DESPATCHES DETAILING THE RECENT MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT. (Extracted from the Government Gazette, Aug. 17.]

HPHE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR has ■^ much pleasure in directing the publ cation of the following Despatches from Major Last 99th regt., commanding the troops Southern District, detailing the nature of the recent operations against the, rebels, by which they have been driven from all the strongholds tliey previously occupied in this portion of New Zealand, and have been compelled to retreat after losing some, and leaving in captivity sever ral, of the disaffected chiefs. He will take care to represent, in the strong terms which they merit, the gallantry which, has been evinced by Major Last, and the officers and men of the combined naval and military force which was engaged in these operations ; the privations and fatigues necessarily attendant upon the conduct of which, in so unfavourable a season of the year, were supported by all in a manner which deserves the warmest expression of the Lieutenant Governor's gratitude and approbation. The Lieutenant Governor avails himself of the same opportunity of stating his entire satisfaction at the manner in which the officers and men of the Militia of this district have ac quitted themselves. The' settlers have shown that they can use their arms well, that they are a most useful body of men in military operations in this country, and that they are ready cheerfully to encounter any dangers or difficulties. They may take an honest pride in feeling that they have fully shown that they posses-s those qualities so essential to the men who entered upon the task of colonising New Zealand. When the inhabitants of a country can thus rely upon their own efficiency and courage, no fear need be entertained for the safety of their homes and families. Nothing could have been more gratifying than the kind and friendly feeling evinced for each other by the settlers and large force of native allies when serving side by side, a feeling which clearly showed that they are mutually attached to each other, that they felt they were one people, bound together by common interests, anil were willing and able jointly to defend themselves against any enemy who should attempt to injure either race. The Lieutenant Goa ernor felt, in witnessing this most gratifying sight, that it constituted in itself a complete guarantee for the ultimate tranquillity and prosperity of this part of New Zealand. To the numerous native chiefs who so nobly came forward on this occasion, the Lieutenant Governor returns his thanks for their services. The intercourse he has had with many of them will make him take a lasting interest in their welfare — and for the future he will watch over, and eudeavour to promote, the progress of themselves and their families in prosperity and the conveniences of civilized life, not only as Governor of the Colony, but as one who is personally interested in the welfare of men who hat c established such just and strong claims upon his esteem. By command of His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor, M. Richmond, Superintendent. ' Wellington, 16th August, 1846. 9 p.m.

Forirua, 4th August, 1846. , Sir, — After frequent consultations with your Excellency since your arrival from Auckland relative to the movements of the Force under my command, particularly after the receipt of intelligence by the Government that a number of disaffected natives had left Wanganui, and were moving down the .coast with a view of forming a junction with Rangihaeata, and the, rebels at his pa of Pauhatanui, in the northern branch of the Porirua river ; and that this movement was being made with the and connivance of Te Rauparaha, and some dis-> affected chiefs of <the Ngatitoa tribe residing in the immediate neighbourhood of our position, it was determined that an-efforj; should be made to destroy this party, or to induce the friendly natives on the coas-t to, prevent their progress : also, that an attempt should be made to arrest Te Rauparaha, ,and the disaffected chiefs witjh him, in the event of obtaining further evidence against them ; and, should ithese 'movements be attended with success, it would enable ,us to make an attack upon Rangihaeata and his followers, without the apprehension of Te Rau- , paraha, or -any evil disposed Ngatitoas aiding, him ; and- then, the pa at >:Pauhatanui ucould be ' regularly invested, arid the rebels destroyed.

