E.—No,

I must bring to the Lieut.-General's notice the cool .and intrepid gallantry evinced on this occasion by Lieutenant Rait, R.A., Captain Gresson, Lieutenant and Adjutant Lewds (who commanded No. 1 Company, the Officers being both sick), and Lieutenant Pennefather, who commanded the advanced guard ; and I trust you will recommend Ensign James B. Hay, of the Militia, to the favourable consideration of His Excellency the Governor, for his coolness and cleverness in guiding the party under my command, so rapidly into the scene of this brief but smart action. With a proud heart I must bring to the Lieutenant-General!s notice the cool and quiet order and gallantry displayed by all ranks of the force under my command, and the unflinching patience with which the men bore the harrassing and toilsome march to and from the scene of action. I am happy to say that the casualties of my party were limited to one private killed. I have, <_~ Alfred F. W. Wyatt, Colonel and Lieut-Colonel Commanding 65th Regiment and Troops at Drury. The Military Secretary, Head-quarters, Drury. Field Officer. Captains. Subalterns. Staff. Sergeants. Drummers. Rank <fc File. * Royal Artillery .. 1 1 1 1 28 _h Regiment 1 1 3 1 6 3 72 Volunteer ililitia 1 1 .. 1 .. 33 1 2 5 2 8 4 131

Enclosure 2 to No. 6. CAPTAIN JAMES EING TO THE ASSISTANT MILITARY SECBETAEY. Camp near Kerikeri, Wairoa-road, 23rd July, 1863, Sir,— I have the honor to state for your information that at noon the 22nd instant, I received information that two settlers had been fired upon by a body of Natives, and that one of the settlers was killed, and hearing firing iv the vicinity of Pukikiwereke, about two miles from my camp, I immediately proceeded with 100 men of the detachment under my command, and close to the above named place I fell in with natives who were engaged with sixteen volunteers. I opened tire and the Natives retreated to my former entrenchment above the whare at Kerikeri. The firing of the skirmishers drove them down the side of the hill into the brushwood ; the leading skirmishers on the right, under Lieutenant Wray, took possession of the hill, and kept up fire on them. I, with another body of skirmishers, proceeded to take them on the right flank, but found that the Natives who mustered a strong force, nearly surrounded me. Here I lost one man killed, whose rifle and bayonet were taken possession of by the Natives, though not without serious loss to them. I then concentrated my men on the entrenchment, and having heard from an artillery officer, who rode up to my position, that the 65th Regiment was in my immediate vicinity, I requested that he would inform the officer commanding 65th that there was a track on the enemy's rear, and if an attack were made in that direction it would be of great service, as it was quite impossible for me to follow so strong a force of the enemy into the bush with my small force. I remained in the entrenched position until close on sunset, keeping a steady fire on the enemy, who'were endeavouring to obtain the body and ammunition of the private who was killed, and whom I would not leave. I repeatedlytried to obtain possession of the body by sending out volunteers of the man's company, but desisted, finding it would entail greater loss. I was about retiring, leaving a rearguard in the entrenchment, when the mounted artillery arrived ; immediately after I saw the 65th appear. The Natives then drew off their right flanking movement, and, retreating into the bush, enabled me to obtain the body of the man of my detachment; this accomplished, the whole force withdrew. I beg to annex the following list of casualties :— No. 1 Company, 925, Private John Ewins, killed. No. 1 Company, 805, Private John Hamilton, wounded severely. No. 7 Company, 324, Private Thomas Dunbar, wounded slightly. No. 7 Company, Private Conroy, wounded slightly. The officers engaged on this occasion were Lieutenant Wray, Ensign Jackson, and Ensign Butts, whose assistance, coupled with the steadiness of my men, merits unqualified approbation. I have, ifcc, James Ring, Captain Royal Irish, Commanding Detachment. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT. I beg to forward the enclosed list just received from Captain Clare, of the Auckland Militia, who at first were engaged with the enemy and then joined my force, and rendered every possible assistance, and behaved in a most creditable manner, I have, &c., J. Ring, Captain, W. Hutchins, Lieutenant-Colonel, Assistant-Military Secretary.

11

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION.