PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE DEFENCE AND OCCUPATION OF OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1868 Session I, A-08a

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE DEFENCE AND OCCUPATION OF OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

{In continuation of Papers presented 28th July, 1868.)

Return to an Order of the Souse of Representatives, of Tuesday, the 28th day of July, 1808,

That there be laid upon the Table of this House—" Copies of all Correspondence not previously laid on the Table, which has taken place since the last Session of the' General Assembly between Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell or other Officers in command of the Armed Constabulary and the Government, or between the Resident Magistrate of the District or Mr. Parris and the Government, in respect of the defence and occupation of the Patea District; or in respect of any offensive operations which have been undertaken in that district; also in respect of the relations between the Civil and Military Authorities in the district. Also for all similar Correspondence between Major St. John, Mr. Mair, and Mr. Clarke and the Government, in respect of the Opotiki District."

{Mr. Rolleston.)

_STote.—The Correspondence relative to the Patea District, referred to in this Order, has been printed with the Patea Papers, A. Wo. 8.

WELLINGTON.

1888.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 320.) Sir, — Opotiki, 14th September, 1867. I have the honor to report, that about 8 p.m. on the 12th instant, hearing several volleys, and seeing a broad glare of light in the direction of the Lyon Redoubt, I gallopped out with about a dozen of the Mounted Volunteers, and found that an attempt, luckily only partially successful, had been made by the enemy to fire the blockhouse in course of erection. In consequence of the small number of men on pay, and of the guards, pickets, escorts, and fatigues they have to do, I was unable, to provide a permanent guard for this blockhouse, which is only about 1,000 yards distant from the redoubt. The guard from the redoubt mounted at daybreak, and left again at night. It was after their departure the attempt was made. I estimate the damage done at about £20 ; a Board will investigate it. As there have been reports concerning the conduct of our officers and the men in the redoubt on that evening, a Court of Inquiry sits to-day, the proceedings of which will be forwarded by next mail. It seems that, on seeing the glare and hearing the enemy's volleys, the builder, Mr. Thompson, who was at the redoubt, rushed out with some men, heard the Hauhaus bolting, and with difficulty extinguished the fire. As the blockhouse is nearly finished, I have taken it upon myself to increase the post at Lyon Redoubt, so as to leave a permanent garrison at the blockhouse. Directly this is finished, I shall be able to abandon the redoubt, and materially reduce the force. If possible, I Bhould like to get some rockets as signals for the blockhouse, in case any attack is made on it. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. H. St. John. Major, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 319.) Sic,— Opotiki, 14th September, 1867. With reference to my letter No. 311,1 have the honor to state that the Uriweras at Ruatoki have sent me an answer to the effect that they mean fighting, and that the G-overnment knows what they are fighting for. Mr. Clarke and Major Mair being both at Whakatane, on Compensation Court, I am going to ride there to-day, to consult with them both. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 324.) Sic, — Camp, Opotiki, 19th September, 1867. I have the honor to report that according to the tenor of my letter No. 320, I rode to Whakatane on the 15th instant, and saw Messrs. Clarke and Mair. Both these gentlemen coincided with me in the opinion that circumstances obliged me to keep on pay for the present at least 100 men. I ascertained that the Hauh.au party, under Ilenei Kokita, was still at Ruatoki. This party has been engaged in looting horses and cattle, and claims for compensation for about twenty of the former have been received from the friendly Ngatipukekos. Mr. Clarke has removed down to "Whakatane itself the so-called friendly Natives (ITriweras) who, under Makareni (McLean), had abandoned Ruatoki and Utenuku and come down to Puketi (junction of the Waimana and Whakatane Rivers). The above two named places are now in the occupation of the Hauhaus. At Utenuku there exists a very fine pa, which might be advantageously occupied by the Ngatipukekos and a few Europeans. This would guard the entrance from the Uriwera country to Whakatane. At present, contrary to my anticipation of safety for this valley, as expressed by me to the Hon. the Colonial Defence Minister, it is not safe for Europeans to go beyond the mill. Ruatoki, where Henei Kokitu now is, could very easily bo surprised by a night march. The men now occupying it have committed depredations, and openly avowed their intention to fight the Government. Their acts amount to a declaration of war. If the Hon. the Colonial Defence Minister should think fit that such open and unprovoked lawless plunder should be stopped, I beg to suggest that the offending parties could be punished in the following manner: — From this place, by making night marches at the full moon, I could, via Waimana, get in rear of Ruatoki, whilst a body of Ngatipukekos in the morning would draw the attention of the Hauhaus to their front: fifty picked men from hero would do. These fellows once disposed of, the pa at TJtenuku could be occupied by the friendlies, or if

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preferable destroyed. At present it can be made stronger than I like. Major Mair is of opinion that such a proceeding would amount to giving the Natives a casus belli, but admits that the fact of the Hauhaus dispossessing the better-disposed of their own tribe of their land, driving away and looting the cattle of the Ngatipukekos, openly declaring that they wish to fight the Pakehas, and actually coming armed with intent into the confiscated land, is tantamount to very1 much the same thing on their part. B-uatoki taken, and Utenuku occupied by us, the latter would form a splendid advanced post, protecting Whakatane Valley with a fine reserve of friendly Natives in rear. Should it be the intention of the Government to operate against the Uriwera, Utcnuku would become valuable an a depot. In the hands of the Hauhaus, its occupation paralyzes the whole of the Whakatane. I also had a consultation with Messrs. Clarke and Mair about Baku Baku and his people ; not the slightest doubt exists as to his doublefacedness, and as Mr. Clarke deported Makarini and his men down to Whakatane, he suggests that the same course should be adopted with regard to the Ohiwha people. They are neither more nor less than a lot of spies. The Ohope Natives have oft'ercd to Baku Baku's party land at their place (where they would be under the surveillance of the Ngatiawas), and the Whakatoheas, with Taylor (who live on the mainland opposite Hokianga), could be moved to Opape, or, as Mr. Wilson suggested, to the Native Reserve near Tiwhanga. Major Mair approved of the offer, but Baku Baku declined it. However, he and the whole of his mob ought to be got out of that place. They correspond directly up the Waimana with the Hauhaus, and any move from here in that direction would be known at once. If I get leave to attempt Buatoki, I should have to begin by sending a small force to get every man of Baku's hapu on the island, seizing the canoes, and thus prevent all communication. I beg that I may receive instructions as speedily as convenient. I have, Ac, The Under Secretary, J. 11. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki Division.

No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 374-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 15th October, 1867. I have-the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 324, of the 19th ultimo, and am directed by the Defence Minister to inform you that the Government do not wish you to make any expeditions against the Hauhaus at present that are not necessary for the safety of Opotiki, and I am to instruct you to retain on pay only the smallest force for the above purpose. I have, &c, Major St. John, J. Holt, Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (]S To. 376-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 16th October, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 811, of the 7th ultimo, covering a communication from Mr. Wilson as to a party of Hauhaus being at Buatoki, and suggesting that the friendly Natives at Whakatane be armed. In reply, lam directed by the Defence Minister to authorize you to issue arms to these Natives. Mr. Mair and Mr. Wilson will be able to point out the individuals to be trusted, if all are not; and in making this issue I am to request your careful attention to the instructions conveyed in my letter of the 23rd August last (No. 277-3), as the same course in respect of taking receipts, &c, for the arms is to be adopted in this case. The Colonial Storekeeper at Auckland has been instructed to send to your address, by the earliest opportunity, fifty percussion muskets (with fifty rounds of ammunition for each) ; but if it is considered urgent that the Natives at Whakatane should be armed at once, you must issue such arms as you have in charge, exchanging the rifles you serve out for muskets when you receive the latter. Only twenty rounds of ammunition per arm are to be issued at one time to the Natives. I have, &c, Major St. John, J. Holt, Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. Sib, — Auckland, 12th December, 1867. I have the honor to forward the following information given to me to-day by Mr. Preecc, jun., the same gentleman who furnished me with a map of the Uriwera Country. He states that the majority of the Uriweras assembled a short time ago near Ahikerera made up their minds to peace. That they went so far as to tell Patere Pukuatua (an Arawa chief), that they excluded from among themselves about 170 men who had participated in late murders, and would permit the passage of troops to apprehend these offenders ; that they wished to go to Tauranga to give in their submission, but would not stir until they had a safe-conduct. (This, however, they do not seem to have asked from any authority.) If the Government should think that the first part of their statement is correct, I could get up easily from Matata to Ahikerera, see the leading chiefs there, and convey whatever decision I may be

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ordered to take. If there is a chance of peace, a message from the Government would be well received ; and if they do give up to their fate the murderers of White, Moore, &c, and the Government wishes it, I will guarantee that with the Opotiki Volunteer Rangers I would bring most of them in dead or alive. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 388.) Sic,— Opotiki, 31st December, 1867. Herewith I have the honor to transmit a copy of a letter addressed by me to Major Mair, the Resident Magistrate, together with his reply, respecting parties of armed Maoria in this neighbourhood, and request you will be pleased to give me instructions respecting such volunteering. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. 11. St. John, Major, . Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure 1 in No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Major Matk. (No. 387.) Sic,— Opotiki, 30th December, 1867. One of the Military Settlers of this district having this morning reported to me seeing three armed Maoris near his farm on the Te Tawa Block, near the Otara River, and Lieutenant White and Ensign Rushton, Opotiki Volunteers, having come in from their farm in the same quarter on account of their having come across another marauding party, I wish to know whether your opinion coincides with mine. Several of the Military Settlers have this day requested my sanction to the following plan: they propose forming themselves into a Volunteer Corps without pay, and following up the traces of these scouting parties. I declined sanctioning this proposal for the following reasons —Ist, If, without being on pay and in Government employ, such a party came across and fought a body of Maoris, I consider that the death of any Natives shot thus would be considered in the light of a murder. 2nd, Besides this, a party so organized would not have the same restraint on them as if commanded by officers of the Colonial Government, and it might be possible that friendly Natives might fall a victim to some error of judgment which might give fresh trouble to Government. Under these circumstances I have refused to countenance any such proceedings, and shall be glad if you will give your opinion on the subject, that I may forward both to the Under Secretary for Colonial Defence. I have, &c, J. H. St. John, Major, Major Mair, R.M., Opotiki. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure 2 in No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Major Maib to Major St. John. SlE,— Opotiki, 30th December, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter (number and date as per margin), informing mo that armed Maoris have been seen on the Tawa Block, and that several of the Military Settlers had applied to you for permission to form a Volunteer Corps for the purpose of following up the traces of the Maoris in question, and that for various reasons assigned in your letter you had declined to sanction such movement. In reply, I beg to inform you that I fully concur in the views taken by yourself, as I feel convinced that the Government would not approve of any aggressive action unless warranted by some overt act on the part of the rebels. I have, &c, Major St. John, W. G. Maie, Commanding Opotiki District. Resident Magistrate.

No. 387, Dec. 30, 1867.