To effect these objects, a combined naval and military force was embarked on board Her Majesty's Steamer Driver, under my command. "We found it, however, impracticable to attack the Wanganui natives as they proceeded down the coast, as gales of wind and excessive bad weather prevented the landing of the troops : but the rebels were precluded making a further progress than Ohau, as the friendly natives opposed them. The next movement, I am happy to inform -you r Excellency, was completely successful, as, on the morning of the 23rd ultimo, I disembarked before daylight, in boats of Her Majesty's Steamer Driver, with 1 officer and 30 men of the 58th Regt., 3 officers and 70 men of the 99th Regt., 4 officers and 30 men of Her Majesty's bhip Calliope, accompanied by Captain Stanley, together with the Inspector (Capt r Durie of the Militia), and some Armed Police, surrounded the pa, and accomplished our object without any collision, from the admirable steadiness of the whole party, bringing with us T,e Rauparaha, Kanae, Hoapu, and some others, who are now prisoners on ho-ird Her Majesty's Ship Calliope, as well as disarmed the disaffected part of the tribe. Annexed is a list of the arms and ammunition taken at the time. Nothing now remained but to attnek Ran^ihaeata and the rebels in the pa at Pauhatanui ; for this object, after leaving 100 men to reinforce the camp at Parramatta Point, the Driver retui ned to Wellington, in order that the portion of the Calliope's crew which had embarked in the Driver might return on board, and that tioih ships, with the detachment of the 65th Regt., just arrived from Sydney, might return to Polirua. On the 29th ult., your Excellency received intelligence, which you did me the honor to communicate, that Rangihaeata, alarmed at the movements that were going on, had evacuated his pa, and fled; but where was uncertain: it was, ho .vever, supposed that himself and a few of his followers were remaining in the vicinity of his former position. Apprehensions being entertained that the greater number of Rangihaeata's followers might have returned to the hills in the neighbourhood of the Hutt, it was considered unsafe to detach, for any length of time, a large body of troops from Wellington, until the country between the Hutt district and Porirua harbour had been thoroughly reconnoitred. To accompjish this, a mixed force of Militia, Armed Police, and Friendly Natives, were therefore ordered to move from the Hutt in the direction of Pauhatanui, sweeping the country as they went along, and either investing or taking possession of the pa on their arrival, as opportunity offered. A simultaneous movement was directed to be made by the troops under my command, which, 1 regret to say, was defeated, from Her Majesty 5s5 s Ship Calliope being delayed from stress of weather; but on our arrival, on the Ist inst., we found the movement of the forre from the Hutt had been successful, -having found the pa evacuated, with the exception of some scouts, one of which (an influential chief) they captured, and another chief was captured in the course of the same evening by the fi iendly natives. On the 2nd inst., I proceeded to the pa at daylight, in boats supplied by Captain Stanley of Her Majesty's Ship Calliope, with Major Arney sSth, 7 officers and 160 men of the sSth,6sth, and 99thRegts.. which, on reaching, I found occupied by the Militia, Armed Police, and Native Allies. On examining the pa. I found it to be built on a very strong position, having a double row of timber palisades, with trenches and traverses across, about 80 paces long, and 35 broad, in ,the shape of a parallelogram, with flanking defences. There was, also a bank of earth thrown up en the scarp-side of the trenches, which, owing to the heavy rain, were full of water. The position altogether is a very strong one, and would have been almost impregnable without artillery; but a hill about 500 yards distant opposite the front face commanded it completely. Therefore, had the enemy .remained, we might soon have dislodgied them with our guns, which were tin^eadinessiat Porirua, in command of > Captain ■Henderson,, R. A. The pa stands on & .very high ground fronting the-harbaur ; at .the foot of it runs & deep narrow creek fordable at low water ; the ground ■ about it is excessively swampy, which the droops had; to .pass over. On the side the *pa stands ris,es laivery steep bank, which, even without opposition, 4he men had difficulty in mounting. Aind-on-,tJie>prQper.lfift of the position is .a very deep ravine, the side of which is thickly, wooded. The right .face jw .also thickly wooded, and the ground gradually slopes away into the valley. The rear was the weakest part as to its defence, the ground covered with thick scrub ; but from its locality, Ido not consider position could have been taken up by jis on that side. The defences on thie:front jfe.ee were of a stronger description than any other. On the morning of the 3rd instant, a combined movement, was made from the pa,at Pauhatanui and /jPorirua; consisting of 6 officers an@d 120 men of the 58th, .65th, and 99th Regts.,and SO Militia, followed by 150' Native'

