A.—No. la,

DESPATCHES EROM THE GOVERNOR OP NEW

68

Friends,— Bth October, 1866. I have received your letter which states that you came in to throw off your foolish god. Te Hapuku, Noa, and Paora Kaiwhata have been to you and told you that, if this statement be true, Panapa should come to the Pa Whakairo and arrange matters at that place before coming in here. Now you did not accede to their proposition —you answered that all were " Panapas." Ido not know what this sentence means, and what you mean by your proceedings in general. To the request that you should return peaceably to your homes you have turned a deaf ear —it was a good word from us all (to you). Now if your intentions are evil tell us, and if good let us know, that we may shortly understand each other. From your friend, To Panapa and friends, Bapaki. . D. McLean.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 30. Extract from the New Zealand Gazette, 1866, No. 56. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to His Honor D. McLean, Esq. (No. 328.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, 17th October, 1866. The Government has received intelligence of the successful result of the engagement wliich took place on the 12th instant, between a force composed of Militia and Volunteers from Napier, and of friendly Natives in the vicinity, and a body of armed rebel Hau Haus who had encamped at Omaranui, threatening the safety of the town, plundering the settlers and the resident Natives, and refusing to give any satisfactory explanation of their intentions. The Government earnestly trusts that the energy and gallantry displayed by the Colonial Forces under the direction of your Honor and the Officer commanding the Militia and Volunteers, and the vigorous measures taken for the suppression of the first symptoms of armed insurrection, will have the desired effect of at once restoring and securing peace and safety throughout the Napier District. The promptitude shown by your Honor in the organization of the necessary measures for the expulsion of these armed fanatics, and the patriotic courage of the Colonial Forces under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, deserve high praise; and although the Government has not yet received any official account of the engagement, I have to request your Honor to be good enough to communicate to Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, and to those who served under him, the thanks of the Government for their conduct on the occasion referred to, and its sympathy with those who were wounded, and with the survivors of those (fortunately so few) who were killed by the enemy. I have, &c, His Honor D. McLean, Napier. E. W. Stafford.

Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure in No. 30. His Honor D. McLean, Esq., to the Hon. E. W. Staffoed. Sir, — Napier, 15th October, 1866. In continuation of my report to you of the 9th instant, I have now the honor to state that the preparatory measures then contemplated have been carried into effect. On Thursday, the 11th instant, Major Fraser arrived from the Wairoa with forty rank and file of the Military Settlers, accompanied by the Chiefs Kopu and Ihaka Whaanga, with thirty of their followers. The same afternoon, Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, who was in town waiting for orders, had the forces under his command marched at midnight towards tho several positions to be assigned to them, as detailed in his full and explanatory Despatch herewith enclosed. I may bo permitted to state that the zeal, alacrity, and high spirit displayed by all classes of the European inhabitants during a time of imminent danger, reflects the greatest credit upon the community, who as loyal subjects were prepared and resolved to uphold Her Majesty's lawful authority within the district. Almost simultaneously with the movement of the European forces, the friendly Natives of Pawhakairo were communicated with by Mr. Locke, a gentleman who justly possesses great influence with them. The several chiefs and their followers were, with Mr. Locke, at their positions by daylight, having failed in every effort used to bring about a settlement of impending hostilities. I addressed a letter to the insurgent Natives at Omaranui, the translation of which is herewith enclosed, having previously, in order if possible to avert bloodshed, requested Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore to surround the enemy's position with a large force, in the hope that this might be the means of inducing unconditional surrender without recourse to arms. In this expectation I was however disappointed, and after granting a further extension of three quarters of an hour beyond the time stipulated in my letter sent by Mr. Interpreter Hamlin to the enemy, the white flag was hauled down, the Union Jack hoisted, and tho forces advanced to the several positions assigned to them by the Officer commanding. The engagement which then took place is so ably described by Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore that, without any addition of mine, the Government can gather the fullest information in reference to it from that gallant officer's Despatch. I herewith enclose plans of the enemy's position at Omaranui. Almost at the same time that military operations were taking place at Omaranui, Major Eraser's small force of Military Settlers, ably seconded by Captain Carr, of the 8.A., and some Volunteers, became engaged at Petane, with the Bangihiroa, the head chief of Tarawera, a most turbulent and dangerous man, who took a prominent part in promoting the Hau Hau faith at Wairarapa and elsewhere.