THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 91

state of discipline and efficiency of the
Colonial Defence Force, and the eagerness
which they invariably manifest to come into
contact with the enemy, are chiefly due to
the example and exertions of that able and
zealous officer.

I beg to bring under your favourable
notice the invaluable services rendered to the
force under my command by Mr. Edwards,
of the Native Department, whose information
regarding the roads and tracks of this part of
the country I have always found most
correct. Without his assistance to guide
the column, the night march of the 20th
could not have been undertaken.

I beg to enclose copy of a Report received
from Colonel Waddy, C.B., regarding the
evacuation of the Paterangi pa.

I have &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lt.-General.

His Excellency
Sir George Grey, K.C.B., &c.,

Camp, near Te Rore,
22nd February, 1864.

SIR,-I have the honor to report for the
information of the Lieut.-General Command-
ing the Forces, that this morning, about 7
o'clock, Captain Saltmarshe, 70th Regiment,
commanding at Waiari Redoubt, informed
me that he believed the enemy had evacuated
the Pa of Paterangi. I then sent Lieut.-
Colonel Sir H. Havelock, D.A.Q.M.G., to
take a nearer look at the place, and as he also
reported that he believed the place was
evacuated, I proceeded thither with the in-
lying picquets (about 120 men), and advanced
on the south side, sending 100 men of the
70th on the east side, under the direction of
Sir H. Havelock: we entered and occupied
the place without seeing one Maori. I have
placed 200 men of the 40th Regiment, under
Major Blyth, on the highest point of the hill
on which the Pa is situated; but I have not
given them tents.

I found the works of the enemy very strong
and intricate; in the centre of the place is a
deep well, and I found large stores of
potatoes.

I have further to report, that I advanced to
a place belonging to a man named McFarlane,
about half way between the Pas of Paterangi
and Piko Piko; this man, McFarlane, re-
ported to me that the enemy had evacuated
Piko Piko during last night, and that they
had proceeded towards Rangiaohia.

The Pa of Paterangi was evacuated at
about 7 o'clock this morning.

I have, &c.,
R. WADDY, Colonel,
Commanding Forces near Paterangi.

To the
Assistant Military Secretary.

Rangiaohia, 23rd February, 1864.

SIR, I have the honor to report for the
information of the Lieutenant-General com-
manding the Forces, that with reference to
his instructions, conveyed to me personally,
for storming the enemy's works on the 22nd
instant, I proceeded to carry out his direc-
tions in the following manner :-

The enemy's works could only be ap-
proached by a narrow road, hemmed in on
either side by high fern, through which it was
impossible for the men to advance in line or
skirmishing order, and necessitating the
position being stormed with only a front of
four deep, until within a few yards of the
trench and rifle pits. This compelled me to
advance the whole Regiment in a column of
four, at the double, over some 350 to 400
yards, under a very severe and concentrated
fire from the enemy, most trying to troops
in that formation. I ordered a small storm-
ing party of 20 men, under Lieut. White,
50th Regt., to break cover, in the first
instance, to endeavour to draw out the first
fire of the enemy; this party was almost
simultaneously followed up by the storming
party, consisting of Nos. 1 and 10 Companies,
50th Regt., under command of Captain
Johnson and Captain Thompson respectively,
and these three officers entered the enemy's
works at the head of their men, at the same
time closely followed by the remainder of the
regiment.

The nature of the ground and formation
left little for the Commanding Officer to do,
but to place the men in the first instance,
and leave the officers commanding companies
to fight their men; and I am proud to say
that officers and men nobly did their duty
under very trying circumstances, and while
exposed to a fire that must have caused a very
large increase to the list of casualties had it
not been for the dense dust raised by the men
doubling, which partially concealed them.

I beg to bring to the notice of the Lieut.-
General commanding the Forces the names
of Captains Johnson and Thompson, and
Lieut. White, 50th Regt.

The medical officers of the Regiment, Drs.
Davis and Dempster, accompanied the
Regiment into action, and shared their lot,
attending to the wounded as they fell.

I much regret to say that Ensign Doveton,
50th Regt., fell dangerously wounded by the
side of Captain Thompson, while gallantly
performing his duty.

I have, &c.,
H. E. WEARE,
Colonel Commanding 50th Regt.

To the Assistant Military Secretary.