Allies, from the former, and 4 officers, 100 men of the Royal Artillery, 58th, 65th, Regts., with 80 Native Allies, under command of Majpr 1 Arney, from the latter place, for the purpose of attacking the rehel chief, and preventing his escape from the Horokiwi valley. We proceeded ahout foyr miles into the wcods, covering our advance with the usual precautions. The enemy soon discovered our approach, and quickly rotired; but from hi* fires being still alight, i,t was evident he had fled into the hush that morning. Night coming on, and being uncertain as to the direction of the enemy, or the route they had taken, I deemed it then unadvisable to proceed further. Although our efforts have only led to the dispersion, and not to the total destruction, of the rebels, which was my anxiqus wish <to have accomplished, yet, by gaining possession of the stronghold of the enemy, we are enabled to complete the line of outposts-- at Porirua, so as effectually to prevent any return of the rebels to the district of the Hutt. 1 beg to assure your Excellency that all under my command have well earned from their superiors every credit and approbation for the zeal and cheerfulness they have exhibited under the severe trials and privations to which they have been subjected for a long time past. Your Excellency having been present with the troops on this occasion, will, 1 trust, bear testimony to the efforts and exertions made by the officers and men of both services ; but I must not omit to offer my best thanks for the ready assistance and co-operation rendered me by Captain Stanley of Her Majesty's Ship Calliope, Commander Hayes of Her Majesty's Steimer Driver, and my second in command Major Arney, commanding detachment 58th Regt. stationed in this district. I also beg to recommend Mr. M'Kellup of Her Marty's Ship Calliope to your Excellency's notice, who has rendered me great service while in the ct>mmand of the gun-boat stationed at Porirua. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troops Southern District. His Excellency Go\ernor Grey, &c. &c.

LIST of Arms and Ammunition taken from the pa of Te Rauparaba and the disaffected natives,at Taupo on the 23rd of July, 1546 :—: — Muskets, single barrel 30 Do. double do 2 Axes 23 Powder-flasks 2 Pouches 26 Small iron gun and carriage . . 1 Casks of Powder 5 - Half do 3 Empty do 1 Edward Last, Major '9-9 th Piegt., Commanding the Troops Southern District.

Forirua, \Qth August, 1846. Sir, — Soon after addressing your Excellency on the 4th bst . I received intelligence that the native allies who .were left to watch the movements of the rebels had discovered that they were retreating ; I therefore deemed it right to proceed to their support, knowing that such a movement would accord with your Excellency's wishes, and thinking- it would be the means of destroying Rangihaeata and his followers. At daylight on the morning of the sth inst., I proceeded in boats of Her Majesty's Ships Calliope and Driver up the harbour of Porirua, landed about a mile and a half distant, and pressed ) forward into the Horokiwi valley five or six miles over -a road almost impassable for troops, crossing numerous streams and deep rivulets, passing .various encampments that the enemy had recently left, evidently retreating in the greatest coniusion, leaving behind-them the .bugle taken from the troops in 'the attack which was so gallantly repulsed by the detachment of the 55th xegr. in the valley of the Hutt on -the 16th of May last, which had been retained by the .rebels as a trophy, and was. recovered by the Militia. , About hali-past two o'clock' p. m. we came up with our native allies and a party of Militia ' under the command of Captain who were lying at the foot of a precipitous hill thickly cover.cd with wood, near, the summit,of which I learned that the enemy were supposed, to be posted. The troops then commenced .hutting themselves for the night. On the following morning I gave orders for the advance, directing the native allies to proceed on to cover it. The,ls,t divj^ion, coneistin.^, qf 7 pacers pnd j 127 men of the force, made up of seamen, sol-

