FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES. CAPTURE OF NATIVES AT PUTIKI.

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

A.—No. 3d.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES. CAPTURE OF NATIVES AT PUTIKI.

(In continuation of Papers presented 15th July, 1869.)

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

WELLINGTON.

1869.

A.—No. 3d.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST REBEL NATIVES.

No. 1. Copv of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Lyon to the Hon. D. McLean. (No. 36.) Sir,— Patea, 9th July, 1869. I have the honor to state, for your information, that I sent Captain Hawes, AVairoa Rifle Volunteers, with a party of his men, thirty in number, to Putahi, on the AVhenuakura River, for the purpose of bringing in Te One and eight rebel Natives. Te One is of the Pakekohe Tribe, and supposed to be implicated in the murder of Charles Broughton, Interpreter, in 1865. He had a few days previously sent in his gun (breech-loading carbine) by some Hauhaus who had surrendered. I regret to state that Te One managed to escape, and I cannot but consider that much blame is attached to Captain Hawes, for had that officer taken even the commonest precautions it could not possibly have occurred. Herewith I beg to enclose Captain Hawes' report. I have, &c, AVilliam C. Lyon, Lieut.-Colonel, The Hon. Defence Minister, Wellington. Commanding District, Patea.

Enclosure in No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Captain Hawes to Lieut.-Colonel Lyon. Sib,—- AVairoa, 7th July, 1809. I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with your instructions, I went yesterday, marching at 5 a.m., to Putahi, and found the Natives of whom we were in quest at a place called Whare Kura, on the river (AVhcnuakura) bank, about a mile from the first-named place. I left the party at the edge of the bush, and went forward to the tents, where I saw two men, sis women, and two boys, all of whom appeared glad to come in. I placed a guard on each of the tents, which stood about eighty yards apart, and sent Ensign Middlemas with the rest of the party across the river to launch the canoes, which were lying on the high bank, twenty yards or so from the river. I then went with Te One (the principal man) to look for the paddles, as he said they had been hidden by AVhare Matangi's people, and found two near the canoes; we then returned and looked in the long fern and scrub near the tents for more, when, inadvertently letting Te One out of my sight for a minute or two, I missed him, on which, as I could not see him or get an answer from him, I searched the bush and river-bank with some men, and after awhile heard him calling to me from the other side of the river, across a bend above us. I could not hear all he said, but made out that he was afraid of my men, and would come down to Oika, on the river below. As it was impossible to follow with any chance of catching or shooting the man, I returned, and brought the eight remaining Natives to the mouth of the river (a distance of about twenty miles) in the five canoes, and then on to Patea, where we arrived at about 5.30 p.m. I exceedingly regret that To One should have escaped, but was taken off my guard by his seeming willingness to accompany us to Patea. I think it probable that he, with another man who had left the camp before our arrival, has gone up the AVhcnuakura River, to a place called Te Mamaku, where I believe a third man and a woman are living. I have, &c, To Lieut.-Col on el Lyon, Robt. N. Hawes, Captain, Commanding Patea Militia District. Commanding AV.R.V.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. G. S. Cooper to Lieut.-Colonel Lyon. (No. 550-2E.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 15th July, 1869. I am instructed by the Hon. the Defence Minister to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 36, of the 9th instant, reporting the surrender of eight more Hauhaus of the Pakekoho hapu, and the escape of the chief Te One Kura. Mr. McLean has heard of that escape with great regret, and concurs with you in thinking that Captain Hawes was much to blame for his carelessness. You are requested to communicate this opinion to Captain Hawes. There is now a considerable number of these prisoners in your charge, and Mr. McLean confidently relies upon you to take every possible precaution so to guard them as to prevent the possibility of a repetition of the misfortune that has so often occurred when Hauhau prisoners have been detained, of their escaping and returning to their friends more exasperated than ever against us. The Government are now considering what is to be done with these people, and you shall be relieved of the charge of them as speedily as possible. I have, &c., Lieut.-Col on el Lyon, G. S. Cooper, Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea. Acting Under Secretary.