No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 59-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sm, — Wellington, 28th January, 18G8. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 388, of the 31st ultimo, covering correspondence as to parties of armed Maoris having been seen in the neighbourhood of Opotiki. In reply, I am to inform you that the Defence Minister fully approves of the course you took in refusing to allow parties of armed settlers, who were not acting under your orders, to follow up the supposed hostile Natives. If you consider it necessary, you have authority to take steps yourself (by sending out parties of Militiamen or otherwise) to watch the movements of armed Maoris who may be prowling in your vicinity; and you should warn such people, through the friendly Maoris, that they will not bo allowed to maintain a suspicious and threatening attitude close to our settlements. Tou are, however, to be careful not to do anything that would bring about collision, without obtaining 2

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the approval of Mr. Mair ; and I am to remark, that you must be fully aware that it is not only the desire of the Government to avoid further hostile operations if possible, but that the progress and success of the settlement, and of the Colony, depend upon the maintenance of peace; and that, except for self-defence, no operations of war are to be undertaken without orders from the Govern-,: ment. I have, &c, Major St. John, J. Hor/r, Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 6.) Camp, Opotiki, Sic,— 10 th January, 1868. I have the honor to forward yon a letter from Captain Skene, in answer to one which I wrote him, requiring his reasons for putting on pay Captain Walker while he was in temporary command during my absence on leave to attend the sitting of the Supreme Court. Finding everything quiet on my return, I struck Captain Walker off pay. Prom information received by Captain Skene, he placed Captain Walker on pay considering that the Waioeka post proved the key of the position here, and that he ought to give it to the officer he considered most responsible. I greatly fear, however, that the evil day has been put off. 1 have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure in No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Skene. (No. 386.) Camp, Opotiki, Sic,— 26th December, 1867. I have the honor to request you will be good enough to inform me how it was that Captain Walker was placed on pay during the period of your command in my absence. I have, &c, J. H. St. John, Major, Captain Skene, Auckland Militia. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Captain Skene to Major St. John. Sic,— Opotiki, 26th December, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of this date, requesting me to inform you how it was that Captain Walker was placed on pay during the period of my command in your absence. In answer, I beg to state that, on or about the 13th instant, I received a note from Major Mair (then at Matata), the Resident Magistrate, from which 1 inferred he had received intelligence of an anticipated attack on the settlement. As Major Mair had not returned on the 17th instant, and the information as to when the attack was likely to take place was not mentioned in his note, I thought it advisable to take Captain "Walker on pay to assume charge of the Waioeka Blockhouse, in order that I might have an officer there on whom 1 could fully depend, in the event of anything occurring, to carry out the instructions I had found it necessary to issue for the guidance of the post. I enclose an extract from Major Mair's note. Major St. John, I have, &c, Commanding Opotiki District. J. Skene, Captain, A.M.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Exteact from Major Maie's Note. I hope to turn up in Opotiki about the 15th or 16th. Keep your eye's open, as I have heard rather important intelligence. There is good reason to expect a ruction between the 20th and 25th of the month, but keep it dark if possible. Do not let it come to Maori ears—not even W'iteria's. Matata, 6th December, 1867. W. G. Maib.

No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 7.) Sic, — Camp, Opotiki, 10th January, 1868. I have the honor to forward a correspondence between Major Mair and myself. You will perceive by it that, though armed parties of hostile Natives have been seen on the flat, as long as they confined themselves to prowling about, I did not think myself justified in taking any steps. Major Mair'a memorandum coming about the same time that one of these parties burned down Stephenson's house, has made me apprehensive for the safety of the magazine. I have therefore, after consulting with Major Mair, taken on pay sixteen men, which will give me a guard of six men.

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I understand that the leaders of the party at the Maraetai are Eru, who killed Moore and Biggs ; and a half-caste, who was severely wounded at the attack on the Waioeka Redoubt. I trust that the course adopted may meet with the sanction of the Hon. the Defence Minister. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. 11. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Memorandum for Major St. John, of Information brought from Tawhana by Baku Baku. The Uriwora have had a meeting at Buatahuna, which was attended by the Whakatohea. Messengers were present from Ngatik'ahungungu and from Matutaera; letters from the latter were read, their tone was decidedly threatening. The question of peace or war was discussed: some chief's were in favour of immediate action, others of waiting for Waikato to begin, while many counselled neutrality. Owing to this diversity of opinion, the meeting broke up-without having decided the question. Another gathering will take place shortly. Ngaitama of Tawhana, fiity strong, under Era Te Waikowha, are at Waioeka; they have been cultivating a good deal of Maraetai. A party of Ngatimahaki, under Te Harawira, are at Waioeka also. A descent is to be made upon the Opotiki District shortly by a considerable force ; the point to be attacked is not named, nor the time, but in all probability, it is near. This intelligence is corroborative of that received from a different source two weeks since, and I am of opinion that it may be relied on. I have, &c, W. G-. Maie, Major, B.M.

Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Major Maie. (No. 5.) U Sib,— Opotiki, 9th January, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your memorandum of this date. The frequent appearance of armed Natives about the Otara has led, as I expected, to some results. On the 7th instant, a party was seen and avoided, and the next day the dwelling-house of a settler named Stephenson, a substantial slab house, was found burned to the ground. This building was close to the site selected for the blockhouse, as yet not begun on account of my not furnishing a covering party. The orders I have did not justify me, in my eyes, in taking any steps as long as the Natives committed no overt act; but it seems to me now, that the fact of this outrage, in connection with the information you afford me, shows that the Natives are still inclined for war. You are aware that the inhabitants of this place are distributed over a wide area, which it is impossible to guard thoroughly, especially as there are three lines to attack upon. I have only twenty-five men on pay (distribution as annexed), and having to leave a sufficient force to keep the blockhouse against a coup de main, I have not enough men (even with the two servants) to mount a guard over the magazine. It must be apparent to you, that it would be very easy for a small body of determined men to come down the Otara, set fire to your house, and mine even, and break into the magazine, before a sufficient force could be collected (scattered as are the inhabitants) to repulse them. How much easier, then, for them to fall on the settlers living outside the township or on the verge of it. I would suggest that, as your information is reliable, some steps should be taken, not to guard the whole place (that would require a large force), but merely to ensure the safety of the magazine and arms. Also, that a trustworthy subaltern should take the Waioeka post, as I have no great confidence in N.C. officers taken on pay for a month at a time. A guard of six men would suffice for the former. I have, &c, J. H. 11. St. John, Major, Major Mair, E.M., Opotiki. Commanding Opotiki District.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 10. MILITIA and VOLUNTEERS.—BI-MONTHLY DUTY STATE.

Distribution, o o o d © J5 ■4-1 I *3 o o Q s s ft Remarks. 1 in garrison employ, &c. 5 Orderly-room clerk, Major's servant, Doctor's servant, orderly, drayman. >n detachment at Waioeka. 17 Total ... 22 J. H. St. John, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Opotiki, 1st Janu; try, 18' 18.

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No. 11. Copy of a Letter from Major Maik to Major St. John. Sib, — Opotiki, 9th January, 1868. In reply to your letter of this date, No. 5, I have the honor to inform you that I admit the necessity that exists for placing more men on pay for the protection of the magazine, and of placing a subaltern in charge of the Waioeka Blockhouse, and am of opinion that the additions proposed in your letter should be made at once. I have, &c, Major St. John, W. G. Mair, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 12. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 67-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic, — Wellington, Ist February, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 10th January, No. 7, reporting that you had, after consulting Major Mair, E.M., taken on pay temporarily sixteen men for the protection of the magazine. In reply, I am directed by the Hon. Major Eichardson, in the absence of the Defence Minister, to inform you that, under the circumstances, the steps you have taken are approved; but lam at the same time to direct your very careful attention to the instructions of the Government, as conveyed in my letter of the 28th January, No. 59-3. I have, &c., Major St. John, J. Holt, Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 13. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. Sib,— Opotiki, 24th January, 18G8. I have the honor to forward correspondence between Major Mair, E.M., and self. In consequence of the reports brought to Major Mair by the Natives employed by him, I consulted with him and Captain Skene, second in command, and we came to the conclusion that we could not, in the face of such intelligence, remain without taking steps for the defence of the place. I received Major Mair's first memo, on the 9th, and merely put on a guard of six men, as reported in my letter of the 10th. instant. His second memo., marked A., came on the 21st, and his third, marked 8., on the 22nd. On the receipt of this i established pickets. On the 23rd Natives were seen across the Waioeka, so I took the cavalry to scout. That same evening Wepeha, of Ngatiawa, came in a canoe from Ohape, bringing the intelligence contained in Major Mair's memo, marked C. According to all accounts, this seems to be the result of a long-planned scheme. I am keeping a vigilant look-out, and hope that the intended attack may take place soon, that I may be able to report to you the disbanding of the Militia now taken on. 1 have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. 11. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District. P.S. —Since writing the above I have observed large fires on the Waiotahi, in the direction of the redoubt established there last July. I expect this arises from the burning of the whares left there on that post being given up. J. H. St. John, Major.

Enclosure lin ]S ro. 13. A. —Translation of a Letter received from Baku Eaku. Friend Mate, — Ohiwha, 21st January, 1868. Salutations to you. Listen to me: the ILuihaus are at Otara.* It is the Uriwera. There are a great many of them. lam going to ask them their intentions. On my return I will go to you, but be watchful at Opotiki. • That is all from Eaku Eaku.

Enclosure 2 in No. 13. B. —Memokandum of Intelligence brought by Baku Eaku from Waimana. Opotiki, 22nd January, 1868. On the 21sfc Eaku Eaku wont to Otara, in the "Waimana Gorge, to ascertain the intentions of a force of Haubaus said to be collecting there. Upon his arrival be was informed by some women that a force of about 170 men, consisting of eight different hapus of the Uriwera had left Otara on the previous day by the Pukemioraho track for either the Waiotahi or Waioeka Gorges, for the purpose of making an attack on Opotiki, or of laying ambuscades on the Ohiwha Road. Only a small party of Whakatohea had joined. These movements are made in consequence of letters from Matutaera calling upon the Uriwera to take up aims. The intentions of the Euatahuna people were not known, Ohape and Ohiwha were spoken of as probable points of attack. * A pace just within the entrance of the Waimana Gorge on the way to Maungajaukah.

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Eakuraku recommends that every precaution should be taken to guard against surprise, and that out-settlers should be warned. Major St. John, W. Gr. Mair, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Eesident Magistrate.

Enclosure 3 in No. 13. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Major Mair. (No. 22a.) Sir,— Opotiki, 22nd January, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your memorandum of this date. I would suggest, that with a view to protect the settlement, pickets should be at once established. The enemy can attack at either of the points marked X. on the accompanying plan, and destroy houses and murder settlers with impunity. The fords ought to be guarded or watched by a force sufficient to hold in check any attacking party, so as to give time to the inhabitants to retire to the protection of the church. A body of over 100 Uriweras would not come here to join the Whakatoheas from Maraetae (as doubtless they have done) only to lay an ambuscade or two. According to my instructions, I therefore now refer to you as to the necessity existing to put a sufficient number of men on pay to give the required pickets. I have, &c, J. H. St. John, Major, Major Mair, E.M. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure 4 in No. 13. Memorandum by Major Mair. I fully concur with Major St. John that the points referred to should be guarded by strong pickets and that a sufficient number of men should be placed on pay for that purpose. 22nd January, 1868. W. Gr. Maie, Major, E.M.

Enclosure 5 in No. 13. C. —Memorandum of Information received from Wepiha Apantti and Hokata Matitahikia. 24th January, 1868. TnE war party known to have been for some time at the Waimana left that place on the 21st instant, and their fires were seen yesterday near Puhiraki, on the Waiotahi Biver. Reinforcements have arrived within the last few days, and the force is said to number upwards of 200 men, and that their intention is to waylay stragglers, but if not successful, to attack the settlement of Opotiki. They have stated that if repulsed they will only fall back on the ranges, but will not leave the district until they have obtained utu for their former losses. They are drawing supplies of provisions from the Waimana, where they planted largely last spring. Wepiha came up by canoe for the purpose of bringing this information. Major St. John, W. Gk Mate, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Resident Magistrate.

