The colonial steam gun-boat ' Sandfly,' Captain Marks, which came to her anchorage on Sunday night, has, aa usual, done good service to the colony. She left on her late trip on the 6th December, wind blowing high at S.W., and fetched up for the night close to H.M.S. • Miranda, at the Sandapit. On Monday, the 7th, sho proceeded to Pokorokoro, and lauded commissariat stores ; and on the Bth, being joined by the ' Miranda,' both vessels anchored about seven miles from Pokorokoro. Next morning steam was got up at four o'clock, when the ' Sandfly proceeded towards Mukomuko Creek, where the natives were supposed to be. Pour of the ' Miranda's ' boats were in tow, well manned, and more of the blue jackets were on board the ' Sandfly.' Captain Jenkins, of the ' Miranda,' was likewise on board. Altogether the force consisted of about one hundred men. No natives were seen in the creek, nor along the shore. Tho ' Sandfly then steered for the river Thames, followed, by the ' Miranda,' under sail, which, vessol anchored in sufficient water. It coining on to blow, the ' Sandfly returnedi and anchored by the ' Miranda.' On the morning of the 10th, at 5 o'clock, tho ' Sandfly steamed alongside H.M. ship, and took the gig, pinnace, and two cutters in tow. They were well manned by crews. The extra armament for this force was a twelve-pound Armstrong gun, twenty four-pound howitzer, and two twenty-fonr pound rocket tubes. The ' Sandfly steamed away for the mouth of the river, with this j large accession of strength; and something tolling was expected; but as usual nothing came of it. Captain Jenkins was on board. At about half-past seven o'clock, a.m., saw the Rev. Mr. Lanfear's cutter, and a __ signal having been made that gentleman came on board, and had a consultation with. Captain Jenkins. It became known on hoard that thd

CRUISE OF THE 'SANDFLY.'

THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.
