A.—No. 8.

24

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

against you, but what was Itodo ? I was a prisoner. I blame you for my misfortune. However, I have nothing more to say. Te Kooti is here in the bush :go and find him." Te Heuheu's answer to Major Kemp's speech. " I agree with most of what you have said. If you wish to send me to gaol or the Chatham Islands, well and good. All you have done is fair. I have nothing to say against you, but I do blame Hohcpa Tamamutu; and had he led the charge on my pa, I should have aimed at him and shot him, as he is the sole cause of my misfortune. I have nothing more to say. Your words are good." Te Heuhcu gives the following information": —That Te Kooti stopped in the pa till just before it was taken, when as he was putting his hand into his waistcoat pocket for caps he was struck by a bullet which wounded his thumb and second finger, and cutting the third finger completely off, and also passing through the fleshy part of his side, and that if we had followed them up in the creek, instead of the track, he would have been caught, as he had no gun, and was going slowly, owing to the pain of his hand. Rerehi, Te Heuheu's uncle, left the pa with Te Kooti. That Te Kooti has with him 40 or 50 Chatham people and 50 Ureweras, including most of the Urewera chiefs, namely, Te W Taru, Paerau, Hapurona Poke, Hamiora (chief of Ahikereru), Te Makarini, Rakuraku, and Te Kercru. That Te Whenuanui was left with Te Waru's men and the rest of Te Urewera to defend Waikare-Moana. That this is the total of Te Kooti's force now. Chatham Island men suffered severely in late fight. Matuahu has gone towards Tuhua, for the purpose of collecting his women and children. Heuheu thinks Tc Kooti is at Whakapapa. Hakaraia and the Patetere people are said to be on their way to join him. He (Te Kooti) received a letter to that effect. This is all the information worth anything. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond. Thos. McDonnell.

No. 31. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Napier, 13th October, 1869. Despatch reporting surrender of Te Heuheu received, and very glad to hear it; very much decreases our complications at Taupo. Endeavour to get Matuahu in, and the rest of the Taupo Natives. I enclose what I wish said to them. You have already heard from me that Tc Heuheu had better come here, and I think so still; of course take care he is securely looked after, and send with him a few of the principal Taupo prisoners. I see gladly that you were getting ready for going after Te Kooti, and sincerely trust you will succeed in giving an account of him. In case there is any trouble still about the woman, Te W raru's sister, send her down with Te Heuheu; perhaps that is the best way of settling the dispute. Washing you success, and that next news will bring word of Te Kooti's being finished. Tell our Natives wc must have no differences among them about prisoners. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Haroto and Taupo. Ormond.

Enclosure in No. 31. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Napier, 13th October, 1869. Say to Te Heuheu, and the Taupo Natives who have been in arms against us, that the Government is glad that their surrender has taken place before they have placed themselves in the same position as Te Kooti's band. That the Government desires Tc Heuheu, and those who have come in, to send to their friends, not yet surrendered, to follow their example quickly; that the Government is inclined to deal leniently with them, but cannot overlook what they have done; 4hat their principal men are to come down here, and be informed of the determination the Government have come to respecting them, and that the Government mean to take a substantial pledge from them to ensure good behaviour in the future. Meantime the people are to remain under your charge until their chiefs return. Of course they feed themselves. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Haroto and Taupo. Ormond.

No 32. The Hon. the Premier to His Honor J. D. Ormond. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th October, 1869. Very glad indeed to hear of Te Heuheu's surrender. Can you suggest anything as to terms and disposal of him ? I think he ought to give land at Taupo for a small settlement and redoubt, and pledge himself to assist in road-making. I really believe, to some extent, his excuse is true about Tc Kooti forcing him into joining him. Do not do anything that will