THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 293

43rd, to enfilade the enemy's position, and
afterwards brought the Companies at the
critical moment to assist in the assault.
Captain Moore, who commanded the 1st
Waikato Militia, and led his men up to the
rifle-pits, and shared in the assault.
Lieutenant Acting Adjutant Hammick,
43rd Light Infantry, who performed his duty
with great coolness and courage under a
heavy fire.
Lieutenant Grubb, R.A., whose coolness
and excellent practice with the 6-pounder
Armstrong under his command when under
fire during the action, and subsequently on
the retreating Maoris when they had got
beyond the reach of infantry, was admirable.
Surgeon Major Best, 68th Light Infantry,
Principal Medical Officer, who performed
his duty assiduously under fire, paying the
greatest attention and care to the wounded.
I can say the same of Assistant-Surgeons
Henry, 43rd; Applin, 68th; and O'Connell,
Staff: the former was particularly brought
to my notice by Major Synge, commanding
43rd Light Infantry.
Lieutenant and Adjutant Covey, 68th
Light Infantry, Field Adjutant, and Ensign
Palmer, 68th Light Infantry, acting as my
Orderly Officer, who performed their duty
coolly and gallantly, affording me valuable
assistance-Lieutenant Covey having been
sent a message by me to Major Shuttleworth,
when he was on the point of attacking, went
with the supports, and was dragged into a
rifle-pit by a Maori, who thrust his spear
through his clothes.
Ensign Palmer was struck in the neck by
a musket bullet and knocked from his horse
insensible when riding beside me; when he
recovered and had his wound dressed, he
performed his duty during the rest of the
day.
Sergeant-Major Tudor, 68th Light In-
fantry, who went in front and distinguished
himself in several personal conflicts with the
enemy in the rifle-pits.
Sergeant-Major Daniels, 43rd Light In-
fantry, and Acting Sergeant-Major Lilley
(70th Regiment) of the 1st Waikato Militia,
who also distinguished themselves by their
coolness and courage.
No. 2918, Sergeant Murray, 68th Light
Infantry, whose gallantry and prowess were
so distinguished, I have thought him worthy
of being recommended for the Victoria Cross,
and have with that view forwarded evidence.
No. 2832, Coporal J. Byrne, V.C., 68th
Light Infantry, who when the order to charge
was given, was the first man of his company
into the rifle-pits. A Maori, whom he
transfixed with his bayonet, seized his rifle
with one hand, and holding it firm with the
bayonet through him, endeavoured to cut
him down with his tomahawk-his life was
saved by Sergeant Murray.
No. 3641, Private Thomas Smith (severely
wounded), and No. 518, Private Daniel
Caffery, 68th Light Infantry, both distin-
guished themselves by their gallant conduct
in the field, and their prowess in the rifle-
pits.

I beg to add that during the engagement
several reports were forwarded to me, stating
that a large body of natives were coming
down by the Wairoa to attack the Camp
Te Papa, at low water, the information having
been given by friendly natives. Low water
on that day was at half-past 3 o'clock. I
was back in Camp about half-past 2 o'clock,
and Artillery, Mounted Defence Force, and
reinforcements of Infantry were following
me.

I however found that every necessary ar-
rangement had been made by Lieut.-Col.
Harrington, 1st Waikato Militia, who was in
command of the Camp during my absence.
I beg to bring to the notice of the Lieut.-
General Commanding the readiness with
which Captain Phillimore, H.M.S. 'Esk,'
Senior Naval Officer at this Station, and
Commander Swann, H.M.S. 'Harrier,' re-
sponded to my request (which I sent im-
mediately on finding the Maoris), that they
would land all their available force for the
protection of the Camp.

I have since ascertained that the report of
the natives coming down to attack Te Papa
was true, but that the result of the affair at
Te Ranga disarranged their plans.

For nearly an hour previous to the assault,
I had seen a Maori reinforcement coming
down from the woods, yelling and firing their
guns, and when the advance was sounded,
they were not more than 500 yards from the
rifle-pits.

I beg further to add that while in com-
mand here, I have only endeavoured to carry
out the instructions given me by the Lieut.-
General Commanding, and if I have had any
success, it is to the foresight of those instruc-
tions and to the good discipline and courage
of the troops under my command, it is to be
attributed.

On Wednesday morning last, (22nd inst.,)
I sent a strong patrol under Major Colville,
43rd Light Infantry, to bury the dead, and
fill in the rifle-pits. 108 Maoris were buried
in the rifle-pits which they had them-
selves dug the morning before. The patrol
returned the same afternoon without
having seen anything further of the hostile
natives; nor have any been since observed in
the neighbourhood.

In addition to the number buried in the
rifle-pits, fifteen of the wounded prisoners
have died since they were brought in. I am
sending up eight wounded, and eleven un-
wounded prisoners, by the 'Alexandra,' and
nine are detained for further treatment in
the Hospital at this station, making a total
of 151 Maoris accounted for. Enclosed are
lists of the arms captured from the enemy,
and handed over to the Military Store De-
partment, and returns of the killed and
wounded of the Forces under my command.

I have, &c.,

H. H. GREER, Colonel,
Commanding Tauranga District,