FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES. (NGATIMARU.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869 Session I, A-03b

A.—No. 3b.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES. (NGATIMARU.)

(In continuation of Papers presented 2nd July, 1869.)

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1869.

A.—No. 3b.

No. 1. Memorandum of Instructions sent to Colonel Lton for Colonel Haultain. Colonel Lton was requested to arrange with Major Brown for a combined movement up the Waitara River, in pursuit of Titokowaru, who is reported to be in the Ngatimaru country. Colonel Lyon was to take an available force, which it was surmised would be about 200 to 300 men, by the back of the mountain to Mataitawa, where Major Brown would take care that provisions were ready waiting for him. Prom that point Colonel Lyon, when rationed, would ascend the Waitara, by a track known to Major Brown, to a place called Paki Paki, where Native food and cattle are plentiful, and continue the march till ho met Major Brown. Major Brown was to march with 200 to 300 men, by an inland track which ho knew, to the Waitara in the Ngatimaru country, and there turn round and descend the river till he met Colonel Lyon. It appears from Major Brown's information that between where he would strike the Waitara and Paki Paki there are many kaingas of the enemy, and from Tito te Hanataua it seems that it has been discovered that Titokowaru is usually to be found at them, but, being weak and afraid, he constantly changes his residence. It is hoped that Colonel Lyon or Major Brown will be sure to catch some of Titokowaru's party, if not himself; and all the inhabitants of that part being compromised, no difficulties can arise. The concert of the two columns is provided for by the directions sent to Colonel Lyon. Major Brown will not move till Colonel Lyon reaches Mataitawa, and this will enable both columns to reach at the same time. Colonel Lyon had permission, if he liked, to go by land or sea to Taranaki, if his column was fairly started round the mountain, and, if he felt unequal to the march, was authorized to hand over the command to Captain Hawes, a most trustworthy officer, Major Noake being understood to be lame through his wound received at Balaclava. 23rd June. G. S. Whitmore, Colonel.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Major Beown to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. (No. 250.) Militia and Volunteer Office, Sib,— Taranaki, 23rd June, 1869. I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. Colonel Haultain, that Colonel Lyon informed me at Wanganui that a force of 220 men would leave Ketemarae for Mataitawa on Wednesday, the 30th instant, and that he would ride round by the coast track. I arrived here at 10 a.m. this morning by the s.s. " Ahuriri." I have, &c., The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence Office, Chas. Bbown, Wellington. Major Commanding.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. D. McLean to Major Brown. (No. 355.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, sth July, 1869. With reference to the instructions you have received for a combined movement on Titokowaru, in conjunction with Lieut.-Colonel Lyon from Patea, I have the honor to inform you that the Government desire that, in conducting this expedition, the forces should not extend beyond the Ngatimaru country, or become implicated with the Upper Wanganui or Mokau tribes. Major Brown, Commanding Militia District, I have, &c, Taranaki. Donald McLean. [Letter of same tenor and date (No. 536 2E.) sent to Lieut.-Colonel Lyon.]

No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to the Under Secretary for Defence. (No. 251.) Taranaki Militia and Volunteer Office, Sib, — Taranaki, 24th June, 1869. I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, that I received a note this morning from Captain Messenger, commanding at Wai Iti, informing me that the enemy were on the ranges between the redoubts and the "White Cliffs ; from the number of their fires they are assumed to be in force. The news reached me at 5 a.m. I leave as soon as the tide serves, and will endeavour to send more definite information this evening or to-morrow morning, to go on per " Airedale," when I will also communicate it overland to Colonel Lyon, commanding the Patea District. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence Office, Chas. Brown, Major, "Wellington. Commanding Militia District. P.S.—I enclose Captain Messenger's note.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY

No. 358, 29th June, 1869.

