DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

A.—No. 1

86

No. 33. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., to the Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. (No. 24.) Government House, Wellington, Sir,— 13th February, 1866. In my Despatch No. 10, of the 13th January last, I enclosed a Despatch from General Chute giving the details of two engagements in which the rebel Natives had been defeated by Her Majesty's Eorces under his command, and I reported that, from the active measures taken by General Chute, the West Coast of this Island would shortly be placed in a state of entire security. 2. I have now the honor to transmit for your information copies of two further Despatches from General Chute, containing the details of Ms operations till their close upon the 9th instant. 3. The result of these operations has been the absolute defeat of the rebels at every point, and the restoration of security to the West Coast of this Island, the attainment of which object has been so long desired. 4. During these operations General Chute displayed every quality of a great General, whether in ability in conceiving plans, in energy in carrying them out, or in that power of command which inspired those under him with an energy and determination equal to his own. The result has been a rapidity and an amount of success which is without precedent in New Zealand. The well-disposed Natives are greatly strengthened in then confidence in our power, whilst the disaffected are filled with consternation, and their strength and influence completely broken. 5. The Troops will continue to be sent home as rapidly as transport can be provided and fitted up for them. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. G. GEEY.

Jan. 15,1866.

Feb. 12,1866.

Enclosure 1 in No. 33. Major-General Chute to Governor Sir G. Grey, K.C.B. Sir, — Head Quarter Camp, near Ketemarai, 15th January, 1866. In continuation of my last report, I have tho honor to acquaint your Excellency that on the Bth instant the Native Contingent were employed in destroying the cultivations in the neighbourhood of Putahi. The unoccupied hut extensive settlement of Oika was also burnt; and on that day two hundred men of the 2nd Battalion 18th and 50th Regiments, under Major Rocke, who had on the 6th joined the field force from the Patea, returned to that post. On the 9th instant the field force marched at 4 a.m., aud crossing the Wenuakura and Patea Rivers, proceeded to Kakaramea and encamped. One non-commissioned officer and fifteen gunners, with two six-pounder Armstrong guns, joined the force from the Patea. On the 10th, armed parties were employed in reconnoitering the bush near Kakaramea. They destroyed two deserted villages, but found that no rebels were located in the neighbourhood, though the traces of them were seen, probably fugitives from Putahi. Tho force marched on the 11th through Manawapou, and encamped at Tangahoc. During the afternoon, Captain Leach, Deputy Assistant-Adjutant-General, with fifty mounted men of the Native Contingent under Ensign McDonnell, reconnoitered the country in the direction of Ketemarai, an important settlement within the bush, in the vicinity of which I was informed that there were two or three strongly fortified positions and most extensive cultivations. It is moreover the point at which the track branches to the north behind Mount Egmout. On the morning of the 12th I marched the field force and encamped on the plain, about a mile and a half from the supposed positioii of Ketemarai. The force was augmented on this day by detachments* under Liout.-Colonels Butler and Hassard, from AVaingongoro and Manawapou. I should here mention that, in pursuance of my general instructions to officers commanding posts north of the Patea, Lieut.-Colonel Butler had, on the 6th instant, driven the rebels from the position of Ketemitea; but, having only a small force available from his post, was unable to destroy it. Lieut.Colonel Hassard had also patrolled from Manawapou, and destroyed some villages, but did not see any rebels. Not having been able to gain any immediate information of the exact locality or strength of the rebel positions in the neighbourhood, I sent a party of the Native Contingent to reconnoiter; and having thus ascertained that a considerable force of rebel Natives had collected at Otapawa, a fortified pa five miles to the north-east of this camp, I determined to attack it without delay, and accordingly at 2.30 on the morning of the 13th, the forcef moved silently towards it. Our route lay along a good * From Waingongoro. —57th Regiment: Officers, 5; non-commissioned officers, <>; rank aud file, 120. From Manawapou. —57th Regiment: Officers, -1; non-oonxmitsioned officer*, •>; rank and file, 120. + Royal Artillery —3 six-pounder Armstrong guns, with proportions of non-commissioned officer, and gunners; under Lieutenant Carre. 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment—2oo rank and file; under Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor. 57th Regiment 130 rank and file ; under Lieutenant-Colonel Butler. Forest Hangers 1 field officer, and ■'!(! of all ranks. Native Contingent— 200 ; under Ensign McDonnell.