No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 26.) Camp, Opotiki, Sm,— 27th January, 1888. I have the honor to report, that in consequence of information received, I apprehended an ambuscade to be laid at the Waiotahi on the 24th. I therefore sent Captain Skene with sixty men on that evening to that place. He camped on the sandhills, and next morning found that a large ambush had been laid, but that, as his march had been discovered, the rebels had bolted up the Waiotahi, having burnt Wi Popata's (the Arawa mailman) monument. I then, thinking they would most possibly be back on seeing his party return, started and reached the Waiotahi by a circuitous route, but found the whole had gone up the river. I tracked them, but finding they wore gone into the ranges, I returned home. The master of the " Whitby " saw a party of them on the beach between Waiotahi and Ohiwa on the 23rd instant, and this must be the party which Eakuraku to-day reports as having crossed somewhere above " Gentle Annie" into the Waimana. By these two reconnoitring parties I have ascertained that one body, by their fires, is about the snot where the road from Mangapaatu to the Waioeka strikes the Waiotahi, and that therefore the junction of the Uriweras with the Whakatohea may be completed in forty-eight hours. Major Mair informs me that Rakuraku's news to-day is, that the Buatahuna people are about to join the movement. Having by these reconnoitering parties ascertained the truth of the news given to Major Mair, I can do nothing but wait; so this date I reduce the force again to the state as enclosed, which gives me but little for outlying and inlying pickets and guards. The Hauhaus have burned the Arawa monument to Wi Popata (who was murdered on the beach), and disfigured the image which was put up, which I have no doubt will very much incense that tribe. If I could be allowed 100 of them, with the 120 men I have here (who can march and carry rations), I could go up to Mangapaatu and then back to Waioeka, taking in rear all their depots and their own parties. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John-, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District. 3

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Enclosure in No. 14. MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS STATEMENT. Opotiki, 28th January, 1868.

No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Major St. Joiin to Captain Holt. (No. 32.) Sic, — Camp, Opotiki, 29th January, 1868. 1 have the honor to report that Major Mair having started yesterday for Whakatane to obtain information, I deemed it necessary to detain the " Whitby " twenty-four hours, in order to let you hear the latest news. I enclose his memorandum, which corroborates all that we have heard. He informs me that the Arawas are eager to join us against the Uriweras, and that he does not consider I should be justified in any reduction of the force I have now on pay. I forward the vouchers for Captain Doughty's demurrage, and trust the same may be approved of. I have, &c, The Under Secretary J. 11. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure In No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Major Maib to Major St. John". Sic,— Opotiki, 29th January, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that I proceeded yesterday to Whakatane, for the purpose of testing the truth of the report that the Nuatahuna people were about to take up arms. From what I learned, I have every reason to believe that the report is correct. I was also informed that the Hauhaus, of whose presence we had ample evidence last week, laid in ambush at Waiotahi for about forty-eight hours, and then returned to the Waimana, where they are awaiting reinforcements. The Whakatohea did not join them, it having been arranged that a portion of that tribe should make a descent by the Waioeka Biver, and that another party under Te Iki should proceed by the Waiaua for the double purpose of enticing the Opape people to join them and of laying ambuscades for William King's people Awawakino (a small bay to the eastward of Opapc). I met a number of the Arawa at Whakatane, who arc very anxious to be employed against the common enemy. I have, &c, Major St. John, W. G. Mate, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Resident Magistrate. I have also ascertained that the Tauawa people, who have been talking peace for a year, have just established an " Aukati " between them and the Queenites and Pakeha. W. G. M.

No. 16. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to Major St. John. (No. 79-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic, — Wellington, 7th February, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters Nos. 26 and 32, of the 27th and 29th January last, reporting that parties of hostile Natives had reappeared in your vicinity, had laid ambushes, had burned the Arawa Monument that had been erected at Waiotahi to Wi Papata, and were threatening to attack Opotiki, and also informing me of the steps you had taken for the defence of the settlement. The Government approves of your having called out the Militia under these circumstances, and lose no time in despatching the steamer " Start" to bring farther information, or to assist in reinforcing you if necessary. I have already impressed upon you that the Government are most anxious to avoid, if possible, taking any action that may have the effect of renewing general hostilities with the Natives, and hope that even the present threatened disturbances may be averted. Unless, therefore, you are attacked, you are to remain on the defensive, sending back the " Sturt " without delay for further instructions, and with full information of what has been going on since your last reports. Should the rebels, however,

Distribution. S O *e8 d | 02 c6 fcd) 3 CQ o o O a g R CD Eemarks. ■+3 'resent fit for duty Say of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry Corps ... )n detachment at Waioeka 1 3 5 1 8 8 3 125 1 1 1 12 1 1 2 25 Total 11 3 4 10 162 J. H. St. John, Commandi: Vlajor, ig bpoiki District.

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have committed any actual outrages, and are still threatening violence, you may send the steamer on to Tauranga to Mr. Civil Commissioner Clarke with a report of your position; and he has been empowered, if he thinks it expedient, to enrol and despatch to your assistance 100 or 150 Arawas, and on their arrival you may proceed at once to chastise the offenders, following them up as far as you can prudently and conveniently venture with your limited means, and with the small amount of transport that is at your disposal. When in Auckland a few days ago I directed that your requisition for brcechloadiug carbine ammunition should bo complied with, and a further supply has been placed on board the " Sturt," together with some spades and axes, and a quantity of lint and bandages, &c., and Lieut.Colonel Harington will be directed to send you some revolvers from Tauranga for the Volunteer Rangers ; but I must remind you of the necessity of taking proper care of all articles of equipment that are issued to you, and that very much more attention than has on former occasions been exercised must be used in preparing correct muster rolls of the Militiamen and others who are employed under your orders. Any further neglect in this respect will seriously militate against your future employment. You have on pay a large number of officers in proportion to the men, and one of the captains must be directed to do the duty of adjutant and quartermaster without additional pay. Estimates of money that will be required for the payment of your men, &c, must be sent in without delay. I have, &c., Major St. John, T. M. Haultain. Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki.

No. 17. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to Mr. H. T. Claeke, (No. 78-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,™ Wellington, Bth February, 1868. The Government have received reports from yourself, from Major St. John, and Mr. Mair, that certain rebel Natives have reappeared in the vicinity of Opotiki, and are threatening to attack the settlement, and the steamer " Sturt " has been despatched to assist in reinforcing that place if necessary. I enclose you an extract of a letter 1 have addressed to Major St. John which will explain to you the wishes of the Government in this respect, and you are authorized to enrol and send to Opotiki, for service against the rebels, a party of from 100 to 150 Arawas (with two or three European officers), who are to receive 3s. a day without rations, or 2s. a day if their food is to be supplied. Lieutenant Pitt is to bo one of the officers, the other may be selected by yourself from those that arc available on the spot; but I shall be very glad if you can secure the valuable services of Major Mair, whoso qualifications as a commander have been proved on various occasions, and I have written to him requesting him to let you know whether he will undertake the duty. Should Major St. John apply to you for provisions, &c, you must furnish him with such, as are procurable at Tauranga, and you should without delay send in estimates of money that you will require for this purpose, and for the payment of the Native force. The Government, in full reliance on your judgment, leave it optional with you to refuse to comply with Major St. John's application for assistance, if you think such is unnecessary or would be attended with unsatisfactory results. The steamer is to return to Wellington with reports of your proceedings with as little delay as possible. I have, &c, H. T. Clark, Esq., T. M. Haultain. Civil Commissioner, Tauranga.

No. 18. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultaijt to Major Mate. My deae Maie, — Wellington, 7th February, 1868. St. John will show you the instructions he has received relative to sending to Tauranga for Arawa reinforcements. In the event of their coining over, I should be most glad to secure your services as their commander, and have written to Mr. Clarke to that effect. Should you therefore be disposed to take the field again, will you go up by the " Sturt " and arrange with him ? There is no other available mail I can compare with you in judgment, courage, and coolness in action, and I hope you will bo able to undertake the service. Yon would receive the same field-allowance as you had at Tauranga last year when similarly employed. Tours very truly, T. M. HAITLTAIIf.

No. 19. Copy of a Letter from Major St. Joira" to Captain Holt. (jSTo. 35.) Sir,— Opotiki, sth February, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that on the Ist instant, I received information from Major Maiiyß.M., that the body of rebels.assembled again on the "Waimana had once more started on the 30th ultimo, supposed on their way hither. No sign having been seen of them as yet, lam of opinion that their scouts have let them know that full preparations had been made to meet them, and that so they do not dare attack. 1 therefore this day make a fresh reduction as per state annexed, and have consulted with Major Mair, K.M., as to the propriety of still further reducing. Wo however came to the conclusion that, with the information in his possession, it would be dangerous to make such a reduction, as would leave the settlement open. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO

Enclosure in No. 19. MILITIA and VOLUNTEERS. —DUTY STATEMENT. Opotiki, 5th February, 1868.

No. 20. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 38.) Camp, Opotiki, Sir— Bth February, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that Wehepa, of the Ngatawhia, came into camp and gave information to Major Mair, R.M. From it, it appears that the Uriwera bands are prowling about and make their head-quarters in the Waimana. From this spot they have been looting horses and cattle in Whakatane, and threatening Ohape, the inhabitants of which place have been frightened out of their lives. lam confident it was only owing to my preparations that they have restrained from visiting this place. Having just received your letter, dated 17th January, 1868, 1 inarch to-night to attack them in their quarters. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 21. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 40.) Camp, Opotiki, Sic,— . 10th February, 1868. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, that, as stated in my letter of the Bth instant, No. 38, I marched at 10 p.m. on Saturday, the Bth instant, from this post for Waimana, at which place I found and attacked a kainga of the rebels, with a loss to them of eight killed and only one casualty on our side (one man wounded). The cutter " Whitby " is now starting, so that I have no time for particulars, but will forward you them per first opportunity. I deemed it my duty to attack from the hostile attitude they have assumed and for the general good of the settlement. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. 11. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 22. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 41.) Sra,— Opotiki, 11th February, 1868. I have the honor to report that on the Bth instant, Wepcba, of Opape, came in and reported that the Hauhaus from Waimana had been looting in Whakatane, and were threatening Opape. The same day I received Captain Holt's letter, date as per margin, authorizing mo to watch, and even attack any parties prowling about with obvious hostile intentions, provided it was necessary, and for the good of the settlement, and after consulting with Major Mair, I determined on starting after them, for the following reasons : — 1. This baud under Eru Tomaikowha is composed chiefly of desperadoes, and the capture or death of their chief would lessen the chance of any attack. 2. I was confident that the reason why we had not been attacked was that they knew of -our preparations. 3. Being compelled to keep a force on pay, I thought it better to employ them in the attack of this band of murderers than in drawing pay doing nothing. 4. If successful, I believed I could reduce the force.

Jan. 17, 18G8.

Distribution. o S3 O O C/3 I o p. o O o R cjs Remarks. Eg m 'resent fit for duty, — Militia Otara Picket Waioeka Blockhouse ... O. V. Rangers... P. B. V. C. Corps 1 2 1 1 2 1 i 1 o l l 2 4 1 1 2 2 1 56 20 20 49 2 Total 4 8 147 J. H. St. Co: John, Major, lmandiiiff Opotiki District.