Enclosure in No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Mr. W. B. Messengeb to Major Brown. Mt dear Brown, — Camp, Wai Iti, 10 p.m. Wednesday. The Natives are on the hills between the Cliffs and us ; their fires are distinctly visible. We have sent up two rockets to warn the people. I have sent off at once to my detachment at Mimi to come up to-night, and Tuke has sent for the ammunition to be sent up to-night from Urenui. Yours very truly, W. B. Messenger.

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. D. McLean to Major Brown. (No. 358—1 d.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 29th June, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 251, of the 24th instant, covering a report from Captain Messenger, that the fires of the Hauhaus had been seen on the ranges between Wai Iti and the White Cliffs. The Government is anxious to hear further news as to the strength of the enemy. I have, &c., Major Brown, Commanding Militia District, Taranaki. Donald McLean.

No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to the Under Secretart for Defence. (No. 252.) Sir— Camp, Te Wai Iti, 24th June, 1869. I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. Colonel Haultain, that the Armed Constabulary, Bush Rangers, and Native Contingent, have this day explored the ranges between this and Clifton, as also the open country seaward, without finding any traces of the enemy. I believe the track is further inland still, beyond the dense scrub that is on the inland slope of the hills. With this view I shall explore to-morrow the track going inland from this to Ngatimaru, to ascertain if any foottracks going north or south can be found on it. It appears to me to be too indefinite at present, to trouble Colonel Lyon with the information. I have, &c, Chas. Brown, Major, The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding District.

No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to the Under Secretart for Defence. (No. 260.) Sir,— Camp, Wai Iti, Taranaki, 26th June, 1869. I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. Colonel Haultain, that the tracks inland to Ngatimaru and Tupari were carefully examined yesterday, and no traces found of their having been recently used. I have arrived at the conclusion that the gleam of the fires seen inland to the north of this, previously reported, were of a strong scouting party endeavouring to pass south by a fresh track they were exploring, but have not reached the existing tracks explored yesterday. Ido not anticipate that the movement on Ngatimaru, directed by the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, need in any way be delayed by it. It has now been raining steadily since before daylight, and appears likely to last some days, which is so far fortunate as affording a better prospect of fine and settled weather when the time for starting arrives. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence Office, Chas. Brown, Major, Wellington. Commanding District.

No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to the Under Secretart for Defence. (No. 299.) Taranaki Militia and Volunteer Office, Sib,— New Plymouth, 7th July, 1869. In reply to the inquiry of the Hon. the Defence Minister, in letter number and date as per margin, I have the honor to transmit the enclosed letter from Inspector Tuke, A.C. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence, Chas. Brown, Wellington. Major Commanding District.

Enclosure in No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Inspector Tuke to Major Brown. Head Quarters, Camp, 7th Division A.C., Sib,— sth June, 1869. In compliance with your request to be informed of the circumstances under which I observed a fire a short distance from Pukearuhe last evening, and what force I should suppose the enemy were in, I have the honor to state that my outlying picquet reported the fire about half-past 4 p.m. last evening, and I proceeded to their post at once, and could distinctly see it myself. I should say it was

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about three miles from the Pukearuhe Redoubt, and probably lit by a small scouting party of the enemy, who, there is every reason to suppose, keep a sharp look-out on our position, possibly apprehending an attack from us. According to information volunteered by Ihaia, there are about 200 to 300 fighting men at the Mokau Heads, or near them, and I attribute the various fires seen by us to parties detached from the main body to watch our movements. No tracks have been seen lately at the White Cliffs. Major Charles Brown, I have, &c, Commanding District, &c, Taranaki. Arthur Tuke, Inspector, 7th Division A.C.

No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Mr. G. S. Cooper to Major Brown. (No. 406-1 D.) Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 15th July, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 299, of the 7th instant, enclosing one from Inspector Tuke upon the subject of fires seen by him in the direction of Pukearuhe. I have, &c, Major Brown, G. S. Cooper, Commanding Taranaki Militia and Volunteers. Acting Under Secretary.

