant and Adjutant Covey, 68th Light Infantry, Field-Adjutant, and Ensign Palmer, 68th Light Infantry, acting as my Orderly Officer, who performed their duty coolly and gallantly, affording me valuable assistance—Lieutenant Covey having been sent a message by me to Major Shuttleworth, when he was on the point of attacking, went with the supports, and was dragged into a rifle-pit by a Maori, who thrust his spear through his clothes. Ensign Palmer was struck in tlie neck by a musket bullet and knocked from his horse insensible when riding beside me ; when he recovered and had his wound dressed, he performed his duty during tlie rest of the day. Sergeant-Major Tudor, GBth Light Infantry, who went in front and distinguished himself in in several personal conflicts with the enemy in the i>ifle-pitg. Sergeant-Major Daniels, 43rd Light Infontry, and Acting Sergeant-Major Lilley (70th Eegiment} of the Ist Waikato Militia, who also distinguished themselves by their coolness and courage. ]S*o. 2918, Sergeant Murray, 68th Light Infantry, whose gallantry and prowess were so distinguished, I have thought him worthy of being recommended for ths Victoria Cross, and have with that view forwarded evidence. Xo. 2832, Corporal J. Byrne, V.C., 6Sth Light Infantry, who when the order to charge was given, was the first man of his company into the rifle-pits. A Maori, whom he transfixed with his bayonet, seized liis rifle with one hand, and holding it firm with the bayonet through him, endeavoured to cut him down with his tomahawk —his life was saved by Sergeant Murray. No. 3641, Private Thomas Smith (severely wounded), and No. 518, Private Daniel Caffery, 68th Light Infantry, both distinguished themselves by tlieir gallant conduct in the field, and their prowess in the rifle-pits. I beg to add that during the engagement several reports were forwarded to me, stating that a large body of natives were coming down by the "Wairoa to attack the Camp Te Papa, at low water, the information having been given by friendly natives. Low water on that day was at half-past three o'clock. I was back in Camp about half-past 2 o'clock, and Artillery, Mounted Defence Eorce, and reinforcements of Infantry were following me. I however found that every necessary arrangement had been made by Lieut.-Colonel Harrington, Ist Waikato Militia, who was in command of the Camp during my absence. I beg to bring to the notice of the Lieut.-General Commanding the readiness witli which Captain Phillimore, H.M.S. ' Esk,' Senior Naval Officer at this Station, and Commander Swan, H.M.S. ' Harrier,' responded to my request (which I sent immediately on finding the Maoris), that they would land all their available force for the protection of the Camp. 1 have since ascertained that the report of the natives coining down to attack Tc Papa was true, but that the result of the affair at Te Kanga disarranged their plans. Eor nearly an hour previous to the assault, I had seen a Maori reinforcement coming down from the woods, yelling and firing their guns, and when the advance was sounded, they were not more than 500 yards from the rifle-pits. I beg further to add that while iv command here, I have only endeavoured to carry out the instructions given me by the Lieut.-General Commanding, and if I have had any success, it is to the foresight of those instructions and to the good discipline and courage of tlie troops under my command, it is to be attributed. On "Wednesday morning last (22nd inst.), I scut a strong patrol under Major Colville, 43rd Light Infantry to bury the dead, and fill in the rifle-pits. 108 Maoris were buried in the rifle-pits which they had themselves dug the morning before. The patrol returned the same afternoon without having seen anything further of the hostile natives ; nor have any been since observed in the neighbourhood. In addition to the number buried in the rifle-pits, fifteen of the wounded prisoners have died since they were brought in. I am sending up eight wounded, and eleven unwounded prisoners, by tho ' Alexandra,' and nine are detained for further treatment in the Hospital at this station, making a total of 151 Maoris accounted for. Enclosed are lists of the arms captured from the enemy, and handed over to the Military Store Department, and returns of the killed and wounded of the Eorces under my command. I have, &c, H. H. Greeb, Colonel Commanding Tauranga District.

77

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.