diers, militia, and armed police, wa? under the command of Major Arney 58th regt. The 2nd division, of 5 officers and 117 men of similar detail, was under the command of Captain Armstrong 99th regt. At about nine o'clock a. m. we ascended the hill, preceded by an officer and a party of men with tools to cut away the wood {o facilitate our getting vp — after ascending with great difficulty about a mile, we suddenly discovered that the enemy had established himself in a stockade on the spur of a hill which was not onjy excessively steep and precipitous upon each side, but so narrow in places that only a few men could piocead abreast. The £tockade that was visible appeared evidently very strong, composed of heavy logs of timber placed horizontally one over another, with loop holes to fire through. Some of , the enemy having appeared in front, a heavy fire was opened on both sides — they made repeated attempts to turn our left flank, but were driven back with great loss to their position. I regret to state that in the action our loss was severe, having two killed and nine 'vounded, as will be seen by the annexed return. I particularly lament the loss of a most promising young officer, En«=ign Blackburn 99th regt., who was acting Brigade Major, and who evinced the greatest zeal and gallantry on the occa«ion. The firing lasted till dark, when finding my position unfavourable to occupy at night, I left 2 officers and 120 men to assist pur native allies to watch the enemy, and again took up the post I h id left in the morning. The enemy admitted to have lost five killed and two wounded, among the number one chief named "Te Oro," and " Tapuke," the murderer of Richard Rush at the Hutt. On the Bth inst., having been reinforced by a captain, subaltern, and eleven of the Royal Artillery, with two small moitais under the direction of Captain Henderson of that corps, I again advanced towards the position, although I found great obstacles in using shells from the loftiness of the trees, which intercepted our view of the enemy. We, however, succeeded in throwing a number into the stockade, and so continued to hairass them throughout the day. The euemy kept up a fire upon us during the whole time. His position having been thus felt and ascertained to be defended by strong entrenchments thrown across the steep and nan ow ridge of a lofty and densely wooded hill. .The rebels being in retreat, there was every reason to believe that their intention was to pour a few destructive vollies into our men as they advanced, crowded as they must have been into so narrow a space along the steep ridge, and then to fly into the woods in the rear, thus abandoning without loss a position, which, from the want of supplies, it was impossible for them to retain for more than a few days. Tt did not appear expedient to incur so large a sacrifice of life to attain a post .useless in itself, and which must soon have been ours without any loss ; moreover the destruction of so many of her Majesty's troops without an equivalent proportion on the part of the e.nemy,, would have been regarded by the natives as a great yictory on the side of Raugihaeata— might have produced ,a bad impression on the country generally — and have destroyed the effect of our previous successes. Taking into consideration also the great want or facilities for provisioning so large a fot cc, I at la.st accepted the offers made by the friendly chiefs, to permit them, to remain on the ground and locate jthemselves in temporary pas whilst they cleared the scrub and erected round the enemy a palisade after the Maori system of \\ arfare, so as to cut off his means of obtaining either water or provisions, and thus either capture him or fcrje him to fly from his position. In addition to the before-mentioned obstacles opposed to me, the rear of my position was subjected to constant floods, I therefore deemed it right to make arrangements for withdrawing my force from the Horokiwi valley to the pa of Pauhatanui and Porirua Point, leaving the native allies to carry out. their own plans, and reserving the troops for further operations when required. Your Excellency having seen our position, and being well aware of all the difficulties and impediments, as well as hardships, to which the force under my command have been subjected, I need not dwell further in describing them. I cannot close this report without expressing my particular obligations to Major Arney, 58th regiment, my second in command, -for.the advice and .assistance he at all times .rendered me. To Captain Armstrong, 99th regim.ent, commanding the 2nddividon— Captain-Henderson, commanding .Royal Artillery— Lieut. {Elliott, 99th regiment, acting Engineer — ai\d ( to Ensign Servantes, 9j6th regiment, interpreter to the forces, my best thanks are .due. I- must thank Captain Stanley of ,11.- M. S. ,for his assistance in forwarding the operations : I also received the best aid iyom the officers and seamen of H.M.S. Cafliffge and Driver; Lieutenants Thorpe and .Connolly, and all .under their command deser.ve „the highest praise. - * The wqundqA received the bestattentipn from Dr. Gajb r.ajftti, .and j,,the -ot&er r mediqal s officer* under his direction.

