THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Camp Waingongoro, 4th February, 1866.
SIR, I have the honor to enclose to you herewith
for the information of the Major-General Command-
ing a diary of my proceedings with the force left by
the Major-General under my command on the 17th
January, 1866. I trust that the measures which I
have adopted to carry out the orders given to me to
harass the enemy and destroy all cultivations, &c.,
may meet with approval.

I may be permitted to add that from Captain
Doran and the detachment 50th Regiment I received
the most energetic co-operation. My best thanks
are due to these officers and men as well as to those
of the 57th Regiment, who have been engaged with
me; also, to Sir Robert Douglas, 57th Regiment, and
Major McDonnell of Native Contingent, who, despite
of his wound, insisted in rendering active aid, and
did good service.

I have, &c.,

H. BUTLER,
Major and Lieut.-Colonel 57th Regiment,
Commanding Garrison.

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

Diary of Operations with Flying Column, under the
command of Lieut.-Colonel Butler, 57th Regiment,
in the Ngatiruanui Country, from 17th January,
1866, to 3rd of February, 1866.

18th January. On the morning of the 18th
January, I moved out of camp with one field gun,
200 men of the 50th and 57th Regiments, and about
120 friendly Natives; proceeded in the direction of
Oukuti, which I found destroyed as I had left it two
days before; also to the pa Tiwitiri Moana, where
three bodies were discovered, one being that of the Chief
Hohepa, a man of considerable importance. This pa
was quite destroyed; the enemy escaped as usual by
the rear, and pursuit was not possible. There were
in all about fifty Natives to defend the pa; brought
in from it fifteen cartloads of potatoes, and destroyed
a vast quantity of cultivations; returned to this post
that evening.

19th January. Halted. The friendly Maoris went
out to reconnoitre and obtain intelligence, the want
of which much retarded my movements.

20th January. Marched off at 10 a.m., having
been delayed by the non-arrival of the Native Con-
tingent sent out yesterday; took with me twenty
Military Train under Lieut. Creagh, 80 rank and
file 50th, and 100 rank and file 57th Regiment,
also about 120 Native Contingent under Major
McDonnell. My object was to attack a strong
position called Ahipipi, in which it was said several
Natives were congregated. I detached the Native
Contingent along the left bank of the Waingongoro
River, with directions to cross it at the edge of the
bush, and endeavour to get in rear of Ahipipi, in order
to intercept the retreat of the Natives. I advanced
myself direct upon the position, and found it deserted;
some of the enemy, however, came down and fired on
my party when in the act of destroying the whares;
one man of the 57th Regiment was severely wounded.
The Native Contingent were now ordered to pursue
the enemy into the bush; this they did vigorously,
and within a mile of Ahipipi they came upon a large
village. This party was supported by some of the
57th under Sir Robert Douglas. After a heavy fire,
and a stout resistance of about twenty minutes, the
village was carried. A large number of the enemy
were seen carrying off a body with much care. It is
believed that a great chief was killed, possibly of
Kaukawa. A well furnished strong European house
was erected close to the mill or flagstaff; it was
destroyed in common with everything to be found,

91

including many cultivations. Five of the enemy were
killed, one man of the Native Contingent wounded.
The destruction of this place is considered of import-
ance, as it was newly built by the Hau Haus with
unusual care, and was as it were the head quarters of
the fanatics in the neighbourhood.

21st January. Halted, and continued my efforts
to obtain information.

22nd and 23rd January. Convoy days. The
friendly Natives went into the bush, and brought
back a quantity of potatoes.

24th January. Started at 8 a.m.; took with me
14 Military Train, 80 rank and file 50th, 100,
57th and about 100 Native Contingent; pro-
ceeded towards Wheriwheri, which has been already
destroyed, thence towards Tewhatiwe, crossed the
Waingongoro River, and struck into the bush towards
Ketemarai. I soon came upon clearances under careful
cultivation, amongst the rest about two acres of
wheat, much Indian corn and tobacco, and a number
of fruit trees. All were destroyed. After a long
and harassing march the force returned to camp, via
the Ketemarai road.

25th January. At 4 p.m., considering that I no
longer required the services of the 50th Regiment,
under Captain Doran, I ordered that Officer to return
to the Patea.

26th January. Rested in camp.

27th January. Rested again, and sent the Natives:
out to reconnoitre. They lost one man in the bush;
it was afterwards ascertained that he was killed by
the Hau Haus.

28th January. A party of Natives went in search
of their missing companion, but found no trace of
him. On their return they were attacked in force by
Hau Haus; one of our Natives was killed, and
another badly wounded; they reported having killed
three Hau Haus.

29th January. Took 100 Imperial Troops, 50
Natives, all available carts Commissariat Transport
Corps, to Ketemarai, for firewood.

30th January. Halted.

31st January. Sent another party to Ketemarai..
They came upon fresh cultivations concealed in the
bush; these were destroyed, and quantities of
vegetables brought into camp.

1st and 2nd February. Remained in camp in
consequence of the inclemency of the weather.

3rd February. Sent out a party consisting of
eighty rank and file, 57th Regiment, and some
friendly Natives, towards Ketemarai for firewood..

H. BUTLER,.
Major and Lieut. Col. 57th Regiment,
Commanding Garrison..

Camp, Waingongoro, 4th February, 1866.

Nominal Return of Officers and Men Killed and
Wounded in an Engagement with the Rebel Maoris
at Waikoko, on the 1st February, 1866, with the
Field Force under the command of Major-General
Chute:—

2nd Battalion 14th Regiment.

Private William Burns, aged 35, musket bullet through
the chest, killed.

Irregular Forces.

Von Tempsky's Forest Rangers.

Private Alexander Davidson musket bullet wound,
left thigh, severely.

Captain Corbett's Bushrangers.

Sergeant John Purdy, musket bullet wounds, right
shoulder and left thigh, slightly.

Wiremu Matakatea (Maori), musket bullet wound,
left thigh, severely (the man was wounded on the
night of 31st January, near Waikoko.)