E._ No. 5
MAJOB W. C LYON TO THE MILITARY SECRETARY, COLONIAL FORCES. Galloway Redoubt, Wairoa, 17th September, 1863. Sir, — I have the honor to report for the information of the Major-General Commanding Colonial Forces, that firing was heard in the bush on the other side of the river, at different intervals in the course of the day. About 4 p.m. a settler came to the Redoubt stating that two men were exchanging shots with some Natives in the act of pillaging a house. Lieutenant Steele, Wairoa Rifles, started immediately with 20 men, and I followed with 30 ; on arriving at the place two bundles were found. I followed the track, passed through a chain and a half of bush, and came out on rising ground; I could see the Maoris in a line, with loads on their backs. The men under my command were in skirmishing order, and fired into them. I then gave chase ; many of them dropped their loads, making for Otau. Two Maoris were killed. I did not deem it advisable to advance further ; from the number of shots proceeding from the bush and bank of the river, the Natives must have been in strong force ; it was also getting dark. On our return I was met by Lieutenant Russell, 18th Royal Irish, with a party of 16 men, coming to our assistance, and Captain Clark, Auckland Rifle Volunteers, thinking we might require support. This morning I started at 4 o'clock, with 50 men from the Redoubt and 20 from the Wairoa Rifles, under the command of Mr. Johnson. We took the same direction, and arrived within three hundred yards of the Maori whares at daybreak. The river was so swollen with the late rains it was impossible to cross it. The Maoris were plainly visible, and many rounds were fired at them ; they returned the fire, but without any effect, the men being well under cover. I sounded the " cease firing," and proceeded to bury the body of one of the Maoris killed yesterday ; he had been shot through the heart ; the other we could not find. It appears that the firing heard in the bush was for the purpose of diverting our attention whilst the Natives were ransacking the houses. The men of the different detachments behaved, on both occasions, with great coolness. I have, &c, Wm. C. Lyon, Major Commanding, Major de Quincey, Military Secretary, Galloway Redoubt, Wairoa. Colonial Forces.
No. 29. LIEUTENANT-GENEBAL CAMEEON, C.8., TO GOVEBNOB SIB GEOEGE GEEY, K.C.B. Head-Quarters, Queen's Redoubt, 19th September, 1863. Sir,— I have the honor to forward the accompanying Reports from Major Lyon, commanding the Galloway Redoubt, received subsequently to those transmitted to your Excellency with my letter of yesterday. I have, <fee, D. A. Cameron, Lieut -General. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.
Enclosures to No. 29. MAJOE LYON TO THE MILITAEY SECBETABY. Galloway Redoubt, Wairoa, 17th September, 1863. Sir, — I have the honor to report, for the information of the Lieut-General Commanding, that I sent Lieut. Russell, 2nd Battalion 18th Royal Irish, with twenty men, to the spot I had occupied in the morning, with instructions to fire upon the whares at Otau. I proceeded myself, with seventyfive men of the different detachments, to come upon the enemy in the rear, crossing the bridge just opposite the Redoubt, and passing through portions of the bush, I arrived at the settlement. It was
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