AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

55

A.—No. 3

George Leary states : —About 4 o'clock yesterday about 70 Maoris came to Opepe on foot; they pretended they were friendly Natives, and shook hands with us. We could sco them getting to the doors of the whares, and as we could not get our guns we made a rush for the bush ; Stephenson, I, and Sergeant Dette, got into it, but Ido not know where the latter is now. I saw McKillop run into the bush too ;I do not know where he is. I heard firing for about five minutes after we went into the bush. Stephenson and I got out of the bush before dark, and have come straight home. We have seen no tracks along the road, Colonel St. John, Major Gumming, and Captain George went on to the Lake about 11 o'clock the same morning. This is all I know about the matter. These I certify were made to me. J. Fraser, Lt.-Col.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 41. Names of Officers, Nox-Commissioxed Officers, and Mcx who left Poet Galatea with Colonel St. John, 4th June, 18G9. Tauranga Cavalry Volunteers. Opotikl Cavalry Volunteers. Captain Moorsom. Cornet Smith. Lieutenant Clarice. Sergeant Dette. Sergeant Slattery. Trumpeter McKillop. Trooper Bidois, P. Trooper Cooke. „ Bidois, Joseph. ~ Leary. „ Gill. „ Eoss. „ Johnston. „ Stephenson. „ Lawson. „ Lockwood. Major Cumming also accompanied Lieut.-Colonel „ Poictier, C. St. John. „ Young.

No. 42. Copy of a Letter from Major Noake to the Hon. Colonel Hal'ltain. (No. 309.) Sib,— Militia Office, Wanganui, 23rd June, 1869. I have the honor to inform you that Taurua, the Pakahohe chief, on being taken prisoner, told me that there were several of his tribe scattered in the bush behind Whakamara, others again on the "VVhenuakura River. Being anxious to capture these people before they could rejoin Titokowaru, who was reported to be at the Ngaere, I despatched Ensign Hori Grey with a detachment of his men to capture these Hauhaus. On the 21st he returned with forty-nine, of which number fifteen are men, and five of them were without arms. I have not guaranteed their lives ; they are in close confinement. There are now of this tribe 172 in the hands of Government. Lieut.-Colonel Lyon has resumed the command of the Patea District; I have returned to I have, &c, The Hon. Colonel Haultain, Defence Minister, M. Noake, Major, • Wellington. Commanding Wanganui Militia District.