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5. In consequence of the threatenings of these men, the friondlies were in such a state of mind that it was necessary to do something to assure them that we still have the power of protecting ourselves and them. 6. I was very anxious to thoroughly ascertain the truth or otherwise of the reports received almost daily. Accordingly I marched with the force, as per margin,* at 10 p.m., on the Bth, up the Waiotahi, and arrived on the Waimana at 4 p.m. next day. Starting again about 12 at night, I reached a new kainga near to Bakuraku's old pa at about 3 a.m. The surprise was complete, and I was surrounding the place when a scoundrel fired at a Maori he saw. The enemy was of course roused up and a skirmish took place, resulting in three Natives being killed, and five wounded, with a loss of two wounded on our side. When day broke, 1 perceived several new kaingas on the hills close by. From one of them lire was opened, and I took the Opotiki Volunteer Bangers towards it. While skirmishing under a pretty heavy fire, I saw that with my small force it was useless to attack in front, the only way being up a steep path lined with tall fern. So I was ordering a party to cross the river to take the village in flank, when Ensign Bushton called my attention to reinforcements coming up. A lot of men were moving in from other villages, and scouts on the very tops of the hills were waving blankets, and calling to others (unseen by us) to come on quickly. Having two wounded men, a rapid river in my rear, and a small force, I considered that if I had any more wounded I should be .hard pushed, so I reluctantly ordered a retreat. I had to leave the wounded prisoners behind, and did not think it worth while to bring in the captured women, two of whom I regret to say were wounded by accident (besides the Maoris mentioned above). In the dim 1 ight it was impossible to distinguish between the two sexes. There were some twenty - five men in this poti, headed by the notorious Eru Tomaikowha. We found lots of our own ammunition and a 40th rifle. This with about a dozen of their own guns and ammunition were destroyed. I suppose by the time we left about seventy Hauhaus had turned up from the nearest kaingas. lam certain now that the reports I have forwarded are not exaggerated. From the letters found, the whole of the Uriwera from Ruatahuna and Mangapaato are in arms ; but a portion of them are still at Buatoki. I have given the letters to Major Mair. I have every reason to bo well pleased with the conduct of the whole force, which only got ten hours sleep in fifty-six hours, being on the march the whole time, through (except Waimana itself) a most difficult country. Had it not been for the behaviour of one disobedient scoundrel, I must have captured Eru and the whole of his poti. Every survey peg, except the road pegs, is taken up in Waimana. I trust that the steps taken may meet with the approval of the Hon. the Defence Minister. I got Private Glennon brought down in a canoe from Ohiwa. I have, Sue., The Under Secretary, J. 11. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

Betpen of Killed and Wounded in action at Waimana, on February 10th February, 1868. Killed.— Nil. Wounded. —Private Glennon, severely, bullet in thigh. Private F. Jones, slightly, contusion on breast from spent bullet. Eiciiaed Oliveb, Opotiki, 11th February, 1868. Medical Officer in charge. Betubn of Hauiiaus Killed and Wounded at Waimana, 10th February, 1868. Killed. —l belonging to Mangapaato ; 1 belonging to lluatahaua; 1 unknown; total 3. Wounded. —l, Te Tua, a chief of the Urewera, and one of the leaders of the Waiotaho party. Remainder unknown, save that it is believed that another one was hit by Captain Mair in the second skirmish. This was Era himself, who had been shouting to us, and suddenly ceased, having been seen to fall back. J. H. St. John, Major, Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 23. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 104-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sxk,— Wellington, 19th February, 18G8. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 41, of the 11th instant, reporting that you had made an attack upon a Native village near the Waimana Plain, and I am directed by the Defence Minister to express the satisfaction of the Government at the conduct of the force employed on that occasion. I have, &c, Major St. John, J. Holt, Commanding Militia District, Opotiki. Under Secretary. * Militia- —Reid Officer, 1; Captain, 1; Subaltern, 1; Staff, 1; Sergeant, 1; Bugler, 1; Kank and File, 38. Opotiki Volunteer Rangers. —Captain, 1 ; Subaltern, 1; Sergeant, 1; Bugler, 1; Kank and File, 44. 4

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No. 24. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 43.) Sir,— Opotiki, 12th February, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 79-3, and dated 7th February, 1868. On the very day of the receipt I had returned from a march undertaken in accordance with the authority given me in Captain Holt's letter of 17th January (copy annexed), the reasons for which march and the results I have reported to you in my letter No. 41, of the 11th February. I am instructed that, unless I am attacked, I am to remain on the defensive and lower down. Should the rebels, however, have committed any actual outrages, and are still threatening violence, I may send the steamer to Tauranga for reinforcements. The Natives have not actually attacked or committed any outrage, simply because it has been out of their power to do so on account of the precautions taken. We have full information that the party which came down the Waiotahi the other day came under the false impression that fourteen men were there at work building a blockhouse, with the intention of cutting them off. We also know that by the letters taken in the Waimana a large number of Uriweras have been banded together for some time for an attack, so that there is no doubt they are still threatening violence. Considering these two paragraphs, neither Major Mair nor myself thought we could take the responsibility of calling down Arawas without further consultation, so we both ran up in the " Sturt " yesterday and held a meeting at Mr. Clarke's house, Colonel Harington being also present. Mr. Clarke's information is even more positive than ours, and he agreed entirely with us, that it was no use to wait to send for Arawas until the actual danger was at hand, because, there being no communication between the two places, by the time they arrived all mischief the enemy could do would be done. He said, therefore, he would send down the Arawas in a fortnight, and told me that even with them he thought I should have enough to do to defend myself. There I disagreed with him ;my opinion being that as long as the enemy finds we are in a state of preparation he will not attack, but continue to hover about, waiting for a chance. This state of things might go on for a long time, costing the Government a great deal of money for the mere safety of the place. If the efficiency is not preserved, the Hauhaus will come down soon enough; but until then, I think not. However, Mr. Clarke is of a different opinion. One thing is certain to me, that it would be cheaper to anticipate them, and treat these rebels as the Perakaus were treated last year. This year I understand the latter are nearly starving, and so have no stomach for war. On this subject, whether with the Arawas lam still to remain on the defensive or attack, I beg for further instructions. You mention the small amount of transport at my disposal: it consists of two cart-horses, one of them broken down, and two pack-saddles. I could not carry much with these, and men cannot in this country carry more than four days' rations, so without some more transport it will of course be impossible to move far. Every care has been taken that no mistakes shall occur in the muster-rolls, and Captain Bower is performing the duties of Adjutant and Quartermaster without extra pay. I have taken over from Captain Fairchild twelve tents for the use of the Arawas. The letters alluded to as having been found were handed over to Mr. Clarke, who will forward them to the Native Office. I have, <&c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 25. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 105-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 19th February, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters (numbers and dates as per margin), and am directed to inform you that the Hon. the Defence Minister is proceeding to Opotiki to determine whether further operations are to be undertaken against the TJriweras, and will give you definite instructions on the spot. I have, &c, Major St. John, J. Holt, Commanding Militia District, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 35, Feb. 5, 1868. No. 38, Feb. 8, 1868. No. 43, Feb. 12, 1868.

No. 26. Instructions for Offices Commanding- Opotiki District. The Constabulary, Engineer Company, and Arawa Contingent are to be posted on the Whakatane River under command of Major Fraser, who may traverse any part of the confiscated district, but is riot to proceed beyond it unless attacked or threatened by any large body of Natives assembling in his vicinity with avowed or evident hostile intentions. In this event Major St. John is to use the whole of the means at his disposal to attack and disperse the rebels. In the meantime, however, he is to reduce the Militiamen on pay at Opotiki to a number sufficient to occupy the two blockhouses and the Church Redoubt, and to furnish a patrol or small picket. The Constabulary and Engineer Corps will proceed to Pukcti as soon as arrangements can be made for the transport of provisions from Whakatane, and they will build a redoubt at any convenient position on the right bank of the Waimana at its junction with the Whakatane Eiver. It is intended that a stockade should form part of the redoubt, and an expense of not more than £100 may be expended in its erection. Should all remain quiet in the district for one fortnight from this date, the Arawas are to return to Maketu, and the Engineer Corps to Tauranga.

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Under any but urgent circumstances, the Arawas are to be back in their own district by the end of the month, to be in readiness to receive the Duke of Edinburgh. Opotiki, 6th March, 1868. T. M. Haultain.

No. 27. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 46.) Camp, Opotiki, Sic,— " 18th February; 1868. I have the honor to inform you that nothing fresh has occurred since my last letter. I have seen fires and lights at night around me, in places where it was impossible for a European or friendly Native to bo. From information received, it appears that the total loss of the Hauhaus in the last affair was six killed and nine wounded. Their reinforcements came up from Euatokc just after I had left. I was misinformed as to the chief of the hapu, who was Te Pueliu, instead of Eru Tomaikowha who was away at the head of a party of sixty men, and is believed to be now either in the Waioeka or Otara Gorges, or in Waihana. This information comes from Natana, a Native employed by Major Mair as a spy, whose reports have hitherto proved perfectly correct. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 28. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. GB.) Camp, Opotiki, Sic,— 22nd February, 1868. I have the honor to report, that on the 19th instant a Native woman galloped into camp from Opape, reporting she. had been intercepted and pursued by Hauhaus at the Awaho. Shortly afterwards several volleys were heard from that quarter, leading me to believe that the enemy wanted me to move in that direction, and so leave the flat denuded. As the cavalry were away at Whakatane with Major Mair, to meet Mr. Civil Commissioner Clarice, I did not think it prudent to take away from Opotiki the number of men I deemed sufficient to attack this party, which I supposed was the one we had heard of under Te Waikowha (about sixty strong), especially as I had great doubts about the staunchness of all the Opape Natives. However, it turned out that they resisted all the overtures made to them, and, with the assistance of William King, assumed a hostile attitude. I rode over the next morning, and found them very indignant at the loss of tools, implements, and a quantity of potatoes. They also reported that the Hauhaus were still destroying their crops on the Waihana, and begged hard to be allowed to drive them off. I thought that to baulk them while in their present well-disposed state would be injudicious, and that to allow the destruction of their cultivations openly, without an attempt to put a stop to it, would be injurious. I told them, therefore, I would let them have arms temporarily, and send twenty-five Europeans with them. That afternoon Major Mair returned from Whakatane, and took command of the Natives, who consisted of Whakatoheas, Ngaitais, and a few of Whanau Te Apanui; the European Volunteers were under Captain Mair. We marched up the Waihana, but found the enemy had retired back towards the Waioeka, having eaten and taken away a large quantity of potatoes. They had also killed and eaten two horses belonging to the Whakatohea. I had a party, under Captain Skene, ambushed at the debouch of the Otara, where the usual road from Waihana to Waioeka crosses that stream, but without any success. The hostile party consisted chiefly of Uriwera under Te Waikawha, Whakatoheas under Era Whatiuru Te Ike (one of Volkner's murderers), and Paora Te ITa, and a few Turanga people. Their twofold object was to induce the Whakatoheas to join with them and to intercept any Europeans going along the beach. Major Mair has their letters to the Whakatoheas. I was agreeably disappointed at the conduct of the Whakatoheas, some of whom, I much feared, would not resist the temptation of joining their friends. When the Natives spoke about pay, I told them they would get the same as the Arawas. As they were out for only two days, this will not amount to much. I enclose Major Mair's estimate. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence, J. H. St. John, Major, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 29. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 103.) Camp, Opotiki, Sib, — 17th March, 1808. In forwarding the accounts herein enclosed for the transport of provisions and ammunition for the force in pursuit of the party which murdered the friendly Native at Ohiwha, I have the honor to explain that I started off at-once, intending to follow up as far as I could. Lieutenant Pitt's Arawas having halted at Ohiwha on the Bth on hearing of the murder, and their provisions having gone on to Whakatano in a boat, I had to send them a fresh supply that night by pack-horses. Again Major Eraser's force brought no provisions with it from Whakatane. In order to save the going backwards and forwards of convoys, I thought it best to have up four days' rations for the whole

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force at once, so as to be able to dismiss the pack-horses, and bo dependent only on what we carried ourselves. William King had agreed to provide as many horses as were required at eight shillings per diem ; when called on, however, he only brought twelve. Captain Skene had therefore to get more as best he could. When I marched from this, I took with me one horse for ammunition, one for the surgeon, and one for the officers. The remainder joined me at Otara with ammunition and provisions for the whole force (Arawas and all) as per margin, for four days, and even then I was forced to borrow some horses we found in the plains. As the river road was very bad, I found it necessary to allow one horse for the officer in charge of the pack-horses. Moving troops to the westward of this place entails crossing the Waioeka, and I had on each occasion to get what boats I could; several I obtained without charge, others must be paid for. These accounts for ferryage include several crossings before this last one. I must mention here, that Mr. Black offered, in the event of further provisions being wanted for my force, to send round to Ohiwha his schooner " Eortune," without any charge. The sacks and cord were absolutely necessary, as I possess only two pack saddles (both condemned by a Board). Going up an imknown river, I had to foresee the chance of having to cut my way through bush to turn a position ; I therefore got four tomahawks, now on charge. The candles were got when pressure of work compelled me to have the Orderly-room clerks writing at night; and the lantern was for night use, in consequence of pickets being under arms before daybreak. I regret very much that the defection of the Arawas and guides at To Ponga should have rendered this expense useless, except so far as regards the destruction of the crops along my road. I have, &c. The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence, J. H. St. Joiik, Major, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

357.

