AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

41

A.—No. Bb,

if there were more of this zeal, our difficulties would speedily lesson. I shall not fail to report both to the Premier and to the Defence Minister that a practical officer has proposed, as you have, to go with such an inconsiderable force into the fastnesses of the Urewera country. I do not wish to throw any cold water on your proposals. lam one of those who believe 100 good men can go almost anywhere in New Zealand and hold their own, if only they can depend on each other ; and I am also of opinion that there is no considerable force at any of the kaingas at Waikare-Moana; still, knowing that your force is inconsiderable, I would advise that you should not urge the Natives to undertake the Tiki Tiki expedition unless they have full heart in it. Tho Mohaka Natives have already suffered so much, that any great loss to them now would be hardly felt. lam quite alive to the advantages of a raid on all the Lake settlements, and think your plan would succeed if you had force sufficient to carry it out; I would therefore advise that, when you reach Putahi, you should set your Natives cutting a line round the lake, and communicate with Mr. Hamlin's Natives, and get enough volunteers from them to make your proposed movement a certain success. If you can do it successfully, you will have effected a most signal and meritorious service. I feel it right to advise you not to depend upon Eopata coming out at Waikare. I believe he knows where to find the Ngatikohatu, and that ho will get them about Te Pa Puni, or somewhere in that vicinity. You will, I hope, rightly interpret the spirit in which lam writing to you. I cordially approve of your proposals, but think you should go in sufficient force to make a reverse out of the question, and success a certainty. I have no more to add, and wishing yourself and your little band every success, I remain, Ac, Mr. James Witty, Mohaka. J. D. Ormond.

No. 69. Lieutenant Porter to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir, — Turanganui, 26th April, 1870. I have the honor to report upon progress of Ngatiporou expedition going to Waikare, Major Eopata having sent me on in advance for that purpose. The weather has been very wet indeed since our landing at Matuahu. It commenced to rain on the night of the 13th, and continued with strong gales up to the 19th instant, in consequence of which the rivers were all much swollen, preventing the men of Waiapu and Makaronia from coming to join us until 20th, on morning of which date Bopata sent me on with 100 of Te Aowera, leaving Ngatiporou to come on with Bopata next morning, nearly all on foot. On our getting to Anaura it again came on to rain, and men did not like to march. I therefore obtained a horse, and came on to report the cause of our long absence. Bopata should reach here on 27th or 28th, after which it is his intention to rest two days. Our strength will be about 300 men. In event of your Honor feeling apprehensive of the failure of the expedition on account of this long delay, I think I may safely assure you we shall reach Waikare, as we have received information via Opotiki of Te Kooti's being there; it may take us some time, as the season is far advanced. Bopata intends only to march when fine, and not during wet weather. I have recommended that the expedition via Onepoto be not precipitated, lest Te Kooti take alarm. The expedition from here should be allowed seven days start of that of Wairoa, to give us time to get to his rear. We expect him to be reinforced by the Urewera. We shall be prepared for the worst. In concluding this report, I think I can assure our reaching Waikare, unless deterred by extreme bad weather. Ngatiporou are greatly rejoiced at the Government returning their land ; they say their hearts are light. I have, &c, T. W. Poeter, Lieut., The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. Poverty Bay Volunteers.

No. 70. Lieutenant Porter to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir,— Turanganui, 28th April, 1870. I have tho honor herewith to forward a copy of my rough diary kept during the march of Ngatiporou expedition through Urewera country. It has not been carefully copied. I therefore leave it to your Honor to excuse all corrections and alterations. I also send a tracing map of our course of march —the bearing of all the places are as nearly as possible correct, but the scale of distances it is more difficult to find. I have allowed an average of ten miles for a day's march. The map may be of future use. Eopata sleeps at Whangara to-night. One hundred Te Aowera arrived yesterday —all very wet. We have not yet had any weather fit for starting. It is quite as well not to start in bad weather, as it would entail loss of time, and our food would all be consumed before getting half-way to our journey's end. It has every appearance of fine weather now. Monday, the 2nd of May, will I think be our day of departure, all being well. 1 have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. T. W. Porter, Lieut. Vols.

Enclosure in No. 70. Diary. 28th February, 1870. —After distributing the food to carry on the expedition, the party of Ngatiporou, 370 in number, commanded by Major Bopata Wahawaha, started from Pakirikiri, most of the men 11