E.—No. 2

Colonel Gold, and brought up to our camp, William King's flagstafF. The whares were standing then in the part of the pa from which I removed it. On Saturday, the 17th March, the Lpa was attacked, and taken the following day. I marched into Town on Saturday the 24th March. The Natives from the pas at the mouth of the river, must have left it in the greatest haste, for, after the pas were burnt, remains of furniture, cooking stoves (American) and even money melted into a lump were found by the soldiers and others. It was the largest pa I ever saw ; I feel certain over 200 natives must have constantly lived there. F. B. Bulkeley. Capt. 65th Regt. Taranaki, 17th April, 1863.

Enclosure 10 in Despatch No. 1. STATEMENT of c. houltham. I am a private in the 65th Regiment, and was one of the expedition that proceeded to the Waitara, on the sth March, 1860. I remember the pas at the mouth of the river ; they were large pas, capable of holding 300 people. The first pa was burnt when we arrived near Puketakauere. I believe that there was a considerable quantity of property destroyed in the pas. I saw the remains of boxes, —also chests of tea, boots, &c. Private Copeland, of my company, picked up a lump of gold, which we suppose had been money that had been melted when the pa was burnt. I was with him at the time he found it amongst the remains of a house. The remains of an iron cooking stove were brought up to camp, and used by the officers. Elijah Houltham. Taranaki, 17th April, 1863.

Enclosure 11 in Despatch No. 1. EXTRACT FROM "TARANAKI HERALD," OF 10TH MARCH, 1860. "Monday, at 4 a.m., the troops, preceded by some of the mounted escort, started on their silent march with the heart-felt wishes of the settlers for the safety and success of the expedition. The comparatively few who had risen at so early an hour to see them off, were desired not to cheer, and little was heard at any distance but the cries of the bullock drivers. The advance guard was followed by two field pieces, and the carts and main body followed ; the whole under the command of Colonel Gold, commanding the Forces. The " Niger " having embarked His Excellency the Governor, steamed about this time for Waitara. During the day great anxiety was felt for news, and it was not until six p.m. that the mounted escort returned with the cheering intelligence that the troops had reached Waitara without obstruction. On arriving at Ikamoana, (a spot celebrated in Native feuds), the force struck off the Devon road, and crossed at the junction of the Mangoraka and Waiongona rivers. Here they rested for some time, to allow the carts to come up, and get the guns across. From this point an advanced guard of skirmishers was thrown out, covering nearly a mile of country ; The service was very harrasing, but it effectually guarded against ambuscade or surprise. When Waitara was sighted the Union Jack was flying on W. King's pa, and on arriving on the ground at 2 p.m. it was found that the " Niger " had landed everything, and was in possession, the natives having retired precipitately at the sight of the blue jackets and marines. The appearance of the Military, as the body wound its way along the road preceded by the skirmishers and followed by the guns and baggage waggons, is described as a veiy picturesque as well as imposing sight, and we doubt not, struck terror into the hearts of the Natives, who were posted on the surrounding heights."

Enclosure 12 in Despatch No. 1. In a NOTE from Mr. F. A. Carrington, (dated at New Plymouth, 20th April, 1863), to Capt. Bulkeley, he states : — "In reference to your query respecting the cultivations which the natives had beside their three pas (within the bounds of the disputed block at Waitara) when the war broke out, I regret to say that I cannot give you exact information on this point; but from the occasional visits which I made to the Waitara just before the war commenced, I am impressed with the idea that from sixty to one hundred and twenty acres were under cultivation in the block named." F. A. Caerington.

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THE WAITARA.