LAMB'S MILL, (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

Head of the Waitemata, Tuesday, December 22. The Kaipara expedition arrived beie safely this evening about (.even o'clock, having been preceded by two boats' ciews from the ' Eslc' The following is tho strength of the force at present heie: — Foity men of the Ist class Ist battalion militia, commanded by Capt. Taylor, Lieut. Taylor, and Ensign Mnnghton ; 26 naval vohiuteers from Nos. 1 and 2 companies, commanded by Captain Copland and Lieutenant Stevenson. Tho blue jackets from the ' Esk,' numbered 25, and were comuiauded by Lieutenant Ceorge Graham Duft, and 2 midshipmen. The whole are. under the command of Alajor-General Galloway, who is accom panied by his military secretary, Major De Quincy. Capt. Heaphy, of No. 3 (Parnell) Rifle Volunteer*, alt-o accompanies the expedition as guide. As before stated the bine jackets were the first to arrive at the head of the river, having started from Auckland at one o'clock, and with a fair wind had a jlleasant sail up. They landed at Deacon's. The mijn were armed with tides and revolvers, and a 91b. Armstrong was also brought up iv one of the bouts. Tl c militia were the next to leave the Queen-street wlai'f, having embarked on board the cutter 'Bessy,' and started a short time befofe fi, naval volunteers, who were embarked t board the cutter ' Sydney.' At the time the ' Sydney' hauling off from the wharf, the ' Bessy' had got as far as the Watchman, and ap peared well able to hold the position the had gained. As the 'Sydney ' however fairly entered on the race thodistance between them sensibly diminished, and on reaching Wood's Island, the 'Bessy' was overhauled by th4 1 Sydney' to windward. She, however, arrived at Good's landing-place the first, consequent on the Naval Volunteers having goue on shore at Deacon's, Ou arrival here, Major-General Galloway wm in formed by Lieutenant Duff that the hou. the Colonial Secretary had, on his way to Mr. McLeods, left orders that the expedition should remain at the head of the river until his return, when further orders as to their destination would be de tenniued upon. Mr. Fox wai accompanied by Mr. Monrjifinterpreter of the Native Office, and a Maori. In consequence of the orders left by Mr. 