AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

5

A—No. Sa.

men were away hunting for food, and the Arawas only made their appearance this morning about 10 o'clock. This leaves us in consequence with only two days' biscuit, not including this clay's rations, so we cannot march to-day, the only really fine day we have had for some time ; so I have sent the troopers to Tokano, to see if more biscuit has arrived this morning, as the canoe has been two days at Tauranga, but from the high winds it has been impossible to send the canoes. I trust we may effect a move to-morrow. lam doing all I can; but what with the weather, and other difficulties, lam nearly worn out. After I leave here, say to-morrow morning, I have to march the forces for one day without a chance of seeing Te Kooti. No fires have been seen, he is too cunning for that; aud I have tried every means in my power, and that I know of, to get information as to his neighbourhood; but no one can give me any intelligence, except that they suppose he is somewhere. There is no food left for him in this district that I am aware of, and he has been living on the shoots of the cabbage-tree. He has by the latest and best accounts, and I believe they are correct, about eighty followers with him.; all the others have left him, partly owing to the late thrashing he received at our hands, and partly to the Waikatos refusing to have any thing to do with him. Possibly Te Kooti may beat Manganui-te-ao; we shall see. I left your last telegram at Runanga by mistake, and have not got it with me at present. If, as I gather from it, the Government are not pleased, or think that I might have used greater exertions after Te Kooti, lam sorry for it. I have done my utmost, and have worked night and day; and I am right when I say that no officer in my position would have done what I have had to do, in my anxiety for the welfare of the expedition, leaving Native affairs out of the question. I have not known what rest is since I left you. I have, &c. To His Honor J. D. Ormond. Thos. McDonnell.

No. 4. The Hon. the Defence Minister to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sib, — Auckland, 18th November, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary dated the 9th instant, and to request you will have the goodness to assure Lieut.Colonel McDonnell that the Government feel quite satisfied with his zeal, and the exertions he has made, and do not consider him to blame for not being able to conquer the difficulties of forest and weather to which he has been exposed in pursuit of a wily and cunning foe. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell appears to have displayed proper judgment in his movements, and wisely avoided running the risk of causing complications with disaffected tribes by crossing their boundary. I have. &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Napier. Donald McLean.

No. 5. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir, — Napier, 15th November, 1869. I have the honor herewith to enclose copies of despatches received from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, as per margin, which will keep you informed of his movements in the Taupo District. I have, &c. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Ormond. P.S.—I add copy of telegram sent by me last night to Mr. Fox, enclosing the latest intelligence from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. —J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure 1 in No. 5. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir, — Camp Poutu, Bth November, 1869. I have the honor to forward a copy of a letter received this evening by Hare Tauteka from Topia:— Major Kemp has also received letters from Banana, informing him that Topia has paid them a visit at that settlement, and has told them (the friendly Natives of Wanganui) that he has returned from the King, and has a great word, which he will not divulge until he meets Kemp aud Mete Kingi at Ohinemutu. Kemp is of the same opinion as lam that Te Kooti has received assurance of strong support from Waikato and other places; and if this supposition is correct, and if Waikato gives the signal, and makes Te Kooti's and Titokowaru's cause their own, every King and neutral Native will rise in arms, including Topia and all his tribes. Kemp wishes me to tell you in this letter that he will turn to and collect the Ngatituwharetoa, and place them iv 2