28
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Colonial Defence Office,
Auckland, 6th February, 1865.

HIS Excellency the Governor directs the publica-
tion of the following Despatches, with enclo-
sures, from Lieut.-General Sir D.A. Cameron, K.C.B.,
for general information.

Head Quarters, Wanganui,
30th January, 1865.

SIR,—I have the honor to forward for your Excel-
lency's information, the enclosed copies of reports
received from Brigadier General Waddy, C.B.,
relative to the recent military operations in this
district.

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

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

Head Quarters, Camp Nukumaru,
2nd February, 1865.

SIR,—With reference to my letter of the 30th
ultimo, relative to the engagements with the rebels
on the 24th and 25th January, I have the honor to
acquaint your Excellency, that from information I
have received it appears that the rebels have suffered
a very severe loss, having had seventy (70) men
killed, amongst whom are several Ngatiruanui chiefs.
Pehimana Ngarauru, the principal Waitotara
chief, is reported to be mortally wounded.
We have collected 23 bodies on the field.

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

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

Camp, Nukumaru, 25th January, 1865.

SIR,—I have the honor to report, for the informa-
tion of the Lieut.-General commanding the forces,
that, in compliance with the orders received from
him, I marched from Camp at Alexander's Farm with
the force detailed in the margin* towards the Wai-
totara river, yesterday morning at 9:30. The advance
of the troops was necessarily very slow, owing to the
steep ascent of the road from the beach to the sand
hills at the Okehu river, and the passage across those
hills of the carts conveying baggage and stores. The
force reached this position about 4:30, p.m., where I
formed the Camp close to the Paetaia Lake, and about
half a mile from the small native village of Nukumaru.
Immediately after the Camp was formed, I ordered
out pickets, and as a picket of the 18th Regiment
approached a bush close to the village, which I con-
sidered necessary to occupy, it was fired upon by a

• Royal Artillery
  Royal Engineers
  Military Train
  18th Regiment
  50th Regiment
  Brigade Staff
  Total

party of rebels, who quickly fell back and took up a
strong position at the edge of the bush further away
from the village; the men of the picket got under
cover behind a railed fence with a small ditch.
Firing was kept up by both sides till dark, after
which it gradually slackened, and ceased altogether
about midnight.

It is with deep regret I have to report the loss to
the service of Lieutenant Johnstone, 40th Regiment,
Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-General, a zealous and
gallant officer, who proceeded with the picket to see
it posted as I had directed, and who was mortally
wounded very soon after firing began, and who died
this day at noon.

I enclose a list of casualties.

The picket first posted was commanded by Captain
Shaw, 18th Regiment, who acted very coolly and
judiciously in the disposal of his men.

Seeing the rebels were in a strong position, and
believing they were there in considerable numbers,
which might soon be increased from the pah at
Weraroa, two miles off, I sent out a reinforcement of
100 men, under Major Rocke, 18th Regiment.

The rebels retired during the night, as this morn-
ing they were not to be seen or heard in the bush.

I have, &c.,
R. WADDY,
Brigadier-General Com. Field Force.

Camp, Nukumaru, 26th January, 1865.

SIR,—I have the honor to report, for the informa-
tion of the Lieutenant-General Commanding the
Forces, that yesterday, about 2 p.m., the outlying
pickets in front of this Camp were suddenly attacked
by the rebels in large numbers, who managed to
approach (under cover of the high fern and flax
bushes) unperceived till close upon the sentries.

After a short resistance, the two pickets were over-
powered and forced to retire. Immediately after the
firing commenced the troops in camp all got under
arms, and I sent a reinforcement to each picket of
100 men. The attack on the left was at once slacked
and the Maoris were soon driven back, but on the
right they advanced with great determination and
pushed on through the village of Nukumaru, till
about halfway between that place and the tents of
our right front; here they were met by the reinforce-
ment and stopped. The Cavalry (Military Train
men) at the same time got round their left flank,
and they were driven back to the bush in rear of
Nukumaru. Into this bush the Royal Artillery
fired some rounds from the two six-pounder Arm-
strong guns, and the Maoris soon retired from it;
considering the very difficult nature of the ground
across which the Cavalry had to move, their advance
was rapid and their charge effective. I enclose a
return of casualties, which I regret to say is heavy,
particularly in the 50th Regiment, from which the
left picket was furnished. Ten dead bodies of the
rebels were brought into camp, and two wounded
men; but I feel convinced they lost many more, par-
ticularly on the left. One of the wounded is Te
Arawa, Ngatimaniapoto, eldest son of Honi Pumipi,
a leading Chief; both these men say 600 Maoris
came to attack our position.

I have, &c.,
R. WADDY,
Brigadier-General Com. Field Force.