A—No. a

DISTURBANCES AT PATEA.

39

No. 68. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Stevens to Colonel McDonnell. (No. 394-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic,— Wellington, 17th July, 1868. It having been reported to the Government that one of the murderers of Bio Haraterangi, named Bairama, a Native of Waikato, is living at Kaipo, a Native reserve at Waitotara, and that other murderers of Eio are living at Batea with Taurua; also that Himiona te Whawati Bawiri and Hami Tukehata (murderers of Kereti) are living at Okutuku; lam instructed by tho Defence Minister to inform you that as the force under your command are now engaged in endeavouring to capture the murderers of the Europeans, steps should be also taken to secure the murderers of Eio and Kereti, if you and Mr. Booth see your way to do so. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Feas. Stevens Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea. (For the Under Secretary).

No. 69. Copy of a Letter from Colonel McDonnell to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. (No. 354-1.) Sic,— Patea, 10th July, 1868. I have the honor to request, in consequence of the very alarming state of affairs in this district, that I may not only be furnished with authority to enrol an additional force of three hundred (300) men, but that martial law may be proclaimed in this district immediately. I would further inform you that active operations will be commenced on Wednesday next, should the weather prove favourable. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, Thos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Wellington. Commanding Patea District.

No. 70. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to Colonel McDonnell. (No. 398-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic— Wellington, 18th July, 186 S. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 854-1, of the 10th instant, requesting an authority to enrol an additional 300 men, and. suggesting that martial law be proclaimed, and to inform you that the Government are now engaged in raising two hundred (200) Europeans to increase the strength of the field force under your command, and that they do not consider it necessary to advise His Excellency to proclaim martial law in the Patea district, as no additional powers would thereby be conferred on you as commanding officer. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, I have, &c, Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea. T. M. Haultain.

No. 71. Copy of a Letter from Colonel McDonnell to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. (No. 355-1.) Sis ,— _ Patea, 10th July, 1868. I have the honor to forward for your information enclosed communication received from Inspector Hunter, commanding Camp Waihi, reporting certain complaints made by the men of Nos. 2 and 3 Divisions, Armed Constabulary, and in doing so would beg to bring to your notice the very awkward position I am placed in by having the force under my command composed of corps receiving different rates of pay and allowances, viz., the Armed Constabulary, the men of which receive 4s. per diem, together with 6s. per month in lieu of clothing ; the Wellington Bangers, ss. per diem and a free issue of clothing; the company of Volunteer Militia, 4s. per day, without any other allowance. When rations are issued by the Government, a deduction is made of Is. 6d. per diem from each man. As these men have all to perform the same duties and undergo the same hardships, I beg strongly to recommend that during the present state of hostilities the whole of the field force in this district should receive the same uniform rate of pay, and the company of Volunteer Militia a free issue of clothing on the same conditions as the Wellington Bangers, or the usual money allowance of 6s. per month in lieu thereof. In strongly recommending this increase of pay to the Constabulary and Volunteer Militia, I believe, that any feeling of dissatisfaction that at present exists will be clone away with. I intend visiting the different posts to-morrow, when I shall explain to the men that I have forwarded their claim to the Government, and further, that I have recommended the proposed increase of pay. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, Thos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Wellington. Commanding Patea District.

Enclosure in No. 71. Copy of a Letter from Inspector Huntee to Colonel McDonnell. (No. 13.) Sis— Camp Waihi, sth July, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that the men of Nos. 2 and 3 Divisions, A.C, at this post, have this day made a complaint to me with respect to the District Order of the Ist instant, directing that