No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Major Bbown to the Under Secretart for Defence. (No. 281.) Militia and Volunteer Office, Sib,— Taranaki, sth July, 1869. In explanation of the delay that has taken place in the departure of the expedition to Ngatimaru, I have the honor to transmit, for the information of the Hon. D. McLean, a note from Colonel Lyon (copy) to Major Stapp, and copy of a letter from myself to Colonel Lyon. The weather being now evidently very fine all round Mount Egmont for some distance, the expedition under my command will leave Wai Iti for Ngatimaru, on the north-east bank of the Waitara, to-morrow. In a note, dated the Ist instant, Captain Good writes from Urenui: —" The Natives inland have heard of Te Kooti's threat. Hami, from Tupari, is expected back soon, when we shall hear the result of a meeting held at Ngatimaru, at which it will be decided what part they intend to take in the event Te Kooti makes a raid on this side." I have, &c., The Under Secretary for Defence, Charles Brown, Wellington. Major Commanding District.

Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Colonel Lton to Major Stapp. Mt dear Stapp,— Patea, 28th June, 1869. I was to have left this to-day en route for New Plymouth, but it is quite impossible attempting to march now about the country such weather as this; it is not raining but coming down in sheets of water, and the track through the bush is not passable, nor will it be for some days, till the water in rivers and creeks subsides. If you have the same weather with you, I conclude Major Brown cannot move either; I will send a messenger up when lam about starting. True copy — Believe me, &c, C. Stapp, Major, Adjutant M. and V. (Signed) William C. Lton.

Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to Lieut.-Colonel Lton. (No. 269.) Taranaki Militia and Volunteer Office, Sib,— New Plymouth, Ist July, 1869. I have the honor to transmit for your information two letters I have received from Mr. Commissioner Parris, relative to a reported movement of Upper Wanganui or Taupo Natives on Ngatimaru. I regret to state that the weather has been so bad as to render the Rivers Waitara, Urenui, and Mimi unfordable, except at slack water near the mouth. Lieut.-Colonel Lyon, Commanding Forces, I have, &c. Patea. (Signed) Chas. Brown, Major, True copy —C. Stapp, Major. Commanding District.

No. It Telegram from Major Brown to the Hon. D. McLean. Nelson, Bth July, 1869. Colonel Lton returned to Patea. Has given up expedition to Ngatimaru. Chas. Bbown.

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY

No. 12. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Lton to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir,— Patea, sth July, 1869. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter received from Colonel Whitmore. I had made preparations for starting on the expedition, according to instructions, on Monday, the 28th June, but was unable to march on account of the heavy rain. The weather, however, somewhat clearing, I sent the force to Waihi (230 men all ranks), and went to that place myself on Saturday. I heard at Manawapou that there are from 250 to 300 Hauhaus at Parihaka, consequently I should leave a strong force of rebels in my rear whilst proceeding to the Waitara, and Patea would be comparatively undefended, having left only 80 men to garrison the place and guard 233 Hauhau prisoners. I consider it would be throwing too strong a temptation for the Hauhaus to resist, knowing as they well do our movements ; besides, as I was going myself by the beach, with only a small escort, I consider it doubtful whether I should be allowed to pass unmolested. I also may add, that the bush track in rear of the mountain is at this time of the year impassable. There are some seventy creeks and rivers to cross, and amongst them the Patea. I received a letter from Major Brown, Taranaki, informing me he was unable to march the day agreed upon, in consequence of the heavy fresh in the rivers. Under these circumstances, I have the honor to request you will be good enough to send me further instructions. Mr. Booth, R.M., is writing to the Native Office, and will give further particulars respecting the Natives at Parihaka. I have, &c, To the Hon. the Defence Minister, William C. Lton, Lt.-Col., Wellington. Commanding Patea District.

