THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
147

culty; and it is to the able manner in which
Lieut. Larcom, R.A. (even after he was
severely wounded), directed the fire of the
howitzer-assisted by Lieut. Ferguson, R.E.,
as the gun was so short manned-and the
very great steadiness and precision in firing
of the small party of the 57th Regiment,
under Captain Lloyd, that so few casualties
occurred. In the face of between two and
three hundred Maories, concealed in rifle-pits,
and behind an entrenched stockade, which,
since our last visit, had been completed across
the road, from one side of the gorge to the
other, the men retired in perfect order, bring-
ing back the body of Private Kennedy, 57th
Regiment, and the wounded men.
under H. Jackson, with Ensign Duncan, 57th
Regiment, at the extremity of the road to
guard the approach from the South.

I advanced to within about eight hundred
yards of the upper palisading, upon which I
opened fire from the 24lb. howitzer, extending
Captain Lloyd's company of the 57th Regt.
on both flanks, and in front of the gun, with
instructions to keep down as much as possible
the fire of the enemy, which was now con-
siderable, both from the rifle-pits on the spur
to my left front, and the gully connecting the
pits with the lower palisading.

The fire from the former became so hot that
I desired Lieut. Larcom, R. A., to throw a
shell into them, which he did with great pre-
cision, and silenced the fire from this part for
some time. As it appeared to me at this time
that there were altogether not many rebels in
the place, I advanced the gun about one hun-
dred and fifty yards, still keeping outskirmishers
in front and on the flanks, where they did good
service in keeping down the fire of the enemy.
I now had the gun between three hundred
and four hundred yards from the lower pali-
sading, but out of sight of it, a low ridge in-
tervening, to the top of which I sent a party
of skirmishers, whose fire from here, besides
keeping down that of the enemy from the
lower palisading, enfiladed the rifle-pits and
gully on my left.

Shortly after I had placed my men in this
position the Natives appeared to be in much
greater force than I had anticipated, and
opened a very heavy cross fire from three
different directions.

I should think that at this time there could
not have been less than two hundred Natives
in the place.

Finding myself thus opposed to an enemy
in a strongly entrenched position, with a force
in number treble that of my own, I thought
it prudent to retire.

It is impossible to estimate the loss on the
enemy's side, as they remained the whole time
under cover; but I feel confident that they
must have suffered considerably.

I regret to state that I lost one man (57th
Regt.) killed, and Lt. Larcom, R.A., and five
men (57th) wounded.

I cannot conclude my report without bring-
ing to your notice the extremely gallant and
steady conduct of the whole of the small force
under my command.

I would more especially wish to mention
Captain Lloyd and Lieutenant Cox, 57th
Regt., and Lieutenant Larcom, Royal Artil-
lery. The latter officer, even after he was
wounded, refused to be taken to the rear, but
remained by his gun until the whole force
retired.

Staff Assistant-Surgeon Jones was on the
ground the whole time, and attended the
wounded as they fell.

The Mounted Volunteers who accompanied
me behaved throughout with their usual
conspicuous courage and coolness. Of these
I would beg to name Captain F. Mace (T.M.)

I took the liberty of complimenting both
officers and men on their excellent conduct in
a Garrison Order, which I do myself the honor
to submit for the Lieut.-General's approval,
trusting that he will be kind enough to give
some special mark of his approbation to the
individuals named; and especially to bring to
the notice of the Governor the gallantry of
Capt. Mace, T.M., and Antonio Rodrigues
who on this, as on a former occasion, so nobly
assisted wounded men,-a return of whom
and of all casualties I beg herewith to trans-
mit.

The 100 rank and file under Captain
Schomberg were not required; and no Natives
having been discovered by the detached parties
of Volunteers and Militia, the whole of the
troops returned the same evening to their
quarters.

I have, &c.,
H. J. WARRE,
Colonel Commanding Troops Taranaki.

The Deputy Quartermaster-General,
&c., &c., &c.,
Head Quarters.

P.S.-As I fear I shall for some time be de-
prived of the services of Lieut. Larcom, R.A.,
whose wound is progressing favorably, the
ball having been abstracted, I trust the Lieut.-
General will be able to send me another
Artillery officer, and a few more gunners, the
22 now here being mostly superannuated, and
so detached at different outposts it is with
difficulty I can man one gun.

H. W., Colonel.

New Plymouth, New Zealand,
12th March, 1864.

SIR,-I have the honor to report that, in
compliance with your instructions, I proceeded
to Oakura at about 11 a.m. yesterday, and
taking a force from that Redoubt (strength as
per margin)* marched up the Wairau roads
towards Kaitake, for the purpose of ascertain-
ing, as far as possible, the number of Natives
occupying the pahs, and the strength and
nature of the position, having previously
left thirty men of the Melbourne Volunteers,

Royal Artillery-Lieut. Larcom, 1 Sergeant, and 5 Rank
and File.
57th Regiment-Capt. Lloyd, Lieut. Cox, Ensign Picot, 4
Sergeants, 84 Rank and File.
Mounted Corps-Capt. Mace, & Rank and File.