(3)

The rear was the weakest part as to its defence,
the ground covered with thick scrub; but from
its locality, I do not consider a position could
have been taken up by us on that side. The
defences on the front face were of a stronger
description than any other.

On the morning of the 3rd instant, a com-
bined movement was made from the pa at Pau-
hatanui and Porirua, consisting of 6 officers
and 120 men of the 58th, 65th, and 99th
Regts., and 30 Militia, followed by 150 Native
Allies, from the former, and 4 officers, 100 men
of the Royal Artillery, 58th, 65th, Regts., with
80 Native Allies, under command of Major
Arney, from the latter place, for the purpose of
attacking the rebel chief, and preventing his es-
cape from the Horokiwi valley. We proceeded
about four miles into the woods, covering our
advance with the usual precautions. The enemy
soon discovered our approach, and quickly re-
tired; but from his fires being still alight, it was
evident he had fled into the bush that morning.

Night coming on, and being uncertain as to
the direction of the enemy, or the route they
had taken, I deemed it then unadvisable to pro-
ceed further.

Although our efforts have only led to the
dispersion, and not to the total destruction, of
the rebels, which was my anxious wish to have
accomplished, yet, by gaining possession of the
stronghold of the enemy, we are enabled to
complete the line of outposts at Porirua, so as
effectually to prevent any return of the rebels
to the district of the Hutt.

I beg to assure your Excellency that all
under my command have well earned from their
superiors every credit and approbation for the
zeal and cheerfulness they have exhibited under
the severe trials and privations to which they
have been subjected for a long time past.

Your Excellency having been present with
the troops on this occasion, will, I trust, bear
testimony to the efforts and exertions made by
the officers and men of both services; but I
must not omit to offer my best thanks for the
ready assistance and co-operation rendered me
by Captain Stanley of Her Majesty's Ship Cal-
liope, Commander Hayes of Her Majesty's
Steamer Driver, and my second in command
Major Arney, commanding detachment 58th
Regt. stationed in this district. I also beg to
recommend Mr. M'Kellup of Her Majesty's
Ship Calliope to your Excellency's notice, who
has rendered me great service while in the com-
mand of the gun-boat stationed at Porirua.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient,
humble servant,

EDWARD LAST,
Major 99th Regt.,
Commanding the Troops
Southern District.

His Excellency
Governor Grey,
&c. &c.

LIST of Arms and Ammunition taken from the
pa of Te Rauparaha and the disaffected na-
tives at Taupo on the 23rd of July, 1846 :-
Muskets, single barrel. . . . . . . . . . . 30
Do. double do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Axes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Powder-flasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Pouches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Small iron gun and carriage . . . . . . . . 1
Casks of Powder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Half do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Empty do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

EDWARD LAST,
Major 99th Regt.,
Commanding the Troops
Southern District.

Porirua,
10th August, 1846.

SIR,-Soon after addressing your Excellency
on the 4th inst., I received intelligence that the
native allies who were left to watch the move-
ments of the rebels had discovered that they
were retreating; I therefore deemed it right to
proceed to their support, knowing that such a
movement would accord with your Excellency's
wishes, and thinking it would be the means of
destroying Rangihaeata and his followers.

At daylight on the morning of the 5th inst.,
I proceeded in boats of Her Majesty's Ships
Calliope and Driver up the harbour of Porirua,
landed about a mile and a half distant, and
pressed forward into the Horokiwi valley five
or six miles over a road almost impassable for
troops, crossing numerous streams and deep
rivulets, passing various encampments that the
enemy had recently left, evidently retreating in
the greatest confusion, leaving behind them the
bugle taken from the troops in the attack
which was so gallantly repulsed by the detach-
ment of the 58th regt. in the valley of the
Hutt on the 16th of May last, which had
been retained by the rebels as a trophy, and
was recovered by the Militia.

About half-past two o'clock p. m. we came
up with our native allies and a party of Militia
under the command of Captain M'Donogh, who
were lying at the foot of a precipitous hill
thickly covered with wood, near the summit of
which I learned that the enemy were supposed
to be posted.

The troops then commenced hutting them-
selves for the night.

On the following morning I gave orders for
the advance, directing the native allies to pro-
ceed on to cover it.

The 1st division, consisting of 7 officers and
127 men of the force, made up of seamen, sol-
diers, militia, and armed police, was under the
command of Major Arney 58th regt.

The 2nd division, of 5 officers and 117 men
of similar detail, was under the command of
Captain Armstrong 99th regt.

At about nine o'clock a. m. we aseended the
hill, preceded by an officer and a party of men
with tools to cut away the wood to facilitate our
getting up-after ascending with great difficulty