A.—No. 3c;.

OPERATIONS AGAINST REBEL NATIVES.

5

No. 11. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 11th April, 1869. Major Geeen has gone as aide-de-camp to Lambert. Soon be known what is the state of affairs. Russell's and Wallace's Companies not included in the 190, and will add at least 150 to his force ; there is also the Petane Company some sixty strong, very good men, and about twenty A.C. mounted, and twelve dismounted. I doubt not Lambert will press on if necessary, and that his force will second his efforts if enemy makes a stand. Captain Withers was to have left Wairoa to-day, and would hear what had happened at Mohaka yesterday ;he will bring news of Wairoa expedition —I fear it will be a failure. If no' news from Wairoa to-morrow forenoon, can get a small vessel to run down. Rely on the utmost vigilance and zeal both on Lambert's part and my own, and that no unnecessary expenses will be incurred. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. H. Russell.

No. 12. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. (Telegram No. 125.) Napier, 6.56 a.m., 12th April, 1869. Come to the office, news through night not so good. Pearce, settler, arrived about lam.; lives just this end Mohaka River at its mouth, and saw fight with Natives and destruction of buildings. Pilot also returned at 2 a.m.; reports heavy firing late in the afternoon, and was himself fired on when attempting to land. Pearce says, "Te Kooti in full possession of Mohaka;" it is quite possible. Have you no steamer ? lam sending off the life-boat again to Wairoa. More when we meet. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Russell. No. 13. Hon. 11. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. " Waikau, Sunday, noon. —Sir, —Te Kooti is full possession of Mohaka. The Mohaka Natives held their pa against him for about twenty-four hours. Early this morning Te Kooti proposed that if they gave themselves up they should not be hurt. This was agreed to ; but when To Kooti entered he began to kill all he could lay hand on. Some thirty or forty, on perceiving Te Kooti's treachery, escaped across the river, and are now with me. It is to be feared that the Europeans living higher up the river have fell into Te Kooti's hand. The whole place is in flames. One European only has been seen dead. Ten Hauhaus were seen dead. I pressed Mr. Stark to hasten with all speed with a report yesterday afternoon, as also a trooper early this morning. We intend retiring as far as Arapurounui, should we not meet reinforcements. Messrs. Lavin's, Cooper's, and Sim's families may have escaped into the bush. Te Kooti is estimated to be 400 to 500 strong. —Your obedient servant, T. A. Peaece." Ten to twelve of the enemy were seen dead previous to the within mentioned Natives making their escape. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. H. Russell.

No. 14. Hon. H. R. Russell to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 8.56 a.m., 12th April, 1869. Just received despatch from Lambert, dated Petane, this morning, as follows: —"I am in receipt of all your letters; Pearce's is clearly an exaggeration. Tanner is well in advance—indeed will be at Mohaka to-day, I hope. I shall push on every mounted man. Twogood has done well, so far all right. Now about provisions : send as soon as you can bread, sugar, salt, &c, 30 bushels of oats, 2 kegs rifle ammunition, 3 boxes of breech-loading, and by trooper 16 billies—these at once, as many as he can bring. We have a large force now. Send 3 pack-saddles, complete, and more rations to-morrow. Yours truly, C. Lambert." One of the 18th told me Captain Wray had received instructions to go on emergency one day's march out of barracks. Is this so ? To Hon. Coloucl Haultain, Wellington. H. Russell.

No. 15. Hon. Colonel Haultain to Hon. H. R. Russell. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10.15 a.m., 12th April, 1569. I have only just got your morning telegrams 9.30. I will be down at the office as soon as possible; in the meantime let Lambert move on with his force, if you and he think it desirable. To Hon. H. Russell, Napier. T. M. Haultain.

No. 16. Hon. 11. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 9.15 a.m., 12th April, 1869. I consider Wairoa in imminent peril, if it is Te Kooti. They are now known to be in possession of Wairoa side river, and Withers, I hope, has not fallen into hands of any scouts. Look to this at once. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Russell. 2