PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE

A,—No. 8.

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settlers in that district should not be interfered with at all. I then marched the men into Patea this day at daybreak; and as the Resident Magistrate has intimated that the services of the Volunteer Militia are not further required, I have discharged them from to-morrow. I have, &c., Wm. Huntee, Inspector, A.C, The Under Secretary, Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Patea District.

No. 33. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to the Offices Commanding Colonial Fosces, Patea. (No. 236-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sis,— Wellington, 4th May, 1868. I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter, No. 273, of the 24th ultimo, reporting that you had marched a party of thirty-five men to Hangahape, that an interview had taken place between the Besident Magistrate and the Natives who had refused to allow certain settlers to go on their land, and that the Natives had now agreed not to interfere with the settlers. In reply I am to state that the Defence Minister has approved the action you report having taken in the matter. I have, &c. J. Holt, The Officer Commanding Colonial Forces, Batea. Under Secretary.

No. 3-1. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to the Offices Commanding Militia District, Patea. (No. 253-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sis,— Wellington, 9th May, 1868. It having been decided by the Government that the post at Patea need only now be retained as a depot for supplies, I am directed by the Defence Minister to request you will, as soon as possible after receipt of this letter, proceed with the whole of the Armed Constabulary now stationed at Patea (with the exception of a small party under a non-commissioned officer, whom you will leave to look after the buildings and stores) to Waihi, where until further orders you will establish your headquarters. The Defence Minister presumes that with twelve packhorses and a cart, you will have no difficulty in making arrangements by which the men will be able to supply themselves with rations. I have, &c, J. Holt. The Officer Commanding Militia District Patea. Under Secretary.

No. 35. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to the Offices Commanding Colonial Fosces, Patea. (No. 264-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic,— Wellington, 21st May, 1868. In reply to your letter, No. 294-1, of the 17th instant, requesting that the two sub-divisions stationed at llokitika and Sentry Hill may be ordered to return to Patea, I am directed by the Defence Minister to inform you that the detachment now at Hokitika will return to Patea about the end of this month ; but that the services of the other sub-division are required at New Plymouth. I have, &c, J. Holt, The Officer Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea. Under Secretary.

No. 36. Copy of a Letter from Colonel McDonnell to Captain Holt. (No. 292-1.) Sis,— Patea, 16th May, 1868. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, that latterly several instances of horse-stealing, and other robberies, have taken place in the district about Waihi and Waingongoro, by Natives. On tho 9th instant I received a warrant from Mr. Booth (a copy of which I beg to enclose) to apprehend Toi and Hau Whenua, who reside at To Ngutu-o-te-Manu. Katene, lately a guide w rith the Volunteer Militia, was a prisoner in gaol, and I requested Mr. Booth to release him in order that I might make use of him in the proposed expedition. My request was complied with, after some time, on my becoming security for the amount of £14 should Katene escape. Katene is a Native in whom I have implicit confidence, he having served with me as guide on numerous occasions. I then directed Captain Page, whom I placed on pay, to enrol 40 Volunteer Militia, and ordered out the Patea Light Horse Volunteers for service. These, with the whole of the Armed Constabulary,— strength as per margin * —I placed under command of Inspector Hunter, and * Staff —field officer, 1; captain, 1; assistant surgeon, 1; volunteer, 1. Armed Constabulary —inspector, 1; subinspector, 1; senior sergeant, 1; sergeants, 4 ; corporals, 3 ; constables, 45. Patea Light Horse Volunteers —captain, 1; sergeant, 1; privates, 15. Volunteer Militia—captain, 1; sergeant, 1; corporal, 1 ; bugler, 1; privates, 30. Totals—■ field officer, 1; inspector, 1 ; captains, 3 ; sub-inspector, 1 ; assistant surgeon, 1 ; volunteer, 1; senior sergeant, 1 ; sergeants, 6 ; corporals, 4 ; bugler, 1; privates, 45 ; constables, 45. Total, all ranks, 110. Remarks —Staff, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell (commanding), Captain Cumming, Assistant-Surgeon Walker, and Volunteer Canning. Armed Constabulary— Inspector Hunter and Sub-Inspector Ross. Patea Light Horse Volunteers—Captain O'Halloran. Volunteer Militia — Captain Page.