A.—No. 4.

General Waddy, C.8., marched from the camp at Nukumaru with the force detailed as below,* and, crossing the Waitotara about one and a half miles from its mouth at daybreak the following morning, encamped on the right bank of the river. Colonel Weare, 50th Eegiment, was left in command of the remainder of the troops (strength as belowf) at the cam]) at Nukumaru. On the night of the 15th, Brigadier-General Waddy marched from the Waitotara, moving partly by an inland track and partly along the beach, crossed the mouth of the Whenuakura at low water early on the morning of the 16th, and arrived on left bank of the Patea, where he is now encamped. On the same night Colonel Weare broke up his camp at Nukumaru, and took up General Waddy's former camp on the Waitotara. Both the Waitotara and Patea can be entered by steamers of very light draught, aud the two camps are supplied by sea from Wanganui by the Colonial steamers " Gundagai " and " Sandfly." I am greatly indebted to the officers in charge of those two vessels, viz.:—Mr. Cadell and Mr. Marks, for affording me the means of reconnoitring the coast, and for the zeal and good-will with which they perform the important duties of supplying the troops, and keeping up the communication with Wanganui. I have, Ac., D. A. Cameron, Lieut.-General. His Excellency Sir G. Grey, K.C.B. •2-18 Foot—Field Officers, 2; Captains, 3 ; Subalterns, 8; Staff, 3 ; Sergeants, 18 ; Drummers, 11 ; Eauk and File, 280. 50th Foot —Field Officer, 1; Captains, 3 ; Subalterns, 8 ; Sergeants, 15; Drummers, 8; Eauk and File, 350. 57th Foot—Field Officer, 1; Captains, 4; Subalterns, 5; Staff, 1; Sergeants, 13 ; Drummers, 7 ; Eank and File, 270. Military Train and Cavalry—Captain, 1; Subalterns, 2 ; Staff, 1; Sergeants, 2 ; Drummers, 1; Eank and File, 46. Total —Field Officers, 4; Captains, 11; Subalterns, 23; Staff, 5; Sergeants, 48; Drummers, 27; Eank and File, 946. f2-18 Foot —Captains, 2 ; Subalterns, 4 ; Sergeants, 12; Drummers, 5 ; Eank and File, 232. 50th Foot —Field Officer, 1 ; Captains, 3 ; Subalterns, 5 ; Staff, 2; Sergeants, 18 ; Drummers, 9; Eank and File, 275. 57th Foot—Captains, 3 ; Subalterns, 3 ; Sergennts, 11; Drummers, 5 ; Eank and File, 232. 70th Foot—Field Officer, 1 ; Captains, 2 ; Subalterns, 7 ; Staff, 1; Sergeants, 13 ; Drummers, 5 ; Eank and File, 246. Military Train and Cavalry—Subaltern, 1 ; Staff, 1 ; Sergeant, 1; Eank and File, 17. Total —Field Officers, 2 ; Captains, 10; Subalterns, 20 ; Staff, 4 ; Sergeants, 55 ; Drummers, 24 ; Eank and File, 1002. No. 32. His Excellency the Governor to Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron. My dear General,— Government House, 21st February, 1865. I only write a few lines to say that I sail to-morrow morning in the " Esk," by way of the North Cape to Wanganui. I delayed for the English mail to bring your letters down to you, but as the Prince Alfred sails this evening from Manukau, I think they will reach you sooner that way. I did not think she would have been repaired so soon. I have no news of importance from England—nothing that you would care to hear. I have released old Tupaea on parole, and have sent the other eight men to Wellington. I hope I shall be with you in four or five days. All remains quiet here. I have, Ac, Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron, X.C.8., Wanganui. G. Grey. No. 33. Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron to His Excellency the Governor. My dear Sir George,— Camp on the Patea Eiver, 23rd February, 1865. I am very glad to hear that I am to see you here soon, for it is very necessary that I should consult you about future operations. It has been the cause of much inconvenience and unnecessary delay that neither yourself nor any member of the Government has been here since operations commenced ; for it was not to be expected that your first general instructions, framed as they were with little or no knowledge of the country, or of the difficulties it was likely I should have to contend with, would be sufficient for me to act upon under all circumstances, without the necessity of further reference. Besides, questions are constantly arising about Militia, Defence Force, friendly natives, steamers, Ac, Ac, which I am obliged to refer, and which it is desirable should be decided as quickly as possible. I hope therefore to see you here the beginning of next week, as the summer is quickly passing away, and time is precious. I have, Ac, D. A. Cameron, His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Ac. Lieut.-General.

11

GOVERNOR AND LIEUT.-GENERAL CAMERON.