It was written in the highly figurative Native style, and certainly contained some severe as well as truth ful home thrusts. He ended with: "If you say let war continue, I answer Yes. If you say let peace be made, I answer Yes. If you agree to this come and converse. Turn against your own countrymen and fight them, and let roe fight with Waka." Within a week of Colonel Despard's arrival all preparations were completed, and on June 8 the first of the vessels sailed for Kororareka. All seemed confident of success this timo. Tho previously despondent soldiers now gained new courage and referring in a punning sort of way to two of their favourite leaders, Colonel iDospard and Brigade-major Deering, spoke of "what they would do now that Colonel Des pard and Captain Daring led them. On the 13th Colonel Despard received word of Heke's severe •wound, which at all events for the time had placed him hors de combat. This piece of news de cided him to press operations on with aii speed, and as the last of the vessels—five in number al together—had reached the rendezvous, they got under weigh for the former lauding place, One whern beach near the Kerikeri river. A disaster at once befel them. Half an hour after start ing, the British Sovereign ran on a dangerous reef, and as the weather was thick and heavy there was every appearance of her speedily be coming a wreck. The other vessels rendered every assistance and the men were safely taken off. The vessel was with great exertion got off the beach, but so badly damaged that it was found necessary to run her ashore. This caused a delay of two days. The troops then marched to Mr Kemp's station ht the head of

the Kerikeri through and over the same dread ful swamps, bogs, valleys, and hills, and awaited the arrival of the guns, ammunition, and heavy baggage which had been sent up the river in boats under the command of Commander John-

ston, of the Hazard, who put in an appearance

about 3 o'clock in the morning. Stock was now taken, if one may so say, and the means of transport were found to be sadly deficient. These consisted of three drays drawn by bul locks and two carts with two horses to each. 