A.—No. 3d.
RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST REBEL NATIVES. No. 1. Lieut.-Colonel Lambeet to Hon. Colonel Haultaix. (Telegram No. 112.) Napier, 3 a.m., 11th April, 1869. We have had bad news: that Mohaka has been attacked, and that two Native children and an old man have been killed. This I have no doubt of, and shall move the mounted Armed Constabulary and every man of Militia and Volunteers to the scene. More by-and-by. To Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Lambeet.
No. 2. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultaitt. (Telegram No. 115.) Napier, 3.30 a.m., 11th April, 1569. Lambert has sent telegram about Mohaka attack. About 7 o'clock last night Mr. Davis came in from Petane, reporting that a man had arrived there with accounts that Hauhaus had attacked Mohaka yesterday morning. Ho went back at once to Petane, with instructions to send in trooper with further news as soon as any arrived. About 10 o'clock the Mohaka settler Stark came in, and gave an account of what had happened up to the time he left. His story was, that about 5 o'clock a.m. he heard firing, and went on horseback across the river to the pa to see what was up. The Natives told him the Hauhaus were attacking them. Stark then hurried across to his house again, where a crippled man was in bed, but was fired at by three Hauhaus near his stockyard. He made his way to the beach, and met Mr. Hudson, who told him Sim, another settler, had gone up the river to bring off his family. Stark saw Herricks the carpenter and another launching a whaleboat, and then rode off for Napier, to give the alarm to settlers on the road. It was about 9 o'clock when ho left Mohaka, and saw a number of Native whares in flames. AH the settlers at Waikaro and other places along the line were preparing to escape into Napier. Stark says he saw a considerable number of Hauhaus on both sides of the river, firing at the pa, but at long distances ; up to the time he left he saw no one killed or wounded. Colonel Lambert at once, on hearing this news, set about making every preparation for sending a force. About 2 o'clock Hcrrick and Armstrong arrived in Napier, in a whaleboat, with other five men; they left about 11 o'clock yesterday. Their report confirms Stark's account of an attack, and they give these further particulars: —They heard the firing, and Armstrong went to the pa, where there were very few Natives, the greater number, under their best leader, having gone to join the Wairoa expedition. Armstrong saw about thirty men marching with a flag, in regular order, round a bush towards the pa. He then fled to the beach, and, with six others, launched a boat, and remained outside the surf for some hours. Although he only saw thirty, he believed the enemy to be in force, as they were firing volleys. No one appeared up to the time they loft except Mr. Hudson, who was mounted, on the Wairoa side of the river. Telegram sent to Waipukurau, ordering Richardson's troopers to march at once for Petane. The pilot has been despatched with the lifeboat to Mohaka, and ought to reach about 9 o'clock. Captain Towgood starts at 6 o'clock, the earliest mounted horses can be crossed, with an advanced party of mounted men, to be joined at Petane by about twenty mounted Militia. Town Militia and Volunteers ordered to parade at 7 o'clock, from which a force will be drawn to proceed at once up the coast. Nos. 3 and 9, country companies, will parade at twelve. Orderlies have been sent to warn officers of respective companies. You may depend on the most prompt action being taken without exciting unnecessary'alarm. Reports will be sent you as they come in. I have requested Lambert to give notice to the IS'atives as soon as possible. I have been hero since 3 o'clock, but the operators have been unable to get either Wellington or Waipukurau, although they have tried both places continually since then. To Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Russell.
No. 3. Lieut.-Coloncl Lambert to the Hon. Colonel Haultaut. (Telegram No. 116.) Napier, 6.37 a.m., 11th April, 1869. I have directed the town Militia and Volunteers to parade with a view of moving a force to the front, and have ordered Richardson's mounted men to march on Petane ; they will I trust bo there on Monday. I have also directed the suburban companies to parade and await orders. Some of the Mohaka people think it is the ammunition they are striking for. To Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Lambeet.
No. 4: Hon. Colonel Haultain to Hon. H. R. Russell. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11.46 a.m., 11th April 1869. I hate got your telegrams. The measures taken are prompt and satisfactory, and all cavalry should push on as fast as possible ; but do not move Militia until you get further information. That already received is meagre, and I doubt whether the attacking party are in force. To 11. 11. Russell, Napier. T. M. Haulta^-.
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