A.—No. 12.

AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

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from the summit of which a broad well-beaten track led along a ridge right around a natural amphitheatre, taking first an easterly direction, and then working round by the north to the westward. We debouched about 2.30 p.m. on a small clearing, where we had a meal of potatoes, and then came through cultivations and a small bush to this place. The whole distance from the entry of the bush to the exit I estimate at forty-five or forty-six miles. The timber throughout is very poor, though I occasionally saw some very fine specimens of Remu, Matai, and Kahikatea. I have halted the column at this post waiting orders. I have, &C, Colonel Whitmore, Commanding Field Force. J. H. H. St. John, Lieut-Colonel. P.S. —I have omitted to add that throughout the column marched very well; and with a few exceptions of footsoreness from bad boots, &c, the men are all fit for duty. J. H. H. St. Johx, Licut.-Coloncl.

No. 34. Copy of a Letter from Major Noake to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. (No. 1G0.) Sib,— Militia Office, Wanganui, 11th April, ISG9. I have the honor to report, for your information, that having heard that the Waitotara Natives of Titokowaru's force were at a settlement up the Waitotara River, I determined to force my way up the river, if possible discover their position, and surprise them in their fancied security. Previous to my departure I had caused a written notice to be circulated amongst the River Wanganui Natives, warning them that any Native found in the Waitotara District was liable to be treated as a rebel. With the above object in view, on the morning of the Ist of April I assembled my force at Perekama, strength as per margin,* taking four days' provisions, the men carrying fifty rounds of ammunition, two days' rations, and their blankets: a canoe took the other two days' rations. We arrived at Te Auroa and encamped about dusk, after a heavy march, a great portion of the way having to be cut through the bush and up and down hill. This settlement is on both banks of the river, with considerable cultivations. April 2nd.—Marched at daylight, the country becoming more and more difficult as we progressed : precipitous ridges, steep and slippery banks, and dense bush bound together with supple-jack. In the afternoon we arrived at Pokai, a small settlement with cultivations. Rain coming on, I encamped here, finding, as at Auroa, a commissariat supplied by the enemy, also an addition to the transport in the form of a canoe. April 3rd.—Passed a very wet night, which rendered further progress on foot next to an impossibility. A wet morning, the river rising fast, I despaired of making further progress. As it was necessary to divide my force for supplies, and, moreover, to ensure my retreat, I sent back Captain Hawes to Te Auroa to reconnoitre that position well, survey tracks leading from it, destroy the eelweir, and launch a large canoe reported to have been seen by the canoe party in a creek on the way. I then sent Captain Kells, with twenty-four of his men and the guide, in two canoes, to reconnoitre up the river, if possible find more canoes, and should he find a suitable j:>lace to encamp to do so, and send back the canoes. He not only found a settlement with large cultivations (Pa Rakau), but two more canoes, which he sent down to me with those he took up. In the meantime I sent to Captain Hawes to send up the large canoe, if launched, as the river had risen so much that it would easily come up. April 4th.—Sent on Captain Bryce, Captain Gilling (being in possession of the large canoe from Captain Hawes), and all the force except Lieutenant Hunter and thirty men, left to hold the position. April sth.—Having now transport for sixty odd men (with the river still rising), I determined to push on with the picked men of the force, although the weather was bad to a degree, being extremely cold, wet, and stormy. I desired that all the officers should have a knowledge of the country : I therefore had the commanding officer of each corps, with his best men, to come with me as far as we could, with the exception of Captain Hawes. That officer I left at Te Auroa, believing it to be the most important position and the key to the river, most of the inland tracks leading to it. I left Lieutenant Garrett (Kai Iwi Cavalry), with thirty men, to hold Pa Rakau, which place I left at daylight, the weather being most inclement; yet this circumstance, I believe, was most fortunate, as the men, being wet and cold, worked the harder to keep themselves warm. Considering that we had to improvise paddles for our canoes, use poles, and but few who understood either, the force made an extraordinary progress. We had but a few minutes' rest to eat, when we found ourselves at Te Erangi. Being a settlement of some considerable importance, we expected to meet with some of those we were seeking. We approached the place with every precaution, but found everything but the men themselves —large cultivations, stores of wheat, Indian corn, cattle, sheep, poultry, honey, and property of every description. The place had evidently been recently occupied. We arrived at this place about 2 p.m. The guide informed me that the place of all on the river, and that where we expected to find the enemy, if he was on the river at all (Piraunui), was not far distant. Although, the men had already had a hard day's work, I determined to push on, and, if possible, pounce upon them before they could know we were in the neighbourhood. On nearing Piraunui we saw very recent tracks on the bank, and heard cries in the land, as though some man was giving the alarm, and we congratulated ourselves that at last we had run them to earth. Disembarked before arriving at the usual landing-place divided my little force, so as to surround, as much as possible, the place; advanced with the utmost precaution, when, expecting every moment to receive a volley, we arrived at the pa palisades, found a small white flag flying, and a deerepid old woman left to receive vs —the same venerable personage recognized by some of the party as the old lady left at Okotuku, or some other place, to receive * Kai Iwi Cavalry : —2 officers, 1 sergeant, 14 rank and file. Veterans: —2 oflicers, 2 sergeants, 61 rank and file. Wairoa Eifles : —3 officers, 2 sergeants, 32 rank and file. Paten Ilifles : —2 officers, 2 sergeants, 3G rank and file. Total: —9 officers, 7 sergeants, 143 rank and iile. 11