Enclosure in No. 29. Exteacts from Camp Oedees. 10th March, 1868. 1. Twelve Natives of the Ngatai Tribe, with pack-horses, are this day taken on pay at the rate of Bs. per diem, without rations. 2. Six pack-horses, in charge of Sergeant Allen, have been hired this day at the rate of 10s. per day (Sergeant Allen, contractor), without rations. 5. Seven pack-horses have been this day hired at 10s. per. diem, including drivers (Trooper Mahoney is the contractor for this service), without rations. After Orders. —A whaleboat and a crew of five Natives are this day hired for the purpose of taking provisions to Ohiwha, at the following rates : —Whaleboat, 10s. per diem ; crew, 3s. each daily, without rations. 11th March, 1868. 2. The whaleboat and crew, hired for transport in yesterday's orders, are this day struck off pay. 14th March, 1868. 2. The whole of the Natives and horses employed packing are struck off this date. M. N. Bowee, Captain and Camp Adjutant.

No. 30. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultaot to Major St. Johjt. Mt deab St. John,— "Wellington, 28th March, IS6B. I was very sorry that I could not remain in the Bay of Plenty to assist you in chastising tho Natives who have recommenced hostilities at Opotiki and neighbourhood, for the difficulties of prompt communication with you are so great that it is almost impossible for me to give you instructions to meet the ever-varying circumstances of your position. I left directions with Mr. Clarke to send back any of the Arawas who were troublesome and would not obey orders, and to replace them by others : so I hope you have been able to get at the rebels, and to give them a good lesson. You will probably be reinforced by a division of Constabulary from Waikato, and perhaps by another from Patea, in which case Colonel McDonnell would come with them ; but all this depends on the course that events are now taking. I have, &c, T. M. Haultaot.

No. 31. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 88.) SlB, — Camp, Opotiki, 17th March, 1868. I have the honor to acquaint you that on tho Oth instant I received information that two friendly Natives of Bakuraku tribe had been murdered at Ohiwha that morning by the Hauhaus. After consulting with Major Mair, R.M., who agreed with me that this attack came within the permissive orders given to me by the Hon. the Defence Minister, I started that evening in pursuit, sending off orders to Major Eraser to meet me in Waimana. At Hokianga we found only one body, but that dreadfully mutilated. Major Eraser joined me at Mukutahuahua at 4 a.m. on the 11th, and that night I marched on to Otara, following the tracks (quite fresh) of the attacking party. Otara was reached before dawn, but finding the enemy entrenched on a spur, I had to wait for light to make the attack. The eroemy did not wait, but bolted into the bush, leaving us in possession of a redoubt with rifle pita, which, with another two days' work, would have been difficult to take. We have found books belonging to the murdered Maori, and property of the surveyors driven off six months ago.

THE OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

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I then held a consultation with Majors Fraser and Mair, when we agreed that, as it was evident the hostile party was about us (we were fired upon several times while halted there), and as we had come so far, it was advisable to push on. I accordingly issued four days' rations to the men, telling them, that with the potatoes, &c., found on the road, these were to last for six; and started up the Waimana, intending to go right up to Maungapoatu. A few miles further on, on turning out of the river to climb a steep hill at Te Ponga, the advance of Arawas and Tauranga Volunteers under Major Mair was fired upon. Major Mair and his officers gallantly led the way up under a heavy fire, well followed by some sixty of the Arawas and the Tauranga Volunteers ; one of the former, I regret to say, receiving a mortal wound. Again the enemy bolted into the bush, evidently retiring towards Tawhana ; I was thus driving them step by step, and at some one place, either Tawhana or Maungapoatu, they must stand. As I was about to follow, I learned, to my surprise, that the whole of the Arawas declined to go any further on. They stated that they were averse to the country in which we were fighting ; that they wished the attack to be made from Matata (though we explained that we had no power, but to follow up an attacking party); and even threatened to carry off Major Mair with them. They went off. Even then I would have gone on had not my guides also deserted me. I had then no option but with bitter regret to order the retire. My feelings of disappointment were shared by all the officers and men of the force. I retired, destroying all cultivations on the road, so that between Tawhana and Ohiwa any attacking force must now carry its own provisions. On the Arawas' return to Otara, they surprised a Hauhau scout, who seeing but few of them, and imagining, no doubt, he was among friends, called out to them that he was the " advance of Kereopa, for whom they were to prepare provisions." I regret to say that, instead of being taken prisoner, he was shot dead by the Natives ; the shots alarming a small party in the rear of him, who fired, and it seems took the same road back, some track through the bush unknown to us, and of course warned Kereopa. Had they taken this scout, I should most likely have got the whole party, and extracted important information. He was recognized as having come from Ruatahuna. I need not say how bitterly I felt the desertion of the Arawas and guides, as, with tho force I had, I am confident I should have reached the head-quarters of the rebels. Neither Major Mair nor myself doubt that the scout spoko in. perfect good faith, and that Kereopa is in our neighbourhood. If so, it will not be long before we hoar of him, and I trust that I may be permitted to make an effort to catch him. I will guarantee that privations will not stop my men in such a pursuit. My force is, according to orders, reduced as per enclosed state, but I cannot suppose it will remain so long, as, with Kereopa to urge them on, the enemy is certain to bo on the move. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. 11. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure in No. 31. MILITIA and VOLUNTEERS. —DUTY STATEMENT. Opotiki, 17th March, 1868.

Distribution. t O O Xtl 1 ?? CD m 3 o & o Q Tip a Keniarks. 'kesent on" Pat — Militia. Garrison duty Expedition ... 1 1 1 2 3 4 25 1 Captain, Quartermaster, and Adjutant; 1 Sergeant acting QuartermasterSergeant; 1 Sergeant acting Sorgcant-Major; 1 Corporal, Orderly-room. Opotiki Volunteer Hifles. Garrison duty Expedition ... 1 1 1 25 Poverty Say Volunteer Cavalry. Garrison duty Expedition, &c. 2 10 Escort with Major Mair to Whakatane. 1 1 1 )n Detachment — Waioeka Blockhouse Otara Blockhouse ... 1 1 1 1 1 1 20 20 Opotiki Volunteer Rifles. Militia. lTTACIIED "WlIAKATANE — Hawke's Bay Constabulary Tauranga Volunteers Native Contingent ... 1 2 3 2 6 8 2 108 1 2 i 3 1 4 2 3 2 3 50 25 1G3 1 Total ... 3 4 7 3 12 13 5 346 J. II H. I !t. J. ran", Major. .nding Opotiki District. jmmi

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No. 32. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 175-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sin, — Wellington, 2nd April, 1868. I have laid before the Defence Minister your letter of the 17th ultimo, No. 88, containing a report of your proceedings consequent upon the information you had received of the murder of two friendly Natives at Ohiwa. Colonel Haultain has directed me to convey to you his approbation of the steps you have taken, and he hopes to hear that you have been able, with bettor success, to repeat your attempt to follow up and punish these murderers. With such difficulties in the way of communication, it is impossible to give you instructions that would apply to every contingency that might arise, but you are to use every effort to chastise these rebels ; and (not having already done so), if you see a reasonable prospect of inflicting a heavy blow, you are to employ all the men and means at your disposal to effect this object, obtaining however, as you have previously been instructed, the assent of Mr. Mair, before undertaking any expedition. I have, &c, Major St. John, J. Holt, Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 33. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel HAr/LTALW to Major St. John. (No. 191-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 15th April, 1868. In a report made by Major Mair of the proceedings of the expeditionary force which marched up the Waimana Valley under your command in the early part of last month, after stating that the Arawas had refused to proceed beyond Te Ponga, he adds, " The disinclination to advance was shared by the European part of the force, and on the morning of the 13th some of them stated on parade that they would not go a step further, and actually returned to camp." In your letter of the 17th March, No. 88, you have made no mention of this circumstance, which you ought not to have concealed from the Government. You are therefore -immediately to state all_ the particulars of the occurrence, and to explain why you omitted to do so in your previous report. Major St. John, I have, &c, Commanding Colonial Eorces, Opotiki. T. M. Hattltain.

No. 34. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. (No. 128.) Sin,— Opotiki, 19th May, 1868. In answer to your letter No. 191-3, respecting a report from Major Mair touching " a disinclination to advance on the part of the European part of the force," I have the honor to state that the evening before the march on To Ponga Captain G-wynneth informed me that he had overheard some men among the Constabulary attempting to dissuade Natives from going on, and I informed Major Eraser of it. On the morning of the march some four or five men of the Constabulary did leave the ranks after marching off, and Major Eraser reported it to me, as also the fact that three of them had rejoined. I left the punishment of these offenders to him, and did not think this bad behaviour on the part of a few men necessitated a special report, especially as they were young lads not yet accustomed to military discipline. The rest of the men marched cheerfully enough, and I myself was asked by some of them at Te Ponga whether there was no chance of our guides being persuaded to go on if a subscription was started for them. 1 hoard plenty of grumbling at the defection of the Arawas, but beyond what I have stated above, I myself heard no men refusing to move on. Major Mair informs me that there must be some error in the words quoted within brackets ; as they stand at present, they carry a slur on the whole force. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, J. H. St. John, Major, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 35. Copy of a Letter frotn Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 102.) U SlE,— Camp, Opotiki, 24th March, 1868. No further action having been taken by the rebels, I have suggested to Major Mair, E.M., that the Arawas be allowed to return to their homes, and as he has agreed with me the order will go to them to-morrow. Lieutenant Grundry has made a plan for the stockade, but Major Eraser has given him temporary leave, and ho has taken his plans for completion. I have therefore not yet been able to call for tenders, and have retained the Engineer Volunteers. A copy of my memorandum to to Major Mair and his answer are enclosed. I have, &c, The Under Secretarjr, J. H. St. Joiin, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

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Enclosure in No. 35. Memoeandtjm by Major St. John. As the fortnight allowed by the Hon. the Defence Minister has now elapsed and no news has been received from Mr. Civil Commissioner Clarke, I suggest that the Arawas be now allowed to return to their homes, for the following reasons : — Ist, Having the Hawke's Bay Mounted Constabulary and the Engineer Volunteers at Whakatane, the presence of the Arawa is not required to ward off an attack. 2nd, The Arawa seem to have made up their mind that the proper line of attack is by Matata. My instructions do not justify such a course, but limit me to pursuit when attacked. As the Arawa declined going on with the pursuit up the Waimana, so it is likely that if the attack came from Whakatane, they would refuse to go as far up that river as it would be deemed necessary. They are therefore, in my opinion, costing the Government money, without the chance of any proper adequate return. As the late operations have prevented the Whakatane Stockade from being erected, I suggest that the Tauranga Engineer Volunteers be retained for the present. Will Major Mair have the goodness to state his views on the subject ? J. H. St. John, Major, Opotiki, 24th March, 1868. Commanding Opotiki District.

