E.—No. 5.

dashing in force across the road, opened fire on the left flank, thus exposing my rear guard, consisting of prisoners and escort, to a severe fire from the bush from each flank and right rear. I immediately retired with as many men as I could concentrate, and firing kept the enemy from surrounding my very small party, though in skirmishing order. During the contest the fire of the enemy was well returned, and I personally saw five or six Natives fall; they came out on the open but a charge quickly drove them into the bush, finally their attempting to surround my party obliged me to retire to Mr. Martyn's house, which I occupied until reinforced. I beg to annex the following list of killed and wounded :—■ Killed, 4.—Privates Alexander Jameison, Felix McGrath, James Scott, and James Limerick. Wounded, 10.—Sergeant Lawson; Corporals Glim and Kee ; Lance Corporal Kavanagh ; Privates J. Keane, J. Gibbons, H. Hurst, H. Ryan, Alexander McCagne, J. Connors. Missing—Private J. Byrnes, supposed to have returned to the Queen's Redoubt, this man was a prisoner and unarmed at the time. I have, <fee, James Ring, Capt. Royal Irish. P.S.—I beg to state that the conduct of my subaltern, Ensign Bicknill, and the men, was admirable, and particularly that of Ensign Bicknill. James Ring, The Officer Commanding Royal Irish. Captain, &c. * Two Officers, two Sergeants, anil forty-seven rank and file.

Enclosure 2 to No. 5. COLONEL MURRAY TO THE ASSISTANT MILITARY SECRETARY. Camp, Drury, 16th July, 1863. Sib,— I have the honor to report for the information of the Lieut.-General Commanding that in obedience to his orders, I moved off this morning at 3.30 a.in., wdth a force as per margin,* and proceeded to Kerikeri for the purpose of arresting as many of the natives of that village as I could find. The mounted force having proceeded to the front, I telegraphed to His Excellency the Governor, requesting the services of the Volunteer Cavalry under Colonel Nixon, arranging that they should meet me at Papakura at 4 p.m., which they did. On arriving at the place, just as day broke, I ascertained that the Natives had retired up the hill about half a mile off, where they had a settlement in the bush. I accordingly divided my force into two bodies ; the 65th Regiment, under the command of Captain Gresson, proceeded up the right by a track leading to the summit of the lull, where the Natives were supposed to be most numerous. At the same time I directed Colonel Nixon, commanding Volunteer Cavalry, to send a part of his force with them, and which he led himself. The second party, under command of Captain Noblett, 2nd Battalion 18th Regiment, proceeded along the Wairoa road (which leads to the left from Kerikeri, and crosses the line through the bush) with instructions to take up a post to cut off the retreat by that road, reserving, at the same time the remainder of Colonel Nixon's force at the foot of the hill, to act as circumstances might require. So quietly and expeditiously were these movements made, that on Captain Gresson's party reaching the spot to which it was directed, it came at once upon the Chief Isaac and his party, situated at the edge of the bush, all of whom were made prisoners before any resistance could be offered, amounting in all to thirteen men, seven women, and three children. A number of arms, accoutrements, and ammunition (as per list enclosed) also fell into our possession, the whole of which, together with the prisoners, are at present in the Camp at Drury, awaiting instructions from His Excellency the Governor as to their final disposal. The main body of the Natives were encamped iv the bush, of which I was not made aware in time to push on the 18th far enough ; they, however, succeeded in securing some arms and ammunition, with a rebel flag. I beg respectfully to bring to the Lieutenant General's notice the veiy orderly conduct of the troops engaged. Officers and men bore with cheerfulness the fatigues of the long and harrassiug inarch, under heavy rain, through roads knee-deep in mud. To Lieutenant Rait, R.A., I am indebted for able assistance, that officer having volunteered to accompany me with four of his men, and whose services of conveying orders were of great use to me. I trust that the result of the movement, such as it has been, will meet the Lieutenant-General's approval. I cannot speak too highly of the promptness with which Colonel Nixon's force turned out, having only received orders at a very late hour of the night to join me at Papakura, at 4 o'clock in the morning, as well as their orderly aud efficient appearance under arms, which I think it due to Colonel Nixon to bring to the particular notice of the Lieut.-General. I have, &c, G. F. Murray, Colonel Commanding Troops, Drury. The Assistant Military Secretary, * Royal Artillery—l Subaltern, 4 Troopers ; 2nd Bat. ISth Regt.—l Captain, 6 Subalterns, 150 rank and file, with a due proportion of noncommissioned officers; 65th Regiment—l Field Officer, 2 Captains, 4 Subalterns, 130 rank and file, with a due proportion of noncommissioned officers.

9

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.