E.— No. 5.
No. 12. LIEUT.-GENEEAL CAMEEON, C.8., TO GOVEBNOB SIB GEOEGE GEEY, K.CB. Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt, August 9th, 1863. Sir, — In justice to the Maori Chiefs, Waata Kukutai and Wiremu Te Wheoro, I wish to bring to your Excellency's notice the valuable assistance which, since the outbreak of the insurrection in this Province, I have received from them, and from the Natives attached to them. During the last month, all supplies to the Military Post at Tuakau—of which the overland communication either with Drury or the Queen's Redoubt is attended with considerable difficulty— have been conveyed by them down the river in their canoes at a trifling charge, thereby saving the expense and inconvenience of land transport; and I have just concluded an agreement with them, through Mr. Armitage, by which I am likely to derive still further assistance from them in this important kind of service. A few days ago, when a party of the 2nd Battalion 18th Regiment lost their way in the bush, some of Te Wheoro's people at once volunteered to go in search of them. Indeed, since my Head-quarters have been stationed here, both Chiefs have manifested the most anxious desire to aid me to the utmost of their power ; and I feel convinced that eveiy reliance may be placed on their good faith and loyalty. I have, <fee, D. A. Cameron, Lieutenant-General. Governor Sir George Grey, K.CB.
No. 13. LIEUT.-GENERAL CAMERON, C.8., TO GOVEBNOB SIB GEOEGE GEEY, K.CB. Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt, August 15th, 1863. Sir,— I have the honor to inform your Excellency that the 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Austin, moved forward yesterday morning, and encamped near the mouth of the Wangamarino. The Natives are collected in considerable force on the right bank of the Waikato, near Meremere, about two miles above the Wangamarino, and occupy a commanding position, which they have strengthened by lines of rifle pits. It is reported that they have two guns in position on the banks of the Waikato. I have, &c, D. A. Cameron, Lieutenant-General. Governor Sir George Grey, K.CB.
No. 14. LIEUTENANT STEELE TO THE HONORABLE THE MINISTER FOE COLONIAL DEFENCE. Stockade, Wairoa, 11th August, 1863. Sir — I have the honor to report that I took a portion of the men stationed here into the Huuua Ranges yesterday, with the view of ascertaining whether there were any Maoris prowling about, and if there were any supplies being carried up there from the Wairoa River. The party consisted of Lieutenant, Ensign, two Sergeants, and — men of the Wairoa Rifle Volunteers, and Lieutenant Yates, and — men of the 4th Company of the Auckland Militia, who voluntered to accompany me. We started at 4*30 a.m., and reached Mr. Crichton's fa-m, at the edge of the wooded range, about sunrise. We searched the bush through a distance of about five miles, till we reached a tract of open fern land, known as " Buckland's Opening." We examined it, and found that Mr. Hill's house there had been burnt, and various articles lying about smashed and hacked. Resumed the march on the road to Drury ; after a short interval of bush, coming to another fern opening, in which we found a Maori encampment consisting of thirty-one whares, ranging from twenty to eighty feet in length, and capable, I think of containing about 1,500 persons. This encanqiment was placed in the open, where the bush road from Drury emerges from the forest. These whares I
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THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.