Minute by Major Maie on the foregoing Memorandum. Ido not think that any necessity exists for retaining the Arawas on pay any longer. A sufficient time has been permitted to elapse since the last expedition without, as far as we know, any action having been taken by the rebels, and I am of opinion that the Arawa may now be permitted to return to their homes. The services of the Tauranga Volunteers will be required in constructing the stockade; they might bo retained. 24th March, 1868. W. Gr. Maie, E. M.

No. 36. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 232-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic,— Wellington, 19th May, 1868. I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 102, of the 24th March (received in this office on the 13th instant), reporting that no further action had been taken against the rebels, and that you had suggested to Mr. Mair, K.M., that the Arawas should return to their homes, and to inform you that the Defence Minister has approved your action as reported. I have, &c, Major St. John, J. Holt, Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 37. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 119.) Sic,— Opotiki, 22nd April, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that the chief Witirea has made a statement to me this day that rebel Natives have been in the vicinity of his plantations, and that they are afraid of their crops being destroyed. Acting in accordance with the instructions I have received, I beg to state that I start to-morrow morning, with about fifty men, with a view to cut off the retreat of this band. 1 have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. 11. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 38. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 2.) Sib,— Whakatane, 10th May, 1868. I have the honor to report that, on the 29th ultimo, I received Native information that a skirmish had taken place that morning at Paketi. Not knowing how far Major IVaser might be threatened, I started at once, with force as per margin,* leaving a sufficient number to protect Opotiki in case this attack should turn out a feint. On arriving at Whakatane I found that a party of Hauhaus, several of whom were recognized as belonging to Buatahuna, had come down, under Te Mikowha and Heteraka, to surprise Major Eraser's road party. Instead of this they lighted at Paketi on some Ngatipukekcrs, the result of which was one Ngatipukcko wounded and two made prisoners: these escaped, losing their guns (six). The wounded man shot two Hauhaus, one of whom must have died on the spot —he subsequently found the spot where the other expired. I also learnt that Major Eraser had at once despatched a Native policeman to me with a letter, which I have not yet received. The next day the river was too high to cross, so on the Ist I took up Major Eraser and his men, the Opotiki men, and a few Natives. Wo tracked the Hauhaus up to Ruatoki, where we had to halt on * Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry. —Cornet, 1; Sergeants, 2; Bank and File, 20. Militia. —Ensign, 1; Sergeant, 1; Rank and File, 26.

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account of a fresh. Tho Natives told us the attacking party were certain to be at Tunanui or Waikarewhenua, so we pushed on the next day to tho former place (twelve miles above Ruatoki), still following the fresh tracks. Tunanui was deserted, and the next morning I moved on to Waikare-whcnua, or at least to a height close to it overlooking the Waikare Valley as far as Te Wharau. All these outposts, well populated on my visit to them two years ago, were now abandoned; but ample provision had been made along the road for " tauas," in the shape of potato pits: what we did not eat we destroyed. That same evening the river rose suddenly, and I was obliged, to send back the troopers at once, and to begin cutting my way through the bush along tho river. Mr. Pitcairn, of the Survey, very kindly rode back with the troopers, and began, with Maoris, to cut from the Ruatoki end, while the Volunteer Engineers worked hard from ours. Two days saw us from Tunanui to Ruatoki. I afterwards found that the tracks we had been following diverged to Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna (which is a fortified kainga), the latter two days' journey from Tunanui. There is no doubt that the Uriwera outposts abutting on the settlements are abandoned, and that a concentration has been effected on the line from Maungapoata to Ruatahuna, whether for attack or defence it is impossible to state. Any parties coming now, however, down either the Waimana or Whakatane, will find themselves pushed for food. Considerable parties must have been moving about the Whakatane River during the last six months, from the quantity of camping-places, " mimis," and " hangis," we found. I have, I believe, ascertained that a good road exists to Ruatahuna from Opauriao, on the Whakatane, by Tawaroa and Te Whaiti, but I have not yet got sufficient information to be able to report upon it. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

No. 39. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Major St. John. (No. 354-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic,— Wellington, 26th May, 1868. I am directed by the Defence Minister to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 10th instant (number illegible), reporting on an expedition at Whakatane, in consequence of threatened attack by rebels. I have, &c, The Officer Commanding Colonial Forces, J. Holt, Opotiki. Under Secretary.

No. 40. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Stevens to Major St. John. (No. 399-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic, — Wellington, 16th June, 1868. By direction of the Defence Minister, I have the honor to request you to move one-half of No. 1 Division, Armed Constabulary, to Opotiki, the other half to remain under command of Inspector Eraser at Whakatane for the present. Immediately on the arrival at Opotiki of the above-mentioned detachment, you will reduce the Militia on pay to fifty men of all ranks. I have, &c, Major St. John, Eeas. Stevens Commanding Colonial Eorces, Opotiki. (for the Under Secretary).

No. 41. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. J. C. Richmond to Mr. 11. T. Claeke. (No. 409-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic,— Wellington, 29th June, 1868. Recurring to my verbal instructions given you at Maketu and Tauranga on occasion of my recent visit, I have the honor to inform you that you are authorized to engage a party of the Arawa Tribe to occupy a post at Ohiwa. The number of men engaged should be about sixty. Those in actual occupation must at no time be less than forty during the term of engagement which should be for two years. Thus each man would spend sixteen months on actual duty. The consideration for this service is to be a grant not exceeding twenty-five acres of land to each man on completion of the term. All the surplus land at Ohiwa will be available for the purpose, and as soon as you have completed the arrangement you will please forward a schedule of the sections selected to the office of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, in order that they may be marked on the office plans as reserves. The men will be supplied with arms and ammunition, which will remain the property of Government. A sufficient number of Native officers will be appointed under Major Mair (or the officer for for the time being in charge), to preserve order on the post, and to see that the arms are properly cared for. Every man will however be responsible for the arms, &c, intrusted to him. Every man must attend muster once a week when on duty, and no man who fails to be on duty when his turn comes will be retained on the force. In case of serious disturbances the force will be liable to active service on the same terms as the other Militia of the district. The whole of the men for the time on duty must be in attendance if required by their Commanding Officer.

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Sufficient seed potatoes will be supplied to plant say ten acres of land. You are authorized to obtain these so soon as the agreement is concluded. A nominal roll of the men should be forwarded to this office, with recommendations of four officers, who will receive extra allowance of land for their service in that capacity. It will probably be desirable to include members of several of tho chief hapus in the arrangement if possible, but of this the Government expect you to judge. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Esq.^ J. C. Richmond. Civil Commissioner Tauranga.

No. 42. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultais" to Major St. John. (No. 458-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Bm,— Wellington, 17th July, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that Lieut.-Colonel "Whitmore has been authorized to send for Inspector Eraser and the No. 1 Division Armed Constabulary under his command, should he require their services on the East Coast, and in the event of their leaving your district you are to place a similar number of Militiamen (viz., sixty) on duty for the blockhouses and redoubt. A portion of these Militiamen may be stationed at Whakatane if Major Mair thinks it desirable and you consider they can be safely spared from Opotiki; but if you detach any men they must take care to entrench themselves, to guard against any sudden attack by hostile Natives. Should Inspector Frascr be ordered to the East Coast, he is to take his ammunition with him. I have, &c, Major St. John, T. M. Haitltain. Commanding Colonial Forces, Opotiki.

No. 48. Copy of a Letter from Mr. H. T. Clakke to the ITjruEK Secbetaky, Native Department. (No. 11, D.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib, — Tauranga, 12th January, 18G8. I have the honor to transmit for the information of the Government a copy of a letter I have just received from Mr. Resident Magistrate Mair. I consider that the Native news has become sufficiently important with regard to this district to justify me in asking of the Government special instructions as to the line of action I am to take in the event of the several reports we have received from widely different sources proving correct, pointing at this place as the most likely to be attacked. I would draw attention to the similarity of the information from the Uriwera District to that received from "Waikato via Eotorua and to the letter of Te Tauaro, copy enclosed in my letter of yesterday's date, No. 10, D. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, H. T. Clarke, Native Department. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 43. Copy of a Letter from Major Maie to Mr. li. T. Clarke. See,— Opotiki, January 9th, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that Eakuraku, who has just returned from Tawhana, has furnished me with the following intelligence. The Uriweras have had a meeting at Te Tahora in the Euatahuna. Messengers from Waikato and Ngatikahungunu were present, and the question of peace or war was discussed. Letters from Matutaera were read; one of them commenced thus: —" Haere ra c taku reta ki aku iwi ite tai Eawhiti, kia Tuhoe kia Te ITriwera whakarongo mai kua hapai te patu, kua mutu nga ra o te Ariki;"* and the other, beginning with the same sentence, continued —" Ehoa ma kia manawa nui kua puta to motu, kua putu te tangata, ko te horoiuga ota koutou Atua ka ahu atu ma te tapatai."f The inference drawn by Eakuraku from the last passage is that hostilities would commence at Tauranga or some other place on the sea-coast westward of this district. "Whakatohea and other speakers at the meeting advised immediate action; whilst others said, " Let the King commence first, or we may be deceived." Te Whenuanui and the Lower Euatahuna people counselled neutrality. Owing to the diversity of opinion the meeting broke up without having decided upon any course, but another " lmi " will take place shortly. Paerau's peace negotiations have failed, he having acted in opposition to the wish of his people. He is now at Te Whaiti, and would not attend the Suatahuna meeting. Ngaitama, about fifty strong, under Eru Tomaikowha, are at Maraetai, up the Waioeka. Their women and children are there too. A party of Te Aitanga a Mahaki, under Te Ilaiawira, are there also. The intention is to make a descent in considerable force upon Opotiki; but the point of attack, or the time is not fixed :it may be " immediately, or not for a month." A party of the Whakatohea, under Parata Papahia, Matena Euta, and others had not returned from Euatahuna. It is possible that no move will be made till they arrive. A party of Hauhaus from Papuni and Werepati, in the * Gro, my letter, to my tribes on the East Coast, to Tulioe and to To Uriwera. Listen, the weapon ia lifted up, tlio days of the Lord are ended. f Friend, be enduring, the Mand is showing itself (above "water), tlie people appear, the cleansing of you Grod. He ■will go by the sea coast. 6

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Wairoa or Turanga District, are said to be at Maraetai. From the rough sketch enclosed, it will bo seen that Papuni is not very distant from Waioeka. , The only people met by Rakuraku at Tawhaua were a small hapu called Na Maihi. Ho intended going on to Maungapohatu, but was stopped at Te Kumete by Ngaitikahu, who would not permit him to go any further. He states that, with the exception of the Ruatahuna and Whaiti people, who are supplied from Whakatane, Te Awa-o-te-Atua, and Rotorua, the Uriwera are wretchedly in want of clothing, and that a disease has appeared among them lately of which many of them have died. Ngaitana have cultivated a good deal this season at Maraetai. The fact of them having planted both there and at Waimana is, I think, very significant. Armed Natives have been seen repeatedly about the Opotiki Gorge. Five were seen distinctly on the 6th instant, and that night a substantial slab and plaster hut belonging to a settler called Stephenson was burnt. A. blockhouse would ere this have been erected within, a few hundred yards of Stephenson's, but the officer commanding was not permitted to furnish a covering party ; and the contractor does not appear inclined to commence work without protection. Like Moore and Begg, in the Waioeka Valley, Stephenson was the most advanced settler up the Opotiki Valley; but, unlike them, he had received warning, and had moved in for safety, or no doubt he would have shared the same fate. Major St. John has decided upon placing an officer in charge of the Waioeka Blockhouse for the present, and has put a sufficient number of men on pay to guard the magazine. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, W. G. Maie, Native Department, Resident Magistrate.

