D.—No. 21

ISSUED TO FRIENDLY NATIVES.

29

The shelling of the pas, taken in connection with some previous skirmishing by the Military Settlers, Volunteers, and friendly Natives, greatly disconcerted the enemy, whoso loss in killed and wounded was considerable. Patara, w rith one or two followers, left for Opotiki, avowedly to enlist additional support, but it is doubtful whether he will return to a place where he was met with such a warm reception. Hearing that Patara had left, I followed to Hicks' Bay in the " St. Kilda " to intercept him, but he escaped before the party detailed for his apprehension reached the place he was expected to pass. I enclose a report from Mr. Deighton of two skirmishes with the Hauhaus on the 18th and 19th instant. From what I. could gather from different sources, the loss of the enemy has been greater than Mr. Deighton was aware of when writing. Much credit is due to Captain Eraser and the officers and men who are now engaged against the enemy at Waiapu ; their coolness and bravery is much spoken of, and appreciated by the Native allies, who are most decided in their support of the Government. Having only arrived this afternoon, I am unable to convey the full details of arrangements entered into with the friendly Natives. I may briefly state that I have distributed all the arms and ammunition I received at Wellington to the several tribes in the vicinity of Waiapu and the East Cape whose loyalty was reliiible. I have also arranged a position to be taken up and garrisoned by them at Awanui, one of the best landing places, and made such other arrangements as appeared necessary to bring present hostilities to a successful issue. In furtherance of the present operations at the East Cape, I would earnestly urge upon the Government the necessity of taking measures for the occupation of Opotiki. The friendly Natives fully expect that this will be done. It will certainly be more easily effected now than at any future time ; while such a diversion would prevent the friendly Natives from being outnumbered and cut up in detail, as they feared would have been the case at Waiapu, if appeals for assistance had not been so promptly mot by the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Donald McLean.

D. I.—No. 67. Copy of a Letter from His Honor D. McLean to tho Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir, — Napier, 16th August, 1865. I have the honor to request that you will have tho goodness to cause additional arms to be sent to this Province, as I have distributed all those that were furnished to me at Wellington to the friendly Natives of the East Cape. I understood, when at Wellington, that there was a large supply of arms at Auckland, some of which should be sent here. The Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, I have, &o, Wellington. Donald McLean.

D. 2.—No. 68. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Major Atkinson to His Honor D. McLean. (No. 184-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir, — Wellington, 24th August, 1865. With reference, to your Honor's letter of the 16th instant, in which you request a further supply of arms, I have the honor to inform you that 140 long Enfield rifles, with accoutrements complete, will be forwarded from here to your address by the " Lord Ashley " steamer, to sail to-morrow, and instructions have been sent to the Colonial Storekeeper in Auckland to forward to you at the earliest possible moment 50,000 rounds of ammunition. I have, &c., His Honor the Superintendent, Napier. li. A. Atkinson.

D. 3.—No. 69. Copy of a Letter from His Honor D. McLean to the Hon. Major Atkinson. Sir, — Napier, 31st August, 1865. In reply to your communication of the 24th instant, acquainting me that 140 long Enfield rifles, with accoutrements complete, would be forwarded to me by the " Lord Ashley," I have the honor to inform you that the arms, &c, have arrived, and I herewith enclose a receipt for the same, less one frog and one cap pocket. The Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, I have, &c, Wellington. Donald McLean.

E.—No. 70. Copy of a Letter from His Honor D. McLean to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Napier, 26th August, 1865. I have the honor to enclose the translation of a letter from Iharaia Houkamau, the chief of Hicks' Bay, applying for thirty stand of arms, and acknowledging the receipt of clothes sent to him for his Native soldiers. * # % ###### I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Donald McLean. 8