A.—No. 6.

Enclosure 3 in No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Ensign Richardsox to Major Fbasek. Sih, — Camp Te Tawa, Upper Wairoa, 24th January, 1866. In reply to your request for a statement of the incidents that took place at Waerengaahika on Sunday morning, the 20th November, 1865. I have the honor to state for the information of the Government that I was on duty in the trenches on that occasion, and that I saw the Natives advancing from their pa towards our lines in three columns, one of which (the nearest to our left flank) had a flag flying in front. From their number and plan of advancing I concluded at once that an attack upon our position was intended. Orders were given not to fire. When the enemy was within a range of fifty or sixty yards a red cross was seen in the corner of the flag, and orders were immediately given " to open fire," which was done. The enemy promptly responded, and a general action ensued. I have, &c., Wm. A. Richakdsox, Major Fraser, Officer Commanding E.C.E.F. Ensign No. 1 Company E.C.E.F. Enclosure 4 in No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Ensign Tcke to Major Feaseb. Sib,— Camp, Te Tawa, 24th January, 186 G. In compliance with your request that I should inform you of what came under my personal notice at Waerengaahika on the morning of the 19th November, I have the honor to state that at about 10 a.m. on that day my attention was directed to three large armed parties of the enemy advancing from their pa towards our lines, under, apparently, at that distance, a flag of truce. Orders were given by the Major Commanding not to fire. On their nearer approach, however, it was at once perceived that it was no flag of truce, but a Hau Ilau fighting flag, having a red cross in the corner. Orders were then given to open fire on them, to which they immediately replied, broke into open order, and charged our lines. I have, &c, Major Fraser, Commanding E.C.E.F., Abthtjb Tuke, Te Tawa, Wairoa. Ensign H.B.V. No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Major Fkasek to the TJxdeb Secbetaby, Colonial Defence Office. In haste. Maru-Maru, Te Wairoa, (No. 1.-W.F.) - 27th December, 1865. Sib, — I have the honor to report for the information of the Minister for Colonial Defence, that, in accordance with instructions received from His Honor Mr. McLean, I commenced active operations at the Wairoa as soon as possible after ,my return thither from Napier. Having organized an expedition, consisting of Captain Hussey's Company and part of my own, and part of the chiefs Kopu, Ihaka, Whaanga, and Karauria'a tribes, I started from Te Wairoa on Saturday, the 23rd instant, and marched about nine miles, camping for that night about two miles above the junction of the Wairoa and Waiau Eivers, and about four miles from the enemy's first position. 1 remained at this place until Monday morning, when, after Divine Service, we made an early start and proceeded towards the enemy's pa, which on arriving at we found deserted. This pa had evidently been originally an old fighting pa, and the Hau Haus had intended making it a strong position, as they had palisades ready for the purpose of strengthening it. Nothing but our quick advance saved our having some trouble, both there and along our whole line of march, there being many places suitable for ambushes and the ground being such that every step might have been contested. I will now explain the different positions of fha enemy, so that the Government may thoroughly understand what lam about to relate. This pa that I have mentioned was on the right bank of the Wairoa, on the left bank of which, directly opposite, was a kainga, in which were several whares, a flagstaff, Ac; near it were large cultivations. The enemy had deserted this kianga and had separated in two different directions ; some had gone to another kianga, about a mile and a half oft', situated on a creek which runs into the AVairoa and called Maruhakeke; the remainder had taken to the hills, where, subsequently, we discovered that they had a largo unfinished pa. The chiefs and I held a consultation on our arrival as to what was best to be done. We could see the Hau Hau flag flying in the pa on the creek, and we determined to send a flag of truce to them in order to give them an opportunity of surrendering unconditionally before blood was shed. They treated our message with contempt, and I accordingly hoisted the Union Jack, opened fire and marched in the direction of the kainga Mahuhakcke, with all theEurojoeans and about 150 Natives. Captain Husscy was in command of the advanced guard; he pushed on with a few men too hurriedly —the main body could not keep up with him. The consequence was that the approach to the kainga being very sudden, and it being occupied by a large number of rebels, this gallant officer was shot, and died in a few minutes, while bravely leading the few men with him up to the position. About three minutes afterwards the majority of the men had got to the ground. I had been on the spot myself before Captain Hussey was killed, and was then engaged in rallying those who had been with him. As soon as I saw enough men available I ordered Captain Biggs and Lieutenant Bear to take possession of a small garden in rear of the kainga, and outflank the enemy. This was done most effectually. The men charged the kainga led on my side by Lieutenant St. George, who was first in the kainga, and drove the enemy pellmell before them. Captain Biggs, with his usual skill, saw that they could be followed up from where he was stationed, and did so with some Europeans and some

6

DESPATCHES EROM MAJOR FRASER.