Enclosure in No. 12. Extract from Letter received from Colonel WniTMORE, dated " Waterloo-day, 1869." " Major Brown leaves by the ' Wanganui' to hunt up Titokowaru, and Colonel Haultain wishes me to instruct you to co-operate and take command of the operation. " The idea is for you to go round the mountain to Mataitawa, where you will be supplied again, thence by a road (for which a guide will be found) to Paki Paki and up the banks of the Waitara, till met by Major Brown. " That officer will leave his camp at or near White Cliffs by an inland track, and on the third day strike the Waitara a little above Paki Paki. " .After meeting, your supplies will be exhausted, but we are led to believe that abundance of cattle, maize, and potatoes and pigs, will be found there. " Titokowaru, much dejected and short of ammunition, is somewhere about there, and it is with the object of bringing him to book that this expedition is set on foot." True extract —Porster V. Goring, Sub-Inspector, Acting Adjutant.

No. 13. Copy of a Letter from G. S. Cooper to Lieut.-Colonel Lton. (No. 541-2e.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 10th July, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the sth instant, No. 33, in which you express your reasons for not proceeding on the proposed expedition against Titokowaru, and to inform you that, considering the exposed state in which you would have left Patea, and other circumstances detailed by you, the Defence Minister considers you have displayed much judgment in the course you have adopted. I have, Ac, Lieut.-Colonel Lyon, Commanding Militia G. S. Cooper, District, Patea. Acting Under Secretary.

No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to the Under Secretart for Defence. (No. 298.) Taranaki Militia and Volunteer Office, Sib,— New Plymouth, 7th July, 1869. I have the honor to transmit for the information of the Hon. D. McLean, copy of a letter received by me from Colonel Lyon, under which the expedition to Ngatimaru has been abandoned. I also enclose copy of my reply. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence Office, Chas. Brown, Major, Wellington. Commanding District. Enclosure 1 in No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Lton to Major Brown. Mt dear Major Brown, —■ Manawapou, 4th July, 1869. I received your letter all right; I did not expect the force could start. I was at Waihi last night, but it is impossible to get through the bush at this season —all the rivers and creeks are flooded. I also learn there are 300 Natives at Pariahaka, and it would be hardly safe to take all my force to

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the Waitara and leave these Hauhaus in my rear; it would be tempting them to attack Patea, especially as there are 230 prisoners there at this present time; so I intend putting off my march, or rather attempting it again, till I hear from the Government. That place, Pariahaka, should be looked at. Excuse this hurried note, but the mailman is waiting, having just met him on his way back. True copy — Believe mo, &c, C. Stapp, Major, Adjutant M. and V. William C. Lyon.

Enclosure 2 in No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to Lieut.-Colonel Lton. (No. 297.) Mi dear Colonel Lton, — Militia and Volunteer Office. 7th July, 1569. I am in receipt of your favour of the 4th instant, sent on to me at Wai Iti a few hours before I was to proceed to Ngatimaru. There was nothing in the rivers or the rugged country we had to pass through but cold or damp to be met with in this fine weather. I have travelled the track your force was to reach Mataitawa by, at all times and seasons, before General Chute improved it, and I never found it as you describe in the same weather; you will feel how deeply I sympathize with you on the exceptional state you found the country in. I have no instructions to co-operate with you in any movement on Pariahaka; moreover you would bo more liable to floods between you and Pariahaka than between you and Mataitawa, and there would still be some bush to go into. True copy —■ I have, &c, C. Stapp, Major, Adjutant M. and V. Chas. Brown, Major.

No. 15. Copy of a Letter from G. S. Cooper to Major C. Brown. (No. 405-Id.) Sir,— Defence Office, Wellington, 15th July, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 298, of the 7th instant, enclosing copies of a correspondence with Lieut.-Colonel Lyon, relative to the abandonment of the Ngatimaru expedition. I have, &c, Major C. Brown, Commanding Taranaki G. S. Cooper, Militia and Volunteers. Acting Under Secretary.