AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

63

A. —No. Ba,

that Te Kooti went straight from Kurunui to Paengaroa. It appears that Kemp and Topia got on Te Kooti's track on Tuesday, and are still following him up. This will no doubt account for Fraser not coming on to Tapapa. lam just starting, and will be back by mid-day to-morrow. Pukapuka goes on to-day r to Tokangamutu, and will write to you on his arrival there. St. John Branigan, Commissioner, A.C.F.

No. 210. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 6th February, 1870. The following letter received from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell: —" Camp, 4'apapa, 6th February, 1870. —I have the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, that immediately on receipt of the information that Lieut.-Colonel Fraser's column had been attacked by the enemy, I directed four days' rations to be issued to 40 Europeans arid 106 Natives, intending to start early this morning and march in the direction of Tauranga. About 9 p.m. the Natives signified their unwillingness to proceed till Monday. They did not absolutely refuse to go, but from my knowledge of Natives I could see it would be useless to take them out, as they would do nothing with a will. A day is thus lost. The Hon. the Defence Minister will see how difficult my position is, having a force nominally under my command, but who will only act when it suits themselves. No appearance of Kemp or Topia. I can only surmise they have fallen in with Lieut.-Colonel Fraser's column, and are acting in conjunction with him. If I can get the Natives to move to-morrow morning I will march early, and endeavour to open communication with Lieut.-Colonel Fraser. When Kemp and Topia arc with him, we may have an opportunity of crushing the enemy. —Thos. McDonnell, Lt.-Col." W. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel.

No. 211. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. (Telegram.) Auckland, 7th February, 1870. Will you be good enough to let me know the distance from Cambridge to Tapapa, and, as near as you can ascertain, from Tapapa to Pacngaroa, with some description of country and state of roads. Where are the Constabulary that returned from Tapapa placed? Donald McLean.

No. 212. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 7th February, 1870. From Cambridge to Tapapa thirty-five miles of tolerably good road, but the Orakau, Waihou, and Waimakuru streams are impassable after heavy rains. From Tapapa to Pacngaroa twenty miles of bush, most of it very broken, and said to be similar to Urewera country. Only fifteen men of the Constabulary have returned to Cambridge,—the remainder occupy the posts on tho line to Tapapa. W. Moule, Inspector, A.CF.

No. 213. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Searancke, R.M. (Telegram.) Auckland, 7th February, 1870. Is there any fresh news to-day ? The return of the Militia and Constabulary ought to give confidence at Waikato, when the Natives know that it is only Te Kooti and his gang that is being followed up. There is no intention of interfering with those who remain peaceable. Two hundred of the Arawas returned to their own country from Tapapa. Ido not sec any reason for excitement on the part of the Waikatos. Donald McLean.

No. 214. Mr. Searancke, R.M., to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Newcastle, 7th February, 1870. Messenger from Newcastle arrived at Alexandra late yesterday, reports everything quiet at Te Kuiti. A great number of Natives collected there, but no excitement of any sort. Te Kooti's name is constantly the subject of conversation, but no talk of assistance being given to him. He has been strictly enjoined by messengers from Tc Kuiti not to come back thiswwar.yr. W. N. Searancke, R.M.