Oil the 12th instant there inarched out of camp, To Papa, to take up a positi>u oa the Wairo» (Omanawa Creek), 120 meu of the Ist Waikato Regiment, under Captain Goldsmith ; also 20 men of the same regiment, under Lieutenant Pitt, to occupy a position lower down the stream. On the following day Captain' Goldsmith mored some 'of his men (about forty) across the Wairoa rirer, and marched them on towards Te Irihanga, a native village. Here some natives were seen, who waved towards the military, at the same time a native was observed much nearer to the advanced guard. No notice being taken of the natives, the advanced guard was fired on, and the sergeaut-major of the regiment hit — the ball struck him in the chest, passing out at the back. (Sergeaut -major Emus .has since died from the effects of this wound.) Some firing was kept up, for a short time, and one native is aaid to have been killed. The men retired to their camp at the Omanawa creek. The first in timation brought into camp of this unfortunate reconnoitring expedition was conveyed by the arrival of the wounded man. It was said this marching across the river -was contrary to orders. Colonel Harington at once went off to learn the particulars. This sad affair cast a gloom over Te Papa. Emus was a sergeant in the 68th Begiment, and took his discharge when that regiment left Tauranga for England. He entered the Ist Waikato Regiment, and was soon at the head of the non-commissioned list. He was universally respected by all who knew him. On the 19th, the colonel commanding the militia, Colonel Harington, called a meeting of all the non effective men of the Ist Waikaco .Regiment, his object being to see what numbers of men would volunteer for an expedition being then arranged. On Sunday, the 20tb, all the Ist class militiamen in in the district were, by circular, requested to meet that afternoon for muster, also the volunteers of the previous day; there mustered some 140 men. Captain Skeefc, of the Survey Department, had under him as volunteers nearly 30 men. On the whole the muster was satisfactory. The men were ordered to again meet at eleven the same night for a. march Some of the officers of the Ist Waikato Regiment off p»y were requested to resume their rank. 