E.—No. 8.

R. Paeeis, Esq., to the Hon. the Natiye Ministee. Sib,— New Plymouth, 18th May, 1865. Adverting to my report of the 11th instant, I have now the honor to transmit for the information of His Excellency's Government, the following report in detail relative to the different expeditions to establish military posts at Pukearuhe, near the White Cliffs, and at Opunaki, near Te Namu, in the Taranaki District. 1. On the 18th ultimo, with the advice of the Hon. the Defence Minister, I sent three Waihi Natives inland to the Kirikiringa District, with a view of ascertaining whether Hapurona and his people really desired to withdraw from the rebels, sending them at the same time a copy of the address of the Ngatikahungunu Chiefs to His Excellency the Governor, deprecating the murder of Mr. Volkner. The messengers returned on the 21st to Waihi, and the following day the Chief Piriki came to town to inform me of the result of their mission. Hapurona refused to leave the district, and stated that he was remaining quiet, and not joining in any hostile proceedings against the Government; and that he entirely disapproved of the proceedings of William King and his followers. Hapurona also informed them, that on the occasion of our Native allies going to Kaipikari, on the 21st of March last, there were some Ngatimaniapotos there, with the Chiefs Kaharoa, Wetere Ia Kerei, and Ngatawa Ia Kerci. That soon after the attack on Kaipakari, -these Chiefs left for the north, with a promise to bring down reinforcements for William King from Waikato. (This information was also confirmed by the Natives who came away from William King's followers, and joined our allies during our overland march from Pukearuhe to Waitara.) Upon this report Colonel Warre, C.8., and the Defence Minister determined to take possession of Pukearuhe, the occupation of which place completely intercepts the passage from Mokau to this district. 2. On Sunday, the 23rd ultimo, a detachment of the 70th Eegiment and a company of Bushrangers embarked on board the s.s. " Phoebe," under the command of Colonel Mulock. I also accompanied them, taking with me two Natives. We left New Plymouth roadstead about three o'clock, Monday morning, and arrived off the White Cliffs (Pukearuhe) at daybreak. As I was standing on the deck with the captain of the steamer, pointing out to him the landing-place, Lieutenant Feneran (Adjutant of the 70th Eegiment) came up to me and said, " Tou are to go ashore with the two Natives in the first boat; those are the orders." In reply I said to him, " Under those circumstances, I hold myself to be under no one's orders, and shall go ashore when I think proper." Soon after Colonel Mulock came up from the cabin, and apologised to me, and stated that he had not instructed Lieutenant Feneran to order me to go ashore. The coxswain of the surf-boat was now ordered to get his crew and pull inshore, and look about. On receiving the order the coxswain asked me to accompany them. I had previously assured them that the landing-place was good, and perfectly safe in such weather as then prevailed; and knowing that any delay in landing would only increase the chance of opposition had there been any rebels near the place, which was not far from some of William King's followers, I therefore determined to go ashore at all risk; the boat was hauled up to the gangway, and I got into it, faking with me the two Natiyes. After I was in the boat, I asked for some volunteers from the Bushrangers to go ashore with me, when Lieutenant Free, Sergeant Jupp, and ten privates came into the boat. We soon got ashore, and took up a position on the Cliffs (which are rather high), covering the landing. The surf-boat would have taken thirty, and why she was not filled I cannot understand ; neither should I have made these remarks a part of my report, but for the fact of having been ordered to go ashore myself with only two Natives, to land at a place in every wayadapted for ambuscades, from which it would have been impossible to have escaped, as the boat was returning to the steamer, which was lying from two to three miles off shore. I should be sorry to refuse to obey any reasonable order from a commanding officer, but I feel persuaded that it is not the wish of the Government that its officers (in my capacity) should be subject to such treatment. 3. After landing about sixty men of the 70th Eegiment under Captain Ealston, and thirty-six Bushrangers under Captain Jonas, together with some tents, two bags of biscuits, and some salt pork, it became low water, and the landing was not so good, there being a sandbank about half a mile out, upon which the surf breaks at low tide, and which I have no doubt was termed a heavy sea rising, for, to our astonishment ashore, about one or two o'clock the steamer was off, having left us without a single spade or axe, and only what ammunition the men had with them in their pouches, whereas had they waited for flood tide everything might have been landed as well as in the morning. Previous to leaving New Plymouth, I arranged for about sixty of our Natives to go overland, and in the evening after the steamer had left about fifteen of them on horseback arrived, and reported that the remainder were on their way ; but in consequence of being without supplies, I sent back to them to remain at Mimi, where they could get some food from Native cultivations.

REPORT BELATIYE TO EXPEDITIONS TO ESTABLISH MILITARY POSTS AT PUKEARUHE.