A.—No. 3.

AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

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sent to ford opposite Putcre, where Hollow-ay, our scout, would meet them and show them road along Maungaharuru to Pohui. Shall inform Holloway to look out for them. "Will save much time. Eussell.

Hon. Colonel Wiiitmoee to Hon. Mr. Eussell. 19th June, 1869. Please send telegraph to Herrick with despatch. Te Kooti has been obliged to quit the difficult country, and has gone on the open plains. No longer same object in continuing your operations. Still, if in three days you feel able to cross and destroy kaingas and pas opposite, may do so. Government think a far better chance now at Taupo ; holding a post with sixty Europeans, supplied for three months, at Onepoto, so as to defend your boats and enable you to cross, if we require hereafter, without such obstacles as you have encountered. Te Kooti must be at once attacked in the open country, and I wish you to select men, not necessarily the most active, but otherwise reliable, and to leave them under any good officer except those of No. 2 Division. I would prefer no men being taken of the Mounted or No. 2 Division. Eopata will receive option to go home or go to Taupo. I write his letter and send it enclosed to you, that you may decide whether you will come at once or try to cross before he reads the document. It is important to be soon at Taupo. I write fully by mail. Whitmoee.

Hon. Colonel Wiiitjiore to Hon. Mr. Eussell. (Forward to Colonel Herrick.) 20th June, 1869. My letters missed the mail. " Eangatira " leaves on Monday, when I shall write again. Do not be disappointed at temporary suspension of Lake operations, but leave material, whether ready or not, in safety, and provision a post for three, or four months with, say, 120 rounds per man spare ammunition. Eemove your head-quarters to Eunanga as soon as possible. Fuller instructions will be sent. Whitmobe.

Hon. Mr. Eussell to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 19th June, 1869. Eeceited despatches from Herrick, 14th June ; had just received news of Opepe. Thinks it would be injudicious to take Eichardson's troop away, or to weaken his force at present. Has only 260 A.C. to take field ; rest holding posts and communications in rear. Must leave garrison of fifty men when crosses lake. Native force, though large, no good, except for a " come in at the death." Will not do fatigue or escort. Not to be trusted to hold any post. If any Europeans left, Natives would all leave. Wairoa Natives in great fright since orderly killed. Boats progressing favourably. Weather had been very bad, road dreadful. I am sending off Colonel Whitmore's telegram to Herrick, at 10 p.m. I think of running up to Wairoa in " St. Kilda " to-night, when she returns, and back on Sunday night, just to see what is going on, and for a little change. Eussell.

Hon. Mr. Eussell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, June 20, 18G9. Despatches from Herrick this evening, dated evening 16th June. Guides ordered to march by Mohaka to Petane, which they should reach by Sunday, the 20th. Supplies getting very low: everything cleared out of Wairoa, and pack-horses at a stand still. Natives funked since orderly shot, that a party sent out with a few Europeans under Captain Handloy, to scout country from where ambuscade was laid to the lake on Herrick's left, having seen, as they imagined, some signal fires in distance, refused to advance, though strongly urged by Handley. They returned to camp, and proposed to start next morning with reinforcements of Ngatiporou and others, and scour the whole bush. They marched again next morning with thirty Europeans. Beaching bush " the bravo Ngatiporous" halted, and commenced deliberately firing into it, to disgust of Newland, in command. They then right-faced and returned to camp. Herrick says if these are the kind of men to fight our battles, God help us. He was to send Mohaka Natives again on 17th, with thirty whites, by another road to back of bush, with orders to Europeans to go on without Natives if they objected. Does not anticipate any number of enemy there; only scouting party, came across lake to cut off orderlies and small parties. All orderlies and supplies now come under strong escorts, which keeps men constantly on move. If Natives would do their share would not so much matter. Had, consequently on extra duties, to order up No. 2. Great disadvantage at present, there is no chief with any influence over Natives. Those acting as officers seem anxious to carry out Herrick's orders, but men will not obey. Trusts Bopata will soon return; he is implicitly obeyed. Herrick says his position is far from enviable ; will see it through, however, whatever happens. Coventry had not reached as far as head-quarters. On hearing of orderly being shot, had immediately returned. Eussell.

Hon. Mr. Eussell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 23rd June, 1869. Seven p.m. —Despatches from "Wairoa just come in, dated the 21st. Heavy floods; communication with Herrick had been cut off for three days. " Grayling " and " Hero " cutters lost at Wairoa; former, total wreck, crew supposed lost; latter, cargo partially saved, crew saved. " Muriwai," full of stores for Government, driven off to Whangawehe. Captain Bower reports great scarcity of everything. Has some flour only. Afraid force at front badly off. 190 more Ngatiporous had 17