A.—No. 12

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

42

G-eneral Chute, under somewhat similar circumstances. After scouring the immediate neighbourhood, I sent Captain Kells with a party to reconnoitre some little distance. About a mile or so away he came upon another kainga, one of the prettiest and most comfortable he had seen: this he destroyed, also another still further up. We remained at Piraunui the night. Apiuii 6tii.—Sent Captain Bryee, with ten of his men, who are mostly good canoe-men, up to explore the river a few miles. He left at daylight and returned about eleven, reporting that about two miles and a half he came upon the boulder rapids. The river being flooded enabled them, by dint of great labour, to get through them, though at times the stream fairly drove them back. They perceived footprints on the bank, of recent date; this was an incentive to push on. Their perseverance was rewarded. On turning a bend they came upon a canoe with three Maoris, who bolted, leaving the canoe in the hands of Captain Bryce's party, who thereupon returned to camp, having, as they calculated, been about ten miles above Piraunui, and sixty miles from the mouth of the river. As Captain Bryee reported it impossible to get our fleet of canoes up the rapids, I determined to return, deeming it would be most imprudent to advance further, as I was short of ammunition, —what with wet weather, accidents —such as men tumbling overboard, canoes getting swamped—left me considerably short of the quantity I started with, which was little enough to meet an enemy in such a country. Piraunui is the* key to the Wanganui tracks, Pipiriki, Banana, and Hihuharama. I knew that the Natives were alarmed and aware of our being in their fastnesses, and thought it not improbable that the Pipiriki Tribe might join their relations, and expel the intruders from their midst, therefore I did not consider myself justified in proceeding. I should have had to abandon my canoes, supports, and line of retreat, and, if opposed, to fight my way to the Wanganui Eiver. Everything destroyed—settlement, cultivations, eel-weirs, and any stock we could not eat; the same at Te Erangi. Encamped at Wharekowhiti. Apkil 7th. —Destroyed this place and cultivations along the river. Arrived at Purakao; relieved Lieutenant Garrett, and sent him and party to relieve Lieutenant Hunter, who marched overland to Te Auroa, under Captain Gilling. Apml Bth.— Captain Bryee, with eight of his men and guide, struck into the Pakaraka track near Puke Wharariki, and arrived at Numaru the same evening; found the track a tolerably easy one. Captain Kells relieved Lieutenant Garrett's detachment, and Lieutenant G-arrett marched to Te Auroa. Captain Gilling took up a position at Tekua Pounamu, where they found more cultivations. April 9th.—Sixty men, with the loot horses, under Lieutenant Kenah, left for Weraroa by a track from the right bank of the river ; Captain Haves with canoes and loot; whilst Captain Kells and self joined Captain Gilling's party at Tekua Pounamu, and encamped. Aprilj lOtii.-—Myself, with the remainder of the force left at Tekua Pounamu, left for Weraroa, and arrived at about eleven, when the sale of loot commenced immediately. The corps marched then to their respective camps. I cannot conclude this, my diary report, without bringing to your notice the excellent conduct of the force. The success of the expedition was due entirely to the active assistance and co-operation I received from the officers, with the untiring energy, perseverance, and ready obedience and subordination of the men, which reflected the greatest credit upon themselves and their officers. After passing Te Auroa, the river runs amongst high hills, which come to the edge either in cliffs or points at the bends. It winds with great regularity, and presents the same features all the way up to the boulders, when the country changes. It is a river easily defended by a small force, subject to sudden rises and falls, and full of snags ; better at the upper part than the lower. I have, &c. The Hon. Colonel Haultain, M. Noake, Major, Defence Minister. Commanding Wanganui Militia District.

No. 35. Copy of a Letter from Colonel Whitmoue to the Hon. Colonel Hatjltaijt. Sin, — Head-Quarters, Te Awa-o-te-Atua, 23rd April, 1869. I have the honor to inform you that on the sth April I marched in two columns from Waihi, the right column, carrying four days' rations, taking the line of General Chute's march to the eastward of Mount Egmont, under command of Liout.-Colonial St. John : and the left, with the drays conveying the tents and materials (which could not be shipped at Patea, owing to the alteration in the bar), by the mouth of the Waingongoro, under Inspector Roberts. I accompanied this latter column, having satisfied myself that Lieut.-Colonel St. John was not likely to meet with any opposition. The difficulties of the coast road were considerable, but the troops worked heartily under the constant supervision of Inspector Eoberts, and by the morning of the Bth the last dray was brought safely to Opunaki. The difficulties of the road may be inferred from the fact, that at some places seven, and at many five horses had to be harnessed to the drays to get them along, and as Mr. Quinlivan's teams are probably as good as any in the Colony, it will be readily understood that the obstacles were not trilling. And here I think it right to say, that Mr. Quinlivan, the contractor for transport, has conducted his duties throughout the campaign in a most satisfactory and creditable manner. At Opunaki the steamers "Start " and " St. Kilda " met the troops and embarked the column and baggage, proceeding direct to Waitara, the drays returning to Patea with a Native escort. I myself left on the 7th, and reached New Plymouth overland early next day, and met the Hon. Mr. Eichmond. The column under Lieut.-Colonel St. John arrived on the evening of the Bth at Mataitawa, having found no enemy to oppose it, but having come upon the trail of three exhausted stragglers of Titokowaru's force, who had been apparently unable to kindle a fire, or to make more than a mile or two's march daily. One of these was at length discovered dead by the wayside, and the guides were of opinion that the others had only