AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

49

A.—No. Bb,

position in about a week, and make a dash at Ahikereru to get the remainder of Ngatikohatu. Thus we ought to be making three separate moves in about a week from now on the Urewera from different quarters, and I believe the effect will be very good whatever may come of the movements. I report all this to McLean by the " Star of the South," leaving here for Auckland to-morrow. Oemond.

No. 77. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir,— Napier, 3rd May, 1870. I have the honor to transmit copies of telegrams from Captains Mair and Preece, dated 27th and 28th April, the one being a copy of a report to yourself, which was also forwarded to my address. I reported the information contained in these telegrams to the Hon. the Premier and the Colonial Secretary, and suggested that instructions might be sent to Lieut.-Colonel St. John to endeavour to scour the Waioeka District. I received in reply directions to act upon the suggestions I had made, and was requested to give the necessary instructions. I enclose herewith copy of tho letter I sent to Lieut.-Colonel St. John, which was despatched by the s.s. " St. Kilda " on the Ist instant. On the 30th April I heard by the return of the " St. Kilda" from Poverty Bay, that Bopata was there with 300 men ; and desiring to make sure no unnecessary delay occurred, I despatched Mr. Locke by the " St. Kilda," on. the morning of the Ist May to Poverty Bay, with instructions to get Bopata started for Waikare-Aloana, and then proceed overland to Wairoa, and endeavour to so arrange that the expedition from there should act in concert with Bopata's movement. Since the departure of the "" St. Kilda," I have received by the overland mail a letter from Major Westrup (copy of which is enclosed, dated 26th April), to which is attached an extract from a letter from Captain Walker to Mr. Porter, which states that Te Kooti is now at Waikare- Moana. By the same overland mail I received the enclosed report from Captain Newdand, informing me that expeditions had moved from Wairoa and Mohaka, accompanied by Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Witty, for Waikare-Moana. I enclose a copy of a letter sent this day to Mr. Hamlin, desiring him to so arrange his movements .as to let Bopata get up before he makes any attack upon the enemy ; and I am inclined to think that the presence of his force at either Tikorangi or Te Kiwi will occupy the attention of the enemy, and give Bopata a chance to work behind him. If this can be accomplished, and the information received .as to Te Kooti being at Waikare-Moana is correct, there is every probability that the present operations may prove successful. You will observe that I have endeavoured to urge upon Mr. Hamlin to communicate if possible with Major Bopata and Mr. Witty, and have dwelt upon the importance of making the movement a combined attack. From tho information given by the Ngatiwhare who have surrendered to Captain Mair, it is evident that so long as Te Kooti is at large we shall continue to have to provide against -continual raids on his part, and also that he can still calculate upon the support of a section of the Urewera. So far as the movements from the East Coast are concerned I think what is now in progress should do much to cow the enemy, and secure quiet for the winter, whether successful in crushing To Kooti or not. In connection with the foregoing operations from the East Coast, I propose to have a dash made :about the same time from the Taupo side into Ahikereru, and perhaps Buatahuna. For this purpose I have requested Captains Mair and Preece, with their force, to move up at the end of this week to near the Ahikereru entrance to the bush. Major Boberts will join them there with a body of the •Constabulary, and the combined force will then make a rapid movement on Ahikereru, and if practicable on Buatahuna. Hapurona (or Kohi), with about thirty men, is known to be at Ahikereru, and is not likely to give himself up, as he was at Mohaka and concerned in the murders there. Paerau, with about fifty men, is said to be at Buatahuna, and it is possible Te Kooti may be sheltering there wdth him. I have telegraphed to Inspector Boberts to give his opinion as to the practicability of the expedition making Buatahuna, and if he reports favourably I think it will be wrell to undertake it. It is certain that with this present month must terminate all active operations, and I am anxious to do what can be done before the winter sets in. I shall be glad to hear the arrangements proposed have your approval, and hope to be able at no -distant time to report favourable progress. I have, &c. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure 1 in No. 77. Captain Breece to His Honor J. D. Ormond. (Telegram,) Fort Galatea, 27th April, 1870. Left Te Teko with seventy men on 15th ; arrived here 16th ; next day captured three horses and saddles, the riders had just escaped into the bush. Saw no further signs of enemy, returned to camp. On 19th went to Horomanga, found tracks of about twenty men and women going up the gorge. Captain Mair joined mo with fifty-two men. Being anxious about my rear, I decided, after consultation with Captain Mair, to leave forty men here and take eighty to Eaoraopatete. We went there, no sign of the enemy. Sent twenty of my men back to strengthen Kokohinau. Wrote on 22nd to Ahikereru, in conjunction with Captain Mair, telling them to come in. Native messenger Meihana returned, bringing with him Chief Paraone te Tuhi, and four others. We have written to Hamiora and Kohi to come in. Expect answer to-day. These men, except Kohi, had been guilty of no great crime. Kohi's crime is being with Te Kooti at the attack on the women and children at Mohaka. The rest of Ahikereru Natives have always been against us, but have not been guilty of any great crimes. In our letters to 13