The Sun. — 1863-10-24 (London, England)

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT.  " I beg to enclose the enclosed list just received from Captain Clear of the Auckland Militia, who at first was engaged with the enemy, and these joined my force, and rendered every possible assistance, and behaved in a most creditable manner.--.I have, ix.,  " J. RING, Captain."  " Camp Drury, July 23, 1863.  "euSt r—n,anlt .hGaevnee rtah honour ie that yes tteo request yues forenoon,t you wil inform hl avin g the been informed by a mounted volunteer that a man had been shot by the natives on Mr. Hayes's grounds, and that his house was threatened, I immediately got my available force under arms (as per margiLt) and proceeded in that direction, directing as I went along the detachment of Militia to crown a small knoll, and thus protect the approaches to Drury, and also ordering Lieutenant Raitt, R A., and his troopers, to proceed in the direction of the Wairoa Valley, for the .Mr, Hayes's, his son, purpose of calling off any marauding parties. On arriving at Ensign James B. Hayes, of the Militia, volunteered to act as guide to my party, and I scoured all tho bush in that vicinity with 30 men, having previously directed Lieutenant and Adjutant Lewis, with 40 men, to remain outside, and thus cut off any natives attempting to escape. On reaching the native settlement of Ken Keri, I heard some desultory firing on my left, and was led to understand by some militiamen that they had fired at some natives towards the 'Wairoa escaping into the bush. "Being satisfied with this explanation, I returned towards Drury, having previously picked up the body of the murdered man, and sent it there, "When within 11 mile of that settlement, I was overtaken by Veterinary Surgeon Anderson, R. A.., who informed me that a detachment of the 2d battalion 18th Regiment was in a very precarious position near Wairoa, and required a reinforcement, as they could not do more than hold their position. " Oa this I retraced my steps towards Keri Keri, and just before sunset entered the main bush under the guidance of Ensign Hayes. "As my party advanced firing and shouting were more distinctly heard, and after proceeding about half a mile, a turn of the road brought me suddenly upon the combatants, the 2d battalion 18th Regiment, upon an entrenched knoll, and the natives on the lower ground, but pressing them hard on three sides, when the detachment, 65th Regiment, cut off in their turn the immediate rear of two of them. Lieutenant Pennefather, who commanded the rear-guard, finding himself exposed to a cross-fire from both the 2d battalion 18th Regiment and natives, directed the bugler to sound the regimental ' call' and the 'fire,' and with a loud cheer, which was answered by the 2d battalion 18th Regiment, a rapid and continuous fusillade was opened on the natives erfeconced in the gullies, and sheltered by trees from the fire of the 2d battalion 18th Regiment, " Being completely taken by surprise, they, after a smart action of about 10 minutes, fled towards the denser bush, but the darkness which had now begun to set in rendered all attempts at searching for their dead and wounded perfectly futile. " The enemy's fire being now completely silenced, I directed both parties to move off to their respective camps, and while so doing a few desultory shots were fired high over their heads. "I must bring to the Lieut.-General's notice the cool and intrepid gallantry evinced on this occasion by Lieut. Raitt, Royal Artillery—Captain GreSSOll, Lieut. and Adjutant Lewis (who commanded No. 1 company, the officers being both sick), and Lieut. Pennefather, who commanded the advanced guard—and I trust you will recommend Ensign James B. Hayes, 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 Lieut.-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 harassing 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.  si I have, &c., "