Wellington, June 24th. 1869. Sir, In reply to your enquiry about the first attack upon Ngatapa and Makaretu. I have the honor to inform you that the final action at Makaretu was fought principally by Ngatipru and Wairoa natives, after the Ngatiparau had carries the two first positions of the Hau Haus the Ngatikahungunu came up on the flank firing. Then the Hau Haus were driven across the Wharekpae and Ngatiparau and Wairoa natives could not follow up the enemy through the scrub beyond on account of the heavy fire of the Ngatikahungunui, no advance was made it being night. The next day Ngatiporou went up the hill towards what was afterwards Ft. Richmond and saw the enemy in its position at Ngatapa. Tareha and the Ngatikahanganunui now came up from the rear, I now pressed Hotene to attack Ngatapa but he and Ropata refused saying that Tareha had saved a prisoner and that it was an ill omen. Tareha was eager to go, all then returned to Makaretu, I then addressed Ngatiparau who agreed at last to attack Ngatapa next day. I then spoke to Tareha who then said he meant to go back to Turanga. He left at once taking with him some of the Wairoa natives and his own tribe, I followed and brought back the Wairoa natives. Ropata next day attacked Ngatapa which was only rifle pitted he took the outer rifle pit and staid there all night. The natives state that there were nine of the enemy knocked over. Only about 60 Ngatiparau took part in this action as a panic took place before we got up to the Ngatapa. The dead in these engagements that I saw were 21 in one place and 7 in another. I know that Ropata repeated the enemy had gone to the bush. In reference to the Puketapu expedition after going with 750 Natives to Puketapu being aware that Col. Lambert wished them to go to Ngatapa 2 days march distant, Mr. Deighton and myself tried to get the Natives to go Henare Taromoana, Ihaka Whanga and Hapimaua were desirous of going but Tareha and Hamana refused obstinately to go they said they would rather go by the coast and made an excuse of not knowing the road which was nonsense as we had seen tracks leading towards Ngatapa. We returned to Wairoa without firing a shot.