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been killed or mortally wounded) .and also to withdraw his party with great regularity in the face of a very large number of rebel Natives, who, on seeing their people engaged, flocked, to the number of two or three hundred, to the scene of action, from their several positions on the Tataraimaka ranges. I have much satisfaction in stating that no casualties occurred on our side. I have, <_~ H. J. Warre, Colonel, Commanding Troops at Taranaki. The Assistant Military Secretary, Head Quarters.

CAPTAIN EUSSELL TO COLONEL WABBE, C.B. Cam]), Poutoko, 15th September, 1863. Sir, — I have the honor to report, for your information, that, in compliance with instructions received from you, I started at 3 a.m., this day, with a party, strength as per margin, to plant an ambuscade in the vicinity of the Wairau stream. I left two Sergeants and twenty-four rank and file to occupy the Oakura Redoubt, and cover the crossing of the river, and then advanced _th the remainder of my party over the stream to a spot, some five hundred yards up the Wairau road, where a light bush, composed of Toe-toe and Koromiko afforded excellent cover. I divided my men into three sections, and posted them, each in charge of an officer, on the left hand side of the road at a few yards distance from one another; after waiting upwards of two hours, Natives were heard coming down the road, and their advanced guard, consisting of eight men, approached to within three yards of the ambuscade to the left, which was in charge of Lieutenant Manners, 57th Regiment; they then, unfortunately, detected a foot-print carelessly left by one of my party, and calling out to alarm their main body, attempted to escape : on this the men immediately fired, and three Natives fell, one apparently a Chief of some note, as he carried a veiy handsome " Taiaha," which we took possession of; the other two Natives, who were evidently mortally wounded, staggered into the bush ; three other Natives were also hit, but, as they ran afterwards, I am unable to say if they were severely wounded or not. I was immediately engaged with the main body of the Natives, about thirty, who took cover in the neighbouring fern and bush, and we drove them back to a swamp. A very large number of Natives being seen coming down from Ahuahu, and hearing the Maories also advancing from Kitaki, I got my men together, and marched them on the open ground. Whilst crossing the Oakura river, I found the Natives making an attempt to occupy the high ground, on which the Redoubt is built, and thus cut off my party, but they desisted on finding themselves opened upon by the reserve, who then showed themselves, and by some of the men who had already crossed, and they therefore contented themselves with attempting to annoy the remainder of the party in crossing, but were soon driven further back. I cannot say wdiat loss the Natives sustained in this second skirmish, but two of them were seen to be shot, and one of them fell over the cliff: on the whole of my party occupying the high ground, they were soon forced to retire out of sight. As there was no hope of their showing themselves as long as I held the Redoubt, I returned to Camp. Being aware how difficult it is to correctly estimate the enemy's loss in affairs of this description, I have only detailed such of their casualties as fell under my personal observation, or that of the other Officers who were with me, and, therefore, believe that you will find them much heavier than has been reported. I beg to be allowed to bring to your favourable notice the veiy steady conduct of every Noncommissioned Officer and man engaged, and also the names of the Officers who were with me on this duty, viz. :—Lieutenant Manners and Ensign Powys, 57th Regiment, and Staff Assistant Surgeon Tomlinson; my thanks are also due to Mr. W. Carrington, of the Native Department, wdio is stationed at this outpost, for the valuable advice he gave regarding the planting of this ambuscade. The Chief from whom the "Taiaha'' was taken is killed. I have, <_~ H. R. Russell, Captain, 57th Regiment. Colonel H. J. Warre, C.8., Commanding Province Taranaki, N.Z.

No. 31. LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL CAMEEON, C.8., TO GOVEBNOB SIE GEOEGE GBEY, K.C.B. Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt, 30th September, 1863. Si- — I have much pleasure in forwarding, for Your Excellency's information, the accompanying

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