General Government Offices. Auckland. 21st. April 1870. Sir, Your attention was called, just before starting on Tuesday Last, to the news received from Opotiki, to the effect that Te Kooti, with about 20 followers, was hiding in the Waikawera Gorge; and that steps were being taken to follow up, and capture him. Since then the following has appeared in the ''Southern Cross.'' (copy newspaper cutting):-- ''It is said that one of the objects of the Chief Ropata's expedition, which the last news from the East Coast showed was about to be commenced, was to get the remainder of the Ngaitikoatu tribe out of the country between Poverty Bay and Wairoa; and that Ropata expected to accomplish this without the firing of a shot. He was to take with him a carefully picked force of Ngatiporou; and he intended to make a keen search for the whereabouts of Te Kooti. It was supposed that the force would not be out more than ten days.'' -------------- Akuhata Makena, Pineha Manutuaha, Ranapia Makena, Te Kepa, Te Wharau, and Aihepepene, have written to you to say they are anxious that their land at Te Aroha should be proclaimed a Gold-field. They say there are plenty of quartz reefs.