THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 373

redoubt. I am not able to form an opinion of
men appearing very much exhausted after
the numbers of the enemy. I scarcely think
their night's exposure, I desired him to re-
there could have been 300. Captain Swift turn to the redoubt, after receiving from him
died about 6 o'clock that evening. He was such description as he could give, of where I
shot through one lung and in the side. No one might be able to find the killed.
could have behaved better than he did; and the
conduct of the men too was admirable. The
party started on their return to Tuakau about
5 next morning, when we were met shortly
after by that under the command of Colonel
Murray, who had come to support us. He
passed on with the view of searching for men
who were missing.

Camp, Queen's Redoubt,
9th September, 1863.

SIR,—I have the honor to report for the
information of the Lieutenant General Com-
manding, that, in compliance with his orders,
I marched to Mangatawhiri on Monday
evening in command of the force as per
margin* and there embarked in six boats to
proceed to Tuakau, which I did not reach
until midnight. On my arrival at Tuakau, I
found that Captain Swift had not yet re-
turned from "Cameron Town" with his
party and it was supposed he had remained
at the pah.

The night was too dark to find the track
through the difficult country between Tuakau
and "Cameron Town," and I consequently
deferred further proceedings until daylight.
Accordingly, I fell in the men at 4 a.m., and
directing Captain Ord to proceed with 30
men by water to "Cameron Town," with
instructions to co-operate with me, I pro-
ceeded by land to the same place. On the
way I met Corporal Ryan, who first gave me
information that Captain Swift had been
killed and Lieutenant Butler badly wounded.
I accordingly pushed on as fast as I could,
and after proceeding about two miles I met
Sergeant McKenna with about 30 men, who
gave me the first information that Captain
Swift had fallen into an ambuscade and a fire
had been opened on him on all sides from the
bush at a distance of about 8 or 10 yards, and
the two officers becoming non-effective, the
command devolved on him. He then called
on the men to stand by him, which he states
they obeyed with the utmost alacrity, and
under his directions they kept up a steady
fire for, as far as I can learn, about an hour.

The firing having ceased by that time,
Sergeant McKenna retired with his little
force into the bush, and lay down, keeping
perfectly quiet till daylight enabled him to
see where he was, and thus make his way to
the Redoubt. Sergeant McKenna and his

*2nd Battalion 18th Regiment.—1 Subaltern, 3 Ser-
geants, 50 Rank and File.

65th Regiment.—1 Field Officer, 1 Captain, 2 Sub-
alterns, 4 Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 100 Rank and File.

Total—1 Field Officer, 1 Captain, 3 Subalterns, 7
Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 150 Rank and File.

Of the wounded or missing (except such
as had come in) he could give me no infor-
mation. I had previously met Lieut. Butler,
badly wounded, making his way, with the
assistance of two men, to the redoubt, and
having put him on a stretcher, I detached a
party to convey him. I pushed on, and on
arriving at the spot where the affair with
Captain Swift's party had occurred, I searched
the bush for his body, which by Corporal
Ryan's description, was found after some
time. (I beg here to mention that Corporal
Ryan and Private Bulford remained with
Capt. Swift for several hours after he died,
having concealed his body, made their
way to the redoubt.) Not knowing in what
direction to search for the missing men, I
returned with the bodies found to the re-
doubt, which I reached about 2.30 p.m., and
finding the steamer there, I sent a request to
Capt. Sullivan, H.M.S. "Harrier" to take a
portion of my force on board, which he hav-
ing consented to I embarked 100 men, and
directed Capt. Ord to follow in the boats
with the remainder.

I have, &c.,

G. F. MURRAY,
Major 65th Regt., and Col.

The Military Secretary,
Head Quarters,
Queen's Redoubt.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 11th September, 1863.

THE Governor directs it to be notified that
it is with great regret he has received the
following despatch acquainting him with the
sad death of that useful and active public
Officer Mr Armitage, the Resident Magistrate
of the Lower Waikato—who was a sincere
and faithful friend to the Native race, and
whose loss is most especially to be deplored at
this juncture of affairs.

ALFRED DOMETT.

Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt,
10th Sept., 1863.

SIR,—With feelings of deep concern I have
to announce to your Excellency the melan-
choly death of Mr. Armitage, Resident Magis-
trate of this district, who, with two other
Europeans, was murdered by natives at
Cameron Town on the 7th instant.

I herewith forward a letter I received this
morning from Lient. Burton, 40th regiment,
commanding at the Bluff stockade, detailing
the circumstances of this lamentable occur-
rence, as they were related to him by two
friendly natives.