A.—No. 12.

26

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

were not disposed to engage the enemy in that manner ; but raising the cry of their tribe, they and the Ngatihau led by Kemp, rushed forward to close. The Hauhaus would not face them, though their numbers were about equal. On the contrary, they turned and fled, pursued at some disadvantage by our Natives, who did not know the ground. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's division showed the greatest eagerness to engage, and hurried forward also, but I regret to say the enemy escaped into the dense forest, which is only a few chains distant, and, dispersing in every direction, could not be punished for his audacity. I am sorry that yesterday's misfortune compels me to precipitate my advance, for it is evident that the greatest familiarity with the bush and speed of foot alone can effectually punish these advanced parties. But after I meet the Ngatihau to-morrow, I shall be able to judge what Native force I can rely upon ; and Mr Gundry's return cannot be long delayed, when I shall, at all events, have him again with his division, which I regard as a great advantage. I abandon any hope of the Ngatiporou being in time for the present operations, and shall not wait or delay at all for them. I am quite convinced that the enemy is really quite over-estimated in point of good shooting and courage; but I fear he does not himself place much confidence in these things, and means to try to confine himself to ambuscades and defensive fighting in ground he thoroughly knows. It is a very delicate matter to prevent the men from going about without proper precaution, and yet to maintain a sufficiently high opinion of themselves, or low one of the enemy, to attack at once whenever fired upon in fair ground. Nevertheless, I am better satisfied after narrowly noticing the men yesterday and to-day, and, I think, notwithstanding yesterday's ambuscade, they will not lose any opportunity of closing that can be obtained for them. I should allude to a rumour which has been brought to me that Titokowaru has written for reinforcements everywhere, and that he designs, if compelled to retreat, to retire upon Wftitara. I have, &c, The Hon. Colonel Haultain, "Wellington. G. S. "Whitsiobe, Colonel.'

Enclosure in No. 21. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnehi to Colonel Whitmoee. Sib,— Camp, Karaka Flat, 19th February, 1869. I regret to have to report for your information that a party consisting of one sergeant and nine men went out on a foraging expedition yesterday. They crossed the river in a small canoe, a few hundred yards from the foot of the hill whore wo are encamped, aud leaving two of their number iv charge of the canoe, went up the bank, and made for a small peach grove a short distance off and near the bush. They had just commenced plucking peaches when a heavy volley was fired into them from two sides. Two of the men made off to their right, and succeeded in reaching some scrub, the others made straight back for the canoe, hotly pursued by the Hauhaus who were iv force. Apparently, they succeeded in reaching the bank of the river, and were getting into the canoe, when the Hauhaus came on the top of the bank and fired into them, and then closed with their tomahawks. I had just returned from the party who were working at the hill, and was in my tent when I heard the first volley. I collected some men iv a moment, and leaving others to follow, ran down to where the men had crossed, and opened a heavy fire on the Hauhaus, who returned it sharply for a few minutes and then retired. One of the men who escaped met us ou the bank of the river, and was slightly wounded; he had swam across. Another man was found on this side shot through the head (dead). The cauoe we recovered, and crossed with some twenty-five men. and went to the peach grove, aud could see no sign of any of the missing, or any trace, of blood. From the tracks iv and out of the bush, I placed the ambuscade down to from seventy to one hundred Natives. Sergeant Menzies (late 57th Regiment) was found in the river frightfully mutilated, his head split open, and his left leg cut off and taken away. You will perceive, by the enclosed return, that besides two men killed there are five missing, but I think these were either shot or drowned in the river. I will search for them to-day. The foraging party who were out had their rifles with them, and their expense pouches ; their large pouches were left in camp (with the exception of that of Lance-Corporal George Horspool, which he had with him). There are eight rifles missing, but I think most will be found as having been dropped in the river. The manner in which the division turned out does great credit; not a moment was lost in going to the rescue, and I feel convinced that the lives of at least two of their comrades were saved by their exertions. Sub-Inspectors Pitt and Gascoigne, on hearing the firing, made at once for the spot with a number of their men to render any assistance they could, and I beg to thank them for their exertions. I have. &c, Colonel "VVhitmore, Head-Quarters, Tiros. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Nukumaru. and Inspector Commanding No. 2 Division.