AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

39

A.—No. 12.

The Tauranga Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Moorsom, have been instructed by the Officer Commanding this District to proceed this evening to Eotorua: you will be good enough to furnish him from time to time with the most reliable information you can obtain as to Te Kooti's movements, and give him any other assistance which it is in your power to render. I have, &c, Captain St. George, Tauranga. Hexbt T. Clack, Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 4 in No. 30. Copy of a Letter from Mr. H. T. Clabke to Captain St. Geoege. Mt deae Sic, — Tauranga, 22nd March, 1869. 12J a.m. "We have just received tidings of Major Mair. Te Kooti has succeeded in making his escape into the Ahikereru district, consequently all the arrangements made by us will be held in abeyance. Tours, &c, Captain St. George, Taupo. H. T. Claekk.

Enclosure 5 in No. 30. Copy of a Letter from Captain St. Geoe<}e to Mr. H. T. Claeke. Sic,— Kaiteriria, 23rd March, 1860. 11 a.m. I arrived at Karere yesterday morning. Kemp and his men wore there waiting for my arrival. Kemp tells me that Te Kooti is at Motumako ; at any rate a part of his force are there, and the remainder no further than Temarau. On my arrival at Karere, I sent Kemp and his party on to Bercwhakaritu, and also sent Bewi and his people there (some of Eewi's were already there). There are now at Eerewhakaritu 135 men. I wrote to Poihipi and Hohepa to meet me at Teupokoopo (near Eerewhakaritu) with as many armed men as they could muster. This was all done before hearing of the return of cavalry to Tauranga. I told Kemp yesterday that Major Mair had sent word that Te Kooti had retired to Ahikereru. Kemp says that he did so, but has again returned to Motumako, some of Eewi's scouts being chased by Te Kooti's people there. I believe that Te Kooti will try to pass to Waikato, probably by "Waiotapu or Paerou. I have written to Taupo to have all canoes taken out of the way, which will delay him if he tries above the Niho-o-te-kiore. Pending further orders, I shall try and prevent him. I rode to Mouria last night to meet you, and there heard that you had returned with the cavalry. Tour letter (22nd date), by Maunsell, I have only this moment received, so that all my instructions to tho Natives were given previously. I have just returned from Mouria, and find all my orders carried out. I start now to join Kemp and Eewi at Eerewhakaritu. I hope that you will think I shall do right in not dismissing these men under the above circumstances. On my arrival at Berewhakaritu I shall go myself and find out Te Kooti's actual whereabouts. The Taupo Natives sent down word that Te Kooti has said that " Tauranga (on Taupo Lake) will be his resting place." My opinion is that he won't stop there. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner. J>"o. C. St. Geoege. P.S. —I send this by Mr. Hallctt, to whom I have promised pay. No Natives to be got here to carry letters.

Enclosure 6 in No. 30. Copy of a Letter from Mr. H. T. Claeke to Captain St. G-eoege. (Q-. 284.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Tauranga, 25th March, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 23rd instant, acquainting me with your intended proceedings. The whole story of Te Kooti's having returned to Motumako is simply untrue. Mr. Gilbert Mair, with the Ngatipikiao and Ngatirangi Tribe, occupied Motumako from Saturday morning, 20th instant, till Monday afternoon, 22nd instant, and not a sign of Te Kooti's party was seen either there or at Tauaroa. I regret that after being aware of the contents of Major Mair's communication conveying the intelligence of Te Kooti having returned to Ahikereru, that any steps should have been taken which will involve the Government in a heavy outlay without a hope of accomplishing anything. Should Te Kooti really attempt to force a passage across the Waikato, every means should be used to prevent him. I have, &c, EL T. Claeke, To Captain St. George. Civil Commissioner.

No. 31. Copy of a Letter from Major Noake to the Hon. Colonel Hauitain. (No. 148.) Sic,— Militia Office, Wanganui, 31st March, 1869. I have the honor to report, for your information, that Captain Bryce, in scouring the district behind Pakaraka for rebel Maoris, found, some distance in the bush, a Native man, woman, and child, whom he made prisoners. The man. is known by the name of Te Karera, of Pakaraka, Waitotara, and