A.—No. 1

90

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OP NEW

of Captain Harris' official report, but I have learnt that the duty with which I entrusted him has been effectually performed, the enemy having been driven from the place with loss, and the village destroyed. On the 3rd the field force marched to the Peo Eiver, and on the following day to AVaingongoro. I enclose the copy of a report received (4th February, 1866), from Lieutenant-Colonel Butler, 57th Eegiment, who had, under my instructions, availed himself of every opportunity afforded of harassing the dispersed rebels in the vicinity of Otapawa and Ketemarai. On the sth the force marched to Manawapou, seven miles inland, of which post it had been reported to me that some of the rebels had collected at a pa called Mere Mere. I therefore sent Lieutenant-Colonel Butler, with a force as per margin,* to destroy it, and this he accomplished on the afternoon of the 6th, without meeting any material opposition from the enemy, who fired a few shots and fled. A considerable extent of cultivation was destroyed. On the same day the force under my command marched to the Patea, on tho 7th to AVaitotara, on the Bth to Alexander's Farm, arriving in AVanganui at seven a.m. on the 9th instant. I enclose for your Excellency's information the copy of a correspondence between Te Ua and some rebel Natives. I believe that throughout the country traversed by the field force during the last six weeks there does not now remain one fortified position or ordinary village in the occupation of the rebels, who have suffered most severely in loss of life, habitations, cultivations, horses, cattle, and other property. It is hardly possible for me to convey to your Excellency how much I feel indebted to Dr. Featherston, Superintendent of this Province, for his able advice on all subjects connected with fhe Maoris. He accompanied me throughout the campaign, sharing all our dangers and privations, and was present at each engagement and assault. I am particularly obliged to him for the zeal with which he has at all times labored to obtain information of the movements and positions of the rebels, which it would have been almost impossible for me to acquire without his assistance. The Native Contingent has been a valuable auxiliary force. My thanks are due to Major McDonnell, and his brother, Ensign McDonnell, who are active and zealous officers, and most deserving of your Excellency's favorable consideration. I beg also to bring under notice the Chief's Hori Kingi, Kemp, and Haimona, whose conduct at all times was such as to merit my warmest approbation. I have likewise to express my thanks to Major A'on Tempsky, and the force under his command, for their services, which I have on former occasions brought to your Excellency's favorable notice. It will be my duty to bring prominently to the notice of the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for AVar, and His Eoyal Highness the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief, the noble and gallant conduct of the whole of the Troops engaged in these operations. I have, &c, T. CITUTE, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Major-General. Eeturn of Killed and Wounded in the Field Force under the command of Major-General Chute during the operations commencing 30th December, 1865, and terminating 9th February, 1866:— 2nd Battalion 11th Eegiment —Officers, 2 wounded; men, 2 killed, 7 wounded. 50th Eegiment—Men, 1 killed, 2 wounded. 57th Eegiment—Officer, 1 wounded ; men, 5 killed, 10 wounded. Forest Eangers —Men, 2 wounded. Military Settlers —Men, 2 wounded. Native Contingent—Officer, 1 wounded; men, 1 killed, 3 wounded. Total: Officers, 4 wounded; men, 9 killed, 26 wounded. T. CItUTE, One officer and four men since died of wounds. Major-General. Eeturn showing the Pas and A rillages taken and destroyed by the Field Force under the command of Major-General Chute, during the operations commencing 30th December, 1865, and terminating' 9th February, 1866: — Fortified Pas —Okatuku, Putahi, Otapawa, Kitionitia, Puketi Katamarai, AVaikoko, Mere Mere. A Tillagcs —Motorou ; Oika; small village near Otapu, name not known; Tiporohenui; TeAVhenuka; Te Moro ; Kanihi; Mawhitihito; Te Paki; Otukere ; Aoteroa or AVinioiri Ahipaipa; one village inside the bush, name not known, two miles from Ketemarai; Umeroa; Manihi; AVatina; Oeo; Oukuti; Tiwiti Maona; two villages near AVaikoko, names not known, destroyed by Captain Harris, 43rd Light Infantry, about the 6th instant—Officer's report not yet received. T. CmTTE, Major-GeneraL Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 2 in No. 33. H. Butleb to the Deputy Quartermaster-General, &c. Sic, — Camp Waingongoro, 4th February, 1866. I have the honor to enclose to you herewith for the information of the Major-General Commanding, a diary of my proceedings with the force left by the Major-General under my command on the 17th Januarys 1866. I trust that the measures which I have adopted to carry out the orders given to me to harass the enemy and destroy all cultivations, &c, may meet with approval. I maybe permitted to add that from Captain Doran and the detachment 50th Eegiment I received the most energetic co-operation. My best thanks are due to these officers and men, as well as to those of the 57th Eegiment, who have been engaged with mo ; also, to Sir Eobert Douglas, 57th Eegiment, * Distribution : Royal Artillery, sergeant, 1; rank and file, 6; 1 six-pounder Armstrong gun. 57th Regiment—captain, 1; subalterns, 2 ; sergeants, 4 ; drummer, 1; rauk and file, 150. Native Contingent—subaltern, 1 ; rank and file, 30. Total—captain, 1; subalterns, 3 ; sergeants, 5; drummer, 1; rank and file, 186.