COPY OF A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL McDONNELL, REPORTING MARCH OF DETACHMENT OF COLONIAL FORCES FROM PATEA TO RELIEVE THE POST AT WAREA.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1867 Session I, A-21

A.—No. 21.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL McDONNELL, REPORTING MARCH OF DETACHMENT OF COLONIAL FORCES FROM PATEA TO RELIEVE THE POST AT WAREA.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND 01' HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1867.

A.—No. 21.

(No. G6-1.) Sin,— Patea, 12th September, 18G7. "With reference to your letter, No. and date as per margin, and a private conversation I had with the Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, I have the honor to inform you that after due consideration I deemed it much more desirable to march the relief to Warea, and much less expensive to Government than to send them by the steamer " "Waipara," which was already under charter. Accordingly, as soon as I returned from "Wellington, I sent for Wharematingi and told him I intended to go overland to Warea, and take some men with me, and that I would go through in the daylight, and had no intentions of attacking, unless opposed on the road ; he strongly advised me not to go from Opunake to Warea by day, as I would be fired at; but I told him that the road could not be allowed to be closed any longer for Europeans by day, and I would go through by day. I accordingly took with me the force as per margin ; * leaving Captain Newland in command, with orders to call out the Local Militia for duty, if he considered it necessary. My reasons for making the force so strong were, that I heard that Ahitanc intended to follow the party, which ho thought would be only twentyfive men, and attack them ; and I also considered it would have a good effect on the Warca Natives, and show that though the Imperial Troops had left we still had forces, and could go where wo wished. On my arrival at "Waihi I asked for volunteers from the Native Contingent, when the numbers as per margin came forward and offered to accompany me without pay, and I gladly accepted their services. I marched from Waihi to Kawia, on Thursday, the sth instant, and sent on from there a Native to Honi Pihama, telling him I was coming next day, and to get some food ready for my men. The messenger found the whole of Ahitane's tribe at Oeo, with Honi, and when told that I was coming with a lot of men they were greatly alarmed ; however, Honi Pihama assured them that I would not come at night, and that even if I did I would not molest them. They left Oco at daylight, and Captain Cumming met them about seven miles from Opunake, he states there were upwards of fifty armed with double-barrelled guns, a few with rifles and revolvers ; they were civil and shook hands ; one man only was rather abusive, but he was quieted by the others. I marched from Kawia to Opunako on Friday, the Gth instant, and occupied the redoubt. On Saturday I started for Warea early, with Mr. Booth, Captain Cumming, the mounted men, and a few of the Native Contingent, who had horses, leaving Captain Page to bring on the men. I saw William King, at TJmerou, he also advised me not to go on, but to wait till dark, but I assured him that the road would not be allowed to be closed any longer; that the Pakeha and the Maori must use the road when they liked, either by night or day, and if it was objected to by the Warea Natives in all probability I would pay them a midnight visit when they did not expect it. About three miles after we had left Umerou (William King's place), I found a sort of flax-gate put up across the path, with a letter written on flax, the real reading of which was, " If you go througli the land do not molest us." I arrived all right at Warea, without being interfered with, but by the tracks, it could be seen we were watched all the way. I learnt afterwards, from my scouts, that I had not left Opunake two hours when Ahitane's tribe marched in, and are gone to see the Warea Natives, and to attend a mod Ing which takes place there on the 15th instant. After making all arrangements for the men at Warca I went on to New Plymouth, with Mr. Booth and Captain Cumming, where we arrived at about eight p.m., and saw Lieutenant-Colonel Lcppor, and made all provision for a supply of rations, &c., for the force. On Sunday, the Bth instant, I had an interview with His Honor the Superintendent, who expressed himself much pleased ■with the steps I had taken, and I explained to him what is my firm opinion, that the danger of travelling by day along the Coast has been considerably magnified by the Natives for selfish purposes: hitberto no one could go through at night without a guide, the average charge for whom was thirty shillings, this, with profits on grog sold by William King, at Uinaroa, made it quite a harvest for them to have Europeans travelling by night through their district. I left New Plymouth on Monday morning, and marched from Warea with the remainder of the men, on Tuesday, leaving Ensign Yon Eotter with twenty-five rank and file (the party of Colonel Lepper's men having been sent to New Plymouth). Mr. Yon Eotter is a most energetic officer, and I have no doubt will give satisfaction to Lieutenant-Colonel Lepper and the Government. The march back was without any incident worth reporting, but I may state that I assured the Natives all along the Coast that the Government would not allow the road to be closed for Europeans by day or by night, and lam of opinion the expedition has had a very beneficial effect. The expense to Government will be very trifling. I used the spare horses as pack-horses, but had to hire one extra at Waihi at five shillings per day, this for seven days, and some extra rum issued to the men, will be the principal expense of the expedition.

No. 561-2. Aug. 24, 1867.

Capt. Kepa, Lieut. Wirikana, iCns. Poma, 1 Scrgt., and 14 rank and flit.

* Distribution.—From Patea, Field-officer, 1; Captain, 1; Subaltern, 1; Staff, 1; Sergeant, 1 ; Bank and File, 19. From Mokoia, Captain, 1; Sergeants, 2 ; Rank and File, 13. From Turu Turu Mokoi, Bank and File, 11. From Waihi, Subaltern, 1 ; Rank and File, 19. Total—Field-ollieer, 1 ; Captains, 2 ; Subalterns, 2 ; Staff, 1; Sergeants, 3; Rank and File, 62. Remarks.—Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell; Assistant-Surgeon, Luther; Eusign, Ton Rotter. Captain, Ciunming. Met at Oeo, Captain Page and Ensign Ilirtzell.

COPY OF LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL McDONNELL.

A.—No. 21.

I cannot conclude without informing the Government how well the officers and men did their work ; each day's march was over twenty-five miles, and the men had to carry extra ammunition and their great-coats, through heavy roads ; only one man got foot-sore, and they have gone to their several posts as fit for the road as when they started. I would also beg to bring to the notice of the Government the conduct of the Native Contingent, and trust that some allowance for their services will be sanctioned, if possible. Katene, who once fought determinedly against us at Pungarehu, but is now on pay as a guide in No. 1 Company V.M., proved a most useful man, and as a scout could not be excelled, and I trust the Government will recognize his services. I have, &c, Tiros. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District. Captain Holt, Under Secretary, Wellington.

4

LETTER EROM LIEUT.-COLONEL McDONNELL.