224
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE,

'Miranda,' who has surveyed and is inti-
mately acquainted with the anchorage.
I have, &c.,
WM. WISEMAN,
His Excellency
Commodore.
Sir George Grey, K.C.B.,
Governor, &c.

Reporting Proceedings at Maketu.
H.M.S. 'Miranda,'
Tauranga, 27th April, 1864.

SIR,-I have the honor to inform you that,
in compliance with your orders, I embarked
at daylight this morning in the Colonial
steamer 'Sandfly,' and, with H.M.S. 'Falcon,'
proceeded to Maketu.

2. On the arrival of the vessels off that
   place, Major Colville sent on board Ensign
   Langlands, 43rd L.I., with a letter (copy of
   which is enclosed), and to show me the
   position of the hostile Natives. A whale-
   boat also came out with Natives going to
   Flat Island; I, however, sent them back
   with a letter to Major Colville, informing
   him that I was going to shell the enemy's
   position.

3. The 'Falcon' was placed in a position
   which enfiladed the enemy's works, from the
   whares on their right on the cliff'; but before
   she had opened fire, a large number of
   Natives were seen retreating along the
   beach to the eastward. I immediately
   followed them with the 'Sandfly,' and on
   nearing them opened on them with the
   12-pounder Armstrong of 'Falcon,' manned
   by 'Mirandas,' and the 'Esk's,' manned by
   its own crew.

4. On our firing, the Natives took cover
   under the sand-hills, and continued their
   hurried retreat to Otamarako; they, how-
   ever, were seen to stop in several clumps of
   trees, &c., into which shells were at once
   thrown, after which the extensive whares
   both inside and out of the old pa at Otama-
   rako were shelled.

5. Soon after noon, the 'Falcon' ceased
   firing, the enemy's works on the left bank
   of the Waihi river being occupied by the
   troops from Maketu, under Major Colville
   of the 43rd. 'Sandfly' then anchored, to
   await the arrival of 'Falcon,' when both
   vessels shelled the whares at Otamarako, the
   'Falcon' also throwing shell amongst bodies
   of Natives which were seen from her mast-
   heads retreating.

6. At 3 p.m., ceased firing, the enemy
   having apparently entirely abandoned the
   settlement, and a body of friendly Natives
   being seen advancing along the beach from
   Maketu. I then returned in the 'Sandfly'
   to Tauranga, the 'Falcon' proceeding to
   Auckland with the mails, which were await-
   ing her at the mouth of the harbour.

7. I beg to bring to your notice the zeal
   and exertions of Senior Lieutenant Hope, in
   command of the 'Falcon,' and of Captain
   Hannibal Marks, commanding the Colonial
   steamer 'Sandfly,' whereby in a few hours
   the enemy has been driven from their strong
   position, which completely hemmed in the
   garrison of Maketu, and also from the
   extensive settlement of Otamarako, the
   former being occupied by a detachment of
   the 43rd L.I., under Major Colville, and the
   latter by the friendly Natives of Maketu. I
   would also beg to recommend Henry
   Glassington, Boatswain's Mate and Seaman
   Gunner, Edward Metters, Leading Seaman
   and Gunnery Instructor of the 'Miranda,'
   and John Farrels, Gunner's Mate and
   Gunnery Instructor of the 'Esk,' for the
   extraordinary precision of their fire from the
   12-pounder Armstrongs, notwithstanding
   that there was a very considerable swell
   during the whole time.

I have, &c.,
ROBERT JENKINS,
Captain.

Commodore Sir William Wiseman, Bart.,
Commanding in Chief, &c.

Fort Maketu,
April 27th, 1864.

SIR,-I was unable to obtain the correct
compass bearings as required, on account of
being so hemmed in by large bodies of the
enemy. I send an officer on board, Ensign
Langlands, 43rd L.I., who has a very fair
idea of the different positions, and I fancy
will give you any information required for
shelling the enemy's pa at Waihi.

It has been reported to me that two small
schooners and many canoes are now lying
off the river Waihi, full of provisions for the
rebels. I cannot vouch for the truth of this,
but of course it can be easily found out by
you on arrival.

It has been reported that a number of the
rebels propose landing on the opposite
island, Motete or Flat Island, and taking all
the provisions from off it in the course of
the day.

I have the honor to request that you will
be so good as to allow Ensign Langlands to
return when his duty is completed, if the
surf is practicable for sending out for him,
on your return.

I have, &c.,
F. M. COLVILLE,
Major 43rd L.I.,
Commanding Maketu.

To the Officer Commanding H.M.S.
'Miranda.'

H.M.S. 'Miranda,'
Tauranga Harbour, N.Z.,
27th April, 1864.

SIR,-In compliance with your order of
this date, I venture to suggest that the
following buoys and marks be laid down for
the safety of vessels entering Tauranga Har-
bour:--

First-A light iron Beacon, ten feet at
least in height, to be placed on the extremity