A.—No. Sa.

AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

23

him, and it is only a sense of shame that induces them to remain with him. The enemy lost many more than mentioned in the affair of the 4th October last —relatives of the Wairoa man, Te Waru. I leave to-night for I'okano, by canoe. Marino goes overland to same place. In conversation last night with Marino I told him that if Te Waru came with his men, —some twenty I believe in number, —and he, Te Waru, had not himself committed any murders, his life would be spared, and he would not be imprisoned, nor his men. Marino says that he will return himself to his kainga, and if Te Waru is still there he will bring him in, as he and men are anxious to come, only being afraid lest he and they be punished for the murders of his brother, as in Native custom he most certainly would be. I trust I have not said too much, but I acted for the best in this, and Tc Waru is an important chief—almost in name more so than Te Heu-Heu, and certainly, as far as I know, of more influence. I must go to Napier, on many accounts, and see you, but you may rest assured I will not leave Taupo if there is a chance of Te Kooti coming this way. I only wish Government would say to mc " You are to get Te Kooti, no matter where he is." Let me have the means, and leave the rest to me. I have, &c., His Honor J. D. Ormond. Thos. McDonnell.

Enclosure No. 5 in No. 53. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) Napier, Bth January, 1870. Received despatch from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, also letter from Marino; both are sent you herewith in full. My reply to Marino will be repeated to you, and I know will convey your wishes. I have approved what Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell has done, and advised Locke. I cannot think Wi Pukapuka's news is reliable. Marino comes from nearer the source of mischief than Wi. Ido not see we can do more, pending later advices. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Ormond.

No. 54. Extract from Journal of Mr. J. Booth, R.M. Ohinemutu, 7th January, 1870. 3rd January. —Mete Kingi, self, and about twenty men, arrived at Ohinemutu from Hiruharama; met Tahana and his men, 100 in number; gave the thirty rifles and two kegs of ammunition authorized by the Hon. the Premier. Thirty men of the Mangonui-o-te-ao arc to go to-morrow to Tutukaka, up the river, near the road leading to Taupo, and only a day's journey from Tokano via Rotoaira. These men are in charge of a chief named Henare Rangiorua ; they are to build a pa, which will be used as a post of observation. I have, subject to the approval of the Government, agreed to have a karere at Tutukaka, and another at the mouth of the Mangonui-o-te-oa; a third to be attached to Tahana at the Aomarama. Tliese men are responsible for the conveyance of letters and messages, and by them Government will be able to correspond with the force at Taupo from this place in three days. Wiari Turoa, in his speech to-day, said that all the Natives in his district have now given up Hauhauism, and have joined the Government. The estimated number of fighting men on the Wanganui at the present time is 750 men; of this number the Government may now rely on the assistance of from 650 to 680 men; of the rest, the majority, like Topini te Mamaku, will remain neutral. 4th. —Tahana's people left this morning for Tukepo, Utapu, Teike, and the Mangonui-o-te-ao. , Mete Kingi sent a letter to Tamati Waka up the Mangonui-o-te-ao. (He gave assistance to Te Kooti a while ago.) Mete said he was sorry Tamati had not come to the Aomarama when Topia and Kemp, with the Taua, went up the river, but that he was pleased to hear, from his (Tamati's) young men, that he intended to remain neutral. sth. —No news of any kind to-day. 6th. —The karere returned from Tutukaka with a letter* from Henare Rangiorua to Mete Kingi and self, stating that they had occupied the post, and were going at once to build their pa. He also stated that he had read Mete's letter to Tamati, who had stated in reply that, since his men had joined the Government and had received Government arms, he should, for the future, maintain friendly relations with the Government. 6 p.m. —A canoe, with two sick men, has just been brought down from Te Rakura, where they left Kemp and Topia, with their party; they have been again detained by heavy rains. It is not known exactly where Kooti is, as he is not living in a pa, but moving about from place to place. The Taua was to move on to-day if the weather permitted. A few hours rain brings out the water, making it impossible to take on canoes. Topini te Mamuku is supplying the taua with food, and giving-other assistance. Two spies (Topini's men) were sent on three days ago to obtain information about Kooti's position; as they had not returned, it \vas feared they had been killed. We may expect news down in two or three days. Mete Kingi and self, with the men who are here, will remain until we hear whether the