A.—No. 8,

30

PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE

toe, his head and body down to the waist having been cut off and carried away, nothing remaining but the hips and two logs. I then ordered Dr. Walker to return to camp, and with all speed bring tho remains of the body with him. I then returned to camp and despatched four orderlies to meet you to act as escort, fearins: in coming past the bush you might be ambushed. Orders to Dr. Walker, when proceeding out with his party, not on any account to go too near tho bush, and not to fire unless fired upon, not knowing then what had happened; further, if fired upon, to return, as it would have been impossible for me to send him assistance, having so few men in the redoubt. Constable Smith, it appears, had gone out without leave to look for his horse. I have, <fee., Feed. Boss, Sub-Inspector, Inspector Hunter, Armed Constabulary, Waihi. Armed Constabulary.

Enclosure 2 in No. 46. Copy of a Letter from Dr. Walkeb to Inspector Huntee. Sic,— . Camp Waihi, 12th June, 186 S. I have the honor to report, for your information, that on this day I was performing the duties of Orderly Officer. At a quarter past 3 o'clock, p.m., 1 heard some shots fired, and I saw the smoke at the edge of the bush. I then inquired if there was any man out of camp, and I learnt that Constable Smith, A.C, was out looking for his horse. Captain Boss, Sub-Inspector, A.C, was at this camp at the time the shots were fired, and I was ordered by him to proceed to the place where the shots were fired, with a view of reconnoitering. I took a party, consisting of twenty-two rank and file; on coming near tho place I extended the men, and about 250 yards from the bush wo discovered part of the body of a man (supposed to bo that of Constable Smith). The upper part of the body was taken away, and I brought the remainder into cam]), and gave it in charge of the guard. During the time I was exploring the fern in tho vicinity of tho bush, Captain Boss rode out and gave me orders to hasten back to camp. Inspector Hunter, I have, &c, Commanding Armed Constabulary, Saml. Walkee, Patea District. Ensign and Asst.-Surgeon, C.F.

Enclosure A. Copy of a Letter from Sub-Inspector Boss to Inspector Huntee. Deae Huntee.— Waihi, 12th June, 1808. Heavy firing ten minutes since at Te Whenuku. I have sent twenty men under Walker to find out the reason, with instructions not to risk anything, and only to fire if fired upon, and not to go within range of the bush. I could see about twelve men with my glasses. Trooper Smith is out looking for his horse, without leave, and I am much afraid has been caught. I have, &c, Inspector Hunter, Waihi. Feed. Boss, Sub-Inspector.

No. 47. Copy of a Letter from Inspector Huntee to Captain Boss. (No. 3.) Sis— Camp, Waihi, 15th June, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that, since my last letter announcing the murder of Constable Smith, A.C, the dwelling-house of a Mr. Smith, and a whare of Captain McDonnell's, at Waingongoro, have been burnt and property destroyed, including some pigs, poultry, and one bullock, belonging to Mr. Chubbin, a settler in this district. On Sunday morning, about 6 o'clock a.m., as the men were under arms at daylight parade, I perceived that a large fire was burning, and heard several shots in tho direction of Waingongoro, and immediately despatched seven or eight mounted troopers to the place, who brought back the intelligence as above. Mr. Smith and his family had come into camp the previous evening, and I had withdrawn tho detachment at the same time, as I considered it very unsafe to leave so small a party in such an exposed position at a distance of five miles from camp. They were living in Mr. Smith's house, which was commanded by hills all round, and there was no cover for them. I wish also to inform you that on Sunday, about 2.30 p.m., I left camp to attend a meeting of settlers in the Hawera District, who had requested me to meet them and offer some suggestions for their defence, and that I just escaped falling into an ambuscade laid about 300 y rards from here. As I was riding along the main road Captain McDonnell, whom I had left in charge during my absence, saw about half-a-dozen Natives stealing from the bush down a gully that runs close to the spot where I was, and immediately sent out Dr. Walker with twenty men to cut off their retreat; the Natives saw them and immediately bolted back. I merely mention this to show how daring the Natives seem to be getting, in coming close to camp, and also that I very strongly suspect they knew I was to go to Hawera that day and at that hour. I have within the last few days been laying ambuscades, and I have much pleasure in bringing to the notice of the Hon. the Defence Minister the admirable conduct of the men on such occasions; and I cannot speak too highly of their behaviour, lying perfectly still, without speaking a word, even in a whisper, from 4 o'clock in the morning until the same hour in the evening. I have never heard of the slightest murmur, in fact they are all too anxious to perform this trying duty in the hopes of success. I have, &c., The Under Secretary, Defence Office, Wellington. W. Huntee, Inspector, A.C.