AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

81

A—No. Sb.

Yesterday afternoon Paraki returned by himself, and stayed here last night. His visit was looked upon with great suspicion by our natives, as he refused to give us any information, and they think he merely came as a spy to find out our movements. If this was his object, he has not gained anything, but, on the contrary, our men contrived very cleverly, by conversation among themselves, which he could overhear, to convey to him a great deal of false information for the edification of his people, and your despatches to me and to them happening to come over from Onepoto just at this time, gave a coloring to their statements. The only news we managed to extract from Paraki was that Kepa is still at Buatahuna ; that the Hauhaus found the boat from the information of Hotoma ; that two of the Ngatimatewai are still with the party at this end of the Lake. Paraki has just gone back to his people, and has taken with him letters from all the chiefs, and also one from me. With regard to our present position, I may briefly state that this place is the key to the whole Lake (See sketch). We have already visited Tiki-Tiki, Mokau, Pukehuia, and Maruarau, and brought a large quantity of potatoes from those places. Pending the result of the present negociations, we have not yet visited Mangarerewai or Hereheretau, as both these places (about four miles distance from here) are at present occupied by the Hauhaus ; and, from a very important breach of Alaori etiquette on the part of Ihaka Makahue, in sending Te Paea back again, when he met her first in the canoe, without allowing her to come on here and see her people, our overtures were looked upon with great suspicion. I enclose copies of our correspondence with the Hauhaus. lam sending this off at once, and as soon as anything of importauce occurs I will forward intelligence at once. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, ~ F. E. Hamlin. Agent for the General Government, Napier.

Enclosure 6 in No. 104. Mr. F. E. Hamlin to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir,— Matuahu Pa, June 18th, IS7O. I have the honor to report that just as I was on the point of starting my former despatch of this date, one of the Hauhau canoes arrived with Makarini and four others Makarini was the principal spokesman, and at first was inclined to take rather a bold tone, insisting that we should return to the Wairoa prior to their coming in. This, of course, we refused to accede to, and afterwards he yielded, apparently, to our proposition, and said he would try and induce his own people to come in. How much reliance is to be placed on this statement remains to be proved, for, whilst Alakarini was speaking in the pa, our people succeeded in extracting from one of tho other Hauhaus the following information, viz.: —That both Te Kooti aud Te Waru are now at the end of this arm of the Lake, at Maungarerewai or Hereheretau; that their object in trying to induce us to leave this end and cross to Onepoto, was to enable them, as soon as part of our force had crossed, to attack and annihilate the remainder. I would strongly urge that reinforcements should be sent up here, or, at any rate, a post established at Onepoto immediately, and if a force could be sent without delay from Taupo by Ahikereru, and Buatahuna, to make a simultaneous attack with ours, w re should be.able to end the present disturbed state of affairs at one blow. According to the natives, a force could march from Taupo to the other end of this arm of the Lake, by way of Buatahuna, in three or four days, and as soon as we saw their signal fires from the Huiarau, or heard them attack, we could then attack from this side. I shall therefore try and delay the present negociations to give time to have a reply from you. At any rate the force coming from Taupo could destroy Buatahuna, and cut off retreat in that direction If rockets are handy we could see them if sent up from the Huiarau, say at a certain hour some night. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, F. E. Hamlin. General Government Agent, Napier.

Enclosure 7 in No. 104. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Mr. E. E. Hamlin. Sir,— Napier, 19th June, 1870. I am in receipt of your letters of yesterday's date, the one in reply to mine of the 16th, and also covering the Native letters between your people and the Hauhaus, and the other and later letter advising me information had been received from one of the Urewera that both Te Kooti and Te Waru are with the enemy at Heroheretau, and that the negociations for surrender by the Urewera are not sincerely entered into by them. I note also your recommendation that an attack should be made upon the enemy from Taupo, through Buatahuna, together with the other remarks contained in your letter. After careful consideration, and a reference to the Hon, the Defence Minister, I have now to advise you, that from other information recently obtained by the Government, it is not considered probable that Te Kooti is at Hereheretau, although it is quite probable that Te Waru may be; and that even if Te Kooti were ho would increase very little indeed the strength of the enemy. In regard to a movement from Taupo, by way of Ahikereru and Buatahuna. it is simply impossible. In the first place, it would take weeks to collect the force necessary, and at this season of the year no dependence can be placed on the possibility of being able to move in that district. Mr M'Lean advises me that the chief Hapurona has gone to Buatahuna and Alangapowhatu to induce the Urewera to surrender, and that he expects to be able to do so Under these circumstances Mr. M'Lean thinks you should give further time before renewing active operations agaiust the enemy,