TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

23

A.—No. 1.

1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, 1 bugler, and 35 rank and file.

Lieut.-Colonel Hamlet to the Assistant Adjutant-Geneeal. Sie,— New Plymouth, 19th November, 1866. Adverting to your letter, dated No. 25, off New Plymouth, 13th November, 1866, No. 1203-66, I have the honor to state, for the information of the Major-General Commanding, in reply to the questions therein contained —first, that during the time that I was in command at Warea, from 24th March to the end of June, 1866, on the appearance of the enemy in the vicinity of the redoubts, and on several occasions when wood parties were fired on, in one instance when the outlying sentry was fired at, and once when the rebels fired in the direction of the redoubt, a force was always not only prepared, but did move out and attack them. The rebels invariably after delivering a volley retired, and before the troops had crossed the Warea Eiver, had retreated so rapidly towards the bush inland (and to which point they were always pursued), that beyond getting a few long-range shots at them, it was impossible to overtake them. They not unfrequently had horses picketed, out of sight and at a safe distance, to avoid a chance of their being captured, but which greatly facilitated their rapid retreat. On taking over the command of the district, the same system was continued by Captain Clarke who succeeded me in the command of the Warea post. Ambuscades were frequently laid, and the country constantly patrolled : potato plantations were sacked, and the enemy harassed in every possible way. I enclose a copy of a letter from Captain Clarke, which I did not deem it necessary to do at the time, as no collision had taken place. At Stoney Eiver the enemy has never appeared since the 50th has been located in this district. A friendly tribe is living between this post and Warea, and inland of the redoubt is a blockhouse occupied by Military Settlers. The Officer commanding has the same instructions, and should rebels show themselves in his vicinity is prepared to carry out the orders of the Major-General. With reference to the second question, I have never been called on to afford assistance to the civil power or Colonial Troops in acting against the rebels; but should such occur, E should consider it my duty to do so, always presuming that where Imperial and Colonial Troops were co-operating, the combined force should be under the command of an Imperial officer. I have, &c, F. Hamlet, Lieut.-Colonel 50th Eegt., The Assistant Adjutant-General, Head Quarters, Auckland. Commanding Taranaki District.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure. Sie,— Camp Warea, 23rd October, 1866. I have the honor to report that last night a large fire and the waving of torches being reported by the sentries, apparently about three miles inland of the redoubt, I determined if possible to find out the cause. Accordingly, a party as per margin paraded about ten o'clock p.m., and proceeded under my command about five miles inland, through high fern and bush, in the direction of the fire, which turned out to be much further away than was at first supposed. When we had advanced thus far, the fire was either extinguished or allowed to die out; and as it was raining heavily, and there was no trace of the rebels to be discovered in the darkness that prevailed in the heavy bush, I ordered the reconnaissance to cease, and we got back to camp between three and four o'clock a.m. this morning. I have, &c, M. A. Claeke, Capt. 50th Eegt., Commanding Troops at Warea. The Officer Commanding Taranaki District, New Plymouth.

Colonel Hamilton to the Assistant Adjutant- Geneeal. Sie, — Tauranga, Ist November, 1866. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Ist November, 1866, No. 1164-60, and in reply thereto beg to state, for the Major-General's information, that whenever the enemy may appear in the vicinity of the posts under my command, I am not only invariably prepared, but most anxious to avail myself of any opportunity of attacking and harassing them in every possible manner. I also beg to represent that I have never at any time refused or hesitated to afford assistance to the civil power or Colonial Troops, in acting against the rebels, since the commencement of operations against them. I have, &c, J. Meade Hamilton, Col. and Lieut.-Col. 1-12 Eegt., Commanding Tauranga District. The Assistant Adjutant-General, Head Quarters, Auckland.

No. 24. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 9th February, 1867. I have much pleasure in transmitting you a copy of a Warrant, issued under the Royal Sign Manual, under which the decoration of the Victoria Cross,