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AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

A.—No. Ba,

59

tion of the Hon. the Defence Minister, that I left this post on the morning of the Ist instant with about 150 men (30 Europeans), and entered the bush near the camp, intending to cut a track towards Kurunui, and meet Kemp and Topia, whom I had directed to march towards Kurunui and meet mc. I found the country a most difficult one to get through,—a succession of deep ravines covered with dense bush. Marched until about 5.30 p.m., and camped for the night after a most fatiguing day's scrambling. Started about 6 o'clock next morning, and, after crossing the top of the range, came upon a very large encampment, which had been occupied by the enemy since the engagement at Tapapa, as there were marks of wounded men having been there very recently. The camp was large enough for between three and four hundred men. A very largo Hauhau flag was found, and a bag of blasting powder, which were brought in. Marched on till about half-past 1 without seeing anything of the enemy except a complete network of tracks; and, not seeing or hearing anything of Kemp or Topia, turned towards Tapapa, where we arrived about dusk, after two most severe days' work. On arrival in camp found that Lieutenant Mair with 210 Arawas had arrived. I enclose a copy of his report. Kemp and Topia went out from Kurunui yesterday morning with 30 Europeans and 300 Natives. I have not heard of them since. After consulting with chiefs who came with Mr. Mair, and hearing that Lieut.-Colonel Fraser was on the way here with 250 men, I determined to send Mr. Mair and his men back by the road they came, as the whole of the other side of the ranges was left unprotected. Lieut.Colonel Fraser, having apparently entirely altered his plans since he wrote to you on the 30th ultimo, Mr. Mair assured me that only a few old men had been left behind, and that there was nothing to prevent Te Kooti from going to the Urewera country, or anywhere else on the Rotorua side of the ranges. Mr. Mair and his men, therefore, started back at 7 a.m.; and I will send Henare tc Pukuatua with 50 men after him. I have sent the Waikato Constabulary under Major Clare to Hamaria this morning, and when Kemp and Topia return will send them back to their district, relieving them with 100 Natives, as I consider it advisable to hold Hamaria. The scouting party sent along the edge of the bush yesterday returned in the evening, without seeing any signs of the enemy. The Native alluded to in Mr. Mair's report informs me that Te Kooti was at Hauraki at the time of the attack on this camp, and received a large quantity of powder from Te Hira. Also, that he has received some arms and ammunition from Europeans at the Thames ; that he knows Mr. Firth had two interviews with Te Kooti; that he was present himself at both, and the second time Te Kooti's escort told him Mr. Firth had given Te Kooti a box of percussion caps. The Hon. the Defence Minister may depend on my doing my utmost to prevent Te Kooti getting to Mokau or the King's country. —Thos. McDonnell, Lieut.Colonel, Field Force. " N.B. —Te Kooti got eleven casks of powder from Te Hira.—T. McD.—St. John Branigan, Esq., Commissioner, A.CF." Enclosure: —"Tapapa, 2nd February, 1870. —Sir, —I have the honor to report that I left Tauranga on January 21th; came to Maketu, organized the force of Arawas for the expedition. Returned to Tauranga on 25th, for arms and ammunition; shipped them on board p.s. ' Sturt.' 26th, came back to- Maketu, armed and provisioned the men, and started them inland. On the 27th, camped them midway between Maketu and Rotorua, on account of heavy rain; got to Ohinemutu next day, 28th, with Mr. Clarke. Waited the 29th, for the Europeans and Lieut.-Colonel Fraser to come up. In the evening the men arrived, and wc started on the 30th ; got to Puhirua. Had some delay as to what road we were to take; Lieut.-Colonel Fraser decided to send me by the Orapiripiri, with 210 Tuhourangi, Ngatirangitihi, Ngatiwhakaue, and Ngatimanawa; and he with 150 Ngatipikiaos, Ngatikearau, and 90 Europeans, went by the Mangorewha road, intending to go to Oropi (13 miles from Tauranga) ; thence along the skirts of the bush past Ahiahi, Paengaroa Tc Kaha to Kaimae; thence along the Kaitorenui road to Kurunui, to join your force. The Kaharoa road, by which I came with force under my command, is a very nice wide track, without an ascent or descent of 100 feet; with veryr little labour it could be made passable for packhorses. The Native I'ehuou,* who came in to Rotorua, was most useful to me as guide; without his knowledge I would have had to go without water, as it is very difficult to find. I should have stated that, after leaving Te Arapiripiri, we camped at Pakaraka, and reached Tapapa at 9 o'clock on the morning of the Ist instant.—-Gilbert Mair, Lieut. A.M., commanding Arawa Contingent.—To Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Commanding Expeditionary Force, Tapapa." St. John Branigan, Commissioner, A.C.

No. 201. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Tapapa. (Telegram.) Auckland, 4th February, 1870. Received Lieutenant Mair's report of his march from Tauranga and arrival at Tapapa, also your report of an arduous expedition of two days in pursuit of the enemy. Lieutenant Mair must be mistaken about the roads to the Urewera country being unguarded. Mr. 11. Clarke, in a letter to me of the Ist instant, says, " I have just returned from Te Kaha, and other settlements, and collected a force of 150 picked men from Ngaitai and other tribes to take an advanced position, * This Native was present at the attack on Tapapa with Te Kooti's men, and deserted him during the fight.

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