I have every reason to be satisfied with the exertions of the Commissariat Department ; and I must not omit to mention the meritorious conduct of Captain M'Donogh, and the militia under his command, as well as that of all the officers, non-commissioned officers, seamen, soldiers, and police force, employed on this occasion. It further affords me pleasure and satisfaction to speak of the great service the native allies from Port Nicholson rendered me, as well as the friendly portion of the Ngatitoa tribe who joined us, and beg to thank the chiefs of the several parties for the zeal and exertion of themselves and followers. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edwakd Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troops Southern Division. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c, &c. '

Return of killed and wounded of the force under Major Last, 99th regiment, commanding the troops in the Southern District, while engaged in action with the rebels in the Horokiwi valley on the 6th August, 1846. Killed. Ensign H. M. Blackburn, 99th regiment. Private Thomas Tuite, do. Wounded. Seamen. W. Roberts, Captain of the mizen-top, H.M.S. Calliope, mortally, and since dead. 58th Regiment. Private John Corr, slightly. 65th Regimknt. Private Robert Miller, severely. 99th Regiment. Private Patrick Darcey, severely. — Thomas Woodfield, do. — Francis O'Reilly. do. . — James Henchcliff, do. — Joseph Booth, do. Militia. Private George Farmer, severely. Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troops Southern District.

Porirua, 2 p.m., 13th August, 1846. Sir, — I have the honor to forward the enclosed, this instant received from Mr. Servantes our interpreter, at Puaha's camp, for your Excellency's information, by which you will learn that the rebels left their position this morning, and that our native ally Puaha, after sending back his women, will pursue them to-morrow. I have sent information to Waikanae of the event, and hope our allies there will assist in cutting them off, should they attempt to pass that way. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troops Southern District. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c, &c.

Pudha's Camp, \Zth August, 1846. Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that some of the rebel natives began to fire upon our camp this morning. Puaha immediately rushed out to meet them with his followers, and finding them retire, proceeded up to the pa, which they entered as the others went out by the rear ; the Ngatiawa natives followed immediately afterwards. It appears that they had sent the women to the rear sometime ago, together with their baggage ; the men, it is the general opinion of the natives, only retired a short time before we entered. They had no stock of provisions, as they had been eating the mamaku (which is a species of tree fern). The place from whence they fired upon us the other day was only an entrenchment. The pa was about 100 yards in the rear, but had no regular stocks ade round it, simply a rail in some places, and in others nothing at all. Puaha sends back' ids

•women to-day, and intends to follow them up to-morrow morning. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, W. F. G. Sekvantks. Major Last, 99th Regt., Commanding Troops, Porirua.

Wellington, 16th August, 1846. Sir, — I have the honor to state that since addressing your Excellency on the 13th inst.. reporting the continuing retreat of the rebels, I have received intelligence that our native allies are making every preparation for a vigorous pursuit, and should they succeed in driving the enemy out into the open country upon the coast, I beg to assure your Excellency that in conjunction with the naval officer, I will not fail to assist in the pursuit, and use every exertion in my power to cut them off. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edwaud Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troops Southern District. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c. &c.

Wellington, 16tk August, 1846. 8 p.m. Sik, — I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I have this moment received intelligence that the Inspector of Police (Capt. Durie of the Militia), acting upon my letters informing him that the rebels had left their position in the Horokiwi valley, made the requisite communication to the chiefs at Waikanae, who had previously occupied the position pointed out to them at the Pari Pari, and that our native ally, "Wiremu Kingi, and his party were immediately on the alert, and were successful in capturing eight prisoners belonging to the band under Rangihaeata, who had come down from the hills for the purpose of obtaining food, and had sent to the police station for an escort to conduct them to Waikanae : a good deal of firing was heard in the direction of the Pari Pari, and on the hills above it, and Wiremu Kingi sent word that he would make an attack on the enemy tq-morrow. On the other side is a list of the prisoners taken : — Ko Mateu Tikiahi, Ko Te Kumete, Ko Hohepa Te Umuroa, Ko Te Weretiti, Ko Te Rahui, Ko Te Korohunga, Ko Topi, Ko Mataiumu. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, Edward Last, Major 99th Regt., Commanding the Troops Southern District. His Excellency Governor Grey, &c, > f &.c.

South Australia. — A Port Lincoln native named Pigulta has been committed for trial by the Government resident for spearing his wife, who is much older than himself, and who read him a curtain lecture on finding that he was about to take a second more suited to bis years and taste. He has borne a very good character among the settlers, and on the present occasion did not inflict the usual mortal wound, but a slight one in the leg, by way of kind marital correction.