No. M. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. J. C. Richmond to Mr. 11. T. Clarke. (No. 35-1.) Native Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, 17th January, 1868. Referring to your several Reports received yesterday by the " Egmont," in which you request instructions how to act in case of aggression by parties from the Uriwera and other tribes upon the settlements at Opotiki and Tauranga, the Government have confidence in your coolness and discretion, and will not trammel you with particular directions. Colonel Harrington and Major St. John have authority in case of need to call out the whole Militia force of the districts, and you will be justified in summoning the Arawa to assist, on the terms terms previously allowed of 3s. per diem, without rations, &c. I need hardly say that the Government will greatly regret if it should be necessary at this time to make any sort of hostile demonstration, as the political effect of such a demonstration on the country at large must be mischievous. They are inclined to hope that the armed movements to which you. refer are not likely to include more than a small party of turbulent men, unsupported by the opinion and sympathy of the King party or the Hauhaus at large. It is to bo desired that the aggression should be clearly on the side of the rebels. I have, &c, The Civil Commissioner, Tauranga. J. C. Richmond.

No. 45. Copy of a Letter from Mr. 11. T. Cl&kice to the Uxdeb Secretary, Native Department. (No. 29.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sir,— Tauranga, 30th January, 18G8. I have the honor to transmit, for the information of the Government, a copy of a Report I have just received from Mr. Resident Magistrate Mair, at Opotiki. I have received, by private letters, further information down to the 28th instant. From Opotiki I learn, as far as can be made out, the rebels, to the number of about 100 men, came out on the beach between Waiotahi and Ohiwha; that after destroying the monument erected to Wi Popata (the murdered mailman), and the whares in Walker's Redoubt, they returned up the banks of the Waiotahi River. From a private letter from Mr. Mair, written at the last moment before the vessel sailed, ho states, that he had received information that the hostile Natives had returned again to To Waimana, and did not intend making any further movement until reinforcements from Waikare and Ruatahuna, had jointed them. At Opotiki they appear to have been ignorant of the real object of the rebel expedition to Ohiwha and "Waiotahi, but I think there is little doubt the intention was to cut off the fourteen Military Settlers said to be erecting a blockhouse in that locality. {Vide Report of yesterday, 20th January.) With the few men now at the disposal of the Commanding Officer at Opotiki, trammelled as they are with women and children, I fear the result of a combined attack by the rebels, if they are as strong as represented, will bo disastrous. With our land communication cut off, it would be almost impossible to convey them assistance in sufficient time to do any good. A small body of the Arawa could be sent, if the G-overnment so order, but I think it would bo unwise to send too large a force away, in the present uncertain state of things. The general opinion has obtained, that there is no combination nor any connection between the Uriwera tribes and those immediately under King Matutaera. I regret that I cannot join in that opinion, as we have ample evidence that a constant communication is kept up, and that the Uriwera roceive their orders from head-quarters. It was said that the king had nothing to do with the disturbances which took place in Tauranga last year. I have since been informed by one of the surrendered

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Hauhaus who fought against us, that the orders emanated from Matutaera and his councillors, but tltat the people intrusted with taking the initiative began two months too soon. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, H. T. Clarke, Native Department. Civil Commissioner,

Enclosure in No. 45. Copy of a Letter from Major Maik to Mr. 11. T. Clabke. Sic,— Opotiki, 24th January, 1868. I have the honor, in continuation of my last report, to inform you that I have received intelligence from Rakuraku, Hohaia, Paora Kingi, and Wepiha, to the effect that the Hauhau warparty, after being reinforced, left the Waimana about the 21st instant, by the track ..over Pukenuiorako to Waioeka; it was at first doubtful whether they were going to that place or to Waiotahi, but yesterday Wepiha came by canoe to inform me that their cooking fires were seen in the early morning from the pa at Ohopi; the smoke appeared to rise from near Kuhirake on the Waiotahi, about four miles from the mouth of that river. About 4 o'clock p.m. this day, fires were visible on the beach between Waiotahi and Onokawa ; and Captain Doughty, of the " Whitby," informs me that at about 230 p.m., while at anchor off the bar, he observed a body of from twenty-five to fifty Natives on the shore near the fire. Major St. John has sent a party of sixty men along the beach, to ascertain, if possible, the whereabouts of the rebels. From the various sources already alluded to, I have learned that the Hauhaus number upwards of two hundred men, consisting of all the Tawhana, Tauwhaiemanuka, and Maungapowhatu people, with small parties from other places. Reinforcements were expected from Euatahuna and the Whakatohea. They have stated that they will not leave the district without obtaining utu for their losses ; and that if they cannot fall in with stragglers, they will attack the settlement. The only men of rank among them, whose names I have heard, are Te Puehu and Erueti Te Maikowha, of the Uriwera, and Mokena Taotao and Manihera Te Waiatua, of the Whakatohea. The last messenger from Waikato was Hori Nokotu. By referring to a report written upon my return from Taupo in November, you will see that I fell in with this man at Orakeikoiako, while on his way to Matutaera, from whom it is reported that he brought letters urging the Uriwera to take up arms. The Waiocka Blockhouse has been reinforced, and a sufficient number of men taken on pay to defend the settlement in case of attack. I have, &c, 11. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner, W. Gr. Maie, Tauranga. Besident Magistrate.

No. 46. Copy of a Letter from Mr. IT. T. Clabke to the Undee Seceetaby, Native Department. (D. 35.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic,— Tauranga, 11th February, 1868. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Q-overnment, that the " iSturt " arrived this evening from Opotiki; Majors St. John and Mair are passengers by her. They bring important intelligence from 'Opotiki, the substance of which may be obtained from Major Mair's report, which I herewith enclose. It will be impossible to say what may bo the result of the losses sustained by the rebels in the late conflict with our Military Settlers. If it is correct that Te Tua, a Buatahuna chief has fallen, we may confidently expect a general rising throughout the Uriwera District. I have received a letter of instructions from the Hon. the Defence Minister with regard toraising a body of the Arawa. Colonel Harington, Majors St. John and Mair, and myself have consulted together as to the best course to be adopted, and have decided to take steps to raise a force of 150 Arawa, to be had in readiness. It is expected that the enemy will not bo able to collect all their forces under two or three weeks, when it is most probable they will make a combined attack on Opotiki. In the mean time it is hoped that the Government will decide as to the best course to adopt under the circumstances, and that definite instructions will be received. I would respectfully suggest that the " Sturt " may ba sent back with as little delay as possible, so that we have means at our disposal of quick transport in case of need. I must confess that, taking all the circumstances into consideration, I have grave fears for the Opotiki settlers. I beg to enclose translation of letters obtained by the expedition under Major St. John, from which it is manifest that the plan of the rebels was to waylay and murder the Military Settlers, and they only delayed their operation until some of their relations, supposed by us to be friendly, had taken in their crops, when a general rising was to take place. As soon as lam able it is my intention to proceed to Whakatane, for the purpose of procuring reliable information as to the movements of the Uriwera. Very great inconvenience is felt On account of the communication between this place and Opotiki feeing entirely cut off. I would therefore suggest, for the approval of the Defence Minister, that a good whale boat be procured and placed under the undivided care of Major Mair, for the purpose of conveying intelligence to Whakatane, from whence speedy communication could be had with Tauranga. 1 have, &c, The Under Secretary, H. T. Clamce, Native Department. Civil Commissioner.

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Enclosure in No. 46. Copy of a Letter from Major Mair to Mr. 11. T. Clarke. Sik,— Opotiki, 10th February, 18G8. I have the honor to report, for your information, that on the Bth instant Wepiha Apanui came from Ohope by canoe for the purpose of bringing intelligence of the movements of the Hauhaus under Eructi Te Maikowha and Te Puehu. He states that positive information had reached the Whakatanc people that a war party had left their head-quarters in the Waimana with the intention of attacking Ohope if a favourable opportunity offered. I may add that such an event was extremely probable, as I was informed by JSTatana, of Ohiwa, that when Wepiha came here a short time since on the same errand he was recognized by the Hauhaus then lying in ambuscade at Waiotahi, and they, divining his purpose, said that he should not escape their vengeance. Upon communicating Wepiha's information to Major St. John, he decided upon making a reconnoisance in the Waimana Valley, and started on the night of the Bth instant with a force of eighty men. He has just returned, and states that this morning, at 330, he fell in with a party variously estimated at from thirty to fifty men at Nukutahuahua, in the Waimana, and after a sharp skirmish defeated them with a loss of eight lolled, including Te Tua, a Euatahuna chief of some importance. Erueti Te Maikowha was seen by the Native guides, and was heard repeatedly to call out, " Come on, and I will eat your hearts." Major St. John, having one man wounded, and seeing that the enemy were being reinforced, deemed it expedient to retire, and was followed for a short distance by the Hauhaus. The mats which once adorned Wi Popata's monument were found in one of the huts, together with some letters, which I forward to you. They prove the complicity of the Ohiwa people in the late movements of the Hauhaus, and that assistance was expected from Euatahuna and Maunga Pouketu. I regret to state that two women were unavoidably wounded in the affair this morning. From Whakatane I have received intelligence to the effect that a woman called Motoe, the wife of an European, had been in the Euatahuna country buying pigs. Upon her return to the coast she halted at Otemuku, just without the confiscated boundary. During her temporary absence a marauding party from the Waimana looted her pigs and some calabashes of birds, and some mats which had been given to her by her friends. Upon her retarn she followed up the marauders and claimed her property, when the Hauhaus, to show their hatred to the Queenites, shot her horse and roasted it, tolling her that if she said another word they would serve her baby in the same manner. fiakuraku says that unless he is placed in a position to defend himself, the Hauhaus will take vengeance upon himself and his people. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Esq., W. G. Maib, Civil Commissioner, Tauranga. Eesident Magistrate.

Sub-Enclosures to Enclosure in No. 46. From Euatoki, To Te Waimajta, to Ebtt (Tomaikowha), to Tv, to Te Puehu, to all of the Poti, —■ Listen, you. "We have arrived at Euatoki this da}*-. Wo are seeking for your thoughts,— what are they ? We ask you this question. Turns. From Ihakaba and Hemi.

Address on Envelope, — EATJTAirOTA, From Taea (staki) . To Te Pu (eoti), To Ihakaea, To Hemi. To all Tuuoe, From Tomaikowha. 15th January, 1868. Go, my letter, to Euatoki, to the youngest son of Tamatea, to Euatahuna, and all the places thereto belonging. Friends, listen. Our sentry (scout) has returned from Ohiwa. All the boundaries of Ohiwa have been given up to us. The speech to us is, " Let them dispose of their occupations this month, on the mouth following then indeed will the testicle of the stallion sound forth." Friends, wait. You will only have to wait till next month. As soon as the new moon (appears) haste hither. Those months are ours alone. We shall hasten to lay ambuscades. Should there be nothing (to catch) it is well. The word of those two to us is, that the Pakehas are going about on the beach unarmed —they go about daily. Turns. To Hemi Kaketu, to Te Pu (elm), At Tuapuku, at Te Tahora Puhirake Tatahoata.

