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acting Brigade-Major, my best thanks are due
for their assistance; and to all the other Offi-
cers I beg to convey the expression of my
warmest approbation.

I regret to say our loss has been severe; that
of the rebels could not be corrrectly ascertained,
but it must have been great. Ruku and his
son, a son and nephew of Kawiti's, and several
other Chiefs, are said to be among the killed.

In consequence of the bad accommodation
for our numerous wounded, and no means of
procuring proper nourishment for them, as
there was not an ounce of tea or sugar in the
camp-I decided on retiring to Kiri Kiri as
soon as litters could be made for the wounded;
but bad weather again detained me until the
morning of the 10th inst. When the force was
ready to march on that day, another difficulty
arose in getting a sufficient number of natives to
transport the wounded-eight men being required
for each litter-as Tamati Waka Nene could
not leave his pah defenceless. I was reluc-
tantly compelled to order the fighting men to
carry their wounded comrades, and half the
force was so employed from eleven o'clock, A.
M. to nine o'clock, P. M.-but all, seamen
and soldiers, performed this unusual duty with
a spirit that can scarce be surpassed. The
volunteers carried the arms and appointments
of the sick and wounded.

I had previously written to Sir Everard
Home to send boats up the Kiri Kiri river to
receive the wounded, and on the 11th instant
the whole of them were conveyed on board the
North Star, in which vessel every comfort had
been prepared for them.

The re-embarkation of the troops was now a
matter of necessity, and could not be delayed.
The force had been on shore ten days, exposed
to very inclement weather; had been for seven
days on a half ration, consisting of meat and a
small quantity of potatoes-the biscuit, as pre-
viously stated, had been spoiled by the rain;
and the Medical Officers were unanimous in
their opinion, that any further continuance of
discomforts would produce much sickness among
the troops. On the 11th instant, the force
marched to the coast, and re-embarked.

During my absence, and by the directions of
Captain Sir Everard Home, Bart., Lieutenant
Philpotts, on the 7th instant, with parties of
seamen of Her Majesty's ships North Star and
Hazard, burnt five small villages belonging to
Heki-broke up two large canoes, and brought
off two other large ones; and on the 9th in-
stant, Mr. Lane with a party, broke up two
large canoes, and brought off four large and
small boats belonging to Europeans, which had
been taken away from Kororareka.

In conclusion, I beg to express my sense of
the cordial support and able assistance which I
have received from Captain Sir Everard Home,
in disembarking and re-embarking the force-
and to Acting-Commander Johnson, and to all
the other Officers and to all the Seamen and
Marines, my thanks for their zeal and assistance.

My best thanks are due to Major Bridge,
commanding the 58th Regiment-to Ensign
O'Connell, 51st Regiment, acting Brigade-
Major, and to all the other Officers for their
able support, and to the Troops employed, for
their strict discipline, their conciliatory conduct
in their intercourse with the loyal natives, their
exemplary cheerfulness under privations of ra-
tions, and great exposure to bad weather-and
particularly for their exertions on the 11th in-
stant, in carrying one-half of their wounded
comrades on litters a distance of about 18 miles,
over a bad road, or rather path.

I beg to annex a List of the killed and
wounded on the 8th instant.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient humble Servant,
W. HULME, Lieut.-Col.,
Commanding the Force at Bay of Islands.

His Excellency
Captain FITZ Roy,
Governor of New Zealand.

List of the killed and wounded in the action
near the rebel chief Heke's camp, on the
8th May, 1845.

Her Majesty's Ship North Star.
1 Private of the Royal Marines killed.
Mr. Warrington, (Clerk) slightly wounded.
3 Privates of the Royal Marines severely
wounded.
1 Seaman dangerously wounded-since dead.
3 Seamen severely wounded.

Her Majesty's Ship Hazard.
Lieutenant Morgan, slightly wounded.
1 Private Royal Marines severely wounded.
2 Seamen severely wounded.

Her Majesty's 58th Regiment.
8 Rank and File killed.
2 Sergeants and 14 Rank and File severely
wounded.
1 Sergeant slightly wounded.

Her Majesty's 96th Regiment.
4 Rank and File killed.
1 Sergeant and 6 rank and file severely
wounded.
3 Rank and File slightly wounded.

1 Civilian, servant to Mr. Beckham, Police
Magistrate, severely wounded.

TOTAL.

13 killed.
2 Officers, and
37 Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers, wounded.

W. HULME, Lieut.-Col.,
Commanding the Force.