AGAINST REBEL NATIVES.

31

A.—No. Ba.

Enclosure in No. 77. Major Kemp to Lieut.-Colonel McDonxfll. Friend, — Tuhua, Taumarunui, 14th January, 1870. I have arrived here, and Te Kooti has run away. Aporo, of Waikato, gave him information ; that is the reason of his retreat. I hear he has gone to Waotu, then I hear he has gone to Taupo. Topia and I are following him up. You can know about that side (S.E.) of the lake. If you come to Ti 14 Raupcka, it will be good to see us. Bring food for us with you. I intend to follow him to Tauranga, &c., if he goes there. This is all. From your friend, To Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Major Kemp.

No. 78. Mr. Locke, R.M., to His Honor J. D. Ormond. (Telegram.) Taupo, 17th January, 1870. I forward you Hitiri's letters; they speak for themselves. Ngatiraukawa has joined Te Kooti; he is now at Tapapa, Hakaraia's pa, in the Patetere country, at the back of Tauranga, at the foot of the Raho-o-Rangipure Mountain. Not certain whether he will attack Tauranga or Rotorua District. The white man was killed at Puniu, near Orakau. Wanganuis last heard of at the Wera. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell is expected here to-day. The wind is too strong to use the canoes on the lake. Henare Pukuatua is anxious to follow Te Kooti by way of Waimahana. I send you a sketch of Patetere country, showing the position of kaingas, bush, &c. S. Locke.

Enclosure 1 in No. 78. To Poihipi and to Henare, — Te Pouakaui, 14th January, 1870. I have met with Tc Kooti at Tc Pouakaui on the 10th of January. He arrived at Tapapa on the 14th of January. Ido not know what place he intends to attack (advance on); it will be for you to watch. The tribes on the other side of Waikato have joined Te Kooti. One Pakeha has been killed at Puniu, a little beyond Wharepapa : killed him quite dead. There has been one investigation, which is now left for Tawhiao's decision as to how that young man who killed the Pakeha should be punished. From your affectionate friend, Hitiri Paerata.

Enclosure 2 in No. 78. Te Pouakaui, To Te Kapa and Te Perenara, and to you all, —■ 16th January, 1870. I have met with Te Kooti at Pouakaui on the 10th January, he has above 100 men, and including women and children, 200. On the 14th of January they reached Tapapa. The news from there is, that the whole of the tribes and hapus of Ngatiraukawa, on the other side of Waikato and extending to Tauranga, have joined Te Kooti. The portion to Hauraki, Ido not know whether they have joined or not. Te Kooti's movements from Tapapa will very likely be on Tauranga or elsewhere, or perhaps make a rear move on Rotorua. I cannot say positively; it will be for you to watch. A Pakeha has been killed at Puniu by a son of Karipa, named Tamati: killed him dead. There has been one trial over that young man ; it is left for Tawhiao's decision; he will perhaps have him put to death, or he may be spared; on the result I will send and inform you at a future date. lam at present residing at Pouakaui. Tauairoa is my second place (of residence). From your Arawa friend, Hitiri Paerata.

No. 79. Minutes of Meeting of Ngatihoko (Ngaiterangi) Chiefs with the Hon. the Native Minister, on the 17th January, 1870. Wiremu Te Whakairo introduced the Ngatihoko Chiefs and welcomed the Native Minister. Metene Ngakuru.—Salutation to you, the parent of the fatherless and the widow; you are now present whom we have been long expecting, and I address you. First, I wish to know about the weapon which we require to protect our bodies. Secondly, as we shall be obliged to concentrate in one place and keep a constant guard, we wish to be put on pay. Both Te Papa and Maungatapu are equally open to attack. The quarrel is yours and not mine; I am under your orders and obey your commands. We have been on active service, and have done duty in and out of this district, and we should be considered.