of a letter from David Scott, Wellington, details of Native War at the South, received by E Waka, 10th. October 1846. To:- Mr. McLean. Protector of Aboriginies Taranaki. Camp Pouawha, near Porirua. 12th. August 1846. Mr. McLean. Sub-Protector of Aboriginies Taranaki. Sir, Our mutual friend, as I presume I may call him, Te Waka, has requested me to send you a few particulars of our present Expedition for the purpose of capturing the Notorious Chief, Rangihaeata, and his gang of murderers; in which I am engaged as Interpreter to the Wellington Friendly Natives. You may probably have heard that the great Chief, Te Rauparaha, has always professed himself and party, friendly with Government, until lately, when the Governor received intelligence of a large body of Wanganui Natives being on their way to join the rebel Chief; when he immediately proceeded to Waikanae to prevent their coming on there. A Native messenger was seized, and a letter found concealed on his person, purporting to be an invitation from Te Rauparaha to the Wanganui and Taupo natives to join Rangihaeata's party against the Europeans; upon which proof of double-dealing, the Governor returned in the steamer the same night, and by a well arranged plan, to the Rauparahau, and five other Chiefs of the Ngatitoa tribe, prisoners on board the ''Calliope'' man-o-War, where they now remain. The Governor then decided on attacking Rangihaeata and his Pa in this district, with all the force he could command. On the 31st. of last month, 50 Militia men and 160 Friendly Natives marched from the River Hutt to Porirua, by an inland native path, to meet the troops on the following day; which they accomplished in time, but the Troops did not arrive until the following Monday, the 2nd. inst. Our party, in marching this road, were preceeded by 6 native scouts, who, on approaching Rangihaeata's Pa, captured one of the principal Wanganui Chiefs, called Matengi Te Wariaita; after a very desperate resistance in which one of our natives was severely wounded. From this we were led to expect a desperate resistance at the Pa, but on approaching it, to our great surprise, it was entirely deserted, and the whole party taken to the hills. We took another Wanganui Chief, called Rangiatea, a brother of the former prisoner, who was sent on board the ''Calliope'' the same evening. On Monday the 4th. instant, Major Capt.-Commanding, joined our party, with 200 Troops, and 150 of the Ngatitoa Tribe, who volunteered the party, and guide them to another Pa among the hills, where the rebels had made another stand. The whole party moved up the Horokiwi valley, leading out of the Porirua Harbour, led by the Ngatitoas and Ngatiawas, until we arrived at one of their temporary camps, with every appearance of the rebels having only left it a few hours previous to our arrival; where we camped for the night. We were obliged to halt for a day to procure provisions, which became more difficult as we proceeded. Next day we proceeded, followed by the troops, and found out the situation of the rebels' Pa, a strong fortification, situate on the cap of a high hill, nearly opposite Te Pari Pari on the coast, 10 miles on this side of Waikanae, very difficult to approach, and commanding the ascent on all sides. The Troops and natives camped for the night in the valley, and moved towards the Pa early in the morning; the Friendly natives leading, and clearing the way until within musket shot of the Pa, when they opened a very heavy fire upon our party during the day. We lost Lieut. Blackburn, one sailor of the ''Calliope'', one soldier of the 99th. shot dead, and 5 wounded. Their loss was equally severe; during the day 5 shot dead, and two wounded, amongst which were the Wanganui Chief, Te Oro, and a Mokau Chief, Te Tapuke, the murderer of Richard Rush, of the Hutt district. The Natives and Troops maintained their position during the night and next day, and fired several shell shot into the Pa; but which seemed to have little effect, from their smallness, and the difficulty of taking a proper aim, from the denseness of wood surrounding the Pa. The Troops are now withdrawn to the Harbour, for further supplies of provisions and Cannon. The Friendly Natives have made two Pa's within musket shot of the rebels, and are charged with the duty of keeping the position first gained, and preventing their escape until preparations are made for a vigorous attack; which we are daily expecting to be completed. The Waikanae Natives are also expected to join our party, when we shall be sufficiently strong to surround him on all sides, and he must fall into our hands soon. I am, Sir. Yours with respect. (Signed) David Scott. P.S. You will excues my sending this open, as I have no means of sealing it here in the bush.