Otara, 15th January, 1868. Go, my letter, to Tauwharemanuka, to Tawhana, to Tanahi, to Maungapohatu, to Eahitiroa. Friends, listen. Our sentry (scout) has returned from Ohiwa. The boundaries of Ohiwa have been given up to us. Their speech is " Let them have this month for their occupation; the following month hasten Mther at this time." From To Poti, of Tamatuiiiba, at To Ku.

THE OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

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A.—No. Ba.

No. 47. Copy of a Letter from Mr, 11. T. Clarke to the Under Secretary, Native Department. (D. 36.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic,— Tauranga, 16th February, 1868. I have the honor to acquaint you that it is my intention to leave for Whakatane to-morroirr morning. In the event of an opportunity occurring during my absence, I deem it right, under the present unsatisfactory aspect of Native matters in these districts, to place the Government in possession of all the information I have been able to collect up to this date. When I arrived at Maketu on Wednesday last, Dr. Nesbitt handed me the enclosed copy of a letter said to have been received by the Ngatiwhakane from some of their connections of tha Ngatiraukawa Tribe, warning them of the avowed intentions of the Ngatimaniapoto Tribe to commence hostilities at Eotorua. Kihi, the chief named, was the leader of the hostile band which created the disturbances last year at Eotorua, and was carried away badly wounded, then supposed to be mortally. Prom one sentence in the letter, it would appear there are also designs upon Tauranga. Several of the disaffected Pirirakau have visited their friends at Motuhoa, with the ostensible object of having an Uhunga (cry over the dead) —really, it is stated, to induce their relatives to withdraw with them to the ranges. Simultaneously with this visit of the Pirirakau, who are on the west side of the district,' the Ngaitahi, a disaffected tribe residing on the south, have also invited their friends to meet them at Oropi for a similar object. In their invitation they stated that those who had borne arms in defence of the Europeans should not present themselves. Of what transpired, lam able to give an account as stated to me by Bahapia. Eahapia states the principal men of the opposite party were Maihi Pohepohe and Te Tauaroa, the leaders of the party who murdered Campbell in January last year. These two chiefs were the principal speakers. Maihi Pohepohe begged Eahapia and his people to leave the sea, and retire to the bush; that war would yet arise ; that if they refused to go out, it might be the last time they would see him. Te Tauaro said the same. Ho stated further that he was in possession of the mind of the councillors of the king, and that evil was intended. He stated that Eewi, the head chief of the Ngatimaniapoto Tribe, was the leader ; that the meeting held lately at Tokangamutu was a general one; that there was to be another convened shortly, at which only a select number were to bo present; that the conveners of the meeting are Tohu and Whiti (two Taranaki prophets), and Hakaraia, the old chief lately resident in this neighbourhood ; that the object of the meeting would be to concert plans ; that some of the disaffected Tauranga Natives were to be there; and that it was confidently expected that " the island would again appear above water." I regret to state that a great change has come over the disaffected Natives since the return, of their chiefs from the Tokangamutu meeting. Many of these Natives have of late shown a disposition to be friendly. They have visited our men in charge of the redoubt at Pipi's Pa, and our people in turn have visited the Natives at Akeake, their nearest settlement. One of the Native chiefs assured the Officer Commanding that they might visit them in perfect safety, and that if there was any change of feeling he would be informed of it. On Thursday last, Lieutenant Pitt, the officer at present in charge, relying upon this assurance, accompanied by one of his men who understands the Maori language, visited the Akoake Natives. To his surprise, there were a good number assembled. Instead of his being welcomed in the usual manner, he was received with apparent dissatisfaction; many of the men retired into their whares. The chief man of the place, Paraone, who has just returned from Waikato, addressed Mr. Pitt and his companion by telling them that they were dead men —"kua mate koma." "You have crossed the 'kati,' and you must die." After a pause, he asked why he had come to the place—whether Mr. Clarke had sent them. Mr. Pitt replied that he came because the officer in charge of the redoubt had been assured by Waitara, one of their leading men, that they could do so with safety, and that it was from a friendly feeling he did so, as they might see by his being unarmed. Paraone replied, " I am the chief of this place, and no other, but as you have been deceived 1 will spare your lives, but you must remain our prisoners; a house will be built for you and you must remain." Food was then ordered. After a consultation amongst the Natives, Paraone again came forward and stated that they should be released; adding, " Tou will see my face no more, lam going to Tokangamutu; lam grieved on account of my land which has been taken." Mr. Pitt availed himself of the permission to retire, and was accompanied by an old man who stated that he had been sent to see him safely past the Oropi road, as it was not improbable that some Natives might bo coming from that settlement. The murderer Te Tauaro and his party passed by that road a few hours afterwards. Mr. Pitt is an officer in whom I can place the fullest reliance, and would not exaggerate in the least what took place. It is also worthy of observation that some Natives have removed the survey pegs on the Te Puna purchased block, and that since the return of the men from the Waikato meeting the Pirirakau have discontinued communicating with the survey parties at work on that block. A Native from Taranaki (formerly of this place) and a cousin to Eawiri Puhiraki, the chief who was killed at Te Eanga in 1861, has just been on a visit to his relatives. He is, I am informed, an emissary from the Taranaki prophets Tohu and Whiti ; ho has been using his influence to induce the relatives of those who fell at Te Eanga to go out to the ranges. They have been told that if they remain where they are they will be destroyed by the god of the Maori race. I am induced to believe that his representations have had some influence. lam persuaded that there is much moving amongst the Natives of which I am kept in ignorance ; there appears to be a backwardness to give information even by those in whom I have hitherto placed confidence, for which I cannot yet account. This change has come over the Natives since the return of the chiefs from the Tokangamutu meeting. May we not, from what I have stated above, draw the inference, that the result of the late Waikato meeting was anything but favourable towards the peace of the country ? Since the date of my last report I have been visited by a friendly TJriwera who is now residing at 7

A.—No. Ba,

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Whakatane. He informs me that there will be a general rising amongst his people. Of this I shall be better able to judge when I arrive at Whakatane. I have arranged to meet Mr. Mair on Tuesday next. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, H. T. Clarke, Native Department. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 47. Xi a Ngatiwhakane,— Ehoa ma whakarongo mai kia noho tupato koutou i roto i tenei marama, tae noa kite kohititanga. Na te mca kua tuturu te kupu a Ngatimaniapoto ki Rotorua kihai i rongo kite kupu a te Kingi ki Tauranga ko te kupu a kihi, ka haere huna ia ki Rotorua koia ahau ka ki atu nei kia haere tupato ki Puraku otira taku tino kupu me mutu to heero mai ki Puraku heoi ano. Na Hitibi.

[Teakslatiox.] To Ngatiwhakake,— Friends, listen you. Remain on the alert during this month even to the beginning of tlio next, because the word of Ngatimaniapoto is fixed to (attack) Rotorua. They would not hearken to the word of the King to (attack) Tauranga. The word of " Kihi " is that he will go stealthily to* Rotorua. For this reason I now say, Go cautiously to Puraku. But myreal word is, Cease to come to Puraku. Enough. _____________________ From Hitiei.

No. 84. Copy of a Letter from Mr. H. T. Claeke to the Undek Secbetaey, Native Department. (D. 37a.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Tauranga, 21st February, 18G8. I have the honor to enclose, for the information of the Government, copy of a letter from Major St. John, reporting the state of matters at Opotiki. In accordance with instructions I have received from the Hon. the Defence Minister, it is my intention to send a force of Arawa to assist in the defence of Opotiki. I start to-morrow morning for Te Awa-o-te-Atua; a force of seventy men will bo sent overland at once, and a further force of fifty as soon as a favourable conveyance can be procured. I have, &c. The Under Secretary, 11. T. Claeke, Native Department. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 48. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Mr. H. T. Clarke. Sib,— Camp, Opotiki, 18th February, 18G8. On the night of the 16th instant, lights were seen on the plateau, the other side of Otara, and on Three Pa Hill, yesterday morning also on the plateau. I connect these fires with the following : This day about 10 a.m. a Native woman rode into camp, stating she had seen the Hauhaus at the Awaho, and that they had tried to intercept her. Tiwai came in shortly after, reporting he had been, fired at, which I do not believe. Several volleys and single shots were heard in that direction, but these I put down to bravado, and a wish to draw me out. Tiwai and Witiria, with some other Natives, volunteered to reconnoitre, and the latter brought back word Opape was attacked. I felt then bound in honor to go to its relief, though what with sick, prisoners, and absentees, my force was small enough. Once on the beach, I soon saw that Opape was not attacked, and that the " friendlies " had gone on. A body of Natives (mounted), I hear, came within a mile of the turn off to this place, but retired on seeing the troopers (six only), the remainder being with Major Mair at Whakatane. They showed out again, and I am pretty certain the whole thing was only a " draw" to get me out of the way, and allow the rebel Whakatoheas to come down upon the undefended settlement, or else to lure me into an ambuscade, the latter I could have guarded against, but against the former I was obliged to be upon the gui vive. I therefore came back to camp, and set all in order for defence. I consulted with Captain Skene and the Adjutant as to the expediency of sending down to Opape by night, for these reasons. Two parties of Waikato have safely passed the Hauhaus, Witiria openly expressed his disgust at my not marching down at once. Many of the Whakatoheas are unsound. And they have arms, at least such of them as we have hitherto believed to be sound. However, feeling my first duty is in the protection of this flat, and believing that I have partly fathomed the enemy's plans, I have adopted this course. As soon as it is light a whale boat goes to Torere with a letter to William King, in charge of Captain Mair, requesting him to ascertain the intentions of the Waikatos. This Hauhau party is represented as being composed of entirely young men. Had I had all the Cavalry to day we could have had a very pretty charge along the beach. I begin to agree with you as to the defence. I feel uncomfortable on two sides ; and if the Uriwera come on the third, I shall have enough work on my hand. If you can, let me have some Arawa overland as soon as possible, as the duties are very hard. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. H. St. John, Major, Native Department. Commanding Opotiki District. P.S.—I enclose the English version of my letter to William King.

THE OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

27

A.—No. Ba.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 48. O Feietto, — This is my letter to you, knowing you are a trustworthy friend of the Queen. You are not to speak abroad of this letter, as it is for you alone. Listen; the Hauhaus have come to Waiaua and Awaho, and several of the Whakatohea have come here from Opape, and gone to Opape from here. This Ido not like, as I hear the Hauhaus are come to get recruits from Opape. I also hear that the Whakatoheas in the "Waioreka are waiting for me to go out in order to come down on the plain and murder women and children. Therefore, until I get more men, I cannot leave this place. The Whakatohea have plenty of guns, and can defend themselves. I wish you to go to Opape, and see if the Whakatoheas are going to stay with the Queen, or going to the Hauhaus. Captain Mair will go with you. I send you some guns. These are in charge of Captain Mair, and to be given if he thinka requisite. J. H. H. St. Joira.

No. 49. Copy of a Letter from Mr. H. T. Claeke to the Under Secretary, Native Department. (D. 47.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sir,-— Tauranga, 14th March, 1868. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Government, that I have received a hastily written pencil note from Major Mair, bearing date 9th instant, conveying the intelligence that on Sunday morning early the Hauhaus came in great force to Ohiwa. A party of ten crossed over to the Island of Hokianga, in Ohiwa, and murdered an old man of the Upokoreho hapu named Kororahi. The unfortunate man was partly mutilated. The Hauhaus, after burning down the huts at Te Punawai Eakuraku's settlement, retired. It is the intention of Major St. John to follow them up. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, H. T. Clarke, Native Department. Civil Commissioner.