THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 359

Had the men employed in felling the bush
been protected by a covering party, according
to my directions, this occurrence in all proba-
bility would not have taken place.
I have, &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lt.-General.
His Excellency Sir George Grey,
K.C.B., &c., &c.

Queen's Redoubt,
August 25th, 1863.

SIR,—I have the honor to report for the
information of the Lieutenant General Com-
manding, that when returning from Baird's
farm in command of the escort with the convoy
from Drury this day, on arriving at William-
son's clearing, I heard firing in my front, and
on proceeding to the spot, found that my ad-
vance guard was engaged in the immediate
vicinity of the road with a party of Maoris.
The main body of my escort rushed up, and
we quickly drove the enemy into the bush. It
appears that a party consisting of 25 men of
the 40th Regiment, under a non-commissioned
officer, were employed in felling bush near the
road; they had left their arms piled on the
edge of the road under charge of a sentry.
Suddenly a number of Maoris rushed upon the
arms and took possession of them, the sentry
firing at them. The Maoris had surrounded
the men in the bush, and had shot two men
dead when my advanced guard came up and
engaged them. Reinforcements from William-
son's clearing, Martyn's farm, Kerr's farm, and
Razor Back, as well as a party of thirty men
of the escort proceeding to Drury, under Capt.
Bishopp, Transport Corps, with Assistant Sur-
geon Carberry, 2B. 14th Regiment, joined me
shortly after the firing commenced, and we
skirmished with the enemy for about an hour
and a quarter, driving them into the bush, and
following them in for a short way. A party
of the 65th Regiment, under Captain Ord,
endeavoured to get behind the Maoris and cut
off their retreat, but were unsuccessful.
The casualties of the troops under my com-
mand consisted of one man, 2B. 18th Regi-
ment, wounded. The loss of the Maoris ap-
pears to have been one man killed and left on
the field, and five men wounded and carried
away.

Two rifles, a few muskets, some tomakawks,
ammunition, &c., fell into our hands.

I beg to bring to the notice of the Lieut.-
General Commanding, the services of Captain
Ord, 65th Regiment, Captain Bishop, 2B. 18th
Regiment, Lieutenant Warren, 65th Regiment,
commanding at Kerr's farm, Lieutenant
Thacker, 2B. 18th Regiment, commanding at
Williamson's clearing Lieutenant Clarke,
Madrass Cavalry, attached to Transport Corps,
and Lieutenant Pagan, 65th Regiment, and
Ensign Haines, 2B. 18th Regiment, who
were with the escort under my command.
The whole of the officers and men behaved
extremely well.

Judging from the enemy's fire, I should say
there were at least 200 of them.
I have, &c.,
A. COOK, Captain,
40th Regiment.
The Assistant Military Secretary,
&c. &c., &c,
Head Quarters.

NEW PLYMOUTH.
Act left to its operation.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 22nd August, 1863.
THE following Ordinance, passed by the
Provincial Council of Taranaki, intituled,
"Sanitary Board Ordinance, 1863,"
having been laid before the Governor, His
Excellency has been pleased to leave the same
to its operation.
ALFRED DOMETT.

Returning Officer appointed.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 22nd August, 1863.
HIS Excellency the Governor has been
pleased to appoint the undermen-
tioned person to be a Returning Officer for the Elec-
tion of Members of Provincial Councils for the
Electoral District set opposite his name :—
FREDRICK WILLIAM TESCHEMAKER, Esq.,
Mount Cook.
ALFRED DOMETT.

MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS.
Appointment of Captain Heaphy.

Colonial Defence Office,
Auckland, 19th August 1863.
HIS Excellency the Governor has been
pleased to make the following appoint-
ment in the No. 3 Company, "Auckland Rifle
Volunteers":—
Lieut. Charles Heaphy to be Captain.
Date of Commission, 18th August,
1863.
T. RUSSELL.

MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS.
Appointment of Lieutenant Kelly.

Colonial Defence Office,
Auckland, 20th August, 1863.
HIS Excellency the Governor has been
pleased to make the following appoint-
ment, in the No 2 or "Green Hill Company,"
Onehunga Rifle Volunteers :—
Richard Kelly to be Lieutenant. Date
of Commission, 19th August, 1863.
T. RUSSELL.