ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE

91

A—3SVo LJ

and Major McDonnell, of Native Contingent, who, despite of his wound, insisted in rendering active aid, and did good service. I have. &c., H. Butler, The Deputy Q.uartermaster-Gencral, etc., Major and Lieut.-Colonel 57th Eegiment, Head Quarters. Commanding Garrison. Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 2 in No. 33. Diary of Operations with Flying Column, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Butler, 57th Regiment, in the Ngatiruanui Country, from 17th January, 1866, to 3rd of February, 1866. 18th January. —On the morning of the 18th January, I moved out of camp with one field gun, 200 men of the 50th and 57th Eegiments, and-about 120 friendly Natives ; proceeded in the direction of Oukuti, which I found destroyed as I had left it two days before ; also to the pa Tiwitiri Moana, where three bodies were discovered, one being that of the Chief Hohepa, a man of considerable importance. This pa was quite destroyed ; the enemy escaped as usual by the rear, and pursuit was not possible. There were in all about fifty Natives to defend the pa; brought in from it about fifteen cartloads of potatoes, and destroyed a vast quantity of cultivations ; returned to this post that evening. 19th January.—Halted. The friendly Maoris went out to reconnoitre and obtain intelligence, the want of which much retarded my movements. 20th January. —Marched off at 10 a.m., having been delayed by the non-arrival of the Native Contiugont sent out yesterday; took with me twenty Military Train under Lieutenant Creagh, eighty rank and file 50th, and 100 rank and file 57th Eegiment, also about 120 Native Contingent under Major McDonnell. My object was to attack a strong position called Ahipipi, in which it was said several Natives were congregated. I detached the Native Contingent along the left bank of the Waingongoro Eiver, with directions to cross it at the edge of the bush, and endeavor to get in rear of Ahipipi, in order to intercept the retreat of the Natives. I advanced myself direct upon the position, and found it deserted; some, of the enemy, however, came down and fired on my party when in the act of destroying the whares ; one man of the 57th Eegiment was severely wounded. The Native Contingent were now ordered to pursue the enemy into the bush ; this they did vigorously, and within a mile of Ahipipi they came upon a large village. This party was supported by some of the 57th under Sir Eobert Douglas. After a heavy fire, and a stout resistance of about twenty minutes, the village was carried. A large number of the enemy were seen carrying off a body with much care. It is believed that a great Chief was killed, possibly of Kaukawa. A well furnished strong European house was erected dose to the mill or flagstaff; it was destroyed in common with everything to be found, including many cultivations Five of the enemy were killed ; one man of the Native Contingent wounded. The destruction of this place is considered of importance, as it was newly built by the Hau Haus with unusual care, and was as it were the head quarters of the fanatics in the neighbourhood. , 21st January.—Halted, and continued my efforts to obtain information. 22nd and 23rd January. —Convoy days. The friendly Natives went into the bush, and brought back a quantity of potatoes. 21th January.—Started at 8 a.m. ; took with me fourteen Military Train, eighty rank and file 50th, 100, 57th, and about 100 Native Contingent; proceeded towards Wheriwheri, which has been already destroyed, thence towards Tewhatiwe, crossed the AVaingongoro Eiver, and struck into the bush towards Ketemarai. I soon came upon clearances under careful cultivation, amongst the rest about two acres of wheat, much India (-urn and tobacco, and a number of fruit trees. All were destroyed. After along and harassing march the force returned to camp, via the Ketemarai road. 25th January. —At 4 p.m., considering that I no longer required the services of the 50th Eegiment, under Captain Doran, I ordered that officer to return to the Patea. 26th January. —Eested in camp. 27th January. —Eested again, and sent the Natives out to reconnoitre. They lost one man in the bush ; it was afterwards ascertained that ho was killed by the Hau Haus. 28th January.—A party of Natives went in search of their missing companion, but found no trace of him. On their return they were attacked in force by Hau Haus ; one of our Natives was killed, and another badly wouuded ; they reported having killed three Hau Haus. 29th January. —Took 100 Imperial Troops, fifty Natives, all available carts Commissariat Transport Corps, to Ketemarai, for firewood. 30th January.—Halted. 31st January.—Sent another party to Ketemarai. They came upon fresh cultivations concealed in the bush; these were destroyed, and quantities of vegetables brought into camp. Ist and 2nd February. —Eemained in camp in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. 3rd February. —Sent out a party consisting of eighty rank and file, 57th Eegiment, and some friendly Natives, towards Ketemarai for firewood. H. Butmeb, Major and Lieut.-Colonel 57th Eegiment, Camp AVaingongoro, 4th February, 1866. Commanding Garrison. Nominal Eeturn of Officers and Men Killed and Wounded in an Engagement with the rebel Maoris at AVaikoko, on the Ist February, 1866, with the Field Force under the command of MajorGeneral Chute: — 2nd Battalion 14th Eegiment—Private William Burns, aged 35, musket bullet through the chest, killed. Irregular Forces (Yon Tcmpsky's Forest Eangers)—Private Alexander Davidson, musket bullet wound, left thigh, severely. C&ptain Corbett's Bushrangers—Sergeant John Purdy. musket bullet wounds, right shoulder and left thigh, slightly ; AViremu Matakatea (Maori), musket bullet wound, left thigh, severely (the man was wounded on the night of 31st January, near AVaikoko.) Chief Ihaia's Volunteers—Henerc AVinemikc, musket bullet wound, abdomen, slightly. Alexander Gtbb, M.D., Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals. 23