AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES

73

A.—No. Bb.

themselves and the chiefs under whom they may be placed, will be deemed a sufficient guarantee for their future good conduct. The Urewera who surrender will be protected from ill-treatment, but no conditions can be made with those who choose to ignore the clemency of the Government by continuing a hostile attitude in the Waikaremoana country; or who have committed such unprovoked murders or outrages as are inconsistent with the laws of humanity and justice. Those who have fought openly in accordance with the recognized usages of war as understood by the Natives, will not be subjected to any conditions beyond those previously referred to, viz.:—the surrender of their arms and withdrawal from the Urewera country. You will afford Lieut.-Colonel Moule every possible assistance in the discharge of judicial duties in cases where the Natives are concerned; and confer as fully as possible with him in reference to any attempt that you may deem it advisable to make for the capture of Te Kooti, who is supposed to be at the head of the Waioeka Gorge. You will keep the Government fully advised of all Native occurrences in tho district, and exert yourself by every means to bring about a restoration of general tranquillity. I have, Ac, Major W. Mair, * Donald McLean. Opotiki.

No. 99. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Major Eopata. Friend Major Eopata,— East Cape, May 29, 1870. Salutations. I have heard of what you have done against the Hauhaus, and also of the capture by you of the Ngatikohatu. The Government admire very much the energy displayed by yourself and your soldiers in gathering that tribe together in such severe weather. The Government bear in mind that it is through your energy in going into the Urewera country that this bad war, which has been going on for many years, has approached to a conclusion. Should there soon be peace in this district, the Government will remember tho energy displayed by this tribe, the Ngatiporou, in putting down evil that good might result, and that light might shine over this island, and the tribes might thereby be able to live in peace under the law. Tour friend, Donald McLean.

No. 100. Lieut.-Colonel Motjle to Mr. Commissioner Branican. Sir, — District Office, Tauranga, 9th June, 1870. I have the honor to enclose herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, a report from Captain Mair of his late movements on the border of the Urewera country. I have, &c, The Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force, W. Mottle. Wellington. Inspector A.C., Tauranga District.

Enclosure in No. 100. Sir, — Tauranga, 9th June, 1870. I have the honor to inform you that I went out in the direction ol Fort Galatea on the Ist inst., with 30 men, and saw fires at Eaoraopatete. Crossed the Eangitaiki Biver at Waihua, and met a messenger from the Urewera, called Ngawaka, on the 2nd. He brought me a letter from the Patuheuheu saying that they were all camped at Eaoraopatete, on their way down to Te Teko, and also wanted me to send a party up to escort them. I sent Ngawaka back with letters telling the people to come out as soon as the weather cleared up. On the 3rd I returned to Fort Clarke for food. On tho 4th I again went to Waihua, by Waiohau or Hauraki. Eaining very heavily. Met the chief Wi Batene at the crossing place, but the heavy rains had so flooded the river that it was impossible to cross the women or children. Wi Patene and his companions told me that all their people (about fifty) would come out. The reason why they did not come out on receiving my first letter was that the Urewera, at Buatahuna, restrained them ; but two of their chiefs, Mohi and Bangiaho, came back from that place (where they had been attending a great meeting of the Urewera) on the 3rd, and brought news that the main body of the Urewera no longer opposed their leaving Horomanga Gorge, but, on the contrary, they told them (the Patuheuheu) to come out to the sea coast at once, as pioneers for the Urewera. Mohi brought letters from the Urewera to Captain Preece and myself, but up to the time of my leaving Te Teko on the 6th, they had not been received. I was obliged to leave the Patuheuheu at Waihua and return to camp at Te Teko, as my provisions were entirely out. During my absence from Te Teko, Captain Preece arrived from Taupo and Kaiteriria. He promised to send out a party to bring Wi Patene and his people in, as soon as the flood is low enough to enable them to cross the Eangitaiki, -at Waiohau. The Patuheuheu hitherto have occupied the Horomanga Gorge, the most direct approach to Buatahuna. The abandonment of their strong position at Tutaepukepuke will leave the road to Buatahuna quite clear. They are all well armed, and about twenty are fine young men, closely connected with the loyal tribe, the Ngatimanawa, and I would