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but although repeatedly asked to surrender, and although they must have seen that they were in a difficult position, they refused to do so, and attempted to gain a house which would have afforded them cover to fire on us from. I had therefore no alternative but to order my men to fire, which was hotly returned. The skirmish lasted but a short time, and at its close the casualties on both sides were as follows:—On that of the enemy twelve killed, one wounded, and three prisoners taken; on ours, one sergeant name as per margin, (b) severely wounded. Paora Toki and Anaru Matete, the ringleaders, and who had said to their men "Don't give up your guns," I am sorry to say, escaped; but I have now sent out a mounted and foot party to scour the adjacent country for them, as it is believed the latter is wounded; among the killed is the chief Rangihiroa, who has so long troubled this district.

In obedience to your orders I shall remain here until further instructions. I beg that you will bring under the notice of the Government the name of Captain Carr, late Royal Artillery, who rendered me valuable assistance in surrounding the enemy and in preventing their escape. He was accompanied by three other mounted men; had there been more, none I am sure of the enemy could have escaped. Lieut. J. G. George, late Colonial Defence Force, who volunteered to accompany me on this expedition, and Ensign Richardson, whose previous knowledge of the ground enabled me to place my men to advantage, rendered me very valuable assistance, for which I beg to bring their names under your notice. I may add that the men behaved admirably and coolly, and carried out all my orders exactly.

I have, &c.,
J. FRASER,
Major Commanding Detachment
Colonial Forces, Petane.

Enclosure No. 3.
[Letter sent with a Flag of Truce.]
Napier, Oct. 11, 1866.

Sirs,—I have addressed several letters to you asking you to explain the reason of your coming to Heretaunga. Up to the present time you have not given any reason for that act. You have come into a peaceful district, and created confusion and disturbance. You have declined to go back to your homes when called upon to do so.

I have now determined to put an end to this state of things, and require you to give up your arms and surrender yourselves to the Officer commanding the forces, in one hour from the time you receive this letter. A white flag will be kept flying for that hour, and if at the expiration of that time you have not surrendered, another flag will be hoisted, and you will immediately be attacked. This is all from

MCLEAN.

(b) Enemy—Killed, 12; wounded, 11 prisoners, 3.
Colonial Forces—Sergeant Fletcher, Military Settlers, gunshot wound through right knee.

Enclosure No. 4.
Napier, 13th Oct., 1866.

I think it right that you should be put in possession of the fact that I was informed by one of the Native prisoners taken today at Omarunui, the son of Rangihiroa, that yesterday afternoon a messenger was sent off by Panapa, Hau Hau leader, to Titiokura, to order Rangihiroa, Paora Toki, Anaru Matete, and their party, to come down to-day, and take up their position at the fishing huts on the Western Spit, where two canoes were placed for their use, and that they were to be ready to cross over to attack the town upon notice being given when Panapa and his party were ready to make the attack from the other side.

I have, &c.,
SAMUEL WILLIAMS.

Enclosure No. 5.
Napier, 13th Oct., 1866.

Sir,—Referring to the plan of operations discussed with you and agreed to this morning, I have the honor to state, that to avoid any complications with the Taupo or other tribes, it will be advisable not to extend the march of the combined forces of Europeans and Natives under your command beyond Waipare, a short distance from the Haroto. It is, however, necessary, in the event of your being able to capture Paora Toki or Anaru Matete, that you should use your own discretion in moving beyond the point referred to should it appear to you that you would be likely to secure these dangerous insurgents.

I have, &c.,
DONALD MCLEAN,
Agent for the General Government.
Lieut.-Col. Whitmore, &c., Napier.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 25th Oct., 1866.

Sir,—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of the 15th inst., containing the official account of the successful engagements on the 12th of this month with rebel Hau Hau Natives at Omarunui and Petane.

The letter, No. 328, of the 17th instant, written before I received your letter, will already have informed you of the satisfaction with which the Government received the intelligence of the energetic and effective step taken to expel the insurgent Hau Haus, and to preserve tranquillity.

The enclosures to your letter sufficiently indicate that these natives intended an attack on Napier, which has, however, been happily frustrated by the arrangements so promptly made by you, and so efficiently executed by Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmore and the men under his command.

I have, &c.,
E. W. STAFFORD.
His Honor D. McLean, Napier.