was directed to return to New Plymouth, by the Devon Road; and we, agreeably to your instructions, started for Pukarangiora early on the morning of the 30th. An hour and a half smart walking, mostly skirting banks of the Waitara, brought us to a collection of indifferent Maori dwellings; about a quarter of an hour's walk from the celebrated Pa, where we stopped a short time. Whether you found the Chief you expected, or what information you obtained, I am unable to say, as I did not hear what transpired. A drizzling rain, with every appearance of a continuance of bad weather, caused you to push on to New Plymouth, instead of visiting the Pa of Pukarangiora as you originally intended. We reached town at about 2 in the afternoon, not particularly dry about the lower extremities, in consequence of having had to ford the Waiongana, which was rather more swollen than we expected to find it. Thus ended our first Expedition to the Waitara; much more pleasant it would have been, no doubt, had the weather favoured us; but we consoled ourselves with the hope of being The Maori report respecting the descent of the Taupo and Rotorua natives, had obtained general credence at New Plymouth. You therefore deemed it advisable to dispatch Private Narin to the West Coast, with instructions to proceed even as far as Wanganui, if necessary, and ascertain its truth or falsehood. He received his orders on the 1st. Nobember, and started at an early hour the next morning on his mission, by the Mountain Road. Private Campbell accompanied him one day's journey to become acquainted with the Kawia district. On the same day Private Parris was ordered by you to proceed to Waimate, by the Coast, to meet Nairn, and return with every information he could collect. Private Grey went with Parris one day's journey to acquaint himself with the locality and natives in that direction. On this day, a messenger arrived from Wanganui; but I am not aware that he brought news of any importance. A few days after the departure of Parris, a party of natives from the Southward arrived, bringing with them some hats made in a similar manner,