A.—No. 13,

AFFAIRS ON THE WEST COAST.

29

and but for a fog, which was so dense as to prevent our knowing whether we were firing on friend or foe, and whether the position was or w ras not fortified, we must have utterly destroyed the party. As it was we only shot seven or eight, the rest escaping, but we took his camp, tents, some arms, a little powder, stores of food, and plunder of every description, even his tools, axes, tomahawks, blankets; the everyday pipes in great numbers were got by the men. We pursued as well as our ignorance of the country permitted. To-morrow a more organized pursuit will be set on foot. I wish you to know that the prisoners say that Titokowaru means ultimately to retire on Waitara, whence he means to go to Waikato to get powder from the King. This you should know to be prepared. I trust he may be unable to carry out his intention. The women say he has suffered great desertions. The whole Waitotara hapu has left him, and the Ngatimaru and others. They say he had 400 men when I attacked him, but that 200 had left him before. I have, &c., G. 8. Whitmoee, Colonel. Tho force marches to-morrow to Manutahi, and the Natives under Kemp go up the Patea in pursuit. R. Parris, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Taranaki.

No. 52. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to the Hon. the Native Ministee. (No. 67.) Sib,— New Plymouth, 22nd March, 1869. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of a letter I am sending to Colonel Whitmore by the overland mail, which leaves this evening, and also copy of a letter from Mr. Hurst to Mr. Smith, brought by Father Rolland, who arrived overland on Saturday from Patea. Father Rolland saw nothing of the rebels, but reports that the friendly Natives along the coast from Kaupokonui to New Plymouth were very civil and kind to them. Fires are constantly seen along the coast from Tongaporutu to Mokau, but nothing whatever has been seen of the Natives this side of the White Cliffs. Major Brown and I are going to the Urenui District to-morrow, to make arrangements about Natives on pay. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 1 in No. 52. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Huest to Mr. J. S. Smith. Deae Sic,— Patea, 18th March, 1869. Father Rolland is just leaving for New Plymouth overland. I have little news to send you since my last. I have reason to believe, however, that the enemy was discovered last night at a place called Wakamara, a position of about say four miles inland of Mokoia, about twenty miles from here by the road, and about fourteen or fifteen in a crow line. Orders were sent in here last midnight for trenching tools, &c, and it is currently reported that the retreat of the enemy is cut off. One thing is certain, viz., our esteemed friend Titokowaru is very short of lead, and not very flush of either powder or provisions, and I think we are quite justified in being very hopeful. You may see Whitmore and a great portion of his forces in New Plymouth in a fortnight or threeweeks overland. No further news at present. I have, &c, Mr. J. S. Smith. James Huest.

Enclosure 2 in No. 52. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Colonel WniTMOEE. (No. 65.) Sic,— New Plymouth, 22nd March, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, and am delighted to hear of your success, which I hope will be continuous to the end of the campaign against Titokowaru and his cannibal band. Father Rolland arrived overland from Patea on the 20th, and brought information that you were close to the rebels, who had fallen back upon Whakamara. A party of five Natives who were recently among Titokowaru's followers arrived last week at Hapurona's place, on the Waitara, inland. Four of them were Ngatimaru Natives, and one a Tangahoe Native, and I have no doubt they were some of those who retired to Te Ngahere with Tito Hanatana. So far as I have been able to ascertain nothing was said about Titokowaru's intention to retire upon Waitara; but as tho Ngatimaru Tribe is committed, having joined him, he would in all probability make for their district if driven beyond Te Ngahere. The Ngatimaru District is in the direction of Taupo from Patea. From Ngatimaru there is an old war track over the Taumatamahoe Ranges, eading to the Mokau District; lbut if there is any intention on the part of Ngatimaniapoto to co-operate with Titokowaru, the line of communication will in all probability be attempted by way of the White Cliffs, through the Ngatiawa District, inland of Te Arei and Mataitawa, unless the arch-cannibal falls into your hands in the meantime, which I need not tell you is most sincerely desired. 8