E.-No. 3 .

Small detached parties of the enemy, who were posted about a mile in front of Haeirini, having been driven back by the skirmishers, which were composed of companies of the 50th and 70th Eegiments, I brought up the two 6-pounder Armstrong guns, under the command of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Barstow, to a commanding height about 500 yards from the position. After several rounds had been fired from these guns with good effect, I ordered Colonel Weare, with the 50th Eegiment, to carry tho position at the point of the bayonet, having the Gsth in support and the 70th in reserve, while the cavalry were formed up on the right, behind the brow of the hill, ready to pursue the enemy. The 50th were exposed to a very heavy fire in advancing towards the position, which they carried with great gallantry, and I beg to enclose a copy of Colonel Weare's report describing the attack. The natives fell hurriedly back before the leading files of the 50th could reach them with the bayonet, and retired through a swamp in the direction of the Mangatautari road. The cavalry had an opportunity of charging them as they retreated, and did some execution. They made no further stand, but fled precipitately towards Mangatautari, leaving almost everything but their arms behind them. I enclose returns of our casualties on this occasion and on the day previous. I estimate the number of natives who defended the position at Haeirini at 400. Their loss I have not been able to ascertain, but they must have had at least 30 killed. Leaving the 50th Eegiment and two guvs under Colonel Weare, near the Catholic Church at Eangiaohia, I withdrew the remainder of the troops to Te Awamutu, where Colonel Waddy arrived with nis force at 11 o'clock that night, having before he left Te Eore, taken possession of the Paterangi pa, which, as well as the one at Pikopiko, was deserted by the enemy in the morning. I cannot praise too highly the admirable conduct of all the troops, regular and colonial, during tho fatiguing night march of the 20th, and the operations of the two following days, but particularly of the Mounted Eoyal Artillery under Lieutenant En if, of the Colonial Defence Force under LieutenantColonel Nixon, and afterwards under Captain Wahnsley, and of the 50th Eegiment, under Colonel Weare. I deeply regret that the severe wound received by Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon has deprived mc, though I trust only for a short time, of his valuable services. The high state of discipline and efficiency of the Colonial Defence Force, and the eagerness which they invariably manifest to come in contact with the enemy, are chiefly due to the example and exertions of that able and zealous officer. I beg to bring under your favourable notice the invaluable services rendered to the force under my command by Mr. Edwards of the Native Department, whose information regarding the roads and tracks of this part of the country I have always found most correct. Without his assistance to guide the column, the night march of the 20th could not have been undertaken. I beg to enclose copy of a report received from Colonel Waddy, C.8., regarding the evacuation of the Paterangi Pa. I have, &c. D. A. Cameron, His Excellency Lieut.-General. Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c. Sub-Enclosures to Enclosure in No. 26. COL. WADDY, C.8., TO THE ASSISTANT MILITARY SECRETARY. Camp near Te Eore, February 22, 1864. Sir, — I have the honour to report for the information of the Lieut.-General Commanding the Forces, that this morning, about seven o'clock, Captain Saltmarshe, 70th Eegiment, commanding at Waiari Eedoubt, informed me that he believed the enemy had evacuated the Pa of Paterangi. I then sent Lieut.-Colonel Sir 11. Havelock, D.A.Q.M.G., to take a nearer look at the place, and as he also reported that he believed the place was evacuated, I proceeded thither with the inlying picquets (about 120 men), and advanced on the south side, sending 100 men of the 70th on the east side, under the direction of Sir H. Havelock. We entered and occupied the place without seeing one Maori. I have placed 200 men of the 40th Eegiment, under Major Blyth, on the highest point of the hill on which the pa is situatod, but I have not given them tents.

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io'c. !oc p.m. Ivancei on .ci: posi .10: wit :orce n; imei m ie marI in. Distribution. Field Officer?. Capts. Subs. Staff. Sergts. Drummers. Eank and File. i?oyal Artillery Cavalry Colonial Defence Force... ioyal Artillery ... loyal Engineers... iOth Eegiment ... >5th Eegiment ... 'Oth Eegiment ... Forest Eangers 1 1 a 2 1 1 8 2 3 1 1 3 1 1 14 5 7 a 1 2 1 2 1 g 3 4 2 23 10 14 4 1 16 4 7 31 38 22 8 442 200 262 72 i 18 34 CO 27 1,075