A.—No. 3.

PAPEES EELATIVE TO MILITARY OPEEATIONS

52

NOMINAL RETURN of OFFICERS and MEN KILLED and WOUNDED in Action on the 6th, 7th, and 8th May, 1869, belonging to Lieut.-Colonel St. John's Column.

No. 40. Copy of a Letter from Major Noake to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. (No. 285.) Sir, — TVanganui, 2nd June, 1869. I have the honor to forward for your information a diary report of my movements in the Patea District up to this date. On the 23rd ultimo I assumed command, and made arrangements for the transport of canoes from the Waitotara to the Patea Eiver, also for top-siding the same, making poles, paddles, &c, preparatory to exploring the river. These arrangements I intrusted to Captain Hawes to see carried out. Finding, however, that a week or ten days would elapse before they would be completed, I determined to scour the upper part of the district, and ascertain if possible if rebels were in it, and also explore new country and Native tracks, destroy cultivations and v^lages. On the 24th I moved on the Armed Constabulary under Sub-Inspector Goring, and the Carlisle Eifles under Lieutenant Blake to Matangarara, with the view of making it the base of my operations. I brought the Veteran Volunteers under Captain Kells from Weraroa to Patea, leaving a detachment at that post. 25th. —Moved on Captain Kells to Manawapou; the Kai Iwi Cavalry under Captain Bryco from Waitotara to Patea. 2Gth.—Bryce's men sent on to Mokoia Eedoubt. All movements stopped, owing to the incessant rains rendering rivers and creeks impassable. 27th. —The Kai Iwi Cavalry and Veterans moved on and occupied Waihi. Sub-Inspector Goring so ill from cold that I was compelled to send him back in a cart to Patea for medical treatment. Mr. Booth had obtained information that a track to the Patea Eiver led from behind Matangarara, and volunteered to conduct a party to endeavour to find it. I thankfully availed myself of Mr. Booth's valuable assistance, and on the 28th placed the Armed Constabulary, the Carlyle Volunteers, and twenty of the Wanganui Native Contingent (Lieutenant Periha Turie), under Mr. Booth's instructions, and started them, with three clays' provisions, to strike the Patea Eiver if possible. I sent Mr. Monro with this expedition. I had attached this gentleman to the force as surveyor and draughtsman. After this party left. I took the Kai Iwi and Veteran Volunteers from Waihi through tho Ketemarae clearing, along the track taken by General Chute, and about four miles in the bush I found a village called Orakuku, which I destroyed, then brought the force to Matangarara to form a support to Mr. Booth's party.

Rank and Name. Corps. Nature of Wounds. Remarks. Lieutenant David White... Lieutenant David White... O.R. O.R. Slightly, right hip Shot dead by a bullet entering right side of neck and making its exit on left side of chest Severely, bullet entering left hip at the apex, and making its exit in front of abdomen Mortally, by a bullet passing through fore-arm and then entering the abdomen ; ball lodged Mortally, ball entering beneath the ribs of left side, making its exit on right side of spine Very slightly, left shoulder Very slightly, fingers of left hand Dangerously; shot through both thighs, causing fracture of left femur Very severely, ball entering the chest, causing a fracture of ninth rib of left side, then taking a course backwards ; ball lo-ged Severely, lower third of left thigh ; ball lodged Mortally, loft buttock, ball taking an upward course and lodging in the bowels Shot dead, bullet entering right side of umbilicus and making its exit at left side of the spine Severely, bullet passing through dexter side of the left thigh (5th May. 7th May. ConstableThos. A. Pearson No. 8 A.C. 7th May. Mahi Wi Ngaitai 7th May; died 9th May. Constable Davis ... No. 1 A.C. 8th May; died 9th May. Constable Matthew Roberts Constable Carl Hansen ... Lance-Corpl. Edwd. Kelty No. 1 A.C. No. 2 A.C. No. 2 A.C. 8th May. 8th May. 8th May; died 9th May. Constable Wasley No. 2 A.C. 8th May; ball extracted same day. Constable Lydon ... Constable James Parkinson No. 2 A.C. No. 2 A.C. 8th May. 8th May; died 9th May. Sub-Inspector H.B.Travers No. 4 A.C. 81 h May. Constable James Hull ... No. 4 A.C. 8th May. Samuel "Walked, Assistant Surj ;eon, Colonial Forces. Return of "Wounded on the Eoad from Ahikereru on 7th May, 1869. Corps. Name. Nature of Wound. Remarks. Guides Guides Guides Heini Tauaka ... Thomas Adamson William Ryan ... Gunshot, body Gunshot, arm Gunshot, leg Since dead. Severe. Severe. Wsr. Bnowx, Assistant Surgeon, A.C.